Eldon Farrell's Blog: The Writer's Craft - Posts Tagged "scams"
I guess I'm an author now...
Though not for the reason you might expect. I woke up this morning to a surprise in my inbox - an invitation to be represented. Someone (I won't use names because neither did he) wants to help me navigate through the muddy waters of publication and make me a success! "Oh my, why I nearly fainted with excitement."
And of course to have access to this amazing expertise all I have to do is pay him. Pay him for access to social media, pay him for followers, pay him for "honest" reviews, pay him for beta reading services, pay him for editing, hell apparently I could even pay him to write the book for me!
I'm sure I'm not alone in having received this message, or others like it. Just as I'm equally sure that it's a scam. But I should thank him for making me feel more like an author. After all, so many of us it seems are the target for these types of scams as soon as our name gets out there even a little bit.
But why is that? Why should it be that people feel the need to prey upon the hopes and dreams of others? Somewhere out there, someone might be reading this and having their bubble burst for they might've actually thought his message was genuine. That despite the total lack of personalization or individual detail about the book that he supposedly thought so much of, that he was actually speaking to them and was able to deliver on his promises.
It angers me to think about my fellow Indie authors who get swindled like this. It isn't right. Whoever we are, we all have dreams. We all have aspirations; we all have something we want to accomplish.
For many of us here that is having our words in print - being a published author. We should be able to reach for that brass ring without fear of it being tarnished by scam artists preying upon our dreams, and yes, our desperation. For publication is not easy; it is a long road that can often lead to feeling desperate. Don't we all feel that way from time to time?
So what can be done about this? If the scams persist it's because money is being made; good people are being conned. This is how we stop them - by getting the word out! So please, spread this by any means at your disposal to everyone you know and lets make a difference; let's force the scammers to get a real job!!
A few simple rules to go by. Many of us know these all ready, but for those who don't here we go:
1. Reputable publishers don't ask for money from an author up front for their services.
2. If they're contacting you out of the blue, be wary. It's rare that this legitimately happens.
3. If what they've written to you reads like a form letter and sounds like it was written by an eight year old, well you know...
4. If guarantees or promises of success are proffered, remember that such things can never be assured and reputable businesses don't lead with hooks designed to entice you in such ways.
And while on the subject of things that cannot be offered...an honest review that is paid for is the same thing as being found missing or living dead. For a review to be truly honest there can be no fiduciary relationship involved. Anyone remember the rating agencies and the 2008 financial crisis? Still think bought and paid for opinions are honest?
In closing, I'd like to say that receiving one of these e-mails shouldn't be a rite of passage for newbie and Indie authors. It's sad really. But it's within our ability to change that. Together we can squeeze these types of scammers out and return the gleam to that brass ring we're all striving for.
And of course to have access to this amazing expertise all I have to do is pay him. Pay him for access to social media, pay him for followers, pay him for "honest" reviews, pay him for beta reading services, pay him for editing, hell apparently I could even pay him to write the book for me!
I'm sure I'm not alone in having received this message, or others like it. Just as I'm equally sure that it's a scam. But I should thank him for making me feel more like an author. After all, so many of us it seems are the target for these types of scams as soon as our name gets out there even a little bit.
But why is that? Why should it be that people feel the need to prey upon the hopes and dreams of others? Somewhere out there, someone might be reading this and having their bubble burst for they might've actually thought his message was genuine. That despite the total lack of personalization or individual detail about the book that he supposedly thought so much of, that he was actually speaking to them and was able to deliver on his promises.
It angers me to think about my fellow Indie authors who get swindled like this. It isn't right. Whoever we are, we all have dreams. We all have aspirations; we all have something we want to accomplish.
For many of us here that is having our words in print - being a published author. We should be able to reach for that brass ring without fear of it being tarnished by scam artists preying upon our dreams, and yes, our desperation. For publication is not easy; it is a long road that can often lead to feeling desperate. Don't we all feel that way from time to time?
So what can be done about this? If the scams persist it's because money is being made; good people are being conned. This is how we stop them - by getting the word out! So please, spread this by any means at your disposal to everyone you know and lets make a difference; let's force the scammers to get a real job!!
A few simple rules to go by. Many of us know these all ready, but for those who don't here we go:
1. Reputable publishers don't ask for money from an author up front for their services.
2. If they're contacting you out of the blue, be wary. It's rare that this legitimately happens.
3. If what they've written to you reads like a form letter and sounds like it was written by an eight year old, well you know...
4. If guarantees or promises of success are proffered, remember that such things can never be assured and reputable businesses don't lead with hooks designed to entice you in such ways.
And while on the subject of things that cannot be offered...an honest review that is paid for is the same thing as being found missing or living dead. For a review to be truly honest there can be no fiduciary relationship involved. Anyone remember the rating agencies and the 2008 financial crisis? Still think bought and paid for opinions are honest?
In closing, I'd like to say that receiving one of these e-mails shouldn't be a rite of passage for newbie and Indie authors. It's sad really. But it's within our ability to change that. Together we can squeeze these types of scammers out and return the gleam to that brass ring we're all striving for.
