Comments on: How one author got ripped off and how you can avoid it

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 15:51:47 +0000

Thanks for the feedback here, Barry, even though you’ve emailed me a few times about this already. Penny and I do not have any type of “cozy arrangement.” I’m disappointed that you’re challenging my integrity — and Penny’s too. It’s one thing to do this privately; it’s another to do it publicly.

Sandy

By: Barry Knister

Barry Knister — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 14:14:09 +0000

I am seeing this post for the first time. Even though it’s old, I have no choice but to comment. So, you consider AME a great marketing firm. The only thing Penny S marketed with me was herself. That “work” was an absolute slam-dunk. I was naive about book covers and had created one. Instead of telling me how bad it was before went any further, to lock me into the deal, Penny S raved about how great my self-made cover was, and how she saw a bright future for my little novel. She took about $4,000 from me, and–ready?– failed to sell one book. Not one. You won’t need long to come up with what my opinion is of her. That you admire Penny S suggests to me a cozy arrangement among marketers. Please don’t reply with “no guarantees.” I know that. But not one book? That’s a whole different take on “no guarantees,” isn’t it?

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 01:34:56 +0000

In reply to Sally.

Sally, you’re paraphrasing, right? What’s the exact language in the contract? It will help me to see that.

Most publishers expect authors to do the majority of the promotion.

Sandy

By: Sally

Sally — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 23:26:18 +0000

I know this is an older post but what do you do if you have a publisher that won’t do #6? “Do what I say or else, and don’t you dare do anything on your own because you will fail.” This feels like a red flag or is it to prevent the author from doing something stupid? I feel like there should be something the author can do to promote the book if they are so inclined.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Sun, 06 Mar 2022 14:17:38 +0000

In reply to Connie Bennett. I’m glad they’re helpful, Connie! Sandy

By: Connie Bennett

Connie Bennett — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 17:57:23 +0000

Sandra, these are great suggestions. Thanks so much.

By: The Cautionary Tale of Insurgent Publishing

The Cautionary Tale of Insurgent Publishing — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 14:16:26 +0000

[…] of the arrangement between Linda and Tom is attributable to several factors. Sandra Beckwith has an excellent analysis of how authors can avoid these pitfalls, but we will approach the conflict from the other side, […]

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 15:55:05 +0000

In reply to Ilham.

Thanks, Ilham. Yes, there’s a lot you can do yourself. There’s also a lot that authors choose to do that extends far beyond what you’ve described. When they don’t have the time, knowledge, or skills to do it themselves, they outsource it. This article is designed to help them select the right vendor for tasks they aren’t in a position to do themselves. And, of course, some people have more time than money while others have more money than time.

Sandy

By: Ilham

Ilham — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 15:37:42 +0000

I have a kids-lit book coming out fairly soon and as this is my first foray into publishing, I’m doing a lot of it myself. What many don’t realize is that you can use Squarespace or WordPress to build a professional website (spend some time learning it first and then it becomes easy-peasy), join and engage in Facebook groups to build your profile, use hashtags on Instagram to gain real followers and so on. It’s a lot of work sure, my kid sometimes complains that I look at my phone too much (I explain that mommy is actually working); but it can be done without needing to pay these “shark” companies to do it for you.

By: Episode 106 - Should I Hire a Publicist or an Agent? - CKSyme Media Group

Episode 106 - Should I Hire a Publicist or an Agent? - CKSyme Media Group — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 00:21:13 +0000

[…] How one author got ripped off and how to avoid it […]