With the growing number of authors realizing the benefits of self-publishing, or Indie publishing, it was inevitable that a whole industry would grow up around “helping” them get published — for large chunks of money. Here are some types of offers to beware of.

Maybe you’ve received an email asking if you’d like to be published in the same book as Seth Godin or Anthony Robbins or Elizabeth Gilbert or … any number of other famous authors. All you have to do is submit your “chapter” to be included. Oh yes, and you have to buy a minimum of 1,000 copies of the book — at retail price! 

Another version of this is the offer to have “your” book published alongside other writers, but with your face and name on the cover. This is downright misleading to your readers, as it looks like your book — until they get inside and see all you have is a chapter in there. And of course, every other author who has a chapter also has a version of the book with their face on the cover!

Some companies promise to produce and market your book for a cost that can go up to $15,000 or even more. That’s not a ghostwriting fee, that’s just for the book that you’ve already written! And in way too many cases, the marketing is non-existent. They put it up on Amazon, charge you for X number of print copies to be used for marketing, and they end up in the trash. The production of the book comes nowhere near this cost. This is a scam pure and simple.

Imaginative scammers are coming up with new versions all the time, so the old advice “Buyer Beware” applies here. I’m not suggesting you don’t pay anyone to help with your book. As you know, I have a range of author services myself. What I am saying, is be sure you know exactly what you’re getting for your money, and do some research into the company as a first step. Some are already known and you’ll find horror stories of people who have lost thousands with nothing to show for it.

Yes, I do offer a publishing package. I am completely transparent about what it costs, what it includes and what it doesn’t include. If you’d like details, drop me a line at helen@theexecutivesbookcoach.com and I’ll be happy to give you them. Read more about my services for authors here.

This series is designed to help you get your book written and out into the world. I don’t want to see you get ripped off just when you should be reaping the rewards.