Writer Beware

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The Scam of Book Returns Insurance

Header image: huge pile of books, with other books flying away with pages aflutter (credit: Vladimir Melnikov / Shutterstock.com)

FEB 16, 2024October 16, 20247 COMMENTS

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll know that one of the hallmarks of the publishing/marketing/fake literary agency scams that are so prevalent right now is the selling of bogus services.

Sometimes they're bogus because they're totally substandard (a la those online clothing companies where the actual garments look nothing like the pictures). Sometimes they're bogus because they're never delivered at all. And sometimes they're bogus because they are 100% fake: international book seals, endorsement reviews, book "re-licensing" (watch for an upcoming post on that one), and more.

This post takes a look at one of the more common bogus scammer offerings, which is notable also because it takes a real element of the publishing industry (book returns) and spins it into a product that does not exist: book returns insurance.

CONTRACTS

Bad Contract Alert: NovelSnack/AnyStories/Readink

Header image: yellow caution tape criss-crossed on a white background (Credit: heromen30 / Shutterstock.com)

FEB 2, 2024February 2, 202439 COMMENTS

This is another in my series of posts about poor contract terms from serialized fiction apps.

A few months back, this email arrived in my Writer Beware inbox.

I've never used Wattpad, so clearly they had me confused with someone else (maybe something to do with this?), but I never pass up the chance to get hold of a contract, if I can. I asked for one, and somewhat to my surprise, they sent it.

OVERSEAS SCAMS

Peak Fake: A Scam Website Impersonating Macmillan Publishers

Header Image: funny fake face disguise: black glasses, nose, and mouth on bright yellow background (Credit: nito / Shutterstock.com)

JAN 19, 2024July 12, 202419 COMMENTS

I write a lot about impersonation scams on this blog--for good reason: they are extremely common, and becoming more so all the time. Literary agents, publishers, production companies, film directors: all are targets.

The purpose: money, of course. By posing as real, reputable companies and individuals, the scammers aim to make it more likely writers will be bamboozled into paying for needless, substandard, and/or fraudulent "services".

This one, though, takes the cake: an entire website impersonating Macmillan Publishers.

CONTESTS AND AWARDS

Contest Caution: Script Writing Audition from Silent Manga Audition

JAN 12, 2024January 12, 20243 COMMENTS

Silent Manga Audition (SMA), a project of Tokyo-based manga and anime production company Coamix Inc., conducts regular open auditions, or contests, for creators of silent manga (manga without dialogue). Contestants can win cash prizes, as well as mentoring and, possibly, publication.

SMA is currently running a contest for writers. The goal: to become a manga scriptwriter.

Entrants are invited to submit "a manuscript IN ENGLISH for the first chapter of a series, including one introduction page". Winners receive cash prizes, plus the possibility that their script "could be developed into manga series by our MasterClass members and you through our editorial support!" The submission form is here; there are no entry fees. Entry deadline: February 1, 2024.

BEST OF WRITER BEWARE: YEAR IN REVIEW

Best of Writer Beware: 2023 in Review

Header image: White paper dialog box with 2023 cut out stencil-style, on a blue background (credit: NicoElNino / Shutterstock.com)

JAN 5, 2024January 5, 202410 COMMENTS

Every January, when I look back over the previous year's blog posts, I'm amazed that there was so much to cover. When Ann Crispin and I started Writer Beware in (gulp) 1998, we really didn't envision it as a long-term project; we thought if we put out enough warnings, and named enough names, there'd eventually be no need for us. How naive we were. 25 years on, there's more to warn about than ever.

Below, please find a roundup of WB's most impactful posts of 2023: all the schemes, scams, pitfalls, and industry shenanigans that were fit to print. Plus some good advice...and a bit of bonus weirdness.

First, though...

WRITER BEWARE

A Message at Year’s End

Header image: candle buring on snowy windowsill amid evergreen boughs

DEC 22, 2023December 22, 202318 COMMENTS

As another year of schemes, scams, and pitfalls draws to a close, I just want to say THANK YOU to the readers of this blog, to the writers who share their stories, and to the industry professionals and others who spread the word about Writer Beware. Writer Beware would not exist without you, and we are so grateful for your support and trust.

Wishing you a safe, healthy, happy holiday season, however you choose to celebrate it. See you in 2024!