The official blog of Writer Beware® shines a bright light into the dark corners of the shadow-world of literary scams, schemes, and pitfalls. Also providing advice for writers, industry news, and commentary. Writer Beware® is sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.
The honor of your presence is requested at a Memorial Ceremony to celebrate and remember the life and writing of Ann C. Crispin. The Memorial Ceremony will be held at Running Hare Vineyard in Prince Frederick, Maryland on Wednesday, September 25. There will be an Open House with light refreshments from 5:00 PM to 6:30Read More
EDITED 10/13 TO ADD: Mark Teppo has confirmed that Jason Williams has resigned from Resurrection House. I had this post ready to go on Friday, but it was pre-empted by news of Ann Crispin’s death. I was considering letting the blog sit silent for a week–but in light of the fools and trolls who areRead More
Ann Crispin, best-selling author, Writer Beware co-founder, fearless fighter in the scam wars, beloved wife and mother, my friend, died this morning after a two-year struggle with cancer. I’ll write a memorial for her later on–right now, I don’t have the words. In the meantime, Tor.com has posted an obituary. Ann’s death is a hugeRead More
Ann posted this message yesterday on her Facebook page: I’ve been hesitant to make this post, but it’s time. I want to thank you all for your good wishes and prayers. I fear my condition is deteriorating. I am doing the best I can to be positive but I probably don’t have an awful lotRead More
It's been a busy month for publisher warnings!
From author Brian Keene, a warning about a small publisher called Spectacular Productions. Authors report long publication delays, missed pub dates, lack of communication by publisher Christian Hanner, lack of payment, and work accepted but contracts never received.
It's amazing how many small press implosions feature this exact same litany of complaints. As Keene observes,
Readers of this blog may remember The Albee Agency, a so-called PR firm run by one Mike Albee, which posted fake testimonials from well-known authors and was outed by me and others. Read the whole story here.
Well, it wasn't too long after that shitstorm of negative publicity that Albee disappeared. However, like many con artists who pull up stakes when their deception becomes too widely known, he couldn't kick the habit. Selling high-priced services of dubious value to inexperienced writers who can ill afford them is just too easy and lucrative to resist!
So, sporting a shiny new website and a new business name, Mike Albee has reincarnated as Sandpiper Publicity.
