Scram scammers, part two interview
I smell a scam: An interview with an author scammed by a “hybrid press”
RE:BOOKS: First, because I know this is hard, you finished your first book at age 71! Congratulations! Have you always wanted to write a book?
Scammed Author: I’ve always been a writer but refused to write a book. When Covid invaded an unsuspecting universe, I sat beside my friend Jen on a cold park bench as she asked if I would consider writing a book. My immediate answer was, “Oh my God, eff no!” That evening I went home and began writing. Inspiration comes to a bench near you!
RE:BOOKS: Glad to see you have a sense of humour! What was your writing process like? Writers love knowing other writers’ processes. Did you make yourself write for a certain amount of time each day, for example?
Scammed Author: I spent 16 months writing between five and eight days a week, OK, maybe just seven days a week.
I’m a Type A Warrior. Anything I take on, I take on with a vengeance unknown to man. From my first sentence, I was relentless — and loved it. I mean I loved writing; it felt cathartic and it beat the hell out of meditation.
I would skip meals, socializing, bathing and breathing to plough through to the next chapter. Perhaps I’m a little OCD? Let’s leave that for a shrink to figure out or factor in.
RE:BOOKS: Like so many these days, you decided to go the hybrid/self-publishing route. Why did you decide to go that route? (As opposed to trying to get an agent or try a traditional house?)
Scammed Author: Beyond writing, I was Googling. I learned that there are three types of publishing miracles:
1. Traditional publishing exists within the prestigious world of print. But if you're not Oprah or Obama, your chances of getting a "book deal" are lesser than a lottery win. Or so I was told.
2. Stripped down independent publishing is slightly scary and highly overwhelming. I wanted to skip the engagement learning ceremonies and go straight to the altar: The AMAZON PUBLISHING platform with a publisher who would hold my hand.
3. I learned that there is a third option, referred to as either "hybrid publishing" or, in more sophisticated circles, vanity presses. I hate that word, “vanity." It makes it sound like if you're vain this is your bud. “Vanity" involves hiring a publisher who promises everything and delivers… Whatever they want.
I was pushing to increase expediency and decrease costs and nearly lost both my mind and my soul. A cautionary tale.
RE:BOOKS: What did the hybrid publishing house you worked with offer to do for you? How much did you pay them up front?
Scammed Author: I paid my publishing company $1,997.53. They promised to format my book in accordance with the Amazon platform requirements, obtain my ISBN number, register me as a Canadian author, list my book on Amazon, and manage my “royalties.”
RE:BOOKS: This already makes me squirm. Can you walk us through your experience with them? What was the first thing they wanted? Did they edit? Did they come up with the book design? What exactly did you get for $2,000?
Scammed Author: Each “self-publishing/hybrid/vanity press company“ is different — like soup and nuts. Each one offers a designer package — like choose your own omelet. Sadly, I selected the basic egg omelet publisher…and even then got less than I paid for.
In addition to the publishing costs, I hired both a freelance editor and a freelance proofreader. These were two different women, two different personalities, and two different levels of expertise. The less expensive one, my Proofreader, was great to work with, compassionate, and had stellar skills. She was an entire talent club. I found her on the Nextdoor app.
RE:BOOKS: How much money did you spend on the freelance editor and freelance proofreader, on top of the $2,000 you paid the “publishing" service?
Scammed Author: The costs, aside from the $2,000 I paid the publishing company are below:
Professional copyeditor $4,350
Professional Proofreader $650
RE:BOOKS: So, in total, you’ve spent — give me a minute! Need my iPhone calculator — $7,000 for your book to be put up on Amazon, and it didn’t even end up on Amazon, as they promised? I feel my blood pressure rising! Where did this hybrid publisher fail you? When did you first notice something may be “off?”
Scammed Author: Everywhere…They were unable to properly format my book for the Amazon platform. It was necessary for me to take back my book and do my own formatting. Technical skills are helpful — sharpen them.
They listed my book on Amazon, but the book title for the Amazon listing didn't match the title on the book cover! Holy crap! The Author Synopsis was not formatted properly. Rather than being formatted in paragraphs, as submitted to my publisher, it was just one big blob. The publisher arbitrarily assigned a book sale price without my input.
RE:BOOKS: What were you expecting going in? And where did this “hybrid publisher” fall short?
Scammed Author: I was expecting that they would fulfil the terms of their contract and that we would ride into the sunset together as my book came to fame. Well, that didn't happen.
RE:BOOKS: Looking back, what do you think was your first mistake going the hybrid/using a “self-publishing” company/route? (Should have you done more research on other companies?)
Scammed Author: Yes, I probably should’ve spent the first year checking out various publishing companies. But I’m too old for that, so I chose someone who I met at a volunteer gig, liked her, and let it rip. But instead of it just ripping, it fell completely apart.
RE:BOOKS: If you could do it all over again, let’s say, with your next book, what would you do differently?
Scammed Author: Eat. Pray. Research. I’d likely end up publishing it myself on the Amazon publishing platform. I enjoy agency over my stuff, so let's just celebrate this weakness and get it done right!
RE:BOOKS: Was there anything positive about going the hybrid route (your book comes out quicker, for example than it may with a traditional publisher?)
Scammed Author: Exactly. Listen, my thinking was that a “well seasoned publisher“ would be familiar with the process, have a contact or two, and an idea of what they were doing. This publishing method should speed up the process, I thought. Hey, at 70 and change, I was all for getting my book published before my funeral.
RE:BOOKS: So, as of now, your book is…nowhere — yet! — and they are now refusing to put up your book on Amazon? So what’s your advice for those looking into this kind of publishing route? What questions would you tell aspiring authors to ask before giving them money?
Scammed Author: You know, I think it’s always best to get a referral. Being greenish-yellow in the book authorship arena, I went with blind faith. BIG mistake. I say get a referral, get a contract, and understand every freaking word that is written there. If you don’t understand lego lingo, ask a friend. And make sure that friend understands legalese.
RE:BOOKS: What was the biggest disappointment working with a hybrid publisher?
Scammed Author: The publisher’s mistakes were compounded by their reaction to the mistakes and trying to cover them rather than clear them. Any communication that I received was garbled, vague and non-committal. As in, "You have to be patient with us."
RE:BOOKS: Would you do it again?
Scammed Author: Oh my gosh, people need to stop asking me this! I will write for the first rest of my life or at least until my breath becomes shallow and my pulse beats not. But I’m not so sure it would be a book…
RE:BOOKS: Full disclosure. I read your manuscript. I loved it. It’s a very original idea and ridiculously engrossing! I’m going to introduce you to some people who may be able to help, that's how amazing I think it is. Your book could really affect so many people on so many levels and really get a conversation started, and maybe even make some much-needed social changes. With my publishing hat on, I can see at least 10 ways/places you could sell your book!
You must have some final "thoughts" on this company, who didn’t follow through on their promises, and aren't returning your calls now even. What would you say to them?
Scammed Author: I’d say, “You should not be in the publishing business. Your attention to detail is sad and your technical expertise is inadequate. Oh, and your customer service skills really suck!”
RE:BOOKS: You are a much nicer person than I am! Thank you for sharing your experience. You’re going to help so many writers who just want to be published and may not do extensive enough research — so, thank you on behalf of all writers and authors!