Before You Pay Thousands to Publish Your Book, Read This

If you’re thinking about paying a company thousands of dollars to publish your book, please stop and read this first. I have a stern warning for you!

My $5,000 Publishing Nightmare

When I was a young writer in my 20s, I had just finished a children’s book. Eager to see it in print, I submitted it to a publishing company. To my delight, they responded enthusiastically: “We’d love to publish your book! It’s wonderful!” The only catch? They required me to “share in the investment.”

That should have been a red flag, but I was naive and unaware of the publishing industry’s darker corners. I did my due diligence—or so I thought. I researched the company, and everything looked legitimate. I even traveled to their headquarters, met the staff, and shook hands with the CEO.

Confident I was in good hands, I took the leap. Five-thousand dollars later, I believed I was on my way to becoming a published author.

Six months passed, and the updates stopped. My emails went unanswered. Phone calls were ignored. Eventually, I learned the awful truth: the CEO had taken all the authors’ money and fled the country. Lawyers tried to track him down, but he was never found.

I lost my $5,000. And I had no book to show for it.

The Scams Are Worse Today

Thirty years later, I’d love to say things have improved, but they haven’t. If anything, scams have become more sophisticated and widespread.

I receive frequent calls from supposed representatives claiming they want to turn my book into a movie or help me market it. When I research their companies, they don’t exist.

Recently, a subscriber to my website emailed me about a publishing offer she received: $17,000 to publish her book.

No. No. No. I urged her to think twice…and then three times…before signing that deal!

Understanding Publishing Models: Traditional, Vanity, Hybrid, and Publishing Services

In today’s publishing landscape, authors must remain vigilant against scammers who know how to exploit a writer’s aspirations.

First, it helps to understand just who the legit players are.

Traditional Publishing

First, there’s traditional publishing. You submit your manuscript to a publishing house, where the editors or their assistants review it. If the publisher chooses to invest in your story, they will cover all the costs associated with editing, cover design, printing, and distribution.

As the author, you do not pay to publish your book. Instead, you sign a contract giving the publisher certain rights in exchange for royalties. (Always review your contract with an intellectual property lawyer before signing it.) Traditional publishing is highly competitive, and acceptance rates are low.

Vanity Publishers

Vanity publishers are the worst of the bunch and the type you should avoid! They charge you a hefty upfront fee to publish your book, often without quality editorial services or marketing support. They get to enjoy the profits whether the book sells or not, and you may have difficulty retaining rights to your work.

How can you tell if you’re dealing with a vanity publisher? First, they accept all submissions as long as you’re willing to pay. Second, they charge large sums of money without detailing where that money is going. My writing friend who was offered the $17,000 publishing “deal” was dealing with a vanity publisher.

Next, they offer no real advantage in terms of distribution. They will “say” they distribute to bookstores, but double-check. Often, they just list the books on Amazon and call it good. They may also be unclear about how they handle royalties, taking a large percentage themselves or creating vague payment structures. Some will even require you to purchase a minimum quantity of books before receiving royalty payments and then may delay sending those payments.

Finally, most vanity presses do not have a good reputation in the publishing industry. Check the Writer Beware website and other online sources (Google “company name” and “scam”) to find out what people are saying about any company you’re considering working with.

Hybrid Publishing

Hybrid publishing serves as a middle ground between traditional and self-publishing. A reputable hybrid publisher will vet submissions, provide professional services (editing, cover design, marketing), and share risks and profits with the author.

The key word here: share!

That means they will take on some if not most of the costs. They may pay for production expenses, like cover design, formatting, or distribution. They may offer editing services for free. As the author, you may take on any expenses the publisher doesn’t cover.

A key difference between a hybrid publisher and a vanity press is that a hybrid publisher has a financial stake in the book’s success. They are paying at least some of the cost, but you may pay for some too. In turn, the publisher may offer higher royalties and a shorter publishing term, after which the rights will revert back to you.

The danger here is that a publisher may present themselves as a hybrid publisher when they are really a vanity publisher. Watch for these key factors to evaluate whether they are legitimate:

• They Have a Vetting Process: A reputable hybrid publisher does not accept every manuscript. They are selective and look for quality books that they can help succeed.
• They Offer Clear and Transparent Services: The publisher should provide a detailed contract listing all their services (editing, design, marketing, distribution) and a transparent pricing structure. They should also be clear about what they are investing in your book.
• They Have a Proven Track Record: Check their website for a list of published books and find out how well they are doing. Then, contact some of their authors to ask about their experiences.
• They Do Not Make Unrealistic Promises: If they guarantee bestseller status, movie deals, or instant bookstore placement, it’s a scam. Real publishers do not guarantee success.
• They Share Royalties with You: Unlike vanity publishers, reputable hybrid publishers invest in your book and often take a portion of the royalties rather than just charging fees upfront.
• They Have a Strong Reputation in the Industry: Look for third-party reviews from sources like the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) or Writer Beware. If they have a history of complaints, be cautious.

Always do your research, and be sure you want to be associated with this publisher for the next several years.

Publishing Services

Finally, we have companies that offer straightforward publishing services. You can choose to pay for editing, cover design, formatting, and/or distribution, as your needs demand, but you retain ownership of your book—the publisher does not gain the rights.

Unlike vanity publishers or hybrid publishers, publishing service providers simply offer whatever services you need while allowing you to maintain complete control over your work. This can be a good option for authors who want professional help while remaining independent.

Five Signs a Publisher is Trying to Scam You

No matter what kind of publisher you’re thinking of working with—traditional, hybrid, or other—before you sign any publishing contract, watch for these warning signs.

1. They Have a Shoddy or Nonexistent Website

Always research a publisher’s website and social media. A reputable publisher will have:

• A professional website with clear details about their books and services.
• Active social media accounts featuring their authors.
• Real book listings with links to major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Scam companies often have poorly designed, one-page websites that lack clear details about their authors or books. If a website looks hastily thrown together, be wary.

2. They Ask for Large Sums of Money Upfront

Traditional publishers never charge authors to publish. Legitimate hybrid publishers and publishing services companies will charge fees but provide quality services in return. If a company is asking for a lot of money upfront and it isn’t clear what you’re paying for, it’s likely a scam.

3. They Make Grand Promises

Scammers know what authors want to hear. They’ll say things like:

• “We guarantee you’ll be a bestseller!”
• “We’ll get your book into all major bookstores!”
• “We have a rigorous selection process, and we’ve chosen YOU!”

Real traditional publishers do not charge for selection. If you’re paying, you’re not working with a traditional publisher. You “may” be working with a hybrid publisher, but again, be cautious. Scammers love to “say” they’ve chosen you and then turn around and charge exorbitant amounts to publish your book because they are making no investment themselves.

Also, anyone can get their book distributed to major bookstores—this doesn’t mean those bookstores will actually stock it.

4. They Pressure You to Sign Quickly

Real publishers give you time to review your contract. They understand that you will likely hire a lawyer, review the terms, and potentially ask for revisions.

Scam publishers rush you: “Sign now! Limited spots available!” If you feel pressured, walk away.

5. No Credible Authors Work with Them

This one step has saved me a lot of heartache. I’ve done it before signing every publishing contract I’ve signed.

Contact at least three authors published by that company. Ask them about their experiences. If you hear about late royalty payments, bad communication, or legal battles, that’s a massive red flag. This happened to me once, so I ripped up that contract and never looked back.

When I followed this step with the traditional publishers I ended up signing with, I received glowing recommendations.

Authors help each other, so don’t be afraid to reach out.

Final Thought: Do Your Research

No matter which publishing path you take, always research your options. If a company asks for money, look them up, ask other authors, and be skeptical of big promises.

(NOTE: If you’re thinking about it but haven’t self-published before, check out my Self-Publishing Success Plan for a straightforward checklist to help you stay organized and ensure you don’t miss any key steps as you prepare to publish your book.)

Check this post out if you’re trying to choose between traditional and self-publishing.