How to Spot the Red Flags Before Signing a Publishing Deal

Understanding the Risks of Vanity and Predatory Presses for Researchers and Book Authors is Vital to Prevent Financial Scams.

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Case Study for Book Authors and Scholarly Writers

I offered a free version of this case study for my readers on Medium to engage in it and share in their networks for awareness.

Photo by Göksu Taymaz from Pexels

Two days ago, I wrote a story about detrimental financial scams. What followed surprised me. Loyal readers and fellow writers began reaching out to me offline, some with heartbreak, others with caution, sharing their own stories of being taken advantage of. I have deep empathy for anyone who got scammed, as it happened to me in 2022, and a lifeline relieved my intense pain.

Among them were cases of publishing scams, the kind that prey on hope and ambition. One particular case recently caught my attention, and when I mentioned it to those who approached me, they urged me to tell the whole story publicly. This is that story in a concise format with emphasis on the educational part for book authors and academic writers.

Last week, I received an email from a retired corporate executive who aspired to become a book author by turning her remarkable life experiences into a memoir. She had found a publisher and was thrilled that her manuscript had been accepted.

But her excitement quickly turned into concern. The publisher asked her to purchase 200 copies of her own book at full retail price to “support” its potential to become a bestseller. They also gave her a daily promotional plan, which she said felt like a full-time job. She had already paid $4,000 for editing and marketing services.

The moment I read her email, I knew a vanity publishing company had approached her. I looked them up, and as expected, they matched the pattern. I will not name the company here, but I would like to offer some insight into how vanity presses and predatory publishers operate, particularly for aspiring book authors and scientific researchers.

During my academic research, I received numerous offers from similar companies. Fortunately, my mentors warned me early on, so I never fell into their trap. That is why I am compelled to share this valuable information with you so that you can protect your work, time, and financial well-being.

I have structured this story into two parts to provide you with valuable perspectives based on my experience.

Part 1: What Do I Mean By Vanity Presses and Predatory Publishers?