They Put the “Ghost” in “Ghostwriter”

Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot of horror stories about scammers and frauds in the publishing industry. It breaks my heart because I’ve only ever worked with the most extraordinary people from top down – publishers, editors, literary agents, book PR experts, librarians, bookstore owners, and, of course, the authors themselves!

But I guess there are bad actors in every industry everywhere in the world.

One friend, whom I will call Carl, paid a ghostwriter $10,000 as a deposit for his book. The guy asked to come live with him in Manhattan for a week, during which he spent much of the time drunk. 

After the writer left, Carl emailed asking for a rough draft. Crickets. Carl emailed again. Nada.

Carl never heard from the writer again. The ghostwriter ghosted him!

There have been a slew of headlines in recent years about so-called “vanity presses” who do the same. They advertise a New York Times bestseller! (Beware of anyone promising you this - it’s impossible to guarantee). Then they take your money and run. Or they just accept whatever unedited manuscript you give them, stick it up on Amazon, and call it a day.

This is why you really must vet whomever you work with in publishing. 

Writing Tip of the Week: Buyer Beware

Before you pay anyone to ghostwrite, edit, publish or promote your book, be sure to go beyond the glitzy website or LinkedIn sales pitch. 

1. Check out the actual books this company or person has created on Amazon, Reedsy or whatever platform you’re using. Read the reviews.
2. Ask to speak to at least 2 people they’ve worked with before. Check those references.
3. Put your deal in writing and get a signed contract committing to what they are promising – with deadlines. 
4. You can always ask us for a referral! In the past 2 years, I’ve been developing quite a network of trusted partners, including speaking coaches, hybrid publishers, and top notch PR firms.

Have you heard any horror stories from the book world? Hit Reply and share with me.

Aloha,

MeiMei

Quote of the Week

I don't subscribe to the thesis, 'Let the buyer beware.' I prefer the disregarded one that goes, 'Let the seller be honest.'

• SciFi author Isaac Asimov