On the second Wednesday of the month I always participate in Indie Life, a group dedicated to sharing/discussing all things Indie. I'm truly amazed at how many options there are out there for the Indie writer today; from freelance editors to formatters, cover designers, and on and on it goes. We in the indie world literally have access to the same tools that the big houses do, but for us we have the freedom for creativity. Does it get any better?
I don't think so.
But for some of us, this indie road has been a nightmare. I want to take a minute today to vent about one of my major gripes: Vanity Presses. Every time I go to a book signing, every time, someone comes up to me and goes on and on about how they've written a book too, and they've had it published. It only cost them...you fill in the number. I cannot believe how many people out there are ready to cash in on someone else's dreams. Now, I'm not talking about the contracted professionals listed in the paragraph above. I'm talking about those bottom dwellers who are sucking up people's retirement accounts in order to sell them boxes of their books that will line their garage walls for the rest of their lives. Shame on them. When those poor souls come up to me, with stars still in their puffed-up eyes, despite their drained accounts, I tell them about Amazon, and Kobo. I tell them about Ibooks, and give them a list of the professionals listed above. I invite them to my writing club. I hope and pray they tell as many people as possible. That's what I plan on doing. Even so, it's probably inevitable. Where people are willing to spend money, there will always be someone there to take it.
Have you ever had a run-in with an Vanity Press?
It's surprising to me that so many people think they have to pay their agent or publisher. It's a common misconception. And it doesn't help that vanity presses charge. I've had to tell so many people that they wouldn't have to pay their agent anything to represent them or their publisher. They still don't seem to get that, so I have to go on to say that they do take a small percentage (usually 10%) of what you make through sales. Vanity presses even give small presses bad names. I'm with a small press and they are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteIt's not just Vanity Publishers but also freelance editors and cover designers who charge huge amounts. We just had a guest at one of our writers' meetings who described some horror stories of people taking advantage of new authors.
ReplyDeleteMelanie, I would love your list of recommended professionals. Good post and something everyone should be alerted about.
ReplyDeleteHopefully some of them listen to you.
ReplyDeleteSo so true. I don't even know why these vanity presses still exist.
ReplyDeleteThis makes my blood boil, or at least bubble. Vanity Press under all its names is nothing but a scam game.
ReplyDeleteI've seen plenty of Vanity Presses advertised and have been spammed by them, but I ignore them. They're leeches trying to suck blood from people's dreams.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised vanity presses are still in existence given the options out there today. Kudos to you for getting the word out.
ReplyDeleteWriters really should be informed. There are so many better choices!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, no matter how informed you are, you still get suckered. At least one of the "Big 5" houses has a deal with a "self-publishing company" that charges thousands. Since they are partnered with a "legitimate" press, it gives people a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction to be "chosen". Company X is legit so the services are coming from them... right? *Sigh
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