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GLITZY WEB SITES CAN BE USED TO MASK OLD TIME VANITY PUBLISHING

When you research self-publishing companies on line—hold onto your hat and your common sense. Sometimes a web site bears little resemblance to the actual company.

In many cases, you cannot just phone a self-publishing company—even during business hours. You have to fill out a form giving them your email address and phone number and they will get back to you. Or someone, somewhere will get back to you. And once that contact is made, you could be getting a call every day until you sign a contract.

Five Warning Signs that a You Should Look Elsewhere
1. Not being able to phone a self-publisher directly during business hours.
2. Getting a call from an individual who immediately launches into reading from a written script.
3. Being read fixed costs.
4. Being told that your news release will be emailed to thousands of media outlets.
5. Never being asked any questions about your book.
6. And, of course, the high-pressure follow-up calls.

When a company insists on phoning you back rather than allowing you to simply call in and talk with someone, you might just be receiving a call back from a call center and talking with an individual who represents all kinds of companies and is working on commission.

The so-called “representative” who phones you and works from a fixed script could indicate that this company is in the business of publishing cookie-cutter style. Sure they can quote you prices and, worse yet, promise an absolute time line because you are not going to get a lot of creativity or individualized service or attention.

If they tell you about the “thousands” who will be receiving news releases about your book, ask just who these media outlets are. Are there really thousands of mainstream media outlets that actually interview authors or write feature stories and reviews of books? Honestly, there are not. And most professional book marketing and publicity experts will tell you that busy producers, reporters and editors do not appreciate e-mail blasts and pay little attention to them. There is a correct way to distribute news releases and to distribute them in a well-targeted manner.

Most importantly, when the telephone person’s “script” doesn’t even bother to have the rep ask you what your book is about, how long it is, what kind of a budget you might be working with, what vision you have for the book—be afraid. Be very afraid because that speaks volumes (no pun intended) about the slam-bang approach they take to self-publishing. It’s get ‘em in and get ‘em out, get paid and move on to the next customer. No matter how slick the web site may be, this is an old-school vanity press and if you sign with them, you could end up with an old school vanity book.

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