It could be just me… but I have a sinking suspicion that most authors feel lost and overwhelmed by the current publishing industry. And can you blame them? One of the most common fears I hear from authors is, "What if someone steals my manuscript?" What kind of world are we living in when that's even a major concern?
In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the biggest publishing scams, how they work, and—most importantly—how to avoid getting ripped off.
Vanity Press Scams
How It Works:
These companies pose as legitimate publishers but require authors to pay large upfront fees—anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000 or more—for publishing services. Let me tell you right now: it does not cost thousands of dollars to publish a book!
Now, I’m not saying that price and quality are unrelated, but a high price tag doesn’t guarantee a good publisher—just like a low price doesn’t automatically mean poor quality. The truth is, it’s absolutely possible to get top-notch publishing services without breaking the bank. A good publisher’s job isn’t just to provide quality; though that is important, it’s to make that quality accessible to EVERYONE. If you think about it logically, if an editor wants, for example, thousands of dollars per editing job, then that money has to come from somewhere–and Seerendip Publishing doesn’t want that cost translated to authors.
Speaking from experience, I can tell you that finding skilled professionals takes effort—but that’s my job as a publisher, not yours. If it means spending extra time vetting freelancers, negotiating fair rates, and making sure they align with my standards, then that’s what I do. You shouldn’t have to pay thousands just to get your book out there. Quality publishing shouldn’t come with an outrageous price tag—it should come with a commitment to doing things the right way.
If you want to learn more about how to spot vanity publishers and understand the real financial side of publishing, check out my other blog post here: [Link].
Red Flags:
High upfront costs (if it’s under $300, be suspicious; if it’s over $1,000, it’s approaching vanity publishing).
Vague promises about success (no one can guarantee you’ll be a bestseller).
Lack of quality control or transparency about what you’re actually paying for.
Fake Literary Agents
How it works: A key way to spot a fake literary agent is to see whether their practices align with a legitimate, commission-based model. Scammers posing as agents often charge reading fees, editing fees, or “submission” fees to pitch books to publishers—something a reputable agent would never do. Real literary agents make their money through commission, typically 15% of the book deal they negotiate for you, which comes from your advance and future royalties. If an agent is asking for upfront payments, that’s a major red flag. Always verify their legitimacy by checking with the publishing company directly to confirm that they actually work with that agent.
Now, let me challenge you with this: Do you even need an agent in the first place? At the end of the day, an agent is in business to make money—their cut comes first. That doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t want to help authors, but their priority is securing deals that benefit them as well. And what if you find a publishing company you love, but your agent isn’t interested? You’re still stuck under contract.
So, why shouldn’t you advocate for your own book? You don’t need an agent to query Seerendip Publishing.
Red flags: Fees for representation, vague credentials, pressure tactics.
ISBN & Copyright Registration Scams
How it works: Unfortunately, there are fake “publishing” companies that charge authors either suspiciously low or outrageously high prices—but in reality, all they’re doing is uploading your book to Amazon, slapping on a free Amazon-issued ISBN, and calling it publishing.
Here’s the problem: When they use Amazon’s free ISBN, your book is now tied exclusively to Amazon, limiting its distribution to that platform. These scams prey on authors who don’t fully understand how real publishing works. So, let’s set the record straight—the only official source for ISBNs in the U.S. is Bowker (Bowker.com). If your ISBN is coming from any other source, you are not being independently published.
Now, let’s talk about cost. If a so-called publisher promises something like, “Become a best-selling author on Amazon for just $179,” that’s too cheap to be a legitimate publishing service. And let’s be honest—no one can guarantee that you’ll be a bestseller. That’s a red flag right there.
On the high end, it can be trickier to spot a scam, especially when prices climb into the thousands. The key is reading the contract carefully—what services are they actually providing? Are there hidden fees?
Bottom line: Publishing shouldn’t be dirt cheap, but it also shouldn’t drain your bank account. If you’re paying less than $300, something’s most likely off, and if it’s over $1,000, you’re creeping into vanity publishing territory. The key is getting high-quality services at a fair price—without hidden fees or empty promises. If you want to know what that looks like, feel free to email me at Seerendippublishing@gmail.com.
Red flags: Charging for free services (like copyright registration in some countries), misleading domain names.
Subscription-Based Author ScamsHow it works: Some platforms lure authors in with promises of “unlimited publishing” or guaranteed readership—for a monthly fee, of course. But more often than not, these services offer little actual exposure or support.
Let’s flip the perspective for a moment: Do you really want a platform that rubber-stamps everything you write, no questions asked? A legitimate publisher doesn’t just push your book out into the void—they work with you, refining and shaping your manuscript through a targeted review process to ensure it reaches its full potential.
Publishing isn’t just a platform; it’s a process that protects and elevates your work.
Now, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put your book on multiple platforms—there’s nothing wrong with that. The real mistake I see authors make is focusing too much on building an audience before they’ve even published. Instead, your book should be what helps you build a following. And isn’t that what a real publisher should do? I know that’s exactly what we do at Seerendip Publishing!
Kindle Unlimited as an ExampleA common subscription-based trap is Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited (KU). While KU can be beneficial for some, authors often don’t realize that enrolling in KU requires exclusivity—meaning you can’t sell your eBook anywhere else, including your own website, while it’s in the program. KU also pays authors based on the number of pages read, not the number of books sold, which means earnings can be unpredictable. Some authors make good money on KU, but for others, it severely limits their reach and potential profits.
Red flags: Monthly fees without clear benefits, no track record of author success, exclusivity clauses that limit your rights.
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