Research Before Submission: How to Avoid Publishing Scams

Most all writers start out write just for fun, but later they decide to write for fun and profit. Writers want to see their words and name in print, and being paid to see their words and name in print is part of the fun and profit. However, there's one thing writers hate the most -- something most all writers will face when they decide to write for profit... being scammed by publishers, agents or contests. I have been down this path a few times, but like they say, "Live and learn." Since I have been a victim of a publishing scam, and a contest scam, I have "learned" a few things along the way. With this article, I want to share some advice with you. Advice on how to avoid publishing scams. I can't guarantee you won't end up a victim of a publishing scam by following my tips, but hopefully my tips will keep you from making the wrong choice.

Too often writers become victims of publishing scams because they're excited about the project they've just finished, so they get in a hurry to submit it in order to see their name in print. You deserve to be excited about the project you've just completed, but don't get so excited that you don't take the time to research before hitting the send button in your e-mail program. The information that follows should help you research those companies to avoid publishing scams.

1. Begin with you favorite search engine (Google is mine). Enter the name of the company you plan to send your submission, proposal or query letter to. When entering the company's name, place quotation marks around their name (this searches the exact phrase). For example, if you search for "National Library of Poetry" on Google, you'll discover over 30,000 results. As you follow some of the links given, you will find that the National Library of Poetry (poetry.com) is just one of those many publishing scams!