The Dark Side of Publishing
Dear Reader,
Publishing can be a real joy. I especially love the moment when I first hold one of my novels in my hands; this feeling of pride washes over me, like the book wasn’t as real when it was on my hard drive. And of course, there’s the best part of all – hearing from readers who love my books.
Yet publishing has a dark side, one made up of scammers and other bad actors who prey on every published author’s not-so-secret hopes and dreams. After all, which of us hasn’t dreamed of being a NYT bestseller? Had a mock interview in the shower? “Success” needs air quotes in a cutthroat industry where 90% of books sell less than 100 copies. I like to define success by the reviews I’ve received, the reader feedback, and especially by my (teenage) daughter’s giggles as she first read Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective in the next room.
Still, there’s the dream … and an inbox full of people swearing they can make it come true. Lately, I’ve been overwhelmed by offers to get my book reviewed – for a fee. Won’t happen. I don’t pay for reviews (except possibly in the form of a review copy of the book). There are endless marketing companies offering to get my books in front of their stunning lists of readers. Plus, the secret key to success! If you only do this one thing like Bob, the first-time author who had no friends or contacts and became an Amazon bestseller, then you, too, will live the dream! Find out how for only $69.99!
There are ways to spend money on marketing/advertising, but you have to be very careful – and I never trust anyone who solicits me through an email. I only trust companies I learn about from other authors. And I’m careful how I spend my money. At this point, I believe the best money I can spend is on promotions of the first Cassie Scot novel alongside the free book promo KDP lets me run quarterly. For about $30, I can blast that freebie to thousands of readers, and I get good enough read-through of the series to make a profit every time. (And yes, I did just say that if you wait long enough, the first Cassie Scot ebook will be free. Although honestly, if you’re on this list and somehow haven’t read it yet, email me and I’ll gift you one through Book Funnel so you don’t have to wait.)
I’ve been doing this for 20 years, and I’ve bought into some of this marketing hype, tried so many different secrets to success my head spins thinking about them, and of course, spent a lot of money. I have not fallen for an outright scam, but I always feel like I have to be on my guard.
Since I began promoting Knot of Souls, I’ve seen more than marketing promises unlikely to deliver. A couple of weeks ago, I got a chilling, threatening email written in all caps in which the sender (who claimed to have gotten my contact information from a blogger) said they were going to steal my book, publish it themselves, and that Amazon would take it down because I’d be violating KDP terms and conditions by having the book available through another seller … never mind that it was pirated. Unfortunately, Amazon has been known to penalize authors enrolled in KDP whose books showed up on pirate sites, so the email managed to tap into a real fear.
I did not respond. Very importantly, I did not respond. I reported the scam to Amazon and for good measure, sent a copy to SFWA’s Writers Beware.
For these scammers, it’s not personal. They don’t know me or care about me and are not taking the time to target me individually; I’m sure many authors received the same threat (possibly every author interviewed on that blog, since they called it out by name).
For me, though, it is personal. Not just because of the dream, but because I feel a kinship with my fellow authors and I know that out there somewhere, this threat worked on one of them. Maybe it caught them at a vulnerable time, maybe they’re elderly. Whatever. I’m not judging the victim here. I’m outraged on their behalf.
So, dear readers, I would just caution you to take care. The internet is a minefield. AI tools are helping make scams seem more real and convincing. And they know what buttons to press. The best advice I can give is to never respond, and if you need support, talk to your writer friends. Community is important.
Kindle Unlimited Science Fiction & Fantasy
One marketing site I use and recommend is Book Funnel. Aside from offering authors a safe and convenient way to distribute ebooks, they offer regular group promos you can join ... all they ask is that you shout it out in your newsletter. I've met a lot of new readers this way, and I've helped readers find some great new authors.
This month, the promo is Kindle Unlimited Science Fiction & Fantasy. Especially if you're enrolled in Kindle Unlimited, it's a great way to browse new titles. And don't forget that all of my books, including Knot of Souls, are available through KU.
Featured Review
"Knot of Souls is a thought-provoking, emotionally intelligent fantasy that sings with heart and soul—sometimes literally. If you love nuanced speculative fiction with flawed, lovable characters and a mystery that keeps you guessing, this book deserves a spot on your shelf. It’s not a love story, but a connection story—and sometimes, that’s even better." -- Books Are Love
This review sang to me! I've been struggling a little bit to describe the intimate relationship at the center of Knot of Souls when most of my other books contain more straightforward romance. In some ways, this nonromantic relationship is more intimate, and those deep connections are exactly why I personally read romance. I think it will appeal to many romance readers, and if that's you, I hope you'll give it a try.
Sincerely,
Christine
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