Comments on: For Entertainment Purposes Only

By: WordVixen

WordVixen — Thu, 29 May 2008 06:08:00 +0000

Tee-Hee. I’m glad someone else enjoyed that page as much as I did! I may have to go look at it again, I could always use a good laugh.

Ah… but every time I laugh at it, I nearly cry when I realize that there are people who actually fall for it.

By: Colleen_Katana

Colleen_Katana — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:29:00 +0000

Holy moly….the $99 for the domain name made my jaw drop and then I just kept reading!

By: WordVixen

WordVixen — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:49:00 +0000

Thanks Anonymous. I have indeed noticed a difference between various self-publishing and vanity publishing companies in how they discuss what the author would need to do to promote their book.

My biggest issue is how many of these companies claim to be equal to or better than traditional publishing companies. SPs and VPs do provide a valuable service to those who make the informed choice to go that route- I can't imagine how many family histories, recipes, and local history books would be lost without it. True, you could still use a print shop, but many people don't even know that they exist, let alone how to deal with them.

But I take issue with the way SPs and VPs market to new authors who don't know any better. Remember authors- you don't pay to be published, you can, however, pay to be printed. Big difference.

Britta- Phew, you're not kidding! The SP/VP part is bad enough, but those "service packs"? *shudder*

By: Britta Coleman

Britta Coleman — Sat, 24 May 2008 20:19:00 +0000

The whole thing makes me sick. Great post, and good for you on the SCAM label. Because that’s exactly what it is.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:45:00 +0000

Good post Wordvixen, I come from Author Solutions (AuthorHouse, iUniverse, etc...) and I agree with your comments. Buyer beware, you may be a just a "one-call-close" away (that's a sales term) from buying some really overpriced self-publishing services.
I'm smiling because I have extensive experience in that industry and there is a real problem of lack of ethics in the self-publishing services industry. Naive, easily impressed authors desperate for ego-satisfaction are are falling over themselves to get on board with these services companies. Sadly, Author Solutions is probably among the MORE ethical outfits that are out there!

They all fail to mentor and advise authors in the most fundamental issues. Quality of work, target audience, motivation to publish the work , and what AUTHORS plan to do to market the work.

We could discuss much on these topics. I'll bookmark your blog and come back when I my new blog up.