We've all seen the firms offering to promote and advertise your book for a "modest" or "nominal" fee. That "nominal" fee is usually in the range of $500 or more. But now they're calling me on my cell phone! Yes, earlier today I received a call from someone at BookWhirl. I never answer unfamiliar numbers, but the message assured me that the caller had some "important questions" about my book. It only took a brief internet search to find out that all they seem to do is send out spam emails to thousands of people. Tell me, have any of you ever bought something because of an unsolicited spam email that was sent to you? If you have, I have some timeshare properties on Mars for sale, along the south rim of the Valles Marineris:
Stay vigilant, fellow authors. If you do decide to buy advertising, do your homework, know exactly what you're getting for your money and, if possible, talk to other authors who've used the service before. As in anything in life, there is a troglodytic, sub-human race of creatures who subsist only on the naivety of those who are new to the game. Please spread the word about them. There is no reason any new author should fall prey to their schemes. We, as a community, need to stand together and ensure that we offer new authors a hand up before these creeps reach a hand into their pockets. Again, please help spread the word about not only this particular company but all who seek to earn their living by taking advantage of others.
Best,
Michael K. Rose
How many bedrooms?
ReplyDeleteIf you act now, I can get you into the two-bedroom model for the price of the one-bedroom model. Great views of Valles Marineris, and sandworm insurance is included in the price.
DeleteHere's a blog post by another author from way back in 2008:
ReplyDeletehttp://leegoldberg.typepad.com/a_writers_life/2008/08/i-got-the-following-spam-email-from-bookwhirl-a-online-marketing-promotion-huckster-for-authors----greetings----i-am-jen.html
Another great post Michael! True, we need to out these types of scams and pass the word along. Word of mouth or typed word is still a fierce force to be reckoned with. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post, Michael. Truth in every word. And, sadly, we indies can be a pretty gullible bunch when it comes to the promise of seeing our work in print. Most of us would even opt for the studio apartment without the sandworm insurance.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael for the warning, and when does the next ship leave for Mars? I'd need a three or four bedroom deluxe, but not on the golf course - rapid decompression due to stray balls and such.
ReplyDelete