I just got an interesting e-mail...

Sonneillon · Mar 12, 2008

I've mentioned before that my early writing days were FanFiccing days. I was a regular on FanFiction.Net and later, on FictionPress.Net for my original stuff. I started a story called Venatrix, which I may eventually pick up again because I like the premise.

Well, today I got this e-mail:

Dear (Sonneillon),
You are truly a writer of note, considering the well-defined plots and imagery in stories you posted in your FictionPress.com profile. Have you considered having your writings set in print so that more people will appreciate them?

If so, I recommend the self-publishing route to you. This is your best means for having your own book reach publication at the shortest possible time without the hassle of going through agents. Moreover, ownership rights you get to keep.

Feel free to e-mail me for more details on how to get started self-publishing.

Sincerely yours,

Geraldine Rodeger

Needless to say, I laughed long and loud. Maybe that would have worked a year ago, maybe not, but I'm on Absolute Write now, baby, and I know better. I'll put in the blood, sweat, and tears to get published for real, thanks.

A big thank-you to you guys for arming me (and countless others) with the knowledge we need about the publishing industry to not be taken in by the 'easy route'!

WildScribe · Mar 12, 2008

LOL, good for you, and boo on them for preying on people like that.

kellytijer · Mar 12, 2008

I got an email like that too...not sure if it was from the same entity. I wrote back: "No Thanks!"

Lauri B · Mar 12, 2008

Son,
If you have the name of the publisher that contacted you, it would probably be useful to include and then I'll move this thread to BB&C.

Sheryl Nantus · Mar 12, 2008

*chortles*

doesn't get better than that for a scam...

Appalachian Writer · Mar 12, 2008

Is there no end? Can no one escape?

I wonder how many have fallen into the trap! Woe are we! Woe are we! :flag:

But I, for one, will never surrender. POD, maybe, but not this! Not this! :tongue

benbradley · Mar 12, 2008

I googled the name and this came up as the second link:
http://www.thebigjewel.com/responsetoavanityhousessolicitation/

Lauri B said:
Son,
If you have the name of the publisher that contacted you, it would probably be useful to include and then I'll move this thread to BB&C.

Other links from the first page of Google search results point to "Ms. Rodeger" as ~~being from~~ claiming to be from Xlibris.

Priene · Mar 12, 2008

kellytijer said:
I got an email like that too...not sure if it was from the same entity. I wrote back: "No Thanks!"

When you receive something that's close to spam email, don't reply. They don't deserve a response anyway, and there's an outside chance you'll get put on a spam list once they know your email address is a live one.

Sonneillon · Mar 13, 2008

XLibris is the company, indeed.

swvaughn · Mar 13, 2008

Bullet-dodging: every writer's favorite activity.

Good on you, Sonneillon!

LilliCray · Mar 13, 2008

benbradley said:
I googled the name and this came up as the second link:
http://www.thebigjewel.com/responsetoavanityhousessolicitation/

That is the FUNNIEST letter I have ever read! The sarcasm is so... so... tangible. *wipes tears from eyes*

Good for you for realizing it was nothing but a potential scam! Bravo! :Clap:

Stijn Hommes · Mar 14, 2008

Hmm, I guess my writing sucks. I never got that email even though I spent a lot of time on those sites myself. BOOHOO!

Anyway, I know enough about self-publishing to know that I should leave people who recruit through emails like this well alone.

Susan Breen · Mar 14, 2008

I hate how manipulative that letter is. They get your hopes up, and then you realize who they are. It seems especially cruel.

Sonneillon · Mar 14, 2008

It sort of makes me wonder exactly how many people have seriously considered taking them up on it. I laugh because AW has had such an effect on me... the other day, I was talking to someone online, and mentioned I was doing NaNoWriMo in November. They said "Are you going to get it published? My novel is published!" and the first thing that came to my mind was "*scoff* Yeah, through Lulu." It's hard to believe now that so many people don't understand what self-publishing really is. But then you read the "stupid things non-writers" say thread, and realize a WHOLE LOT of people think the author pays for publishing.

Kind of scary, ne?

KikiteNeko · Mar 15, 2008

I second that thanks to AW. I would be so freaking out of the loop if not for the warnings floating around here. And a few wonderful members directed me to other sites like P&E and Miss Snark.

But yay for fanfiction. I must have toiled away on that site for years. It was good fun, and so much less stressful knowing I was doing it for no reason other than to write with no intention of publishing my troves of anime fanfic.

I just got an interesting e-mail...

Sonneillon

Autophobic Misanthrope

WildScribe

Slave to the Wordcount

kellytijer

What the hell is going on?!

Lauri B

I Heart Mac

Sheryl Nantus

Holding out for a Superhero...

Appalachian Writer

Somewhere in the hills....

benbradley

It's a doggy dog world

Priene

Out to lunch

Sonneillon

Autophobic Misanthrope

swvaughn

adrift

LilliCray

Plot? What plot?

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

Susan Breen

Sonneillon

Autophobic Misanthrope

KikiteNeko

.