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Tips for success and Pitfalls to Avoid (cont.)

• 1) IF IT SOUNDS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS!!! This is the #1 pitfall that people fall into. And this doesn't just apply to publishing. This applies to every walk of life. No one gives away anything for free. Every offer has a catch. Be sure to read the legal exclusions and be sure you understand the terms before signing up for anything or DON'T DO IT!
• 2) Make sure the company is reputable to avoid scams. Check out the Better Business Bureau and ask other writers what their experiences were to get recommendations. However, DO ask ONLY those writers who have ACTUALLY PUBLISHED A BOOK and is readily available for sale. Does the local University bookstores sell it? Does specialty bookstores sell it? Check out Amazon (and not just their marketplace - those are used book that people bring in, and not necessarily a good indication that the book has really sold).

• 3) Avoid vanity publishing companies if at all possible. Lulu.com is one of the few exceptions. Most vanity companies charge huge amounts of money to publish your work. Chances are that if your book won't sell to a publishing company, then it probably won't sell if you self-publish either. The exception is if you are really good at selling yourself or is dealing with a fraudlent Main stream publisher. See the Cookbook scam with Mrs. Seinfeld.
• 4) Do your homework! Make sure that your book is accurate, unique and stands out from the rest. If your book is unbelievable, then people won't buy it and you won't make money. Many people judge a book by it cover and the back blurbage. Make sure that these grab their attention from the get go. DO have a good synopsis on the inside of the book, where it is easily findable.