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Post by shawninmon on Mar 11, 2014 11:37:23 GMT -5
I've heard little dribs and drabs about this, but this morning I found the whole story. I don't think any of us would get caught in this, but forewarned is forearmed. New Author Scam |
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Post by vrabinec on Mar 11, 2014 11:41:26 GMT -5
Yeah, I saw this on Elle's Facebook page. There are no shortcuts.
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Post by Becca Mills on Mar 11, 2014 11:46:26 GMT -5
I've heard little dribs and drabs about this, but this morning I found the whole story. I don't think any of us would get caught in this, but forewarned is forearmed. New Author ScamWow. |
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Post by Suzy on Mar 11, 2014 12:27:39 GMT -5
Yes, I saw it on Facebook. Can't imagine paying that amount of money in the first place!
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Post by Becca Mills on Mar 11, 2014 12:31:30 GMT -5
Yes, I saw it on Facebook. Can't imagine paying that amount of money in the first place! Me either. Jeepers. |
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Post by Alan Petersen on Mar 11, 2014 12:55:33 GMT -5
Yeah, I saw this on Elle's Facebook page. There are no shortcuts. Actually there is: www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapter-and-verse/2014/0307/Pastor-reportedly-buys-his-way-onto-New-York-Times-bestseller-listonline.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323864304578316143623600544But it cost them over $200,000 to buy their way into the NYT Bestseller list. If an indie was doing that there would be outrage. Most of us indies don't have 200K lying around anyway.  A lot of red flags in that person's ordeal (can't give you the names of my clients because it's confidential - booked up for months... oh wait, just found a week coming up, you're in luck - guaranteed placement, etc). And then he asked for banking information to wire her the refund, I hope she didn't provide him with that information. Not sure if she's tried to going to law enforcement versus just posting online about it. $6,000 wire fraud might just get the feds attention. That sucks. All the legit marketing she could have done for $6,500. Yikes. |
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Post by Alan Petersen on Mar 11, 2014 13:13:52 GMT -5
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Post by Becca Mills on Mar 11, 2014 13:25:13 GMT -5
Wow. I really don't see the point of buying your way onto a major list for $200K. Do you really make that amount back, just from the visibility?
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Post by vrabinec on Mar 11, 2014 13:28:03 GMT -5
Maybe I could buy my way a tenth of the way up the list with $200. Wait, no, that would only get me a hundredth of the way up. Where would that put me?
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Post by Becca Mills on Mar 11, 2014 13:45:23 GMT -5
Boy, those articles were eye-opening! |
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Post by shawninmon on Mar 11, 2014 13:47:55 GMT -5
Personally, I don't think there's all that much value in being a "USA Today Bestselling Author." I think the term "Best Seller" has gotten so overused that very few consumers attach any value at all to it. I know I never use it in my marketing materials. I see people using the term "Amazon Bestseller" because they sold half a dozen copies and got into the Top 100 of a tiny category.
Maybe if you were actively seeking representation, then you could use it to open some doors, but I'm not. I just don't see the value.
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Post by Alan Petersen on Mar 11, 2014 13:50:07 GMT -5
Wow. I really don't see the point of buying your way onto a major list for $200K. Do you really make that amount back, just from the visibility? It's all about visibility. They're non-fiction "business books" so they're trying to position themselves as speakers and consultants which is where they'll make their money (speaking and consulting fees). So much stock is put on hardcover book sales, which so bogus. I can't remember the last time I bought a hardcover book. Even before I switched to Kindle ereader, I would wait for the paperback before paying $30 for a hardcover book. And this is what the NYT, WSJ and others use for their bestseller list. Crazy out of touch. |
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Post by Suzy on Mar 11, 2014 13:51:26 GMT -5
You're right, Shawn. That term is pretty tired now. I have been a bestselling author but I never say it. And a bestseller isn't something that lasts very long.
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Post by Becca Mills on Mar 11, 2014 14:59:04 GMT -5
Wow. I really don't see the point of buying your way onto a major list for $200K. Do you really make that amount back, just from the visibility? It's all about visibility. They're non-fiction "business books" so they're trying to position themselves as speakers and consultants which is where they'll make their money (speaking and consulting fees). So much stock is put on hardcover book sales, which so bogus. I can't remember the last time I bought a hardcover book. Even before I switched to Kindle ereader, I would wait for the paperback before paying $30 for a hardcover book. And this is what the NYT, WSJ and others use for their bestseller list. Crazy out of touch. Yeah, I'll say. I like hardbacks as durable objects, but they're just not worth 1) the money or 2) the space they take up. I see what you mean about business books. Still, the monetary investment seems huge. What did Kaplan say? 3000 copies? At how much each? $25? Yikes. You'd have to get some really good speaker fees to make up for that investment. |
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Post by vrabinec on Mar 11, 2014 15:01:15 GMT -5
Wonder how much he could make back selling those used on Amazon.
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Post by Becca Mills on Mar 11, 2014 15:05:57 GMT -5
Wonder how much he could make back selling those used on Amazon. LOL. I bet they ended up in the hands of all his business associates, who had to place the orders. So he doesn't even have that recourse. Looks like the main thing he's gotten out of it is a blog post with 50 comments.  |
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Post by Alan Petersen on Mar 11, 2014 15:50:36 GMT -5
Wonder how much he could make back selling those used on Amazon. About five bucks.  Even new ones are going for less than $5.  |
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Post by vrabinec on Mar 11, 2014 16:07:34 GMT -5
Ouch. That's a big hit. You gotta REALLY want to appear on that list to pay that much for the "honor."
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Post by Becca Mills on Mar 11, 2014 16:10:31 GMT -5
Ouch. That's a big hit. You gotta REALLY want to appear on that list to pay that much for the "honor." Personally, I'd rather plunk down cash for a Tesla. I mean, seriously. Nuts. |
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Post by vrabinec on Mar 13, 2014 11:14:20 GMT -5
Man, you're as obsessed with the Tesla as I am with boobs.
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