Watchdog Advisory: Octa Group
A devious and prolific impostor is targeting indie authors with cookie cutter businesses. Meet Octa Group and its endless aliases.
5 Important Tips for Vetting Community-Specific Publishers
Publishing services that serve specific communities are increasingly popular, but exploitative and predatory operators follow close behind.
Watchdog Advisory: Bookplate Press
The owners of Dog Ear Publishing are apparently attempting to evade angry authors by assuming a new identity: Bookplate Press.
Fool Me Twice: How Victims of Vanity Presses Become Repeat Victims
Authors who fall prey to a vanity press are frequently victimized by scammers or other vanity presses. It's easy to accuse those authors of being gullible or not doing their research, but there's more to the story.
What Is Vanity Publishing?
Vanity presses are almost universally reviled, but is the nearly 80-year-old definition still appropriate in the self-publishing renaissance?
The Most Useful Tools, Software, and Services for Independent Authors, with Orna Ross and Joanna Penn: Advanced Self-Publishing Podcast
In this month's #AskALLi Advanced Salon, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn talk about the tools, software, and services they use that are the most advantageous for independent authors—from writing to formatting to planning, sales tracking, accounting, and more.
Everything You Need to Know To Avoid Being Ripped off as an Indie Author
It's unfortunate that in every industry there are people who will gladly take advantage of you. That's why the Alliance of Independent Authors is proud to run a watchdog desk that runs a number of services including: highlighting trusted service providers through their vetting service and monthly watchdog posts on the not so trustworthy. Today, we have a round up of all of the articles you need to avoid being ripped off as an indie author.
Friends Don’t Let Friends Use Vanity Presses
How do you explain the dark reality of vanity presses to an author who desperately wants to believe the sales pitch? Show them the proof.
5 Reasons Why Publishers Fail (and How to Avoid Them)
When small publishers fail, they often implode spectacularly. How can publishers avoid this? And how can authors stay safe?
The Periodic Table of Self-Publishing Services
There's a service for any element of the publishing process — including some you've probably never heard of. We're here to help you make sense of it all.
Ethics of Ghostwriting
Ghostwriting: is it a collaborative tool, or just cheating? Explore the ethical concerns with us, then let us know your thoughts.
Civility is More than Good Manners
Civility is more than good manners; it is the foundation of every good business relationship.