Watchdog Archives

Charity Publishing: What Indie Authors Should Know

Charity publishing is fraught with risks and responsibilities, and good intentions can lead down very dark paths. Here's what you should be aware of when taking part in a charity anthology, box set, or other charitable publishing venture.

November 12, 2020
John Doppler
Watchdog
2 Comments

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.

September 10, 2020
John Doppler
Watchdog
0 Comments

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.