Over the course of the past couple of years, I have written a number of different essays on different shams and scams in the publishing arena.  These essays primarily have been geared towards emerging writers, those men and women who are only now getting their feet wet in the world of writing.

As I have said more than one time through these writings, there unfortunately are a significant number of charlatans and scoundrels who lurk in the shadows of the writing and publishing world.  These tiddlywinks prey on unsuspecting writers and take advantage of their lack of experiences in the realm of publishing.  Recently, I have become aware of yet another shameful sham and scam that threatens the wellbeing of new and emerging writers everywhere. 

Of course, for many people who have taken up the pen, the ultimate goal is publication.  These writers understandably want to see their work in print.  Needless to say, there are bona fide publishers, credible publishers of books and magazines, doing business throughout the world.  At the other extreme are con artists who establish patently fake publishing enterprises to dupe people who may not yet have experience in the writing profession.

By way of example, I share with you the case of a sham publishing enterprise that I have stumbled upon in the United States.  This outfit maintains that it is a professional book publishing house.  In point of fact, the company merely collects manuscripts from writers and then churns them out through the automatic print on demand services of an Internet based book printer.  In other words.  

In point of fact, this “publishing company” is being run by a janitor from his apartment in the Northeastern United States.  A trip to the “publishing company's” website reveals photos of the “staff” -- which includes a picture of a cat and a space for one “staff member” who wishes to “remain anonymous.”  Of course, no true publishing company behaves in such an unprofessional and bizarre manner. 

The underlying problem is that a decent writer inadvertently can become ensnared in the web of a fake publishing operation.  The taint that emits from such an enterprise actually can stick to a writer well into the future.

An emerging writer needs to keep in mind that there are no shortcuts when it comes to success as a scribe.  When all is said and done, although it can be very difficult and challenging, a writer must stick only with the pursuit of credible publishing houses.