• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Nathan Bransford | Writing, Book Editing, Publishing

Helping authors achieve their dreams

  • Blog
  • Writing Advice
  • Publishing Advice
  • About
  • Take a Class
  • Get Editing

Writer Beware

Publishing scams are rampant. How to be vigilant.

January 27, 2025 by Nathan Bransford

Nearly every week I hear from an author who has a question for me because they’re in the process of being scammed. Publishing scams are RAMPANT. They have always existed, but they’ve reached epidemic status of late, along with America’s horrid overall scam culture. There was finally some good news on this front as some […]

Filed Under: Publishing Industry Tagged With: Scams, Writer Beware

“Sweet Valley High” creator passes away at 92 (This week in books)

August 2, 2024 by Nathan Bransford

This week! Books! If you’re a Gen Xer or Cusp Millennial chances are you either binged on the Sweet Valley High books or know someone who did. The creator of the series, Francince Pascal, passed away at 92. Congrats to the Booker Prize finalists! New allegations have emerged against author Neil Gaiman, which he denies. […]

Filed Under: This Week in Books Tagged With: Alissa Wilkinson, Booker Prize, Censorship, Francine Pascal, J.D. Vance, Loren Long, Neil Gaiman, The Matrix, Victoria Strauss, Writer Beware

What writers should do when they’ve been scammed (This week in books)

June 24, 2024 by Nathan Bransford

This week! Books! I’m under the weather with COVID today (careful out there!), so I’ll be listing these links instead of summarizing. But here are some of the best writing and books links I spotted in the past few weeks: The Latest Impersonation Scams – Victoria Strauss, Writer Beware Cheated, Swindled, or Scammed: What’s a […]

Filed Under: This Week in Books Tagged With: Charlie Jane Anders, Dan Sinykin, Ed Nawotka, Ferris Jabr, Kate McKean, Lincoln Michel, Richard Jean So, Sadie Stein, Victoria Strauss, Writer Beware

Edgar Award Winners (This week in books)

May 3, 2024 by Nathan Bransford

This week! Books! I wasn’t super plugged into social media and the internet while I was away, but I still collected a few links for your perusing pleasure. Independent press book distributor Small Press Distribution abruptly closed last month, which sent shockwaves through the small press community. It turned a rare spotlight onto the crucial […]

Filed Under: This Week in Books Tagged With: A.I., David Shulman, Edgar Awards, Henriette Lazaridis, Jay Caspian King, Jeanne Veillette Bowerman, Lincoln Michel, Naomi Klein, Peace Adzo Medie, Penguin, Rachel Khong, Small Press Distribution, Writer Beware

Writing books you don’t want your parents to read (This week in books)

March 15, 2024 by Nathan Bransford

This week! Books! First up, I’ve heard from multiple authors who’ve been scammed recently by fraudsters impersonating agents and publishers. Please, please educate yourself on how to spot a publishing scam and be very wary of people contacting you out of the blue with something that seems too good to be true. Yes, agents and […]

Filed Under: This Week in Books Tagged With: Brandon Sanderson, Daniel Immerwahr, David Marchese, Elizabeth Minkel, Frantz Fanon, Jeremy Strong, Lincoln Michel, Maris Kreizman, Moby-Dick, R.O. Kwon, Writer Beware

The bestselling frontlist books of 2023 (This week in books)

January 19, 2024 by Nathan Bransford

This week! Books! First up, impersonation scams are the rage among the unsavory people trying to prey on authors. Be really careful that the “agent” who reaches out to you really is who they say they are. Now, according to Writer Beware’s Victoria Strauss, there is an entire website imitating Macmillan Publishers. Yes, really. Be […]

Filed Under: This Week in Books Tagged With: Bookstores, Jessica Mason, Music, Victoria Strauss, Vroman's, We Need Diverse Books, Writer Beware

Primary Sidebar

About Nathan

Hi, I’m Nathan. I’m the author of How to Write a Novel and the Jacob Wonderbar series, which was published by Penguin. I used to be a literary agent at Curtis Brown Ltd. and I’m dedicated to helping authors achieve their dreams. Let me help you with your book!

My blog has everything you need to know to write, edit, and publish a book. Can’t find what you need or want personalized help? Reach out.

Learn more about me

Need Editing?

I'm available for consultations, edits, query critiques, brainstorming, and more.
Learn more!

My Books

How to Write A Novel
Cover of How to Publish a Book by Nathan Bransford
Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapo
Jacob Wonderbar for President of the Universe
Jacob Wonderbar and the Interstellar Time Warp

Forums

Need help with your query? Want to talk books? Check out the Nathan Bransford Forums
Footer Logo
Nathan Bransford

Helping authors achieve their dreams

  • Editing Services
  • My Books
  • About Me
  • Subscribe!
  • Blog Directory
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
Threads Logo Facebook Logo Instagram Logo
As an Amazon and Bookshop Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon and Bookshop links are usually affiliate links.
Take your writing to the next level!

Get a free course on writing and selling the book of your dreams.

Loading
Sign up for a free publishing course!

Subscribe to the newsletter for free classes on writing craft, industry tips, and more.

Loading
Get secrets from an insider!

Sign up for the newsletter for tips on advanced writing craft, querying, marketing, and more.

Loading