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Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Scams

March 30, 2023 by Jim Potter 6 Comments

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Scams

Copyright 2023 © by Jim Potter

As an indie author, I take financial risks on purpose. But I’m always trying to avoid scams.

A half-century ago, when my grandmother walked out to the mailbox, she regularly returned with what she called “want-me” letters. They were letters from organizations wanting her money.

Grandma would read the hard luck stories and respond by sending them a dollar or whatever she could afford. No wonder her mailbox was always full of junk mail.

*

Nowadays, we constantly receive phone calls and text from scammers, even though, to my knowledge, we haven’t given them a dime.

It’s easy for people to understand the risks of burglars, so locks and alarm systems are installed on the premises. People are aware of the need for computer security, but there’s no letup of unscrupulous actors prowling the internet in search of easy money. It makes me sick.

There’s an adage about cons that states, “If it’s sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Yet, sometimes, we get desperate. When we’re in that vulnerable, emotional state, willing something to be true, we overlook clues that are called “red flags.”

I have a friend who has self-published her books. Early on, she was scammed over the phone by a person who promised to publish her literary work. As we talked, I learned that the company rep had cold-called my friend. She hadn’t called the company. That was a red flag.

It’s a shame but having a dream stolen away can make a person less trusting and more cynical.

My favorite place to print books is POD Print.

My friend called me again when she was considering having her books reprinted. This time, she was investigating. After we talked, we agreed that we didn’t see any red flags at POD Print, a local printing business. Today, it continues to have an excellent reputation of high quality, fair pricing, and good communication.

Click here to visit POD Print https://podprint.com/

*

Some things are hard to predict. I lost money when I made a legitimate down payment for my first book printing at Central Plains Book Manufacturing. I was cautious and decided I didn’t want to do business in some distant location, so I chose an establishment that I could visit, inspect, and meet people face-to-face. I thought I was safe.

Everything was on schedule until it wasn’t. First, my phone messages were ignored. Then, I learned the business was out of business. Overnight, it had gone bankrupt. The experience taught me that even when I’m careful, I can still lose money.

First time authors are often susceptible to advertisements about publishing package deals that may sound good but are highly overpriced with empty promises. Be careful. The people you speak to who you don’t know and you will never know, may not be looking out for your interests; they’re often only looking out for their own.

As with most scams, even legitimate businesses use pressure tactics to make sales. They want consumers to act immediately, before taking time to research a financial decision or to speak to a circle of trusted advisers—if any are available.

Unfortunately, many legitimate businesses today are using a business model that makes it nearly impossible to talk to an employee. I’m old-fashioned enough that if I can’t speak to an employee, I look for an alternative.

I like it when editors offer free edits for the first chapter of a book and when they have set prices. That way I can judge their literary talent and make a better-informed economic decision.

It takes time and it takes patience but making a dream come true requires work. My grandmother called it “elbow grease.”

*

At our house, we’re learning that what we thought was an innocent choice is beginning to look like a risky decision. A few years ago, we purchased Amazon Alexa. “She” is “a virtual assistant technology.”

The most common question we ask Alexa is weather-related. But lately, now that we’ve been programmed by “her,” this piece of AI (artificial intelligence) is becoming relentless in “her” marketing as she tries to sell us stuff.

Originally, we didn’t recognize that Alexa was comparable to a Greek wooden horse left at our doorstep. We welcomed “her” into our home like a trophy but gradually discovered that hidden inside “her” belly was a program giving Amazon a powerful advantage over us.

We’re trying to decide, Is Alexa looking out for us or for “her” programmers?  Is “she” conducting legitimate business or is “she” running a scam that began with a Greek gift in war, and led to the city of Troy’s downfall?

*

Until next time, happy writing,

 

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Comments

  1. j alex potter says

    You really do have to be alert.
    And Alexa is on borrowed time!

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Alexa, are you listening? You’re on borrowed time unless you stop marketing to us when we just want to know the weather!

      Reply
  2. Gloria Zachgo says

    I know it sounds surreal, but phones also listen in to conversations that deal with marketing. If you want the convenience of talking into your phone–it listens. AI has advanced to the point of using us — instead of always being a service to us.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Exactly! Alex (not Alexa) and I often say things like, “If she’s not careful, she will be replaced.” Gloria, the world we knew is no longer here. I often think of my parents and grandparents being bewildered at the world they had seen change so drastically. Now, I have more compassion for them.

      Reply
  3. Rosemary Miller says

    Wise words from a wise man. And here’s another bit of “wisdom”: you can change Alexa settings to no advertising!

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Great to know. How do I change the setting? Say, “Alexa, no more advertising or else we’ll replace you!”

      Reply

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Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.

Larry Kruckman, anthropologist

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a… Read more “Larry Kruckman, anthropologist”

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental… Read more “Morgan Penner”

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centers on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to… Read more “Sean McArdle, Winchester, England”

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller… Read more “Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist”

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters… Read more “John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement”

Sheryl Remar

I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.

Rebecca Schillaci

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .

Dennis Perrin, educator

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.

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