How Publishers Scam Authors: Hidden Fees, Fake GST & Unpaid Royalties
The dream of becoming a Published author is cherished by many. Whether it’s your first poetry book, novel, or professional guide, seeing your name in print is a proud moment. But for thousands of aspiring writers, that dream quickly turns into a financial and emotional nightmare—thanks to unethical Publishers who specialize in exploiting authors.
Here's a deep dive into how some Publishers scam authors and what you can do to Protect yourself.
1. Unnecessary Publishing Packages and Inflated Fees
Many vanity or self-Publishing companies lure authors in with the promise of easy Publication. But soon, they start pushing expensive "Publishing packages" that charge for editing, designing, ISBN numbers, and distribution—services that are often poorly executed or already free via Public platforms.
These packages can Cost anywhere between ₹20,000 to ₹2,00,000 or more, with little to no transparency about the actual Costs involved. What’s worse? The quality often doesn’t match the price.
2. Fake or Inflated GST Charges
Some Publishers add hefty GST charges that are either inaccurately calculated or never actually paid to the government. Authors rarely receive proper invoices or GST numbers, making it impossible to verify legitimacy.
If a Publisher is charging GST but refuses to give a proper tax invoice with their GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number), it’s a major red flag.
3. Delayed or Nonexistent Royalty Payments
One of the biggest complaints from authors is that they either never receive royalties or receive tiny, unexplained amounts without any sales reports. Publishers often avoid giving proper documentation or say vague things like:
“Your book didn’t sell enough this quarter.”
“We’ll process it next month.”
“We only pay when you reach a threshold.”
In reality, some Publishers keep all the earnings and provide no transparency or proof of book sales.
4. Manipulative Contracts
Unscrupulous Publishers often include tricky clauses in their contracts, like:
No clear royalty percentage
Rights over your content for multiple years
Hidden cancellation fees
Many authors sign without legal consultation and later find they can’t get their rights back or switch Publishers.
5. No Real Distribution or Marketing
Despite promising worldwide availability and aggressive marketing, most of these Publishers do little more than listing your book on Amazon or Flipkart. Real marketing—like targeted promotions, bookstore placements, author events, or PR—is rarely provided.
How to Protect Yourself as an Author:
✅ Research the Publisher thoroughly. Look up reviews, past authors, and complaints.
✅ Ask for a sample contract and read every clause.
✅ Request real-time sales data and GST invoices.
✅ Avoid large upfront payments.
✅ Talk to other authors who have worked with them.
✅ Consider Publishing through transparent platforms like Amazon KDP, Notion Press, or traditional routes.
Writers pour their heart and soul into their books. No one deserves to be scammed for following their passion. As an author, awareness is your first line of defense. Always prioritize transparency over tempting promises. If something feels off, it probably is.
Shrishty Sharma
Manager HR/ Author
Asiatic International Corp
Shrishty@Flying-Crews.com
Shrishty@Air-aviator.com
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