The past decade or so has introduced many changes in the publishing industry, making non-traditional routes highly viable options for bringing books to market. But with these new alternatives like hybrid publishers—such as Greenleaf—digital publishers, and the many options for self-publishing, some dubious actors have learned how to take advantage of writers, preying on those desperate to get their work published. That’s why, as you begin searching for a publisher to help turn your manuscript into a full-fledged book, it’s essential that you know how to spot and avoid publishing scams.

There are plenty of publishing myths out there. These are things many writers assume are true, but simply are not. If you debunk these myths and the resulting mindsets, you’ll have a much greater chance of ultimately finding publishing success.

Here are the top ten most prevalent publishing myths.

As an author, at some point in the publishing process, you will find yourself faced with the task of writing an author bio. An author bio will appear in the back pages of your book, and a shorter version of this bio, consisting of one to three sentences and featuring only the most important of this information, is often included on the cover. It will be used as marketing material online (such as on Amazon) and can be a very useful tool for selling your book to potential readers, especially if done well. But how do you write about yourself in this way? And what should you include

Can Someone Sue Me for Publishing My Book?

Unfortunately, publishing your book can expose you to legal risk, especially if your book reprints or otherwise incorporates other parties’ protected intellectual property, or if your book discloses sensitive, confidential, or unflattering material about real people or real organizations. This article briefly discusses some of the major areas of risk associated with book publication, as well as some measures that authors can take before publication to eliminate or reduce potential liability.

Please note that this article is for informational purposes only, and that its contents should not be construed as legal advice. Greenleaf Book Group, LLC, does not provide legal services to anyone. Authors concerned about potential liability should always retain their own qualified legal specialists to determine whether their manuscripts pose any risks.

In common narratives, the lives of lawyers and writers are opposite. Lawyers are painted as calculating, silver-tongued firebrands with laser focus on reality, while writers are moody introverts who spend their time in quiet corners of coffee shops, typing and tearing up drafts of stories that only exist in their minds. Given these stark portrayals, it can come as a surprise that many authors have backgrounds as lawyers. Think John Grisham, Marjorie M. Liu, and even Franz Kafka.

As you are gathering the front and end matter for your manuscript, you may find yourself wondering what the differences are between a foreword, a preface, and an introduction. These are three separate and very important elements that appear in the front pages of books, and they each have their own specific functions. The roles of these pieces are often confused.

One of the questions our team often hears is, “Who is a good fit for Greenleaf Book Group?” It may be a surprise to some that our answer is, “Not everyone.”

Whether or not an author will benefit from working with Greenleaf has everything to do with the goals of that author, and the goal to share a book with the public is almost always just the tip of the iceberg. A myriad of needs, hopes, and preferences underlie the desire to get a book in readers’ hands, and those priorities dictate what publishing model will work well. Some authors prioritize creative control. Others seek literary acclaim. Still others want a straightforward way to summarize their knowledge for potential clients. There is a publishing model for every type of author, and while ours isn’t for everyone, authors who do excel through our process share a few key characteristics.

Are you someone with an interesting personal story to tell? Do your experiences offer others a new or unusual perspective? Have you collected anecdotes from work and life that you feel could be of particular value or provide insight to people? If so, you might have a memoir to write.