This is one of my favorite sites because it not only points out these scams, but teaches you how to spot them yourself. It’s a useful skill to learn not just for writers, but for everybody. It’ll teach you to trust that red-flag-alarm-bell in your gut that says “Something is off about this.”
Here’s just one reason I love Writer Beware – their run downs on the reading apps that want rights to your work, forever, as well as the right to sell it under names not your own. Don’t know what “moral rights” are outside the US? Here you go. Don’t sign those away in the really small print. Seriously. Don’t.
In 2022 Strauss moved the site to a brand new home and it has much improved search functions and some handy features, like the 150 scam companies and people operating under multiple names they have kept track of over the years. Educate yourself and be safe out there!
From the site:
Shining a bright light into the dark corners of the shadow-world of literary scams, schemes, and pitfalls. Also providing advice for writers and industry news and commentary. Writer Beware is sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.