Vanity Book Awards and Publishing Schemes
For many authors, especially those in the self-publishing world, receiving an award or a professional review is a milestone that validates their hard work and boosts visibility. However, the publishing industry contains a variety of predatory practices designed to exploit this desire for recognition. From awards that guarantee a win to anthologies that require payment for inclusion, these schemes prioritize profit over literary merit.
Key Facts
- Vanity awards often feature numerous categories to ensure most applicants become winners or finalists.
- Anthology schemes may offer publication in exchange for a fee, often with limited public distribution.
- Fee-for-review services involve paying for a critique, which can compromise the neutrality of the review.
- Common red flags include high entry fees, promises of aggressive marketing, and "pay to play" requirements.
Vanity Book Awards
Vanity book awards are recognition programs characterized by a business model that favors quantity over quality. As noted by Laura Miller in a 2009 Salon article, these awards often create dozens or even hundreds of categories. This structure ensures that a vast majority of applicants are named as winners or finalists, regardless of the work's actual quality.
These services typically target self-published authors seeking promotion. Beyond high entry fees, these schemes may charge for trophies, prominent website placement, or promised marketing services. Some operate similarly to "Who's Who" publications, where the honoree must pay for the privilege of being recognized.
Notable examples include the 2009 National "Best Books" Awards run by the Los Angeles-based marketing company JPX Media. In this instance, anyone who paid the $69 entry fee became a winner or finalist, receiving stickers for their book covers and "aggressive marketing." Similarly, the 2010 Creative Spirit Awards offered hundreds of categories for filmmakers, musicians, and writers for a $50 fee. Other programs targeting indie authors with high fees and for-profit models include the Readers Favorite Awards and the IndieReader Discovery Awards.
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Anthology Schemes
An anthology scheme occurs when a writing contest promises winners a spot in a published collection, often accompanied by a cash prize. While some may not charge an initial entry fee, they often exhibit low selectivity. Once an entry is "successful," the author is asked to pay for the publication of their work.
In many cases, these anthologies are not sold to the general public but are produced in limited runs exclusively for the contributors. This is often referred to as a pay to play model. An example of this practice is the International Library of Poetry, also known online as Poetry.com.
Fee for Review Services
A "fee for review" is a transaction where money, merchandise, or services are exchanged for a book review. Because a financial exchange is involved, the neutrality and accuracy of the resulting critique are often called into question.
These reviews can take several forms: they may be written by the marketers themselves, by incentivized customers (such as friends or family), or by third-party services hired specifically to provide reviews for a fee. For example, Foreword Reviews launched Clarion Reviews in 2001, describing it as the industry's first fee-for-review service for indie and self-publishers. Other programs utilizing this model include the Kirkus Reviews Indie Review program and City Book Review, which publishes the San Francisco Book Review, Manhattan Book Review, Seattle Book Review, and Kids' BookBuzz.
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| Scheme Type | Primary Goal | Common Red Flags | Example/Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanity Awards | Selling "Winner" status | Excessive categories, high entry fees | JPX Media |
| Anthology Schemes | Selling publication space | Pay-to-play, limited public distribution | Poetry.com |
| Fee for Review | Selling professional critiques | Payment for a review, potential bias | Clarion Reviews |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vanity book award?
A vanity book award is a contest designed to make as many participants as possible feel like winners. They typically charge high entry fees and use a large number of categories to ensure most applicants receive some form of recognition.
How do anthology schemes work?
These schemes lure writers with the promise of publication and prizes. However, they often require the author to pay a fee to be included in the anthology, which is frequently sold only to the contributors rather than the general public.
Are fee-for-review services legitimate?
While they provide a professional critique, the neutrality of these reviews is often questioned because the author is paying for the service. This differs from traditional editorial reviews, which are typically unsolicited and unpaid.
What are the warning signs of a publishing scam?
Warning signs include requests for payment to be published, an unusually high number of award categories, promises of guaranteed wins, and requirements to pay for "marketing" or "trophies" associated with an award.
Who is typically targeted by these schemes?
These services primarily target self-published and indie authors who are seeking professional validation, promotion, and recognition for their work.