writerbeware

16d

#Writing #Authors @bookstodon #WriterBeware
Via Victoria Strauss (on Bluesky), a writer beware thread:
1. Have you just received an email like the one below from Excalibre Writers' Hub, touting itself as a "learning platform" with webinars, workshops, and author services, inviting you to become a member? Here are some thoughts. (thread continues in images)

https://www.excalibrewritershub.com/

Flyer:
Welcome to Excalibre Writers’ Hub
From Draft to Bestseller
Like “Masterclass” but for Writers
Get Unlimited Access Today
-50% for the first 50 Authors
code below*
Learning Platform
Are you unsure how book marketing really works?
Maybe your advertising strategy isn’t bringing results, or you’re not entirely sure how to reach the right readers.
Or maybe you’re still figuring out how to find an agent, or want to expand your skills in world-building and genre-specific storytelling.
Perhaps you’d like to dive deeper into your characters, even exploring a bit of psychology along the way.Whatever your focus—whether it’s mastering promotion or strengthening your craft—you’ll find it all inside our learning platform.

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Victoria Strauss @victoriastrauss.com:
5. There are social media links, but Facebook, created September 4, has virtually no content. Instagram consists of four images that appear to be AI-generated (raising questions about the design services). TikTok videos, with inspirational slogans and banal advice nuggets, also appear to be AI-generated.
6.Speaking of graphics, there's no portfolio. They sell book cover design--but include no book covers. They sell website design, but offer no examples. They sell promo materials (bookmarks, etc), but show no samples. If you buy from these folks, all you have to go by are graphics on the site.
7. In sum: a costly membership organization with no track record, no verifiable credentials, and no portfolio, aggressively spamming--er, recruiting--writers with offers of paid memberships. I'm by no means saying this is a scam. But there are plenty of unanswered questions. Caution is in order.
(end of thread)

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