Eager. That is an exceptional word in the English language. It implies all sorts of positive connotations. In reality, however, it can be our own worst enemy. Eagerness often colors our judgment and makes us leap before we look. For our purposes here, my hope is to leave you with a way to eagerly pursue safe and viable options and steer you away from scams, shams and rip-offs.

Much of the work of identifying specific unsavory people and organizations that target writers, especially those just getting started in the industry, has already been done for us. Three major resources on the internet should be our first stop when vetting a new opportunity for its legitimacy. They are:

Absolute Write Water Cooler Forum: Bewares and Background Check:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer's Writer Beware List:

http://www.sfwa.org/beware/index.html

Preditors and Editors:

http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

(Preditors and Editors has a list of other warning internet sites for writers.)

Aside from checking these sites to see if a person, company or organization is legitimate, there are some standard warning signs one can look for.

“Money flows to the author, not from the author.” This oft-repeated adage is very useful. A publisher that charges an author for their services is considered a vanity press. This means you are self-publishing. Be certain this is your goal before signing any contracts.

By and large, most long-standing traditional publishing houses are reputable, though there may be some fracas over contracts; they tend to fall in line with what we expect from a legitimate house. When choosing to go with a smaller, newer house, be sure to vet their practices by seeking out commentary from the authors already published with them, any warnings or bewares listed for them, and become familiar with a “boiler plate” contract and what each of the clauses mean. (For examples, visit: http://www.sfwa.org/contracts/ )

A Special Warning: Publish America. There it is. The name that can turn even the most mild-mannered writer into a flamer of frenzied proportions. Whether you are published through them, or know of someone publishing through them, it is universally understood in the industry that Publish America is by and large an author mill and only one step away from being a self-publishing service. This house has earned such a dismal reputation, those wishing a career in publishing would do well to run (don't walk) in the opposite direction.

An agent that charges an author up-front (or reading) fees, usually related to editing services they have a vested interested in seeing make money, is not operating within industry standards. Do not confuse contract language that charges authors minimal amounts for printing and postage as a deduction from a publisher's advance as an up-front fee. While this practice is frowned upon, the money does not get paid until the project is sold and is not an indication of a scam. Visit the Association of Author's Representatives for more details: http://www.aar-online.org/

When choosing to hire an editor or a “book doctor” an excellent resource is the EFA (Editorial Freelancers Association.) Make sure the charges fall in line with normal industry standards. (You can find these here: http://www.the-efa.org/res/rates.html ) An editor or “book doctor” who refuses to share their credentials, previous clientele, or a standard contract should be avoided at all costs.

Contests are about the only place where it is standard for an author to pay a nominal reading or entry fee. When choosing a contest, be picky. Find contests that are well-respected in the industry and should you win or even become a finalist, will give your career a boost. Look for who is judging the contest. Is it an industry professional you are eager to work with? This may be an avenue for you to get your work in front of them, especially if they only take submissions from agents and you have yet to land one.

New contests, especially those not associated with a long standing organization or reputable person can be dangerous, and not valuable to your career. Even if you should win, if the people or organizations behind the contest aren't well known, it may not make much difference to your career.

Be wary of large fees (anything over $25.00 is cause for further investigation, average is between $5 and $15.00. Note that WRWA's contest entry fees-going up to $8 in 2008-are well within this average) Read the fine print, and check the internet for any previous complaints about the contest, the person or group running the contest, or past judges.

Poetry.com (also known as International Library of Poetry, International Poetry Hall of Fame, and International Society of Poets) is one of the largest well-known scammers. While many don't mind paying to receive their prize, or spending their money on purchasing books filled with low quality works, if you're a serious poet, steer far away from this group.

If your aim is to simply to spend a chunk of money on a hardcover book filled with thousands of poems by others, pay to receive any award you may be offered, and again pay another large sum to attend an annual conference of like-minded people, then Poetry.com (and it's affiliates) is the choice for you. If, however, you're interested in gaining respect and recognition as a poet, this is not the avenue for you to pursue.

In conclusion, you work hard writing, rewriting, stressing and creating your finished product to send out into the world. Doing your homework, using the tools at your disposal, and vetting your options will make certain you and your project receive the respect you both deserve.