Mystery Writers Backs Writer Beware Program

Organization will co-sponsor SFWA's program to expose scams and educate writers

By Lynn Andriani -- Publishers Weekly, 8/11/2009 7:20:00 AM

It’s a dangerous world out there for writers, and Mystery Writers of America wants its members to be prepared—that is, to know about publishing scams and how to protect themselves from fraud. The organization is co-sponsoring the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Writer Beware program, which exposes scams, educates writers and maintains a database of questionable literary agents, publishers, editorial services and literary contests.

MWA is giving SFWA a $1,000 grant and inviting Writer Beware reps to share its booth at BookExpo. It will also send volunteers to speak at writing conferences about deceitful publishing practices. MWA executive v-p Frankie Bailey said, “We are pleased to be able to support the important work that Writer Beware is doing on behalf of all writers, professional and aspiring, by exposing scams aimed at defrauding authors.” Russell Davis, president of SFWA, said teaming with MWA will help Writer Beware accomplish more than it could alone, and invited other organizations to join the effort.

SFWA launched Writer Beware in 1998, and its Web site is available to all writers, regardless of subject, style, genre, nationality or professional standing. MWA board member Lee Goldberg, who will act as MWA’s liaison with Writer Beware, said, “We are not only showing our support and making Writer Beware stronger, but sending a message to scammers that we won’t stand by and let them take advantage of authors.”