To First-Time Authors: Hold Off on Reviews and Do Your Homework
I’m writing this as a caution to anyone publishing their first book through Book Marketeers or similar agencies. My biggest piece of advice? Hold off on leaving a review until at least six months after your book is published. I made the mistake of leaving a very positive review early in the process, when everything felt exciting and promising. At that point, Daniel had been helpful, and things seemed to be moving smoothly. But I didn’t know what was coming next—and that’s exactly the problem. You're encouraged to post a glowing review while you're still in the early stages, before you've seen any real results. I left mine unknowingly, and I’m now in the process of trying to remove it. After my book was published, things took a turn. I began receiving multiple “opportunities”—claims that bookstores were interested in stocking my book or that there were media interviews available. But every one of these came with a catch: I had to pay. Whether it was funding my own book purchases or covering fees for exposure, it all added up—and led nowhere. It felt like I was constantly being asked to spend more, with little to no return. I realized I was paying for the illusion of success, not results. In the end, I felt misled and disappointed. I was sold a dream that didn’t deliver. If you're new to publishing, please consider doing it yourself through Amazon KDP. Use tools like ChatGPT to assist with formatting, editing, and marketing—there are so many free resources out there that can save you money and stress. Had I known all this from the start, I never would’ve gone through this agency. They took a significant amount from me financially, and it’s a mistake I don’t want others to repeat. Lesson learned. Brandie Sophiel