WRITER BEWARE! hunting down scams and writing pitfalls — Safari Friday searching the web for writers and readers

I’ve just discovered a long established American website that performs a great public service to writers across the world. Although sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, it is not limited by genre or national boundaries. They are interested in uncovering problems that writers anywhere may experience with publishers, competition organisors and literary services.
Here’s a taste of what is on their blog right now:

• Amtrak Residency program and the grant of rights clause on the application form.

• Rights Concerns  on a novel writing competition for students.

• How to identify a Schmagent –   someone who says they are a literary agent, but who has no real skills, no clients, no sales, contracts, or resources. A wanna-be rather than a fraudster

There is also a website, part of the SFWA site, that maintains a list of ‘thumbs down’ publishers and agents. It also takes a long hard look at writing contests.

There are hundreds of literary contests and awards, online and off. Most are real; some are even prestigious. But many are either fake or pointless. And few are important enough to provide a meaningful addition to your writing resume.

Safari = Swahili for long journey.I am on the look out for anything accessible from a keyboard that educates, entertains, intrigues, raises a smile. Anything that helps a reader get through the day or a writer the next draft. Let me know if you write a website that you’d like featured or discover something that really should be shared.