# Writer Beware

Writer Beware is a free blog and research service for writers that exposes publishing scams, predatory services and bad contract terms.

- Canonical page: https://kdp123.com/t/writer-beware/
- Official site: https://writerbeware.blog
- Categories: Courses, Blogs & Channels
- Price: Free
- Platforms: web
- Outputs KDP-ready files: Not stated
- Touches your KDP account: Not stated
- Official Amazon product: No
- Last checked: 2026-11-09

## Summary

Writer Beware was founded in 1998 by Victoria Strauss and A.C. Crispin and is sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association. Its blog reports on scams and industry problems, including overpriced marketing services and companies that impersonate real agents and publishers, and it answers writers' questions about specific companies by email for free. It is volunteer-run: SFWA pays its expenses and staff receive no pay. It does not teach how to publish or market.

## Pros

- Independent, volunteer-run and funded by SFWA rather than vendors
- Free email research service about specific agents, publishers and services

## Cons

- Warns about bad actors but does not recommend good services
- Covers traditional publishing heavily, not just self-publishing

## Alternatives

- [Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi)](https://kdp123.com/t/alli/)
- [Absolute Write Water Cooler](https://kdp123.com/t/absolute-write/)
- [Jane Friedman](https://kdp123.com/t/jane-friedman/)

## Sources

- https://writerbeware.blog/about/
- https://writerbeware.blog/