Cover contest

[pelwrath]

I received this email about my first book, forgot I had submitted my cover.

Hello,
 
Thank you for entering your book in Cover Wars at Author Shout.
 
Your scheduled date is 5 FEBRUARY
 
Please reply back to this e-mail to confirm you received your scheduled date.
 
Just a quick question.  Have you considered Author Authority?
 
Author Authority is a training program that presents authors with tips, tools, techniques, and resources to sell more books, increase your presence on social media, and networking opportunities with other bestselling authors to ask questions and get ideas.
 
You will also have an opportunity to conduct an interview that will be shared across social media to include YouTube and so much more.
 
Please visit  www.terrywadethompson.com/author-authority  to learn more about the program and join.

Sincerely,

Author Shout

[RAVENEYE]

A cover contest sounds fun. However, be cautious. It's always suspect when you participate in one thing only to have them sell you something that costs you money. One of those schemes that ropes in dreamy-eyed hopeful authors/artists.

[pelwrath]

Thank you Raveneye. Entering the contest cost nothing and it’s a vote contest. Here is the email I received.

Hello,
 
Thank you for entering your book in Cover Wars at Author Shout.
 
Your scheduled date is 5 FEBRUARY
 
Please reply back to this e-mail to confirm you received your scheduled date.
 
Just a quick question.  Have you considered Author Authority?
 
Author Authority is a training program that presents authors with tips, tools, techniques, and resources to sell more books, increase your presence on social media, and networking opportunities with other bestselling authors to ask questions and get ideas.
 
You will also have an opportunity to conduct an interview that will be shared across social media to include YouTube and so much more.
 
Please visit  www.terrywadethompson.com/author-authority  to learn more about the program and join.

Sincerely,

Author Shout

[RAVENEYE]

Yeah, I read that. It's the invite to Author Authority they conveniently toss your way that caused me to urge caution.

The site is one of those "pay us to become a bestselling author" gimmicks:

Purple: me
Red: them

Purchase access today and you will discover tips, tools, techniques, training and resources that will:
* Help you become a bestselling author by selling more books
* Help you increase your social media visibility, influence, and impact
* Give you an opportunity to network with bestselling authors (likely their authors)

Here's everything you will get for only $27 when you purchase access NOW.​
- HURRY, PRICE WILL INCREASE SOON -​ (yeah, sure it will)

Instant access to EVERYTHING in the Author Authority Member Zone ($4997 Value) (information that ought to be accessible to everyone (and likely is elsewhere) costs $5000???)
Exclusive training videos that will help you write your first or next book ($2997 Value)
How to promote your book(s) on social media to include a secret strategy that absolutely NOBODY is taking advantage of ($497 Value) (if no one is taking advantage of it, then logically that means no one is paying for access to their big exclusive secret)
How to optimize your social media profiles that will help you gain more subscribers to your newsletter ($497 Value) (editing a person's profile costs $500???)
A step-by-step process showing you How To Create a Press or Media Kit that will help get you and your book(s) noticed ($497 Value) (this info is out there for free: www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-create-a-press-kit)
BONUS: Access to a private Facebook support group to ask questions and network with other Bestselling Authors (PRICELESS) 
BONUS: A featured author interview shared to thousands of followers and subscribers across our social media support network (PRICELESS) (likely other authors who have paid this $27 for access to all this info)
SUPER BONUS: Monthly Zoom calls with the creator of Author Authority for more training, coaching, and Q&A. (PRICELESS) (OMG. Monthly Zoom calls so this person can sell you more of his gimmicks)
. . . AND SO MUCH MORE

PLUS - I find it very interesting that you have to create an account on the site before you can see this person's "library." He claims to be a bestselling author. Okay, fine. But what author hides their titles behind a password??? Isn't the point of becoming a bestselling author having one's books VISIBLE???

Yeah, this is a big fat no. 

The contest may be free, Pel, but I hope they don't rope you in to the scheme with later invitations, or even fill your inbox with a bunch of spam emails, etc.

[pelwrath]

Haven’t been asked, save for that post, for any money or to join. My feelings are identical to yours when I read the spiel.

[RAVENEYE]

Jan 22, 2023 13:15:29 GMT -6 pelwrath said:

Haven’t been asked, save for that post, for any money or to join. My feelings are identical to yours when I read the spiel.

Happy to hear that. All that said, I hope your cover does well!

[pelwrath]

I’ll post the link as people can vote on it.