Caution: Is Book Millionaire the latest scheme to bilk writers out of their last few cents?

As if being a writer doesn't have enough pitfalls, enter Lori Prokop and her "Book Millionaire" scheme. I caught wind of Prokop's endeavor via TV writer and novelist Lee Goldberg's blog A Writer's Life scam of the month post. This paid infomercial disguised as a reality show is sad, really sad. Goldberg does a great job picking apart Prokop's latest endeavor and asks the all important question: Just who is this Lori Prokop? Apparently he's not the only one wondering. The respected Preditors and Editors (P&E) does not recommend Best Seller Publishing, Inc., Prokop's POD (print-on-demand) publishing company, and catch their last notation.

"Best Seller Publishing, Inc.: Not recommended. A print-on-demand publisher located in Bruce, WI. and operated by Lori Prokop. (P&E believes that Prokop may be a pseudonym)."

So, while the idea of a reality-based TV show focused on the world of publishing may sound like fun, I would approach this endeavor with extreme caution. By the way, be sure and bookmark the Preditor and Editor site and use it to check on any publishers and/or agents before you make that first contact.

After considerable thought, we realized that Preditors & Editors would perform a disservice to writers, artists, and composers if it does not warn them about known scams or problems within the industry. Consequently, the policy of not criticizing any publishers, publications, writing services, or resources was changed as of 28 September 1997. A new Warnings page can now be referenced by anyone interested in protecting himself. However, most warnings are posted beside the appropriate entries in the listings so that those can be found easier. Additionally, we are very interested in learning about anyone who treats writers shabbily, even if they don't have anything to do with writing.

Not all is bleak at P&E, so take the time to wander through the other pages and soak up all P&E has to offer; but do bookmark the Warnings page before you leave so you can easily check for the latest scams-in-the-making. Spend time over at Goldberg's A Writer's Life. His background includes many successful projects. You'll probably find a favorite or two in the partial listing of his credits:

Lee Goldberg is a two-time Edgar Award nominee whose many TV writing/producing credits include Martial Law, Diagnosis Murder, Spenser: For Hire, Nero Wolfe, 1-800-Missing and Monk. He’s also the author of My Gun Has Bullets, Beyond the Beyond, Successful Television Writing, The Walk and the Diagnosis Murder series of paperback originals.

Don't forget to come back Monday for the first installment of a week-long interview with teen blogger and writer William Hoffacker.