All Episodes

June 16, 2025 34 mins

Send us a text

In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer are joined by Victoria Strauss, co-founder of Writer Beware. The discussion covers the origins and mission of Writer Beware, types of publishing scams they report on, common mistakes writers make, and steps to verify a potential scam. Victoria shares her experiences investigating scams, highlighting shocking cases, and discussing the evolving landscape of publishing fraud. The episode emphasizes the importance of community and awareness in protecting writers and offers practical advice on navigating the publishing world.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:34 Introducing Victoria Strauss
01:51 The Birth of Writer Beware
03:56 Types of Publishing Scams
05:31 Common Mistakes by Writers
07:28 Steps to Verify and Protect Against Scams
13:16 The Impact of AI and Social Media on Scams
28:40 Recognizing Good Agents and Publishers
31:38 Uplifting Moments and Final Thoughts
34:05 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Find out more about Victoria Strauss HERE!

Find out more about WRITER BEWARE here!



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waywordwriters.substack.com/subscribe
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.