u/Awkward_Blueberry_48

I mod this place and I want to make sure it's genuinely useful to everyone who's here.

There are plenty of writing and self-publishing communities on Reddit, so what are you hoping to see more of in r/Reedsy, specifically?

Some things I've thought about:

• Recurring blurb/writing critique threads
• AMAs with Reedsy freelancers (cover designers, genre-specific editors, marketers, etc.)
• General industry insights and advice
• Reedsy updates and news

I'd love to hear what you guys would actually find interesting/useful. Essentially, what made you subscribe and what would make you come back to this sub more often? :)

With recent policy changes from Draft2Digital and Barnes & Noble press, I’ve been thinking about the barriers to entry in self-publishing, especially with platforms like KDP. On one hand, it’s amazing that anyone can upload a book and potentially reach a global audience. But there are already costs to publishing, even if actually clicking "publish" might be free: editing, cover design, marketing, ISBNs (depending on your approach), and even time investment. And now platforms are feeling like they have to add fees to the publishing step to limit AI-generated content.

So, should publishing be completely free, and what does that mean to you? Can you see any benefits to adding a small fee? What would you as authors be willing to pay for when self-publishing, and what would stop you from wanting to self-publish?

Curious to see where people land on this.

Just a heads-up for authors. Scam websites that appear to be connected to Reedsy are popping up online. These aren’t Reedsy and aren’t affiliated with the real platform.

Here’s a list of some of these websites:

• reedsyglobal.com
• reedsypublishinggroup.com
• reedsy.us
• reedsyauthorservices.com
• reedsyauthorsolutions.com
• reedsyauthors.com

There have also been reports of emails from people claiming to be Reedsy employees, marketers, or publishing professionals. They often mention your book and say they’ve been assigned to help with marketing. Some use the Reedsy logo, link to real Reedsy websites, or send fake letters that use employees' names.

The goal is usually to get money, manuscripts, login details, or personal information.

Red flags to watch for:

• Email addresses that don’t end in @ reedsy.com
• Similar-looking website names
• Pressure to pay quickly
• Guarantees of sales, rankings, or media coverage
• Poor grammar or vague credentials
• Requests for wire transfer, crypto, or personal payments

How to protect yourself:

• Double-check the website URL and sender email.
• If unsure, contact Reedsy directly via support@reedsy.com.  
• Search the company name + “scam”.
• Be cautious with anyone promising unrealistic results.

Authors are frequent targets because publishing can be expensive and confusing.

If anyone here has seen similar impersonation scams or websites, share them so others know what to look for. Stay cautious!

Just a heads-up for authors. Scam websites that appear to be connected to Reedsy are popping up online. These aren’t Reedsy and aren’t affiliated with the real platform.

Here’s a list of some of these websites:

• reedsyglobal.com
• reedsypublishinggroup.com
• reedsy.us
• reedsyauthorservices.com
• reedsyauthorsolutions.com
• reedsyauthors.com

There have also been reports of emails from people claiming to be Reedsy employees, marketers, or publishing professionals. They often mention your book and say they’ve been assigned to help with marketing. Some use the Reedsy logo, link to real Reedsy websites, or send fake letters that use employees' names.

The goal is usually to get money, manuscripts, login details, or personal information.

Red flags to watch for:

• Email addresses that don’t end in @ reedsy.com
• Similar-looking website names
• Pressure to pay quickly
• Guarantees of sales, rankings, or media coverage
• Poor grammar or vague credentials
• Requests for wire transfer, crypto, or personal payments

How to protect yourself:

• Double-check the website URL and sender email.
• If unsure, contact Reedsy directly via support@reedsy.com.  
• Search the company name + “scam”.
• Be cautious with anyone promising unrealistic results.

Authors are frequent targets because publishing can be expensive and confusing.

If anyone here has seen similar impersonation scams or websites, share them so others know what to look for. Stay cautious!

Just a heads-up for authors. Scam websites that appear to be connected to Reedsy are popping up online. These aren’t Reedsy and aren’t affiliated with the real platform.

Here’s a list of some of these websites:

• reedsyglobal.com
• reedsypublishinggroup.com
• reedsy.us
• reedsyauthorservices.com
• reedsyauthorsolutions.com
• reedsyauthors.com

There have also been reports of emails from people claiming to be Reedsy employees, marketers, or publishing professionals. They often mention your book and say they’ve been assigned to help with marketing. Some use the Reedsy logo, link to real Reedsy websites, or send fake letters that use employees' names.

The goal is usually to get money, manuscripts, login details, or personal information.

Red flags to watch for:

• Email addresses that don’t end in @ reedsy.com
• Similar-looking website names
• Pressure to pay quickly
• Guarantees of sales, rankings, or media coverage
• Poor grammar or vague credentials
• Requests for wire transfer, crypto, or personal payments

How to protect yourself:

• Double-check the website URL and sender email.
• If unsure, contact Reedsy directly via support@reedsy.com.  
• Search the company name + “scam”.
• Be cautious with anyone promising unrealistic results.

Authors are frequent targets because publishing can be expensive and confusing.

If anyone here has seen similar impersonation scams or websites, share them so others know what to look for. Stay cautious!

Here are some of the main takeaways from the AMA with Fiza Saeed McLynn (Big 5 debut author), co-hosted with r/Reedsy.

Writing & drafting

• All the best authors have distinct voices, and if your own draft feels flat, it’s likely because you haven’t found yours yet. Look to authors you admire and ask yourself how they do it. Don’t try to emulate, but draw inspiration from them. Your voice can come to you suddenly, in the form of a character, like for Fiza.

Editing

• If you struggle getting excited about making developmental edits, give yourself time to develop a curiosity about them. Ask yourself “What would happen if I did X?”
• Early feedback (whether from family, friends, beta readers, or editors) is essential, but you still decide what serves the story and what resonates.
• Be willing to make big structural changes if needed.

Querying

• A strong query needs to have a clear premise and voice, plus show market awareness.
• If you’re not getting any partial or full requests when querying, it’s a sign you probably need to go back to your draft and revise. A professional editor can help you restructure your work or let you know if it’s time to move on to a different manuscript. 
• Genre-blending is fine, even trendy amongst agents these days.
• Reframe rejection: getting rejected by an agent who isn’t excited about your voice is a chance to find one who is.

 

Lastly, the biggest takeaway of all: it’s never too late to make your debut and become a published author. At the young age of 56, Fiza got her first book deal and is currently working on her follow-up novel.