Where it started:
As indie authors, we’re constantly looking for ways to get our work seen, and sometimes we pay for services that promise exposure, listings, or spotlights. I recently had an experience that reminded me how important it is to know exactly what you’re paying for and, how things can still go sideways, even when you follow the rules.
Here’s the full story:
I paid for a premium promotion service that promised to list and feature my books. On the first day, I submitted all of my materials: titles, synopses, blurbs… exactly as instructed.
Initially, the platform’s owner told me to submit via messages, but it turned out the correct process was to submit on their website.
Honestly, if I’d been given the correct instructions from the start, I would have submitted everything on the website that first day, and this entire situation could have been avoided. Instead, I was given wrong directions & I ended up waiting, checking the site multiple times, and ultimately being the one who suffered
I didn’t know this at the time. Over the next month, I waited and followed up checked the sight multiple times to see if anything had gotten posted as promised.
I simply wanted to make sure I wasn’t being left behind while they focused on attracting new paid subscribers. Despite all my patience, silent checks, one actual check in, only one author spotlight, and one book listing went up.
Frustrated, I reached out after more than a month since having paid. Instead of resolving the issue, the platform issued a refund. I wasn’t trying to cause trouble! I even offered to pay again because my goal wasn’t the refund; it was simply getting the posts I had paid for. Though I was informed that I should have put them on the website not in the chat as i was instructed to just prior.
Throughout, I apologized if my messages came off as rude and clarified that my only concern was making sure my work wasn’t overlooked or forgotten (I get it) in their push for new paying clients. Because let’s face it it’s easy to forget one thing when focusing elsewhere. I wasn’t even mad I just wanted to make sure all was well.
Always an advocate, now art is demanding the same.
-Axton N. O. Mitchell
The takeaway for indie authors:
Check the process thoroughly before paying. Make sure you understand exactly how subscribe and listings work. Document everything. Keep a record of submissions, communications, and timelines. Follow up professionally, but be aware of limitations. A refund may resolve payment and I am glad I got at least that , but it doesn’t replace lost exposure or wasted time waiting.
Advocate for your work. Paid services are tools, and not guarantees. Your work’s visibility still depends on how well you communicate and follow up.
Paying for exposure is only effective if the platform has a system that honors it. This experience was frustrating, but it taught me to be proactive, organized, and realistic about what paid services can and, can’t do for indie creators.
It is still rather upsetting I was just attempting to touch base after over a month of radio silence and I get snubbed.
