Sometimes even the smartest and experienced writers can fall prey to shady deals:

Picture this. You see an ad from a large publishing house. You respond to the ad and are thrilled to hear from the project's editor just a few days later. However, before they can discuss the project further, they want you to sign a non-disclosure agreement...

The disclosure arrives by fax and you send a copy to your attorney.... He says it's fine. You sign it and quickly send it to the editor.

The editor responds by sending a note, asking you if you want the job. The letter goes on to state that the project is "work for hire" but paying royalties only...

On reading further, you realize that, while they're asking if you want the job, they've left the following items out of the letter:

* Advance information (so you must assume there is no advance)

* The book's projected length

* Turn-around time / due date

* Projected sales / market information

* Projected time in print / print run information

* Royalty specifics - based on net profit or list price?

* When royalties would be paid (quarterly? annually?)

* And the biggest one of all - the royalty percentage itself

So, basically, they want your answer about the job...without giving you any payment information whatsoever up front.

A word of warning from WritersWeekly...