If a publisher or content producer expresses interest in your Vault-listed book, don't sign or agree to anything until you've done some due diligence! Here are some questions to ask to ensure you're dealing with a reputable company or individual who can get your work to a wide audience and won't rip you off.

1. Ask for full name, company name and contact information, then Google the individual and company. A reputable, established company should have many "hits" on a Google search and many of them should be from sources outside the company itself. A newer, or startup company, will have fewer "hits", but there should still be, at the minimum, a professional-looking website and detailed information provided about the people who are running the company; Google those names to know who you're dealing with.

2. If a publisher, how many books published per year on average? Ask for a list of titles currently in print and look them up on Amazon. Google the authors' names, and if you can find an email address, Twitter account, etc. for any of them on a website or blog, write to ask them about their experiences working with the publisher.

3. If a producer of films/TV content, how many programs produced to date, and how many currently in production? Ask for a list of titles previously produced and currently in production, then go to the Internet Movie Database and look them up. As with a publisher, Google the writers listed in the production credits for any of the company's films and if you find any means to contact the writer(s), go ahead and do so to ask them about their experiences working with the producer/company.

4. If a game producer, how many games released to date, and how many currently in production? Ask for a list of titles previously released and currently in production, then go to IGN Entertainment and look them up. Again, Google the writers listed in the production credits for any of the company's games and if you find any means to contact the writer(s), go ahead and do so to ask them about their experiences working with the producer/company.

- If anything looks sketchy, better to be safe than sorry: pass. But at least now you can honestly say you received an offer from company XYZ when you're approached by any other publishers or producers.

- If everything looks good, it's time to hire a literary agent or attorney to negotiate a deal for you. Peter Cox of Redhammer Management, which represents a number of bestselling authors, has offered to represent Vault authors on a single-deal basis, so you can always rely on him for reputable representation. Peter does not normally accept unsolicited queries so we can't publish his email address here, but if you have an offer in hand and need him, just use the Contact Us form (link in menu bar, above) to request a personalized introduction.