Heads Up, Authors: Scam Alert
There’s been a surge of polished “opportunity” emails making the rounds, and many of them are unfortunately not real.
These messages are often AI-written and feel convincing because they reference your name, book, or genre. That personalization is intentional, it’s designed to flatter you and rush you into saying yes before you stop to verify.
Here’s how these scams usually play out:
- They promise major exposure or visibility
- They push urgency (“limited slots,” “act fast”)
- They send a link (please don’t open these)
- They ask for a “small promotional fee” then disappear from communication
Common warning signs to watch for:
- Excessive praise that feels generic or over-the-top
- Vague language about their audience, reach, or past results
- No clear way to verify who they are
- Emails sent from free accounts (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.) instead of a legitimate business domain
If you can’t confirm the sender or their company, don’t click, don’t reply, and don’t pay.
Trust your instincts. If an offer feels like easy traction, over-the-top flattering, or suspicious in any way, don’t click, pay, or respond. Protect yourself and the value of your work.
Feel free to reach out to our team if you’re unsure and want additional eyes or verification – we see a lot of these and are happy to help sift through what’s real.
