A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: Scammers Love Authors
If you are an author, you are a target. That’s not meant to frighten you — it’s meant to prepare you. The moment your book appears online, your name, your email, and your hopes become visible to people who make their living by preying on writers. Some of these solicitations look amateurish. Others are polished, flattering, and persuasive. A few are so well‑crafted that even seasoned authors hesitate before realizing something is off. Scammers love authors because authors are dreamers. You believe in your book. You want it to reach readers. You want it to matter. And that makes you vulnerable to anyone who promises visibility, success, or “the audience you deserve.” Let’s talk about the red flags — the ones I see most often as a publisher, and the ones I want you to recognize instantly. Red Flag #1: Over-the-top flattery Scammers rarely open with a question. They open with praise. “Your book is a masterpiece.” “I was deeply moved by your story.” “This is the best memoir I’ve read ...