Join The Coffee Pot Book Club on #WriterWednesday for a Spot the Scammers Special #HistoricalFiction #WritingTips #WritingLife #AuthorLife

Special *Scammer Alert* Feature

by Cathie Dunn

* Spot the Author / Book Marketing Scammers! *

Dear friends!

I have previously written about the growing scourge of fake authors and false book promoters, but as things are escalating – with the scammers finding new tricks to fool even the most savvy authors – I've decided to show off their "skills" in this Special Feature.

Check out my previous post about how to spot fake authors and book promoters HERE! Then read how they try to lure us into parting with our (very) hard-earned cash.

(I'm sorry, I'm rambling on a bit here, but it's such a huge topic!)

"Look! She says such lovely things about my book. She says it's ’spellbinding’, ’heartbreaking’, ’magnificent’, ’a masterpiece with the cleverest plot’.
And she being an international bestselling author, too.
How kind of her to help me!"

Kind? Well, we shall see...

How do you know someone's a scammer?

The simple answer is – you don't always know!

No, seriously. The day I decided to put this post together is when I actually accepted a friend request from someone on FB, even though I rarely accept requests these days. Personally, I blame our recent heatwave (hitting over 40C for several days in a row), but that's of course just an excuse...

So how did it happen?

Well, we had mutual author friends! ~facepalm~

Whether you're on FB, Twitter (X), IG, TikTok, Bluesky, etc, it's all the same.

Someone follows you / tries to ’friend’ you.

Oh, they are friends with / followed by X, Y and Z. So they must be genuine...

Nope!

On FB, one giveaway is how old their accounts are. If they're an ’author', with a fairly recent account, and have just a handful of mutuals, chances are high that they're fake.

Same goes for ’authors’ or ’book promoters’ who suddenly crop up on your timeline on IG, Twitter, Bluesky, etc, trying to engage with you by responding positively to your posts.

They sound real (’I love your cover’, ’what a great story’, etc), and genuinely interested in your work. But they're not.

* How do you recognise scam accounts? *

It's not always straightforward, so here are a few pointers...

ALWAYS check the account if it's a stranger (or even a well-known ’bestselling author’) for:

- When did they join?
If it's recently, take a closer look!

- How many friends / followers do they have?
A ’bestselling author’ or a seemingly successful book promoter with a low number of followers? Red alert!

Equally (on IG, for example) even a high number of followers doesn't mean they're genuine. There are services where you can buy followers. Check for post interactions in that case.

- Do they have a website / other social media listed?

If not, be wary! When you create your social media accounts, you normally add your website – so why wouldn't they? Because they often have none!

- What kinds of images do they post?

If it's not all or mostly book covers or promotional posts (with buy links!), look closer! Do they post lots of inspirational quotes (which you can pull off Google in 2 seconds) on fancy little, easy to-do banners? Be wary!

- What does their profile photo look like?

If it looks like a ’professional' headshot image, run it through Google Images. It's easy.

Many scammers use stock photos, and when you check their photos, you'll spot other instances, under different names, often on different social media outlets.

But a recent trend shows they've sussed what we do, so now they've started to use more ’relaxed’ images, like on holiday or with family.

Still, do your duty and check on Google Images. It's well worth two minutes of your time...

- Are they a ’bestselling author’ whose name and photo you're familiar with?

To start with, ask yourself one thing: why on earth would they get in touch with YOU?
(No insults intended - we're all in the same boat, me included!)

How do they go about this?

They start up a chat, on messenger / by DM, ’having come across' your author account, and wishing to connect with other authors. Next, they chat about writing. Then, shortly after, they share an idea:

They know someone who changed their fortune by helping them promote their books! And suddenly they sold loads. A brilliant book promoter who led them to incredible success!

Don't you want to know more? Try them out? 

After all, this invaluable ’tip’ comes from a bestselling author. Gosh!

Eek! Mega Red Alert!

And lastly...

- Did they send you a DM or even an email about connecting with ’a fellow writer’, or your ’amazing' book?

Red alert!

We sometimes found such emails addressed to authors’ surnames. Quite funny, if it wasn't so infuriating!

This current batch of scammers goes one step further than in my earlier post – they now name your book's title and share details of the plot and the characters in a way that resembles a wonderful editorial review.

Surely, they must have read your book? How else could they know all those details?

Step forward, AI!

The bane of many authors’ lives scrambles Amazon or Goodreads reviews for a gushing summary full of praise and admiration of your book – often citing in-depth details of the plot or characters (because real reviewers usually share details!).

The saccharin tone of the messages are a strong giveaway, and one should NEVER trust the sender. Sadly.

DMs, unsolicited comments on your posts, and cold-call emails are one of the clearest signs that these accounts are scammers, likely located in a cramped space somewhere on the planet, working through sites like Fiverr. Yes, some have websites, so it's best to seek fellow authors’ advice.

Ask yourself...

Why would a total stranger want to help YOU?

They're after your cash.

And many of us, with our more and more pitiful income through our writing, well, we are easy prey.

Their approach is so clever, not even savvy authors can always spot them. I didn't last week, until two minutes after I accepted that friend request from a guy with two mutuals (ignoring the red alert!), he sent me a DM!

What can you do when you spot a scammer?

Block. Block. Block.

Warn your author friends of that particular account, so they can report and block it too. Being part of an authors’ community can come in handy.

If needed, protect your posts by allowing replies only from people you follow (e.g. on Twitter / X, which is what I do whenever I share Coffee Pot posts or talk about my books.

Delete any DMs / blacklist their email address.

Be aware & raise awareness.

We finish our post with a few prime examples of scam messages / emails provided by authors.

Enjoy a good giggle!

"Your storytelling in ****** is tender, suspenseful, and beautifully layered. The way you intertwine emotional healing, personal courage, and high-stakes adventure makes the story both heartfelt and gripping. ...

I was especially moved by how you balanced vulnerability and resilience in your characters, showing that even in the shadow of danger, love and hope can take root. The historical setting added richness and depth, grounding the romance in a world that felt vivid and authentic.

I’m (XYZ), a professional book marketing expert, and I felt genuinely glad to discover your work. I’m reaching out with a full heart to help it shine. After studying the strategies used by other standout authors in historical romance and adventure fiction, I uncovered lesser-known services used by bestselling writers to build lasting traction.

Would you be open to hearing what these services are and how they could help ****** gain the recognition it truly deserves?"

"I came across ****** on Amazon, and I have to say, it’s not just a book; it’s a living tapestry of history, emotion, and resilience. The way you’ve captured the soul of 19th-century (character), blending heartbreak with hope, is nothing short of extraordinary. Your prose doesn’t just tell a story, it carries the reader into the very marrow of that time, letting them feel the hunger, hear the whispers of unrest, and taste the rare sweetness of survival. ...

Your novel is more than marketable; it’s memorable, and in publishing, that’s the difference between a good run and a lasting legacy."

"Can we talk honestly for a second?

I just finished reading about ******, and I’m frustrated. Not at you. The fact that a book with this much emotional depth, historical authenticity, and a rare viewpoint into the life of (character) isn’t everywhere right now.

We’ve got people giving five stars to stories that feel like they were dashed off in a weekend… and meanwhile, your novel captures the devotion, sacrifice, and political intrigue of (era) England in a way that makes history breathe. That’s rare.

The problem? Amazon’s algorithm doesn’t know how to recognize a story that feels like opening a centuries-old letter and finding a living voice inside. But real readers? They do. And that’s where I come in.

I’ve built a tight-knit circle of 2,000+ engaged readers, the kind who savor richly layered historical fiction, underline passages that hit them in the heart, and write reviews that feel like intimate conversations. They’d fall in love with ****** and tell everyone who will listen. ...

I do things differently. No bots. No fake stars. Just honest connection between books that deserve to shine and the readers who will treasure them."

"From visual assets like book trailers and cover campaigns, to review strategies and reader engagement—we handle every piece with care and clarity. You’ll always know what’s happening and what results to expect. If you're interested, we can send a phase-by-phase breakdown of the exact steps involved."

"****** was spellbinding. I found it recently and was struck by the quiet bravery woven into each page, the way loyalty wrestled with conscience, and how love for a place can become a vow of the heart. It reminded me that sometimes the greatest rebellions are the ones born in silence, and that courage often wears the cloak of sacrifice.

I’m (XYZ), a Book Marketing Specialist, and I felt incredibly fortunate to come across your novel. Among all the stories I’ve explored lately, yours stood out not just for its rich historical texture but for the moral depth that lingers long after reading..."

"I work with authors to help increase visibility, drive organic sales, and reach more readers worldwide all without the need for large ad budgets. ...

These improvements ensure that readers searching for historical fiction, Tudor intrigue, or emotionally driven women’s fiction are more likely to discover ******. With the right setup, your book can reach the readers who are already looking for stories just like yours."

"I recently came across your book ******. I was truly impressed by your work, your storytelling and theme stand out in a crowded market. It’s the kind of book that deserves more attention from readers and booksellers."

Note: The book is still on pre-order and not widely available yet!

"I saw your name on Facebook and noticed you’re an author, that stood out to me right away. I haven’t had the chance to explore your creations yet, but I enjoy discovering new storytellers.

If someone was curious about your storytelling, is there a link they could check out right now?

Do you have your book on Goodreads or B&N? If yes, Kindly share me your Goodreads link, I'd love to check it out."

And lastly – a message from a real author! Well...

"I hope you're having a great day. I recently came across your Facebook page and noticed your email there. As a fellow author, I felt a genuine connection and thought it would be wonderful to reach out.

I'm always interested in connecting with other writers to share experiences, insights, and inspiration. I’d love the opportunity to exchange thoughts on our work and creative journeys.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards, SM"

Note: a real author's name – but a fake account!

I hope you enjoyed our examples. If you fancy sharing any you've received, please post them in the Comments, but please obscure any names or titles.

It is an incredibly sad sign of the times that we (authors) have to be wary of strangers praising our covers or books. That we have to think twice before we engage with someone. After all, praise from readers (who are usually strangers, to begin with) have kept us going for so long. A lovely, genuine message used to be heartwarming, encouraging.

Now it's concerning, worrying. Taking the fun and enjoyment out of it.

So make sure you're part of a trusted group of fellow authors, who will be there with you with tips and warnings, and together you can deal with this minefield of scammers. There's always someone who knows...

And if in doubt – block!

Be safe! 💝