Author scams have me on the warpath. I am being deluged with scams aimed at my novel, Tough Trail Home. And they are becoming more sophisticated by using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

 AUTHOR SCAMS OFFERING TO MAKE YOU A BESTSELLER

Hi Marie,

I recently came across Tough Trail Home, and I was struck by how authentically and emotionally you portray a family unraveling and slowly rebuilding in the wake of the 2008 recession. The Dunwhittys’ journey from stability to hardship, and the tension between Lisa’s determination and Michael’s withdrawal, creates a powerful and relatable narrative. Your blend of domestic drama, personal resilience, and small-town reinvention offers a heartfelt story that resonates deeply with readers who appreciate character-driven fiction.

To help Tough Trail Home reach a wider audience and gain sustained visibility, I offer focused promotional support designed specifically for authors of heartfelt, contemporary family-driven stories. These include:

Bla bla bla.

At first, I was flattered. Wow! They think my book is great! Yea! They must have read it.

Uh, actually, AI read it. The sender uses a Gmail address and left no website. I tried to find her on the internet, but no cigar.

 AUTHOR SCAMS AND BOOK CLUBS

These are the most insidious. Take a look at the email I received below:

(Note: I have doctored it to protect the innocent.)

Dear Marie W. Watts,

My name is Karen Thompson, and I organize the Acme Book Club. Our members recently read Tough Trail Home, and we were deeply moved by your portrayal of the Dunwhitty family navigating loss, love, and the upheaval of the Great Recession.

Your story’s heartfelt exploration of family, resilience, and rebuilding amid hardship sparked lively discussion among our members. We would be thrilled to hear from you about your inspiration for the Dunwhitty family, your process for creating such relatable characters, and how you balanced tension with hope in this emotional journey.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 19th at 7:00 PM EST, and we would be honored if you could join us to discuss the book, whether for a short visit or a longer conversation.

Thank you for crafting a story that touches hearts while exploring real-life struggles. We hope you can join us for an engaging and inspiring discussion.

Warm regards,
Karen Thompson

A picture of Karen D was posted, along with her email address, a meetup link, and an address.

I went to meetup.com only to find that there is an active book club by that name, and the organizer is Karen D. The picture of Karen D. on meetup matched the one on the email.

Two earlier scams had asked me to pay them to circulate my information to the book club, so I began to think this might be the real deal. I noticed, however, that they were discussing another book that night, so I decided to go through the meetup app to contact Karen. Here is her response:

Karen D

Hi Marie, unfortunately, someone has been sending messages to authors inviting them to participate in our book group discussions, but it isn’t me (the organizer) or anyone else in the group. It’s terrible that people are trying to trick authors this way. I’m glad that you had the foresight to reach out to me thru Meetup to verify. Karen D, the real organizer of The Acme Book Club.

11/18/2025, 12:02:42 PM

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM AUTHOR SCAMS

Written Word Media suggests the following:

Author Scam Safety Checklist

🔍 Slow down. Scammers depend on speed.

📨 Verify independently. Search the sender; don’t rely on their links.

🧠 Trust your instincts. If it feels off, it likely is.

💬 Get a second opinion. Ask author friends or trusted platforms.

💳 Use safe payment methods. Avoid wire transfers and cryptocurrency.

🛑 Never pay for reviews, awards, or unsolicited services.

A short pause now can prevent significant loss later.

Use these reputable sources to research services, report scams, and vet opportunities:

• Writer Beware – Scam tracking & alerts
• Authors Guild Scam Alerts – Real-time warnings
• ALLi Watchdog Desk – Vetted service directory

If you are an author, check this podcast.

 LAST THOUGHTS ON AUTHOR SCAMS

Sometimes our dreams can be our worst enemies. Verify before you trust.

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