RHYS BOWEN: If you are a fellow author you will identify with this post. I am currently being driven crazy with fake offers to feature my books. From pretend book clubs ( my favorite so far was the Manhattan book club), fake trailers, etc. Below are some of the offers I received this week.
Sometimes I try writing back, saying that they don't need my permission to feature my book. Book clubs do it all the time. When I am in a bad mood I reply why the hell would I choose an unknown, unproven source to promote my books. And an even worse mood : You are not Sandra Smith. You are Mr. Mboko in Nigeria. Shame on you.
But nothing seems to deter them. And my worry is that I'll miss a real offer from a lovely book club, who'd like to chat with me, or a real invite to a podcast. I have to point out some are so real that I'm almost taken in. I got an offer from Traci Thomas, whose podcast Stacks is very popular. It sounded real enough but... I ran it by my publicist who responded instantly "that's not Traci's address."
I suppose there are enough self published authors desperate enough to pay someone to "spotlight" their book. Spotlight seems to be the red light. It appears often in their posts.
I hope you are doing well.
I am sending one last brief note to see if you would be open to a featured spotlight for From Cradle to Grave with The Metro Philadelphia Book Club. Our members have a strong appreciation for historical mysteries that combine rich atmosphere and wit, and we would be honored to feature your work within our community.
If this opportunity is of interest to you, please let me know and I will gladly provide the next steps and submission details.
Thank you again for your time and for the wonderful stories you share with your readers.
Warm regards,
Paul
Organizer
The Metro Philadelphia Book Club
My name is Maren Jovita, and I specialize in connecting authors with engaged readers through curated book clubs and structured reading challenges.
Your book, Vanished in the Crowd: A Molly Murphy Mystery, immediately caught my attention. The setting of New York during the vibrant 1909 Hudson-Fulton celebration creates a fascinating backdrop for mystery and intrigue.
I hope you’re doing well. I just wanted to follow up briefly on my earlier message regarding our invitation for you to be featured in The European Book Club Author Spotlight for [Her Royal Spyness]. From Marie Jeff.
I review your book Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure, and I truly admire the resilience and courage you bring to Ellie Endicott’s story. Navigating betrayal in pre-WWII England while forging a new path filled with friendship and love creates a rich and emotionally engaging narrative that resonates deeply with readers.
As I read through the overview, I could easily envision how this story could translate into a cinematic trailer. The blend of personal reinvention, suspense, and the charm of 1930s England provides a strong visual and emotional hook that would immediately immerse viewers in Ellie’s journey.
As head staff editor at Lakewood Publishers, I work with authors to create cinematic trailer concepts that highlight the heart and drama of their stories.
Tailored Media is currently identifying select titles for our upcoming production cycle, and Vanished in the Crowd: A Molly Murphy Mystery has been flagged for its high cinematic potential. Our department specializes in developing high-caliber trailers that bridge the gap between regional publication and a dominant global digital presence, ensuring your narrative carries the visual authority required for today’s market.
To demonstrate the impact of our creative approach, we have developed a professional trailer script specifically for this book. This concept is engineered to capture international audiences within the first few seconds of engagement, visualizing the grandeur of the 1909 Hudson-Fulton celebration and the electric atmosphere of New York City as it clashes with the "sinister" disappearance of a brilliant scientist, providing a scalable asset for both regional and global marketing campaigns.
Would you like us to send the script over so you can get a feel for the cinematic vision we have for your work?
Best regards.
Jeffrey Eben,
Creative Director | Tailored Media
https://tailoredmedia.co.uk/
Signal: +1 (458) 331-3006
Sophisticated Media for the Discerning Eye
Gunnery House, 9‑11 Gunnery Terrace
Royal Arsenal, LONDON SE18 6SW, UK
Note from Rhys: his email address was another country and that is not a British phone number.
My friend Lee Goldberg has great fun with his scam emails. He gets them from fake famous authors, like James Patterson. He writes back outlandish things. Dear Tana : I'm surprised you still want to talk to me after what happened. I want you to know that the rape charge was dropped but I am still in jail.
To a male writer he wrote, "You have a nerve to contact me after what you did to my wife."
The funniest one was when he got an email from fake Rhys Bowen. Now I know I've arrived!!!
So how do my fellow authors deal with this constant annoyance? I now just delete but they keep following up three or four times.
We're mystery writers. Can we come up with a fiendish way to send poisonous spiders through the internet to them???
Oh, good grief . . . I thought I'd heard all the scams, but this is the most preposterous thing; I guess the scammers think we're all stupid . . . I wish I had an answer for dealing with them although I have to say sending them poisonous spiders seems like a very good idea . . . .
ReplyDeleteI think it’s aimed at self published authors who have no way of promoting their books
DeleteI am now back to AI pretending to be a guy telling me I am wonderful. So scammed author no more.
ReplyDeleteBut... I am mindful that scams are not new. The earliest I remember reading about is a complaint from (I think Mesopotamia of a person complaining the copper received was not the amount he paid for. Crooks and honest people live on and with AI perhaps forevah.. goddess help us.
Coralee, there truly is nothing new under the sun!
DeleteRhys, you have all my sympathy. Several times a week, and occasionally more than once a day, I get emails (often from people with only first names) telling me how much they love one of my books, with lots of blah-blah about it clearly taken from my website and the back cover They explain about the wonderful PR they can offer me--zillions of Amazon reviews, long reviews in major media, etc. Sometimes the letters are inarticulate, but often they're quite well-written, almost surely by Chat GPT or some other AI. I fell for the first one, which was a couple of months ago--it wasn't quite so extravagant in its offers. I had an email exchange to learn more, but when the person with their own PR "company" wouldn't send me a website, I cut off contact. Since then, I just don't answer. But it's still a big nuisance.
ReplyDeleteIf I’m not sure I ask for a list of other authors similar to me they have helped. Usually I don’t hear back
DeleteKim, I'm not an author but I received lots of spam calls for other purposes. Lately, the callers are AI - they sound so real it's frightening. However, they don't respond to my voice. It's dystopian feeling.
DeleteI get scam email addressing me as the author of that day's blog post.
ReplyDeleteI’ve had several addressing me as another author!
DeleteWow. I guess just delete delete delete, but how annoying.
ReplyDeleteBut block the address first before you hit the delete. Elisabeth
DeleteOh, Rhys! Diabolical! Fiendish! A pox on all scammers!
ReplyDeleteWorse yet, some of thee look real! Gah!
That’s the problem, Judy. I do get invited to zoom with real book clubs all the time. It’s a waste of time and energy!
DeleteI mark as Spam and block the sender, but it's annoying. I wouldn't reply, though - that confirms that they got the right email address. Sending poisonous spiders through the mail, now - that I would consider!
ReplyDeleteI might add that legitimate requests usually come through the contact form on my web site which goes to my professional email. If one of these pops into my personal email address, I'm pretty sure it's garbage.
DeleteThese all come through my professional email, Edith. If I don’t reply they keep on. Four or five times.
DeleteRhys, wouldn't it be funny if you gave them a contact phone number of the police non emergency number or FBI. Probably not good to burden them though. But it would definitely send a message.
DeleteWow, I wouldn't be able to tell that some of these were fake. If I were bombarded by all these scammers, I would have a hard time maintaining a belief in the goodness of humankind. (Selden)
ReplyDeleteIt’s pretty hard anyway at the moment, isn’t it, Selden?
DeleteIf it is something the least bit suspicious, I refuse to engage, because by responding you have proven that they reached an actual person. Using Duck Duck Go, I might try to research the name, but usually I just report as spam and block.
ReplyDeleteExactly Judi. My husband refuses to even pick up the phone when the screen reads "SPAM RISK". For fun, I pick up and if it's not AI I make a comment like, "Oh how much is your scam costing?" Or "this is fun, a spam call..." and they generally hang up immediately.
DeleteOn phone calls I always answer with good morning. That doesn’t trigger their automated message.
DeleteSometimes, I'll answer, yeesss?? or s'up? And you're right nothing happens if it's AI.
DeleteMy calls, that aren't identified as SPAM, are answered with an angry: "what?" If it turns out to be someone I know, I apologize explaining about the SPAM issues.
DeleteAnonymous who says “yess?” Don’t. It gives scammers your voice and your “yes” to give access to your personal information elsewhere…like your bank account. Elisabeth
DeleteRhys,
ReplyDeleteI love reading or watching the posts that Lee Goldberg does about the scam emails he gets. He does have great fun with them in his replies.
I hate that the scammers are using book clubs in their fake pitches because it makes it harder for me when I send a message to an author that we are reading for the ACTUAL book club I co-run. When we select an author, the library does up a little poster for in-house advertising the upcoming book and meeting. When the poster goes online, I share it with the author just to let them know we are reading them.
But with the scammers, I worry that the author is expecting the other shoe to drop if they do indeed see the poster. Of course, I don't ask for anything so that helps lend legitimacy I guess but still, I am not happy that the scammers are smearing the good book clubs out there.
Jay, if you ever need help reaching out to an author I might know, hit me up. A personal message can get through the miasma of spam emails.
DeleteExactly, Jay! I’d hate to miss a real book club. Usually these have extravagant names: The Manhattan Bookclub etc. if I reply I ask how many members they have and where they are situated.
DeleteI receive a minimum of one of these every single day. Book clubs. Spotlights. Marketing tips. Famous authors reaching out. I don't read them any more, but when I did, I was surprised at how detailed and informed they were. Now I just send them straight to junk mail. The problem is there may be a legit book club or author reaching out and they will get ignored. That makes me sad, because I believe in authors helping authors. But I just don't have the time or patience for these emails. But what makes me even sadder is that some poor author will believe the email and fall for the ruse.
ReplyDeleteYes, there must be the occasional desperate author or they wouldn’t keep trying. Hint. They are always gmail
DeleteAddresses
Report as spam and delete.
ReplyDeleteThe writing always tips me off. Real people don't write that way.
It’s often identical in wording
DeleteThe sheer volume of these suggests they must be profitable on the scammers' end, but I don't see how. Unless they reel in new authors--especially self-published ones--and request money. But, what author ever pays for a book club event??? Meanwhile, slightly related, a brand-new event space recently opened on the outskirts of our small town. An old family farm property had been sold to these newcomers. I was looking through their website--the renovations are lovely--and reviewed their blog posts. One caught my eye--using the site for a book launch! Well, sounded interesting. I read with growing amusement the description of the amenities to be found locally. Note: on Ohio's North Coast, our biggest tourist draws are proximity to Lake Erie, Cedar Point Amusement Park, and local wineries--none of which were mentioned in the post. Instead, there was a fine dining establishment located in North Carolina, a second one located in California, and a third with no identifiable location. And so on. I wondered who the company had hired to do PR--because I could picture some guy in Nigeria making up all this stuff. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt’s everywhere. I’ve stopped reading Facebook posts from people I don’t know as they are full of fake news
DeleteTerrible Rhys! Ahh, it must be so frustrating. I am naive about this and wonder what do they hope to get from you? Personal information? They wouldn't be taking the time to contact and write letters if they weren't hoping for a payback somehow?
ReplyDeleteWe've been getting a lot of spam medicare calls. Usually early in the morning about 3-4 in a row, then maybe one or two throughout the day. It is disturbing that they have our home phone and my husband's cell # and know we have Medicare.
My daughter got a fake call from the local
DeleteLaw enforcement that sounded horribly real.
Oh dear. I am so sorry about these scam emails, Rhys. The responses from Lee Goldberg are hilarious! "I am surprised you are still talking to me." "I am still in jail". I saw him briefly at the Left Coast Crime conference.
ReplyDeleteAs Liz said, the writing tips me off! Report as spam and block! Thank goodness you have a eagle eyed publicist. She or he is worth their weight in gold!
Perhaps mystery authors can create mystery novels where these scammers get their comeuppance?
Diana, love your idea of a mystery novel!
DeleteDeath of a Spam Artist!
DeleteLakewood Publishers was one of the wacky letters you got. They seem legit with a website, etc.
ReplyDeleteIf someone is using a legit company name for legitimacy, are they aware? Or is their website a scam too?
I think they do impersonate real websites. You can check by going straight to the real people and asking if they contacted you.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, I'm not sure what they are after? Are they trying to pry info out of me? Are they trying to clone the language I use in a reply to impersonate? They usually do not ask for $ or at least not in the first email. Phone calls, emails to my personal account and now they are even getting more clever by NOT using gmail which sends me to google in search of the real people--who never reply because they probably think I"m a scammer. I too worry that I've passed up an opportunity. The book clubs that have asked me to speak come from friend recommendations or through my business email account. I replied to one asking where they got my email and they said my website--WRONG answer because my personal email is not on my website. Delete and report as spam...not that that helps.
ReplyDeleteI recorded a dramatic reading of one spam email that was so over the top it read like a monologue from a bad play. I posted it and got rave reviews, lol!
ReplyDeleteAnd this is Ellen Byron, not Anonymous!
DeleteYay, Ellen!
DeleteThe only reason I'm getting a comment in before mid-afternoon today is that I had an early dentist appointment to get a tooth pulled. It's funny, well not really haha funny, but I can tolerate a shot in my eyeball better than one in my mouth, or two as I had to end up getting to be numb enough. I don't mind other shots either, just that mouth shot always hurts. So, spam to authors. That must be frustrating indeed. Rhys, I had to laugh at the book club that would send you the information for your submission after your reply. Submission for what or with what? They can read and discuss your book without you submitting anything. I think the hardest ones to take would be ones claiming they want to make a movie or TV series from your book or books, because if it were real, it would be such a thrill, but a fake offer is just cruel. I have gotten much better at recognizing scams now, but that was after an offer for a refund from Paypal and if I'd followed it to its conclusion, I would have lost $40,000. Another one was for an extended warranty I didn't need. I'm also very careful about where I donate.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to say about Clare's post yesterday that I really enjoyed it. I thought I had posted. I know I had already formulated in my head what I was going to send. First, I love the historical aspects of the Molly series, and it's quite evident that Clare loves the research. An excellent excerpt that has me most curious about the vanishing woman.
Kathy, my granddaughter is finishing up dental school. She says if the dentist puts in the shot slowly enough you don't even feel it!
DeleteI haven't gotten any cinematic offers, yet, Rhys, so the fact you have clearly shows how upper echelon you are!! :-D
ReplyDeleteI can instantly tell the featuring in our book club/organization/website/etc. emails because they all use a clearly AI written summary of the themes or motives in the novel. I've been approached by a LOT of real book clubs, etc., and not a one has ever tried to praise me for my "deep exploration of relationships." What real humans say is, "We love your book, would you be willing to talk with us?"
The rule of thumb to any writer, self-pubbed or not, was summarized decades ago by John Campbell, the science fiction giant. "Money flows TO the author."
Julia, so true. The praise and rationals are ridiculous.
DeleteKathy I can sympathize with you. On Monday, I had two old crowns removed to be replaced with new ones (so a trip back is required). First, the dental nurse put the numbing meds on gauze and let it sit for awhile before the two injections shots done by the dentist - which I couldn't feel. But the worst part was the drilling which went on for THE ENTIRE DAY!! Ok it was an hour.
ReplyDeleteMost scammers want some sort of compensation. If this isn’t the case, and doesn’t seem to be in any of your examples, what do they gain?
ReplyDeleteIf you are getting so many of these messages, and you know there are many equally well known writers who are also dealing with them. What is their ultimate purpose?
There doesn’t seem to be anything illegal in what they are doing since there are no requests for anything from you except your time. So why?
They don't ask for money right away like the letters Rhys posted indicate, but they do ask for money once you respond or seem interested. If you google this topic it has explanations how they hook you into paying for services and things that will get you more book sales.
DeleteThe most brazen scam I've received was from a woman purporting to be from the Madison, WI, branch of "Books in Translation," a supposed international network of book groups that read books in translation. When I told her my book was in English, she told me they were "branching out." For a mere $100 (for the marketing, don't you know), they would feature my book at an upcoming meeting. Unreal!
ReplyDeleteSadly, I think authors can be sitting ducks for these scammers. We put ourselves into our work and want people to read and appreciate it, but unless one's published by one of the big publishing houses, we can really struggle to get our work out there. Like others have noted, it's a particularly cruel scam. When I get an email from one of these horrible people, I just delete and block and block and say a little prayer to the universe for karma.
These Writer Scams are rampant. A fairly new author whom I follow on FB posted about this same scam. Rhys, I’m probably joining a chorus here, the WORST thing you can do is respond even out of frustration. This marks your contact information to this scammer and all his scammer buddies as a good target because you wrote back. Open the email, block the address, move to JUNK/SPAM folder and delete. I understand how you have to read them not to miss a great new book club, but don’t keep reading beyond the point you know it is Scam Span. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteOh, Rhys, it's daily and I've come to the place where I delete without reading. However, I'm of responding, something like: I'm deeply moved, and dare I say excited, by your lovely offer! When my agent receives your payment of $2,500, we can proceed!
ReplyDeleteGreat response!
DeleteThat's brilliant. I do sometimes respond that my appearance fee is $5000.
DeleteEven though I'm a debut, I get several of these emails a week. I assume all are scams and delete them. I love how Lee Goldberg handles these emails. That's hilarious!
ReplyDelete