Authors, beware! Publishing scams are on the rise. In recent months, some of my editing clients have received requests from “literary agents” who want to represent them, and “editors” from big five publishers saying that if they’ll just pay a small fee up front, they can get the book deal of their dreams.
As authors, we can be vulnerable to moments when it finally feels like the universe is saying yes to all of the hard work we’ve poured into a book manuscript.
In this article, I’m going to provide you with examples of scams to look out for. Keep an eye out for these red flags, and do your fellow writer friends a favor by giving them a heads up, too.
Also, if you’ve been the target of a scam, please share it in the comments below to help educate other writers in our community.
If something feels off, it probably is.
Scams are everywhere. Trust your instincts.
Scammers prey on your emotions. They boost your ego and make you feel chosen. If you’re feeling desperate for your big break, or struggling with self-doubt and low self-confidence, you’re more susceptible to being the target of a scam.
Even if you’re facing rejection, you deserve to feel proud of yourself and your work. Being a part of a supportive writing community, talking to friends about your author journey, and even working with a coach or therapist are all great ways to boost your self-esteem and stay empowered.
If someone reaches out to you who you suspect could be a scammer, trust your instincts. Ask yourself:
Does this feel too good to be true?
Are they asking me to buy something?
Did I get a weird feeling in my gut about this person?
Who’s in my circle that has publishing expertise and can take a second look at this and help verify if it’s a scam or not?
Even savvy, experienced authors can be targeted, so stay educated on the latest scams and trust your gut if something phishy shows up in your inbox.
Are they claiming to be from a big five publisher?
If someone reaches out to you claiming to be from Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Hachette Book Group, or Simon & Schuster, be wary.
It is very rare that a big five publisher would reach out to you first about a book deal or movie deal, especially if you don’t have a huge platform or project that just went viral. And if someone claiming to be from a big five publisher asks for money, it’s a scam. They should never ask you to pay upfront fees for editing, cover design, printing copies of the book, or marketing. Traditional publishers don’t charge fees.
What email account is this message coming from? Are there typos or broken links?
One simple thing to watch for is whether the message is from a free email account like Gmail, Yahoo, or AOL rather than an official company address.
With the rise of AI, there are more and more fake email messages, websites, and social accounts out there, so look closely. Does the message include any broken links, weird typos, or odd wording? If so, it could be a publishing scam.
Are they asking for personal or banking information?
Alarm bells should be going off in your head if someone is asking for your personal details, banking information, or upfront fees before a contract is signed. Are they pressuring you to hand over a full copy of your manuscript right away, with no vetting or discussion first?
Legitimate editors and agents don’t ask for payment to represent or publish you, and they definitely don’t need your banking info during the inquiry stage.
Is the tone of the message… off?
A scammer will often try to bait authors with exaggerated flattery and glowing praise.
If the message you receive is rambling and vague, and compliments your work over and over…not only was it probably written with AI, but it could also be a scam.
Look for phrases like:
“I came across your book and wanted to introduce myself…”
"I was genuinely impressed by the way you…"
“Our book scouts have recommended your work…”
“Your book has unique traditional publishing potential…”
“We stumbled across your masterpiece on Amazon…”
If it reads as over the top, and if you can quickly tell that they haven’t even read your book, beware.
Is there time pressure? Are they asking you to pay a fee?
If the message is rushing you to make a decision quickly, pay a fee, sign a contract, or send an immediate response, be cautious. Scammers often add urgency, saying that their offer won’t be available for long.
Verify who contacted you
Scammers are getting more and more sophisticated at impersonating real people, and that’s why you see a lot of disclaimers and warnings on publisher websites now. (Messages like “Our company will never request payment or banking information. If you receive any communication claiming to represent us that requests money, please verify its authenticity before responding.”)
The sender may be impersonating a real book editor, literary agent, publicist, book club, reviewer, or media organization. Be sure to verify who contacted you by reaching out to the real person through their website.
Common Publishing Scams
Fake literary agents.
Someone claiming to be a literary agent reaches out and says they want to charge you a fee to read your manuscript. Or they say something like, “I've had the pleasure of reviewing your work, and I must say your storytelling is exceptional,” then recommend you reach out to a different literary agent. Sometimes they’ll pretend to be a “retired” agent recommending you to an active agent. You can check if a literary agent is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA).
Remember, reputable literary agents don’t charge upfront fees. They work on commission, which means they only get paid once they’ve sold your book to a publisher. Agents rarely reach out to writers first.
Manuscript phishing.
Someone posing as an editor or agent asks you to send your full unpublished manuscript. They may impersonate a real publishing professional or use a convincing-looking email address that’s one letter off from the real email. A legitimate agent or editor will typically request pages as part of a query or submission process you initiated, not randomly approach you. If someone contacts you out of the blue, verify them independently through the agency or publisher’s official website before sending anything.
Unsolicited republishing offers.
A “publisher” contacts you out of the blue wanting to traditionally republish your self-published book, then asks you to pay for it. Remember, traditional publishers don’t charge fees.
Fake interviews on podcasts or requests to be featured in a media outlet.
You're invited to appear on a podcast or in a magazine, but the “opportunity” turns out to be something you have to pay for.
PR/marketing upsells.
A company offers press release distribution, a guaranteed bestseller campaign, or a paid “award” submission that has little real value. They may promise bestseller status, major media coverage, bookstore placement, or thousands of guaranteed readers… then string you along and keep up-selling additional services when those results aren’t delivered.
Foreign rights or translation offers.
A foreign publisher offers to translate and distribute your book, then bills you for the costs. This is a scam. A legitimate foreign publisher would pay you for the rights to publish your book and cover the costs of translation, production, and distribution.
Bulk book club or buy-in offers.
Someone claims a book club wants to buy your book in bulk but asks for a “processing fee” per copy first.
ISBN scams.
There are unlicensed websites that sell “cheap” ISBNs and shady third-party resellers that register the number under their own company name. Bowker is the standard in the U.S. for ISBN numbers, so start there if you need to get an ISBN number.
Social media impersonation.
Be on the lookout for accounts posing as real, well-known agents or publishers that DM you with an offer.
Acquisition inquiries.
If you receive an unsolicited message saying someone wants to buy the rights to your book, but then they ask you to pay a fee, it’s a scam.
Book marketer Scams.
There are a lot of scams out there claiming to get your book into conferences, in the hands of book clubs, or into other marketing opportunities. Watch for red flags like a complimentary offer that quickly turns into a “participation fee” or “book return insurance.”
What to Do If You Are a Victim of Scams
If you’ve experienced a scam, end communication with that person immediately. Secure your accounts, change passwords for added security, and download any bank or credit card statements showing payments. Screenshot any emails, direct messages, or social media accounts as evidence, too.
You can file a report with your bank or credit card company to dispute fraudulent charges, and file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), FTC, or Fraud.org. Report fake literary agents to the AALA. If needed, hire an attorney for support, especially if there was a contract involved.
Stay vigilant, my writer friends! I hope this post helps you avoid the latest frauds and scams out there, and when in doubt, ask a fellow writer, editor, or industry professional to take a second look at any offer that comes your way.
Information on scams that fellow Writers in The Storm co-hosts have been sent can be found here.
Are there any other scams you’ve seen that you’d add to this list? Please share them in the comments below!
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About Rachel
Rachel Warmath is a ghostwriter, book editor, and writing coach. Her mission is to serve writers, dreamers, and badass humans who are committed to healing and transformation. You can connect with her at www.RachelWarmath.com.
