Coffee Shop Talk: Author Scams Are Real, Friends ☕
Hey friends. I’m in the middle of cleaning the house so I’ll get to any mentions later, but I just checked my email and wanted to pop in with a heads-up.
I received this message today (8.27) offering a “podcast and publicity series” and asking me to pay a small registration fee. I wrote Undercover Desire many years ago, but my author-spidey sense went full-on alarm.
I do not pay to be published or “featured,” and neither should you unless you absolutely know the company and service are legitimate and you want to buy advertising.
Below is the email I received verbatim. I’m posting it so you can spot the same red flags if one ever lands in your inbox:
Dear Nicole, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Allison McMahon, and I am the Publicity Coordinator at Smith Publicity, Inc. I recently came across your work, particularly “Undercover Desire,” and was truly impressed by your ability to weave complex narratives around trust, trauma, and the pursuit of truth. I would like to extend a warm invitation for you to join our podcast and publicity series. Our platform is dedicated to highlighting talented authors like yourself, providing a unique space to share your journey, insights, and the inspiration behind your writing. Our goal is not only to celebrate your work but also to help you reach new readers through ongoing publicity efforts. I am delighted to inform you that the campaign fee for this series has already been covered. The only cost on your end would be a small registration fee, making this a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure without any significant financial commitment. If you’re interested in joining us and sharing your story with our audience, I’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to reply to this email, and I will provide further details and next steps. Thank you for considering this opportunity. I look forward to the possibility of collaborating with you and showcasing your remarkable work. They then signed with their name, publicity compnay, phone number, website to publicity company, a gmail account that had a mismatched name (signed Allision & gmail Alison), and city.
Why this raised red flags (so you can spot them fast)
They ask you to pay a fee to be featured. Legitimate interviews, reviews, or guest spots generally don’t require the author to pay a “registration fee.” That’s classic vanity or pay-for-exposure behavior.
Vague promises. “Reach new readers” and “ongoing publicity efforts” with no measurable specifics (audience numbers, show names, past episodes). That’s marketing fluff.
Email mismatch and personal Gmail. The sign-off name and the contact email are spelled differently. A professional PR firm will normally use a company domain email, not a Gmail address.
Flattery instead of specifics. Generic praise that could apply to many books. They didn’t reference specific scenes or lines from your book, which is what a real reader or publicist would do.
Push to click links or call a phone number. Those can be used to harvest more info or to rush you into paying. Don’t click unless you verify first.
“Fee already covered” + small registration fee. That line is engineered to reduce your resistance: “we’ve done this, just a tiny cost to you.” That’s a manipulation tactic.
What to do if you get messages like this
Don’t pay anything. Don’t click links. Don’t give bank or personal info.
Verify the company independently. Go to an official website (typed, not via the link they sent), look for verified contact emails, check for reputable reviews, and check on author forums or Writer Beware-type resources. I love to use: https://writerbeware.blog/ even if I'm not in the publishing game anymore.
Search the sender’s name + “scam” or company + “reviews.” Writers often report shady operators. A quick forum search can save you trouble.
Call the company number from the official website (not the number they sent) and ask to verify. Or email an address found on the company’s official domain.
Ask for specifics: Which podcast? Link to previous episodes? Who’s the host? What exactly does the “registration fee” pay for and why is it necessary? If they can’t answer clearly, walk away.
Ask for written contract and deliverables. If you’re ever considering paying for promotional services, demand a clear contract that lists exactly what they’ll do (ads, distribution, guaranteed placements, metrics) and a refund clause.
Use the community. Ask in author groups. Absolute Write, Goodreads groups, and Tumblr mutuals (who have published and are in the process of publishing) are good places to check before sending money.
