Posting this because I'm mad, but I really want people to stop soliciting me on fanfiction.net. These are just some of the ones I've been getting lately. I have done everything short of blocking all notifications from there entirely, which I don't want to do because some people still there actually still read my stories and give nice reviews. I want to keep interacting with them. I also get the occasional request to beta-read someone's fic, and I enjoy doing that as well.
But recently only 1 in every 10 messages from there were actually from people who like my work and want to talk to me about it. Instead, I keep getting messages from these fuckers and their copy-and-past little sales pitches. Usually, it's in PMs, but the most recent one was in a review of my fic. Considering this particular comment was on chapter 1, I highly doubt they actually read my fic. You can tell from how their messages are so similar and yet despite claiming to have read my fics and that they were great, they fail to mention any details about them. Were the characters portrayed right, if they like a plot twist I put in, a particular moment that was especially sad, or funny, or got them hyped? Nothing. Just, 'Hey, I like your work, buy my shit'.
I'm not even sure if there are real people behind these accounts. The account pages are usually pretty empty aside from linking their profiles on other sites, and maybe a handful of random favorite stories or authors. And all of them were new accounts started in late August of this year. Honestly, I'm pretty sure a lot of them are bots or some kind of scam. I wouldn't be surprised if any 'art' bought off these accounts were just made with AI.
Whatever the case, I don't trust it and really advise against anyone buying from these people. If you want commissions based on your fics, please research and reach out to artists yourself instead of giving money to these annoying snake-oil salesmen.
I love fanart of my fics. I greatly appreciate anyone who chooses to make fanart of my fics, and adore seeing it so, so much. But if I ever decide I want a commission, I will reach out to you, not the other way around. If anyone knows more about why this is happening and how to get them to leave me alone, please let me know.