Alert: Rise in Email Scams Targeting Authors

This article is reprinted from the Winter 2026 issue of The Authors Guild Bulletin.

There has been a noticeable uptick in email scams targeting authors. We published a piece on scams in the Fall 2023 issue of the Bulletin, but things have continued to escalate. Reports received show that the emails generally fit within the following buckets:

• Book clubs
• Book publicity, marketing, and visibility
• Impersonations (including impersonating podcast or radio show hosts, well-known authors, and publishing personnel)
• Publishing/distribution deals
• Threats

Legitimate vs. Suspicious Solicitations

Alone, the above categories are not representative of scams, and as categories can generally present legitimate opportunities—for example, legitimate book clubs do exist. However, it is extremely rare that an unsolicited email will be sent from a reputable source representing any of the above groups who may be engaged in a business related or adjacent to the publishing industry. Keeping with book clubs, book clubs often do not request files or fees to feature or read an author’s book. Some common examples of book clubs may include these, for reference: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/98842-book-club-picks-for-october-2025.html.

Common Red Flags

Generally, the emails that have been reported contain typical indicators we have previously cautioned about through various alerts. Keep in mind that bad actors may also create actual (fictitious) domain names that reflect the service they attempt to peddle, so a professional-looking email address alone is not a guarantee of legitimacy. Watch for the following warning signs:

• Use of free email domains (Gmail, etc.) by senders claiming to represent established brands
• Fictitious domain names designed to mimic legitimate services
• Unsolicited or “cold” outreach—a practice publishers, literary agents, and other literary-focused entities principally do not employ
• Requests for upfront fees
• Promises of guaranteed royalties
• Intense promises paired with exorbitant fees, sometimes delivering low-impact work to continue the ruse

AI-Generated Content

An added nuance to the scam universe and these email solicitations, and in line with the technological advancements of the day, is that the email solicitations appear to use AI-generated text summaries in the body of emails that relate to or about the author or their work. This is likely an attempt to appear legitimate (as being knowledgeable) and grab the attention of the recipient. The rise of AI has made it much easier for bad actors to boost their efforts, in speed and breadth, necessitating increased caution.

Impersonation Tactics

Reports received also point to impersonations of well-known authors and trusted professional organizations within or adjacent to publishing. While the idea of being recognized by another author or publisher may ordinarily be intriguing and welcomed, well-known authors and individuals representing groups in the publishing business seldom send unsolicited communications or request fees, including to review one’s work.

As previously mentioned, be suspicious of any unsolicited publishing offers, especially a request for full manuscripts or writing samples. It is important to verify the identity and credentials of anyone claiming to represent a major publisher before communicating and sharing your work or personal information. If it is determined to be an impersonator, you may report the email/account to the platform attached to the email or other electronic communication.

Threatening Communications

A disturbing trend has emerged in recent months: Authors are increasingly reporting threatening emails and online communications. Some of these appear designed to blackmail or extort writers by threatening their livelihoods—including threats to pirate their work. Do not engage with these individuals.

If you receive threatening or suspicious communications, here’s what to do:

• If you feel you are in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement.
• Report the message to the platform where it originated.
• Report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov. Scam and extortion reports submitted through IC3 are shared with agents across the country, and the more reports the FBI receives about a particular scheme, the more likely it is to become the subject of a formal investigation.
• Email us at staff@authorsguild.org so we can alert the broader membership and assist where possible.