On August 18th, 2025, ALLi asked: Have you been on the receiving end of an author scam?  What were the red flags?

I get emails all the time from so-called “marketing experts.”  One even tried to sneak into my Discord once.  I don’t use AI much, but I do have ChatGPT help me sort through these things before I respond to anything.  It’s easy to get swept up when someone comes in with big promises, but most of the time, they’re nothing more than scams dressed up as opportunities.

And it’s not just email.  Scams creep in everywhere—Social Media ads, sponsored posts, even telemarketing-style pitches that make it sound like they’re doing you a favor when really, they’re just trying to get your money.  Some are obvious, but others are polished enough that you have to pause and take a second look.

The best defense I’ve learned is to slow down.  Don’t rush because someone is dangling “exposure” or “guaranteed sales” in front of you.  If something feels urgent, sketchy, or too good to be true, it usually is.  Scams prey on excitement and fear, and indie authors are far from the only targets.  These tactics are everywhere, and the only way to stay ahead is to question everything before handing over your trust, time, or money.