You open your email program one morning. The usual work stuff. Some spam (annoying that it got past your filters!). A couple of newsletters (maybe later). You sip your coffee, scroll down.
Wait. What’s this? An email from…Suzanne Collins? The Suzanne Collins?
This can’t be real, you think. Why would Suzanne Collins be contacting you out of the blue? And why is she introducing herself as if she were an unknown writer querying for her unpublished manuscript?
It’s all fake, of course: an impersonation scheme that’s yet another example of the AI-driven scams from Nigeria that are inundating the writing world. This is a complicated, layered fraud, with two distinct versions and two different endpoints. But they both start the same way.
Version one: Famous Author ==> literary agent ==> editor/manuscript evaluator
It arrives via email, DM, Messenger, or website contact form: a friendly missive from a well-known or even extremely famous author, professing interest in you and your writing and expressing a desire to connect. This improbable outreach ranges from somewhat credible, as in the example above, to oops, forgot to input the prompts:
![From: Stephen King <askauthorstephenking@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Sep 24, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Subject:
To: <[redacted]
Hi There 👋 ,
I recently came across your book [Book] and really enjoyed [something specific you liked, could be the theme, writing style, or even the cover]. It’s always inspiring connecting with fellow authors who are on the same journey.
I’d love to hear a bit about your experience with [publishing/marketing/writing process]. If you’re open, maybe we could exchange ideas and support each other along the way.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Stephen King](https://writerbeware.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Nigerian-author-impersonation-King.png)
If you respond, there’s an exchange of messages–just some friendly chat about writing or publishing, with Famous Author asking leading questions, such as “are you querying right now?” or “do you have a website yet?”
Eventually…surprise! Famous Author wants to refer you to their literary agent! In this example, Lois McMaster Bujold is being impersonated by a fake X account (Ms. Bujold is aware).
Like the Famous Authors, the recommended agents are real–though the Gmail addresses the impersonators provide for them are not. If you bite (and at this point, many writers smell a rat and back out), it initiates the second stage of the scam, in which the “agent” responds warmly with an invitation to submit (for verisimilitude, this often involves multiple steps, with an initial request for chapters followed by a request for a full). In short order, an offer of representation arrives…but there’s a catch. The manuscript needs “refining and polishing” or a “light rework”. Happily, the “agent” has someone in mind who can help.
![Dear [redacted]
I’ve now had the opportunity to review your manuscript for [redacted], and I must say, it’s a truly delightful and imaginative story. I’m genuinely interested in representing your book and helping you bring [redacted] world to life.
Before we move forward with the submission to our official email address for representation, I’d like to mention that your manuscript will go through a thorough refining and polishing process to ensure it reaches its highest potential. As part of our process, we’ll also provide an author–agency agreement outlining the terms of representation and publication.
To begin, I’d highly recommend working with a professional alpha reader who can offer in-depth, constructive feedback to help strengthen your manuscript even further. I’d be happy to connect you with a trusted professional for this stage.
Please let me know your thoughts on this approach. I’d love to hear your opinion before we proceed.
Warm regards,
[agent name redacted]](https://writerbeware.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Nigerian-author-impersonation-Barker-2.png)
You’ve now arrived at stage three, the money grab.
The “alpha reader” is called Charlotte Sarah (dumb names are a feature of AI scams), a “seasoned editor” with no resume, no client list, no portfolio, and no web presence beyond a website created with a free online web builder (all warning signs of a fake business). I reached out to Charlotte myself, in the guise of a clueless newbie author, and on her request sent the trunk manuscript I use for these occasions. After some back and forth (another marker of Nigerian scams is the scammer’s willingness to engage in multiple email exchanges that would be a total timewaster for anyone not using AI), she provided me with a price, along with an email address to use for PayPal:
The email address traces to an e-commerce website based in Nigeria. (I’ve also seen that address used by one of the “tipped reader” book review scammers. If an operator is running one of these scams, they’re running all of them.)
Other iterations of the scam don’t even bother giving the “editor” or “evaluator” a name–just a generic Gmail address, such as manuscriptevaluationexpert@gmail.com or bookeditor@gmail.com.
Version two: Famous Author ==> marketer
In Version Two, the goal is a marketing referral. Famous Author engages in the same type of approach and casual chitchat, but skips the intervening step of impersonating an agent, sending the writer directly to the marketer.
The marketer recommended by Fake Pat Barker: Amelia Harrington, Book Specialist. Here’s Amelia’s website, which has all the same warning signs as Charlotte Sarah’s. (Bonus: bogus testimonials.) If the author reaches out, Amelia quickly proposes a suite of marketing services. As always, payment must be sent to a third party. Amelia prefers bank transfer to Wells Fargo, a bank frequently used by Nigerian scammers:
Here’s Abdulkudus Abiodun Imran.
What happens when you hire Amelia? As it happens, I heard from one writer who did. They reported spending over £2,000 on services, including a video trailer, social media posts, email blasts, and a follower-building effort. Amelia really did deliver those items, taking over the writer’s social media accounts to do so–but they yielded little engagement, and the writer later discovered that most of the follower accounts were fake or inactive, and the the email blast receipients consisted primarily of random addresses with no relevance to the writer’s book. The writer wound up having to delete their social media accounts.
Alternate versions: Famous Author doubles as marketer or editor
Like any popular recipe, the Famous Author scam has alternate versions.
Sometimes Famous Author offers marketing services themself. I don’t have examples of these solicitations but I’ve heard from multiple authors who’ve discovered that they are being impersonated for this purpose.
I also haven’t seen any examples of this version, but I can believe it’s happening:
Here’s a weirder variation. It lacks the Famous Author element but it’s a fake agent referral so I’m including it. You get an email from someone you never heard of with an urgent recommendation that you submit to a literary agent RIGHT NOW! The agent is a real agent, but with the predictable bogus Gmail address or a false submission address. In the two examples of this variation I’ve seen so far, the scammer registered a fake domain using the agent’s name.
![From: Ashley Gille <ashleygille12@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Oct 10, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Subject: Your Writing Deserves the Spotlight Connect with [redacted]
To: [redacted]
Hi [redacted]
I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing your work, and I must say your storytelling is exceptional. The depth of your characters, the richness of your world-building, and the way your words resonate emotionally reveal a rare talent. There’s no doubt in my mind that your writing has the potential to captivate a far wider audience and leave a lasting mark in the literary world.
Because of this, I am strongly recommending you reach out to [redacted], a literary agent whose reputation for discovering and developing extraordinary talent is unparalleled. [redacted] doesn’t just represent books she builds careers. She has successfully guided authors such as [redacted] to reach wider audiences and secure impactful publishing deals, and she continues to champion writers whose work truly connects with readers.
[redacted] is currently accepting query letters and can be reached directly at anniebomkeliterary@gmail.com. When you contact her, be sure to mention that I referred you this signals your work has strong potential and ensures it receives proper consideration.
I cannot overstate this: connecting with [redacted] is an opportunity that could transform your writing career. This is your chance to work with an agent who recognizes exceptional talent, invests fully in her authors, and opens doors to traditional publishing, wider distribution, and lasting recognition. Don’t let this opportunity pass your work deserves to be championed.
With high regard,
Ashley.](https://writerbeware.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Nigerian-author-impersonation-Bomke-2.png)
A Possible Original Test Case for Nigerian Scammers?
There are currently (as far as I know, anyway) four distinct categories in the wave of Nigerian scams that is assaulting writers of all kinds: a general marketing scam, where a purported marketing expert emails with a pitch for PR or “visibility” services; a book club impersonation scam, where the invitation to appear involves a fee; a “tipped reader” scam where readers who are really AI bots claim to provide book reviews for tips; and the Famous Author impersonation/referral scam described above.
They emerged this past spring/summer, and have been ramping up and morphing ever since. However, I think they were around quite a bit earlier (though nowhere near as aggressive and massively prevalent as it is now), in the form of a similar, though considerably less elaborate, author impersonation/marketing referral setup that began popping up on social media more than a year ago.
I wrote about it in September 2024. At the time, I suspected it was an overseas scam (as most writing/publishing scams are these days) but there weren’t any breadcrumbs tying it to any specific country. My guess now is that it represented the vanguard of the Nigerian writing scam industry, its first dipping of toes into the water. Kind of like how you can look back at those odd, isolated reports of illness that precede the emergence of a pandemic and say Oh. That’s how it began.
I have a growing collection of editors and marketers connected with this scam. Watch for an upcoming blog post how to unmask them.
UPDATE 11/25/25: If a Famous Author approaches you on XTwitter, the new geolocation feature is a handy way to unmask them. A sampling is below (the account in the third column is impersonating author Penelope Sky).
Add Lisa Gardner to the list of famous authors being impersonated.
Just published: Fool’s Gold—AI’ Assault on Indie Authors (Two Pirates Press – 12.10.5) on Amazon. I giving away 150 ebooks through Book Funnel. It will ask for your email, which I will keep private. Here’s the link: https://BookHip.com/GAQQPWQ
I just conducted two Zoom calls with scammers posing as organizers of London and Wisconsin book clubs. When we connected, it was clear the young women facing me were Africans. One admitted she was in Sudan. As a result of several months of interacting with these scammers.
I am trying to get my UNIQUE historical event made into a film. I have hired and fired four publishing/marketers. They take your money and never deliver what they promised. I just called my marketer at 4 am. I can’t sleep because he never calls me and he told me to call him anytime. Is every publisher and marketer a shyster? I am beginning to think they are and more. They take your money and never deliver what they promised you. Thanks, Dorothy
I’ve was contacted by someone claiming to be Rebecca Yarros who was overly complimenting me for everything and nothing in regard to my upcoming debut novel. We had a back and forth, but I was weary from the start and tried getting her to speak about her experiences as a well known author—nada, nothing, zilch.
She then offered to put me in touch with her literary agent (Louise Fury) of The Fury Agency. I check both the author and agent. They are real people, but I was sure, not the ones contacting me. I didn’t go beyond the email from the fake literary agent because it was clear this was an attempted scam.
So, here are two more impersonators to watch out for.
I have been contacted by four scammers following the publication of my latest book in June. I was suckered in by an incredibly authentic sounding woman claiming to be from the Chiswick book club in West London. Foolishly coughed up £120 for a few generic reviews on Goodreads. It was clear none had read my book. She pushed further, promising to feature my book at the club’s next reading, for a fee (of course). I gave her short thrift.
Then I got emails from Brandon Sanderson and Victoria Dannan. The so-called Brandon Sanderson was clearly bogus, but Victoria Dannan lured me into a dialogue until she offered to introduce me to a ‘friend’ with a list of curated readers who would review my book in return for a tip.
Another email arrived yesterday from someone purpoting to be Daniellle Steel. Not very smart as the sender couldn’t decide if she was Danielle Steel or Daniellle Stelle!
Never got the celebrity, but I got a movie offer from a Samantha Smith, in a detailed phone message about a short romance ebook who sold maybe… two copies. (Company name uncomprehensible.) I never picked up, so that’s all. The same name tried it again, 6 months later.
Wow! Thanks for the alerts oabout these scams.
I have someone impersonating Katherine Addison (my penname) and someone else (or the same person) claiming to be a marketing service provider using me as a reference. I am VERY glad when a recipient of one of these emails reaches out to me to double-check.
I just got this e-mail from someone named, with visibility any from Sophia Jennifer:
Hello Gardnerk, I’m excited to share that Medium has opened a limited opportunity this November and December for authors to showcase their books. Only 50 authors will be selected, making this a valuable chance to gain visibility throughout 2026.
Medium is an excellent platform for writers looking to reach a wider audience. Many publications highlight books, author journeys, and creative projects—especially toward the end of the year when editors are actively reviewing strong submissions.
Because Medium accepts only well-crafted pitches, presenting your book professionally can significantly increase your chances of being featured.
For $30, I will:
Prepare a polished, professional proposal for your book
Submit your pitch to multiple Medium editors on your behalf
Notify you as soon as any editor responds or approves your submission
If you’re interested, I only need your book cover and a brief summary to get started
Thanks–I’m collecting the websites of these fake marketers and editorial services for an upcoming blog post.
Another one has been bothering me—this one is brilliant–does not even use my correct name:
Hello keny, I appreciate your time reaching back but this is not AI.
I am Hauwa and I am currently representing L&B Illuminators Team to reach out to potential authors like yourself to get featured in our upcoming holiday spotlight with over 500k readers that are looking to catch on amazing work like yourself.
You can get more details on our website here
lbilluminatores.netlify.app
If you’re in, I can send over what would be required and how it would look like once the promotion started
Note: As you can the scammers are getting smarter—they even deny that they are AI now
Jervis Elisabeth still contacts me no matter how much I say leave me alone. Must be one hell of an AI algorithm:
the latest:
I’m really sorry this whole thing upset you. That truly wasn’t what I wanted. I’m not a bot or anything automated I’m just a real person who reached out the wrong way, and I understand why you reacted the way you did. Blood runs in my body the same as yours, and I’m not your enemy. I’m not here to trick you or push anything on you. I respect what you’ve been through and I respect your boundaries. If you ever want to hear my voice just to know I’m real, I’m open to a quick call not for business, just human to human. But if you want distance I’ll respect that too
Take care,
Jervis Elizabeth
They are insanely persistent. I’ve outed a couple of the ones that targeted me right here on this blog, and they’re still reaching out trying to change my mind. Of course, it’s all done with AI.
OK, two things:
1) Larry Niven! Seriously? Commenting here?
. . . wait a minute! I thought he was dead, but no, 87y.o. and kicking. Although, I’m deeply disappointed in him . . . all these years, and not once has he sported an asymmetrical beard.
2) All these people getting contacted left and right . . . I kind of feel left out!
3) (yes, I was kidding about there being only two things) Annoyingly, everything I read is that writers have to put themselves out there. Social media, conventions, X (or whatever it’s called now), join clubs, societies, attend workshops, and network, network, network.
But all that becomes fertile phishing grounds for scammers. Legitimate editors, agents, publishing houses sometimes taking months to reply (some never answer), acts like fertilizer on this fertile ground of writers starving for any validation of their efforts.
Some writers (apparently, no one here), can easily be persuaded by a bit of flattery and a friendly tone (the car salesman approach). Perhaps it’s the fault of an education system that puts little emphasis on critical thinking, but I personally think the industry itself (the legitimate industry) could do a better job.
No, I don’t have any suggestions, but perhaps more sites like this? Better communication be legitimate sources? Honesty about the odds of getting published? Honesty about the amount of money one is likely to earn? (and a few more things I rather not say here).
Anyway, blowing in the wind, these words be . . . but I still hope to see Niven with an asymmetric beard, proving the future he imagined.
Thank you so much for what you do. I only wish I had known about writer beware before I got in trouble with one of the ones that you have pointed out as a scam. Now I, after my forth book, am much wiser and more cautious. I just don’t trust any of them. It is indeed a sorry situation, when you are an author just starting out in the publishing world, and having high hopes of not making any money necessarily, but, in reaching your intended audience with something that you think can not only be enjoyed by them but also be something that they can learn from. Shame on scammers.
I would like to know if there is any recent information on Newman Springs Publishing. I have published two books with this publishing company, and have yet to obtain sufficient royalties, despite people contacting me to let me know that they’ve ordered books. I was promised a royalty check two weeks ago, and every time I speak to my contact, Leigh Protivnak, I get another lame excuse. Any recent information about this company would be appreciated.
I searched on Newman Springs Publishing scam and found this:
https://writerbeware.blog/2019/07/12/seven-prolific-vanity-publishers-austin-macauley-publishers-pegasus-elliot-mackenzie-olympia-publishers-morgan-james-publishing-page-publishing-christian-faith-publishing-newman-springs-publish/
More recent (this October): https://reedsy.com/blog/scams-and-publishing-companies-to-avoid/
Thank you Victoria for this sage advice.
I have received over 50 emails talking about my new book and how they want to do marketing for me. Most are written in the same words. I have also received friend requests on “X” from famous authors. Another big one is the “book club”. I haved received about 30 of those emails.
For me, I’m getting a lot of so-called literary agents that want to turn my book into a film. Fortunately, I don’t have a screenplay written for my book and can’t afford to hire one to do it for me. When I tell them that I’m on disability and can’t afford to pay anything, the emails usually stop. I’m guessing these are from Nigeria as well.
I’m getting famous authors via Goodreads too, more on email and Facebook. Hard to tell by the legit book sites if they’re real without contacting the actual persons. I cannot trust any of my mail now.
Why is it that most of the scammers are in Nigeria? What a country! : (
Most writing scams these days come from overseas. Nigeria is just one of the sources (and a very recent one). Publishing scams from the Philippines have been defrauding writers for nearly 10 years now, joined a few years back by ghostwriting scams from Pakistan (these masquerade as self-publishing service providers).
REMEMBER, SPAMMERS ARE SCAMMERS!! Anyone who spams you, contacts you unsolicited on social media, contacts you unsolicited through your website, or who cold calls you IS A SCAMMER! Are 100% of them scammers? No, but 99.999999% of them are so just assume they ALL are. At WritersWeekly, we have received countless emails from authors who actually thought a celebrity author had contacted them. Those are the same types of people who think that Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp want to marry them. They have both proposed to me. So has Jennifer Anniston. Ha ha ha. We ran this back in May: “Celebrity Author” Impersonators Are Fooling Unwary (Real!) Authors – https://writersweekly.com/angela-desk/celebrity-author-impersonators-are-fooling-unwary-real-authors
I have been getting a lot of these also. Plus ones that want to “feature me” in a bookclub event and then they want money for me to start. After a few email exchanges and me asking for proof of ones theyve worked with or a website, or something to show they are not a scam some leave me alone other keep bugging me. Why can’t these people just find something better to do?
I got one of those–sent it to spam and blocked the address. No famous author is going to reach out to you to chit-chat. They don’t have time. Same with literary agents. They will not contact you unless you contacted them first.
I got pulled into one scam. Only lost $50 before I figured out what it was and blocked them. If I didn’t contact you, you are spam and that is were I send all those nice emails. And yes, they have gotten better with AI, but they still are spam. YOU didn’t ask them to contact you and no writer, publisher, agent, editor, etc will contact you. All the good ones have more than they can handle without drumming up more. It’s that simple.
I have been scammed over and over again. One editor in New Jersey started editing my book and tried to charge my credit card without my permission. Thankfully, I had shut down the credit card. Another publisher called me out of the blue and said, “I like your genre about a true event, and we will make it into a film.” My book is published in hard-back and soft-back, a true event about Grandy, my paternal grandfather. I had one producer that needed to charge me an additional $23,000 to Option my book. I said NO! The second producer named Ms. White never showed up on the Zoom Screen. Another producer wanted it shown on HBO – I said NO, because there’s naked people having sex. It was a nightmare. It’s still a nightmare over and over. Who said self-writing can be easy? So far, it’s been a roller coaster making me sick.
If someone approaches you unsolicited, its always a scam these days. Just stop entertaining these scammers.
Thank you. But if I hang up on the famous author I know, he will wonder why.
Meanwhile, I received email from someone pretending to be Jacqueline Kelly (The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate) asking me if I would discuss writing with her. I sent to her (the real Jacqueline Kelly) a copy of that email and she was, understandably, not happy.
Horrible, horrible news. John just texted and informed me the plane was hit by something, maybe an asteroid, and disintegrated over Guam. After my condolences, I asked how he was able to text post disintegration, not to mention having the wherewithal to determine his coordinates and locate a land mass midfall. I’ll never forget his final words to me, “Go screw yourself.”
Alas, that concludes my tete-e-tete with the one and only John Grisham. Good day.
Thank you. I have had at least a dozen impersonators who are well-known authors; also organizers of book clubs who are imperonators. I appreciate how you protect all of us from the scammers.
I’ve seen none of this. I fear they really are preying just on novices.
I have one now named either Jervis Elizabeth or Elizabeth Jervis.
For the past month, I have been getting 3 or 4 marketing scammers a day, all basically saying the same thing and they must be using a AI, they come up with programed responses when I tell them no.
Well, this is easy . . . the only famous authors whose names I even remember are all dead . . . it would be something indeed if one of them reached out to me.
Thanks for the update.
It comes at a time when my blog is being scoured by bots (eight days now, over 1K visits per day) . . . I suspect instances of people reaching out to me for either my amazing writing or incredible photography is soon going to see a huge bump.
Then there is an idiot who wants to nominate my book (which one?) for a Pulitzer. There was no letterhead or affiliation mentioned. I guess he/she didn’t realize that the deadline for entering the contest was back in October. More importantly, I didn’t publish any books this past year.
I’ve been getting three or four of these a day recently. I never took the seriously. I mean why would Elena Ferrante have any interest in my YA books?
I can’t stand these scammers who prey on innocent writers! It’s insulting. Thus far, I haven’t received one like this. Knock on wood, but I receive those emails offering promo services several times a day, and no amount of blocking can get rid of them. I don’t even use the email address anymore. I’ve had fake author social media accounts friending me, primarily on Twitter. I research, and usually the author has passed away or hasn’t written or been online in decades.
Yup, I’ve been contacted by both “Stephen King” and “J.K.Rowling” wanting to know more about my writing 😀
It’s sad to think people fall for these scams. I’m glad you put out this article.
I keep getting emails from my deceased father… Phishing?!
Wow. Who gnu?!
I was thinking he was reaching out from beyond, and his sender’s email address seemed so real–at least for my dead Dad–Floyd@ItsSoHotDownHereSendIcedTea.com
Thanks for straightening that out for me…
Good grief! One scam that has happened to me and keeps happening is someone who joined my mailing list and now emails me almost daily to let him help me with promotion. I just delete it via scam now.
I’ve gotten all those versions of “famous author” scams. Via email, social media DMs, WhatsApp, my website, messages to my GoogleVoice, etc. In email, they always have a gmail. I’ve lost count of how many of these (and the AI-bot flattering praise scams) I’ve received. Easily in the hundreds.
Block, mark as Spam, and delete.
I don’t know, John Grisham called and he’s coming over. He just needs airfare from Singapore and if I give him $10,000, he’ll be here tomorrow. Fingers crossed. I’ll let you keep you updated.
He just called back. Said for another $10,000 Michael Crichton would come to. John got a little antsy when I told him Crichton died in 2008. Nevertheless, we agreed to press onward. Updates to follow.
If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Turns out airport security needs “a little incentive” to speed things along. John promises $3,000 should cover it. I asked if that would cover John and Michael or just himself. He told me I made a good point (John told ME I made a good point! The vapors!) Anyway, another $6,000 wired. Getting closer.
I just remembered Michael is a tall bloke, long legs and long flights make cranky bedfellows. Not to mention the clots! I emailed John asking if it was a good idea to upgrade the two of them to business class. He snapped at me and said, “Don’t ask stupid questions. Do it!” I fought back my tears and chalked his sour disposition to bad sushi and jet lag. Anyway, another $7,000 sent.
They made it onto the plane! I told him I would see them in twenty short hours. He said, and I quote, “What the hell are you talking about?” I told him that was the flight time from there to here. I felt foolish reminding him of something he knows but it’s good to be safe. I reminded him to start sleeping on the schedule here to reduce jet lag. He told me he’ll sleep when he wants to and to mind my own damn business. I thought it harsh but I’m not the one hurtling through the air at 600mph.
John just texted! He said Michael wants to watch a movie, Jurassic Park, and needs a few extra dollars. When I told him that Michael wrote Jurassic Park, and I thought would have already seen it, he told me to “Shut up and send the money.” He said he needed $2,000. I said, for a movie? He said, “No, for your mom.” I just got the transfer confirmation. I hope he enjoys the movie!
John just texted! He said Michael wants to watch a movie, Jurassic Park, and needs a few extra dollars. When I told him that Michael wrote Jurassic Park, and I thought would have already seen it, he told me to “Shut up and send the money.” He said he needed $2,000. I said, for a movie? He said, “No, for your mom.” I just got the transfer confirmation. I hope he enjoys the movie!
Horrible, horrible news. John just texted and informed me the plane was hit by something, maybe an asteroid, and disintegrated over Guam. After my condolences, I asked how he was able to text post disintegration, not to mention having the wherewithal to determine his coordinates and locate a land mass midfall. I’ll never forget his final words to me, “Go screw yourself.”
Alas, that concludes my tete-e-tete with the one and only John Grisham. Good day.
These are hilarious. Thank you. Personally, I would refuse to meet with Mr. John Grisham, as I have found his writing to be tediously hackneyed.
Hey, Chris. I had to laugh at this one. You and John Grisham are going to have a great time together. Let me know when you co-author the book! 🙂