Scams Targeting Authors Quick Guide: A Fast Guide to Spotting Predatory Publishers, Fake Marketers, and Author Scams

The publishing world is full of opportunity — and predators.
As more writers release their work independently, scammers have flooded the industry with promises of exposure, success, and “professional services” that never deliver. Many authors lose thousands of dollars before they realize they were targeted on purpose.

This quick-hit guide exposes the scams authors face every single day, including:
• Vanity and boutique publishers charging massive fees
• Fake marketers selling bot-driven “promotion packages”
• Predatory editors and proofreaders using AI or stolen samples
• Review scams that risk your entire Amazon account
• Fraudulent agents, ghostwriters, and audiobook narrators
• Pay-to-shelve bookstore scams and fake film/TV interest

In simple, direct language, you’ll learn:
• How these scams work
• Why authors fall for them
• The red flags to watch for
• What to do if you’ve been scammed
• Where to report fraud (U.S. + international resources)

This guide is short, easy to read, and designed for new and self-published authors who want to protect their money, their rights, and their creative confidence.

Your writing matters. Don’t let a scammer steal your momentum.