I’ve been getting scam book promotion emails every day for a while now. But over the past two days, I’ve received 8 of them—3 in one morning.
What’s sad is these scammers must be getting traction; otherwise, they wouldn’t continue so aggressively.
Most of these emails explain why promoting your book matters and how they will get it seen. Often, they’ll target the author’s ego.
The emails can be simple or elaborate, even mentioning your characters and secondary characters. And some can be very persuasive. And some of these scammers will follow up at least once if you don’t respond.
The quickest way to know it’s a scam is the salutation. If it says “Hello” or “Dear Author” just delete it without bothering to open it. Another is that the senders most often use Gmail. All the ones I get are from Gmail accounts.
To show how the emails can look and try to entice, I have 8 of the most recent below.
The first one below is the most enticing for an author. It looks like the sender actually read my books’ promos. They did their homework; they mention my name and the names of the protagonist’s two friends. It’s definitely AI- generated.
Sender: Louis Savage
Subject Line: The Adventures of Planetman Your Story Deserves Readers Who Dive Into Action
Salutation: Hi Karen
I recently discovered The Adventures of Planetman: The Case of the Slimy Goo, and I was immediately captivated by its vibrant energy and engaging storytelling. This isn’t just a children’s adventure it’s a thrilling, action-packed exploration of teamwork, environmental responsibility, and superhero fun, brought to life with dynamic illustrations that leap off the page.
The story excites because it humor, suspense, and educational themes seamlessly. Planetman, Clean-It-Man, and Recycleman aren’t merely heroes, they are role models for…
(This is really good. I may use some of their content for my promo!)
On to the others.
I’ve seen variations of the one just below and knew it was a scam, but I wanted to see how they’d respond.
Sender: Vickey J Henry
Subject line: None
Salutation: None
I hope you’re having a great day. I came across your page and was truly impressed by your storytelling. Would it be okay if I left a review on Goodreads?
My reply: It’s nice to meet you, Vickey. And absolutely!
Vickey’s response: While going through your book, I noticed something interesting that could potentially strengthen its visibility and reach.
I am not sure if you would be open to it, but I would be happy to share my observation if you would like. If I may ask do you have a video teaser that you could send me about the book?
At this point, I ended the conversation.
Sender: Mercy
Subject line: Where Your Story Could Go Next
Salutation: Hello
I recently came across your book, and something about it suggests it may have untapped potential beyond traditional promotion.
Out of curiosity, are you currently exploring opportunities like:
Literary awards or recognition programs
Digital library positioning for credibility
Adaptation potential for film or streaming
I don’t work with every book…
Sender: Ishola Expert Book [space].
Subject line: A Cinematic Way to Bring Your Book to Life
Salutation: Dear Author
I hope you’re doing well.
I’ll keep this thoughtful and brief.
Most authors market their books with static images, cover mockups, and short blurbs but readers today are drawn to emotion, movement, and story-driven visuals.
That’s where a cinematic book trailer comes in.
A cinematic book trailer is not just a slideshow with music. It’s a short, movie-style promotional video that visually brings your story to life using dramatic visuals, immersive sound design, compelling narration, and emotionally driven pacing to make viewers feel your book before they even open it.
Think of it as giving your story a “Netflix-style preview.”
Sender: Hadeo Shopify
Subject line: A Cinematic Way to Bring Your Book to Life
Salutation: Hello
Many readers discover new books through digital libraries they already trust. I work with a librarian who helps authors position their titles where readers are actively searching, making discovery feel natural and reader-driven.
While reviewing titles for the 2026 season, your storytelling stood out to me. I’d love to learn more about your latest work and explore whether it might be a good fit for curated library recommendations.
Sender: Ennydee
Subject line: Looking for Your Best-Selling Product
Salutation: Hi Kcioffiventrice
I hope you’re doing well. I recently came across your work and am very eager to dive in. As a first-time reader, I was wondering if you could recommend which book would be the best introduction to your writing.
If possible, I’d also appreciate a link to that title so I can get started.
Sender: Melissa Rogers
Subject line: Expanding Your Book’s Reach to 30,000+ Engaged Readers
Salutation: Hello
I hope this message finds you well.
I would like to offer my assistance in expanding your book’s visibility by featuring it in established digital libraries that connect authors with thousands of engaged readers.
Through this initiative, your book can be submitted to three reputable digital libraries, introducing your work to a broad audience of readers, as well as filmmakers in the United States who may be interested in discussing potential adaptation opportunities.
Summing It Up
Scammers have become much more emboldened thanks to AI. It’s up to authors to be ever-vigilant and not let them play to vanity or ego.
Legitimate businesses will usually have a business email address, not a Gmail. If you’re unsure of an email offer you received, ask someone you trust to take a look at it.
For in-depth information on author/writer scams, check out
Writer Beware: Not Simon & Schuster: Deconstructing an Impersonation Scam
(Read to the end of the article and even read the comments for super-helpful information.
You might want to subscribe to the site!)
A Story’s Theme vs. Its Takeaway
How Can Focused Energy Boost Your Writing?
Why Sentence Structure Is So Important and How to Do It Well
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter/editor. I can help turn your idea, outline, or manuscript into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK
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You can contact me at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.
