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UC Press Blog

Jun 10 2026

Increase in Scams Targeting Authors

With the rise of AI-powered scams, we've witnessed a surge of scammers specifically targeting book authors. These scams are becoming increasingly common across the publishing industry. This New York Times article highlights the growing prevalence of publishing-related scams and the sophisticated tactics being used to target authors.

To ensure all our authors are aware and able to proactively spot this kind of outreach, we've outlined some of the most common types of messages below. These are based on emails that many of our authors have recently encountered.

These scammers typically pose as organizers of popular book clubs or Meetup.com or Goodreads groups and reach out with interest in selecting your book for a monthly read or hosting an author spotlight. Some immediately request funds to “promote” your book to their club. Others exchange a few emails before eventually asking for money.

Scammers often:

  • Claim that if selected, all members will purchase your book (usually citing an inflated or unrealistic member count).
  • Link to a real Meetup or Goodreads group, or a well-known book club (e.g., Reese’s Bookclub) to appear legitimate.
  • Include a photo or visual signature to appear more convincing.
  • Request payment, promotional fees, or free PDFs.

Please do not send money or a PDF of your book in response to unsolicited outreach. It’s best not to engage with these accounts at all.

Some legitimate book clubs have posted warnings on their pages stating they would never request payment or free copies from authors. If you run or belong to a group like this, we encourage you to add a notice on your page warning authors about scammers impersonating book clubs.

For additional information on these types of scams and common red flags, you can also check out these recent articles and resources: 

We expect that scammers will continue to evolve their approach. If you’re ever unsure about an inquiry, we encourage you to reach out to your UC Press editor, publicist, or marketing manager before responding.