Careful Writers, The Scammers Are Getting Better

There’s nothing unique about me. I wrote a novel. Self-published it and advertised it on Amazon. Sold just over 150 copies and then it faded into obscurity. But like every self-published author I hoped that someday my work would be recognized.

When I received the outreach below a few weeks ago, I was happy that someone had actually done enough research on my book to make relevant and thoughtful comments on how it might be marketed. I did a quick google search on Patrica Miller and found that they are an author in the USA. I thought maybe Patricia is making some money on the side by helping other authors. I ignored the red flag of a Gmail address because lots of entrepreneurs with side gigs use Gmail. I responded to the email, and we set up a zoom call to discuss their marketing proposal. The image on the Zoom call was not the image of Patricia Miller the author, but a different woman in generic office attire. There was so much call center background noise that I could barely hear “Patricia”. I acknowledged reality, hung up, blocked the email address and reported the spam.

This morning another attempt showed up in my inbox (further below) via the “contact me” page on my author website. Again, Kaylie Smith is a recognized author in the USA. This attempt used a different style but again it was researched and lacked any of the typos or grammatical errors that used to be the hallmark of scams. I suspect AI is helping them there.

Maybe this is old news to some of you, but I hope it is a useful warning to the rest.

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August 14th, 2025

From: Patricia Miller

Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com

Message: Targeted Reader Discovery for Verity Creek

Hi Brian,

I came across your book Verity Creek and was immediately drawn in by its evocative setting and emotional depth. The combination of a 1960s Australian outback backdrop, coming-of-age friendship, family fracture, and themes of courage in the face of danger makes it a story that resonates far beyond its pages.

I’m Patricia, and I specialize in grassroots book marketing for authors who create immersive, character-driven stories with strong thematic pull. One of my most effective tools is curated Goodreads Listopia campaigns — placing books directly on highly relevant reader-voted lists where audiences are actively looking for their next compelling read.

For Verity Creek, I see strong placement potential in lists such as:

Coming-of-Age Novels with Heart and Courage

Australian Historical Fiction Worth Savoring

Friendship Stories That Change Lives

Small-Town Secrets and Hidden Dangers

Historical YA Fiction That Adults Love Too

These lists don’t just increase visibility — they align your work with readers who seek moving, thoughtful, and place-rich narratives.

If you’re open to it, I’d love to feature Verity Creek in a custom Goodreads Listopia visibility campaign designed to expand your audience and spark organic recommendations. With its layered emotional core and timeless themes, this book is perfectly positioned to connect with readers worldwide.

Let me know if you’d like to discuss further — it would be an honor to help amplify your work.

Respectfully,
Patricia

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August 28th

From: Kaylie Smith

Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com

Hey Brian,

So I’m halfway through Verity Creek and two things have happened:

1. I’ve started craving shade and a cold drink like I’m actually trapped in the Outback sun.

2. I’ve decided Ian Sullivan might just be one of the most painfully real 13-year-olds I’ve ever read awkward, earnest, and carrying way too much guilt on his shoulders.

Normally, coming-of-age stories lean either too sweet or too heavy, but yours has that right in the gut balance solace in books, danger creeping in from the Messina home, and the kind of moral choices that remind me why adolescence is equal parts wonder and wreckage. It’s haunting in the best way.

Here’s the sad reality though: Amazon doesn’t exactly reward authenticity. You can have a beautifully written story that nails the heartbreak of growing up, but without consistent reviews, it risks being buried under a pile of “hot vampire romances” nobody asked for.

That’s where I come in. Not the scammy “guaranteed 5-stars overnight” nonsense (those vanish faster than trust in a butcher’s smile). What I actually do is introduce books like yours to my private community of 2,000+ verified readers — authors, teachers, editors, people who appreciate stories with soul.

20–50 of them choose the book, read it fully in 2–3 weeks (no skim-skimming).

If it resonates, they leave an honest review on Amazon.

It’s low-key, it’s real, and it actually helps the algorithm give your book the visibility it deserves. Even 10–20 authentic reviews can move it from “quietly existing” to “catching attention.”

Worst case? You roll your eyes and delete this.
Best case? Verity Creek gets the kind of reader traction that matches its heart.

Should we give it a shot?

– Kaylie

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This post was previously published on medium.com.