Getting a book published is thrilling. Scammers know that. They circle when hope is high and experience is low. This guide walks you through common publishing scams, red flags, concrete avoidance steps and simple security measures — including how a VPN can help protect authors online. Read steadily and keep these points close.

Online Safety for Authors

Authors share drafts, financial information and personal data, often over email and cloud services. This exposure makes online security important.

Simple steps:

• use strong, unique passwords
• enable two-factor authentication
• verify links before clicking
• consider using a VPN when accessing accounts from unfamiliar networks

In fact, even a free VPN trial will do, but from a time-tested provider. VeePN is a good example. It has VPN trial apps for all platforms. A VPN can mask your IP and encrypt traffic, reducing the chance that login credentials or draft files are intercepted.

Common Publishing Scams

Vanity Presses

Companies that offer to publish your book — if you pay. They often promise distribution, big marketing pushes and “national” reach. In reality some do minimal work or none at all, and the author absorbs most costs. Traditional publishers do not charge authors to publish. When money is required up front, be suspicious.

Fake Agents and ‘Film Deal Approaches

Emails or DMs claiming a literary agent, producer or major studio wants your book — but first you must pay for “clearance,” “legal filing” or an upfront fee for connecting you to contacts. Scammers use urgency and flattery to push payments. The Authors Guild and other advocacy groups have documented members losing thousands to schemes that promise adaptation or big deals.

Bogus Editing and ‘Pre-Publication Services

You’re told your manuscript needs editing, indexing, or a special package — and only their service will do. These services sometimes deliver poor work or disappear after payment. Reports about referral editing scams show authors being pushed to pay for substandard or unnecessary services.

Cloned or AI-Generated ‘Publisher’ Sites and Fake Staff

Recently investigators uncovered operations that cloned reputable-sounding publisher names, made fake staff profiles (sometimes generated by AI) and used fabricated testimonials. Victims were lured by glossy websites and social ads into paying for costly packages.

Fake Reviews, Marketing Teams and Phony Bestseller Services

Scammers offer “review packs” or “featured placements” that violate platform rules or simply do not materialize. Real reviews can usually be verified on websites such as The Rauch Review, Kirkus and Reedsy Discovery.

Fake Book Clubs That Request You Pay an ‘Administrative Fee’

Most real book clubs do not solicit money from the authors whose books they are featuring. Be especially careful of people who impersonate real book club managers. Before considering any book club that charges a fee, conduct exhaustive research on the club and the actual manager.

Red Flags — Simple and Fast Checks

Upfront fees for basic publishing
Unsolicited offers that sound too good
Pressure to sign quickly or pay before you can verify
No verifiable office address, or one that matches multiple publishers
Staff photos that look stock-photoish or are inconsistent across platforms
Contracts with vague royalty terms or language that gives the company ownership of your copyright

If you see several of these together, treat the opportunity as high risk. Trusted industry groups urge skepticism and verification.

How to Avoid Publishing Scams — Practical Steps

1. Verify the company. Search for independent reviews, complaints, and formal actions (Better Business Bureau, consumer watchdogs, authors’ organizations). Look for presence in established industry listings.
2. Ask for references. Real operations will share verifiable client names and books you can check on retail sites.
3. Demand clear contracts. If the contract is full of vague promises, walk away. Check royalty rates, rights reversion clauses, and exact service deliverables. If legal language confuses you, have an entertainment or publishing lawyer review it.
4. Compare offers to industry norms. Traditional publishers generally do not charge authors; self-publishing services may charge for optional add-ons, but the difference between a legitimate fee and an exploitative fee is transparency and value delivered.
5. Use community knowledge. Writer forums, Writer Beware and established author associations maintain scam alerts and lists of suspect companies. These resources are gold.

What to Do if Someone Contacts You With an Offer

Pause. Don’t reply immediately. Check their details. Ask for a written proposal and clear references, then verify each reference independently. Search the company name plus “scam,” “complain,” or “review.” If asked to pay by wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency, consider that a major warning sign. Report suspicious behavior to consumer protection agencies and author networks. The Authors Guild and similar organizations collect and publish alerts to protect other writers.

If You Were Scammed — Immediate Actions

• Stop payments and contact your bank or card issuer.
• Document all communications. Screenshots help.
• Report to your country’s consumer protection agency and, if relevant, the police.
• Notify platform hosts (payment service, social media, marketplace). They sometimes freeze accounts or remove fraudulent listings.
• Share your experience in author communities to warn others.

A Final Reality Check

Large enforcement actions and investigative reports in recent years show that fraud targeting writers is not rare. Some firm investigations involved hundreds of authors and allegations of millions in losses, underscoring that even sophisticated-sounding offers can be scams. Stay curious. Stay skeptical. Verify everything.
Scams thrive on haste and hope. Protect yourself with verification, calm decisions and a few security habits. Your work is valuable. Treat offers that ask you to trade control or pay for basic publishing carefully. Your rights, reputation and money deserve the best defense.