Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion
Authors Beware
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Sounds like a bunch of scammers that call me all the time on my landline and they have a blooper on the phone and hang up, When I'm on emails, some of the authors send me their stories and I review it and tell them that I either like it or not, but those scammers that are bugging you, I've seen then on other groups as well.
Yeah, I got the Audrey one. So far nothing has come of it.
Got it to. Man as if we don’t have enough trolls and scams to navigate.
If they had been a touch less aggressive/scattershot in their approach, I might have fallen for it. My first book was published a month and a half ago, and I've had 0 social media movement from it. So, I was getting a little desperate for some sort of fan reach out. :)Glad I noodled on these and did a little research before responding to any of them. I'm like the little old man who calls the 800 numbers on the late-night commercials just to have someone to talk to. :P
Yeah, I have been bombarded with these things for a while now. Anywhere I have a presence, one or more of these scam contacts will show up. They try again at intervals, same emails but with the names changed. The "your link doesn't work" one, arrived on my website not long after I set it up. I cautiously but politely replied that all my links appeared to work fine but if they were having trouble, they could always find full details of my books on Amazon and Goodreads. When it reappeared several more times with a different name but the exact same wording (including referencing my "book" when I have 4 books available) it just confirmed my suspicion it was yet more scammy nonsense. I just delete (and where possible block) all of this annoying piffle on sight now. My favourite by the way (if that is the right word) is the one I get from time to time where they attempt reverse psychology by insisting that they don't want to hear from me unless I am SERIOUS about success. LOL. ☺
I got all the names were mentioned. They were not only from Goodreads, the came from Twitter as well.
Hi Everyone, I too have experienced the same thing lately.
Same wording as Jeff's email, but a different names. The emails are coming in more often lately. From many different platforms. I never answer them.
The emails started coming in after I released my book in September. It seems like scammers find their target and bombard with emails hoping to get false leads.
Thanks for bringing this topic up Jeff. I am glad to know others experience the same thing. It goes to prove my suspicions. :)
I get these emails offering reviews also. They always have strange email addresses and I report them as SPAM.
Hi, guys, yes these are all scammers. I've been dealing with the degenerates since summer of 2021! I started a thread on here which is what got their attention. Here's the link so you can check it out. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...Everyone stay safe!
Had to lock down my Goodreads account and both of my blogs due to threats from book pirates. I'll never offer free books again.
G.G. wrote: "Had to lock down my Goodreads account and both of my blogs due to threats from book pirates. I'll never offer free books again."G.G., I had to call the FBI to report them the first 2 times. The 3rd time Goodreads acted quickly and kicked them off! I would love to see them found and prosecuted -- it would certainly deter others from doing the same!
Jeff wrote: "I've found strings like this on a couple of other groups, so I thought I'd start one here. This was sent as a question to my author profile right here on Goodreads:Audrey asked I am definitely ..."
That "Cheryl" has been studying English for like the last 8 years or more, lol. I've gotten messages from her sent to my personal email every so often. Occasionally, I've gotten the ones about the others - "a question about my book, book links not working, etc."
I don't answer them, and I've learned to be critical of anyone who claims they are a book reviewer or bookstagrammer. Sadly, there's scams everywhere.
Gina wrote: "G.G. wrote: "Had to lock down my Goodreads account and both of my blogs due to threats from book pirates. I'll never offer free books again."G.G., I had to call the FBI to report them the first 2..."
Gina wrote: "G.G. wrote: "Had to lock down my Goodreads account and both of my blogs due to threats from book pirates. I'll never offer free books again."
G.G., I had to call the FBI to report them the first 2..."
I never thought of doing that. Good going! Were they receptive?
Theresa wrote: "Jeff wrote: "I've found strings like this on a couple of other groups, so I thought I'd start one here. This was sent as a question to my author profile right here on Goodreads:Audrey asked I am ..."
I added this to my Goodreads bio: "This author does not offer free review copies. Please contact publisher for vetting. Thanks." The offers to "review" have nearly stopped.
For whatever reason, the majority of avid readers choose to never post a rating or review. Those who do are merely expressing their personal, and therefore subjective, opinion. They seldom, if ever, request or seek access to a free copy of an author's work. If they wish to read something, they will purchase a copy. Contrary to what many believe, sales drive reviews, not the other way around.
Very few novice authors attain commercial success or even notoriety within this extremely competitive field. That said; some have. There is no reason why you might not eventually become one of them. I wish you success.
Jeff wrote: "If they had been a touch less aggressive/scattershot in their approach, I might have fallen for it. My first book was published a month and a half ago, and I've had 0 social media movement from it...."Hi Jeff, I'd be interested in reviewing your book for you if you're interested? I could do with getting back into fantasy and sci fi
Just joining this thread, my best advice for newbie is not to respond to any emails just delete them. Even if, like me you are inundated with people saying they will read and review etc, they are either scammers or after your money. You SHOULD NEVER pay for reviews let it happen organically or via Goodreads platform.Reach out to book bloggers via TikTok, IG etc
Your book will sell it's just going to take time and patience and also a lot of marketing.
My book is on black friday offer anc can be downloaded for free for until 28th november., follow the link https://www.amazon.com/SPACE-LIBRARY-... Also after that period I am willing to send anyone pdf version of my book for reviews. Also if you are writers also exchange of reviews is more than welcome. My mail is [email protected]
Thank you all for your heads up.👍🏻👍🏻
I feel like I'm not even good enough to get scamming emails lol. (just eleventy billion scam calls every day) :(
I have only sold a handful of books so far and I got one from [email protected]. I am still trying to figure how to market myself so I have no idea how they even knew about me haha!
Thank you for posting. I have nothing to add here, but it is good to know what is going on out there.
I got one on my Goodreads page and another through my Facebook. I didn't even promote my book. The email IDs seemed fake and I have been wondering about these for the last couple of days
Not quite the same scam, but I found this in a writer’s Reddit group. Basically someone is hijacking an author’s name and selling books hoping to make money off of her good name.https://www.reddit.com/r/writers/comm...
David wrote: "Not quite the same scam, but I found this in a writer’s Reddit group. Basically someone is hijacking an author’s name and selling books hoping to make money off of her good name.https://www.reddi..."
That is unfortunate... I will post anymore that I run into. Be safe everyone!
Jeff wrote: "I've found strings like this on a couple of other groups, so I thought I'd start one here. This was sent as a question to my author profile right here on Goodreads:
Audrey asked
I am definitely ..."
Thanks for the warning.
Somebody emailed me about wanting an interview.
That set off my crap-o-meter in a big way.
Who knows where that would have gone?
I have been inundated with emails since posting about a newly republished novel. At first glance they seem genuinely interested in reviewing the book, stating they are an English literature student and so on. Once I replied , they email back revealing they are a pay for review 'service'. One charmer calls people who do not sign up to him 'cheapskates.' No self respecting writer should ever pay for reviews. The 'charmer' claims to get 45 reviews per book for the money. I would rather have five genuine reviews for a book than 45 paid for ones. New writers, have some self respect and value your integrity. Getting noticed takes time, talent, perseverance and good networking. Be open to learning from critiques and accept bad reviews will add much needed balance and believability. If the likes of Stephen KIng can get bad review, so can any of us!
Raven wrote: "I have been inundated with emails since posting about a newly republished novel. At first glance they seem genuinely interested in reviewing the book, stating they are an English literature student..."I agree. I rather not get any reviews than pay some con to give me 45 fake ones.
Beware of scammers emailing to review your books!Never send them your original work!
Guessing they earn $$ in two ways:
1) Receiving payment for reviews they never intended to make;
2) Pirating your Epub/Mobi/Pdf files to serve their own interests.
----------> Be warned... stay safe... <----------
I received one of these as well. I am also a real estate agent and own a global travel agency, so my info is available to every idiot on the planet. Scammers are unavoidable. Use caution.
I received threats in my questions saying if I don't leave GR, they are going to pirate my books, and there is nothing our government can do about it. They want me to pay for their reviews. I reported them, and am concerned about it. Has anyone else had this happen to them?
Ann wrote: "I received threats in my questions saying if I don't leave GR, they are going to pirate my books, and there is nothing our government can do about it. They want me to pay for their reviews. I repor..."I have had the same threats in my questions. They also posted some other disturbing things I will not repeat. I reported them.
Amanda wrote: "Ann wrote: "I received threats in my questions saying if I don't leave GR, they are going to pirate my books, and there is nothing our government can do about it. They want me to pay for their revi..."I get about ten of these a week. I report about 20% of them since they are all the same anyway, but beyond that, I wish them best of luck trying to sell pirated versions of my 1200 page tome.
Ann wrote: "I received threats in my questions saying if I don't leave GR, they are going to pirate my books, and there is nothing our government can do about it. They want me to pay for their reviews. I repor..."I got the same hideous messages today and also reported them. I've been dealing with these low-lifes for several years now and it's disgusting. Goodreads kicks them off but then they come back using new fake profiles. They originally demanded I delete a thread I started on scammers. Here's the link.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Gina wrote: "Ann wrote: "I received threats in my questions saying if I don't leave GR, they are going to pirate my books, and there is nothing our government can do about it. They want me to pay for their revi..."Wow, so this has been going on for quite a while like you said! Have you actually had anything of yours pirated?
Thank you, Gina.
David wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Ann wrote: "I received threats in my questions saying if I don't leave GR, they are going to pirate my books, and there is nothing our government can do about it. They want me to pay..."Hi David/Amanda, I guess it is nice to know I am not alone. It just stinks that people like to wreak havoc in people's lives because they don't have anything better to do.
Thanks for your reply.
Ann wrote: "David wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Ann wrote: "I received threats in my questions saying if I don't leave GR, they are going to pirate my books, and there is nothing our government can do about it. They ..."Yeah, It's pretty annoying.
Ann wrote: "Gina wrote: "Ann wrote: "I received threats in my questions saying if I don't leave GR, they are going to pirate my books, and there is nothing our government can do about it. They want me to pay f..."At one time I found one of my books on a suspicious site and demanded they remove the book as I didn't give the okay to list it there. Not sure what happened with it though.
Goodreas just messaged me and suggested I turn off the questions for a while. That was a good idea and I did just that. I can always turn it on again when things quiet down. They said they've removed this batch of losers from this site, so we'll see. I have a few other ideas about dealing with them.
Jeff wrote: "I've found strings like this on a couple of other groups, so I thought I'd start one here. This was sent as a question to my author profile right here on Goodreads:
Audrey asked
I am definitely ..."
These are all scammers.
Beware.
M
Amanda wrote: "Ann wrote: "I received threats in my questions saying if I don't leave GR, they are going to pirate my books, and there is nothing our government can do about it. They want me to pay for their revi..."Hi Amanda, good to know someone else is getting these. I received 60 vile messages under questions the other day, plus lesser numbers previously. Just had another 3 today. I'm going to turn off questions for while.
Rita wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Ann wrote: "I received threats in my questions saying if I don't leave GR, they are going to pirate my books, and there is nothing our government can do about it. They want me to pay..."I'm glad to know I'm not the only one but it also makes me sad that so many other people have to deal with this garbage. I too have decided to turn my questions off for a while.
Robert, yes, I got the same ones first in an email about the Nigerian scammers and then yesterday about my family dying of cancer. These freaks are some sick, twisted lowlifes and need to be found and prosecuted. They need to be locked up for the next 250 years with no access to a phone or computer.
Aspiring authors should refrain from posting questions or requests for advice pertaining to writing, publishing, marketing, etc., etc. on a literary website or any other website for that matter. Many respondents, with few exceptions, although often well-intentioned, know little more about the business than you. Some are just scammers just waiting for a victim.Most local public libraries include entire sections devoted to books, periodicals, and reference documents containing information and advice for aspiring authors from well-established, commercially successful, authors, editors, publishers, and Marketing agents.
Seek advice from novices and you are likely to receive well-meaning but ineffective advice. Obtain guidance from established professionals within the field in question and you are very likely to receive effective, honest, and useful advice.
Very few novice authors ever achieve commercial success or even notoriety within this extremely competitive field. That said; some have. There is no reaon why you might not eventually become one of them. I wish you success.
Gina wrote: "Ann wrote: "Gina wrote: "Ann wrote: "I received threats in my questions saying if I don't leave GR, they are going to pirate my books, and there is nothing our government can do about it. They want..."Ann wrote: "I received threats in my questions saying if I don't leave GR, they are going to pirate my books, and there is nothing our government can do about it. They want me to pay for their reviews. I repor..."
This happened to me, too, recently. Several vile messages in my Ask the Author section. Not demanding I leave Goodreads, but just vilifying me for not paying for reviews (I never even ask for reviews). I reported them all and I never head a peep from GoodReads. I just closed my Ask the Author feature. I've also received several similar emails, but not as threatening.
Hey everybody,I've been on GR for three weeks.
These are all scammers and low-lifes.
They attack your ask the author section.
They also attack threads warning about these guys.
They are just a nuisance.
You can tell that many are foreigners who can't even speak English properly.
Then there are the fake reviewers.
Complete scam artists.
How they get your private e-mail is beyond me.
DO NOT send your PDF to these people.
There are a few legit reviewers who post on GR, but not too many.
See if they have a website.
Then you can report them if they try to con you.
If they want fees for their "service" you know it's a scam.
You won't get much help from GR moderators and librarians.
Most have gone AWOL.
Most groups are as quiet as graveyards.
But I am happy to report that you can make a few precious contacts on GR.
I certainly have, but GR is not a robust platform teeming with life.
Amazon bought it and neglected the site.
But you can do e-book giveaways now.
That wasn't possible before Amazon bought the site.
But they charge you.
Happy writing everybody.
M
Thanks for your thoughts, Michael. This is definitely not a welcoming place for authors. Maybe it's good for readers, I don't know. I don't spend a lot of time here, and I might abandon it altogether as an author platform.
Is there anyone that monitors this site? Administration that can block these trolls/trouble makers?
This was sent as a question to my author profile right here on Goodreads:
Audrey asked
I am definitely interested in reviewing. My email is booksarefun35 AT gmail.com . However I am unable to download from Kindle. :( Please email me pdf/epub?
This was sent as a comment on my author Facebook page:
Gail Harrison
Your site's contact form ain't working in my browser. I have one question about your book that I believe is unsuitable for public posting. Would you mind emailing me so I can ask it?
Many thanks
[email protected]
P.S.: Please note that I don't use messenger
This one was sent as a message form on my author website:
Name: Carol Theus
E-mail: [email protected]
Message: Is your book still available? The link does not work
(My book links work just fine)
This was the real kicker. This was sent to my personal email account. Not the one I use for all of my writing and author related activities.
from: [email protected]
My name is Cheryl and I would like to review your book. I read basically everything. I am studying for a degree in English literature and also have previous proofreading experience.
The [email protected] was the exact address used against another poster. It was the start of an attempt to get money for positive reviews on Amazon and/or extort money to remove negative reviews that they would leave on Amazon and here on Goodreads.
All of these messages were sent to me in the last 48 hours, so they are very thorough. Feel free to post similar interactions that you may have had with suspected scammers.