Promotional graphic titled "Authors Against Scammers: Protect Your Dream – Time or Money Scams." Dark blue background with gold accents. Central image: a protective shield enclosing a laptop, open book, and quill pen glowing white. Text overlays: "Practical tools, real red flags, exact playbook scammers use on writers. Free resources—fresh alerts for indie & traditional authors." Aimed at educating authors on scam prevention.

Why This Website Exists

 

The publishing world is full of opportunity — but also full of people who exploit authors’ hopes, hard work, and desire to succeed.
Scammers use flattery, fake urgency, and sophisticated tactics to separate writers from their money. Many authors lose hundreds or thousands before they realize what happened.
This site exists to change that. Here you’ll find clear, experience-based tools to recognize the patterns early and protect yourself.

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Scam Spotting Checklist

Instant red-flag guide with the most common warning signs scammers use against authors. Download the printable PDF and check every offer before you respond.

Download Free Checklist

The Scammer Playbook

 The predictable 6-step sequence most author scams follow. Know it, and you’ll spot them instantly.

Learn the Full Playbook

Report a Scam

Saw something suspicious? Share what happened (anonymously if you prefer). Your report helps protect other authors and strengthens our community warning system.

Report a Scam Now

My Documented Experience 

A Real Case. A Real Loss. A Real Victory.
Like many authors, I was approached with exciting promises of marketing exposure, book promotions, and “guaranteed” results.
The messages were friendly and convincing — right up until I made the payment.What followed was the classic pattern:
• Delays and excuses
• Shifting promises
• Pressure for more money
• Zero deliverables
After repeated attempts to resolve it, I filed a dispute with Visa. They reviewed the evidence and upheld my claim. I received a full refund.This experience taught me exactly how these scams operate — and how authors can protect themselves.
The full timeline and lessons are documented in my book.

The Scammer Playbook

The Nancy Catherine Scammer Playbook Exposed: The Essential Author's Guide to Spotting and Stoppins scammers by Rae A. StonehouseScammers who target authors often follow a predictable sequence. While each case looks different on the surface, the underlying tactics are remarkably consistent.

Here are general patterns authors should watch for:

  1. The Flattery Hook

“You’re exactly the kind of author we’re looking for.”

  1. The Manufactured Urgency

“This offer expires today.”

  1. The Authority Illusion

Fake credentials, fake partnerships, fake testimonials.

  1. The Payment Push

Requests for upfront fees, often through unprotected methods.

  1. The Vanishing Act

Once paid, communication becomes slow, vague, or disappears entirely.

  1. The Upsell Spiral

New “opportunities” appear — each requiring more money.

These are only the surface-level patterns.

Want the full breakdown of the Nancy Catherine scam?
Learn the tactics, the red flags, and how to protect yourself.”
About the Book

 

 

 

Why This Matters to Authors

Authors are uniquely vulnerable because:

  • We want our work to succeed
  • We’re often working alone
  • We’re unfamiliar with marketing norms
  • We trust people who claim to “believe in our book”

Scammers know this.

They exploit it.

This website exists to help authors recognize the signs early — before money is lost, time is wasted, or confidence is shaken.

You’re Not Alone: The Scale of the Problem

This Isn’t Just One Bad Actor

The tactics used by “Nancy Catherine” and similar operations aren’t isolated incidents — they’re part of a $47 million annual industry targeting authors worldwide.

By the numbers:

  • 10,000+ fake profiles active on Facebook, Instagram, and Discord right now
  • 1.2 million fraudulent messages sent to authors every month
  • 1-in-12 chance you’ll be targeted this year if you’re active in 3+ writing groups
  • $1,247 average loss per scammed author (many lose far more)

But here’s the hope:
75% of authors who follow proper dispute procedures recover their funds.

This website — and the book — exist to make sure you’re in that 75%, or better yet, never targeted in the first place.

 

Join the Community: You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

Connect with other authors who understand exactly what you’re dealing with. Get real-time support, share suspicious offers, and stay ahead of the latest scams.

Authors Against Scammers Public Group

Authors Against Scammers is a public education and advocacy hub dedicated to helping writers recognize, avoid, and report publishing‑related scams. Founded by author and community advocate Rae Stonehouse, this page shares resources, alerts, and insights.

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Authors Against Scammers@AuthorGuard on Twitter

Exposing scams targeting indie authors. Protecting writers through education, evidence, and advocacy. Because your stories deserve safety.

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