Author Safety Tips
Staying safe as an author has never been more important. Scammers, vanity presses, and predatory “service providers” are targeting writers at every stage of their publishing journey — often with messages that look friendly, flattering, or professional. The Author Safety Tips series provides clear, practical guidance to help you recognize red flags, verify legitimacy, and protect both your work and your wallet.
Each tip is based on real patterns observed across the publishing industry and the wider scam ecosystem. You’ll find expanded explanations, examples, and actionable steps you can use immediately, whether you’re an emerging writer or a seasoned professional. This page brings all tips together in one place so you can explore them at your own pace and build confidence in navigating today’s online environment.
Author Safety Tip #3 — Urgent Payment Pressure
Author Safety Tip #2 — DM Outreach
Direct messages from “publishers,” “agents,” or “scouts” are one of the most common scam entry points.
Author Safety Tip #1 — Unsolicited Publisher Contact
Author Safety Tip #1 — Unsolicited Publisher Contact
If a “publisher” contacts you out of the blue, it’s marketing — not legitimacy. More tools: AuthorsAgainstScammers.org