by Rae Stonehouse | Oct 13, 2026 | Author Safety Tips
Urgency is one of the strongest psychological tools scammers use. When someone insists you must pay “today,” “within 24 hours,” or “before the opportunity expires,” they’re trying to prevent you from researching, asking questions, or noticing inconsistencies....
by Rae Stonehouse | Oct 6, 2026 | Author Safety Tips
Direct messages from “publishers,” “agents,” or “scouts” are one of the most common scam entry points. Professionals don’t recruit authors through DMs because it bypasses industry standards, contracts, and vetting processes. Scammers use DMs because they’re fast,...
by Rae Stonehouse | Sep 26, 2026 | Author Safety Tips
Many new authors get excited when a “publisher” reaches out unexpectedly, but legitimate publishers almost never initiate contact this way. Real publishing relationships begin with your inquiry, your submission, or your agent’s pitch — not a cold message from someone...
