I love to learn new words and phrases. Sometimes, though, it’s not just for the love of words, it’s to protect myself. The word for today is: EGO-BAITING.
And just what does ego-baiting mean? It’s a particular type of scam that I’ve had dozens of authors call me about in the last few months.
“Your Book Completely Sabotaged My Plans Today!”
That’s the subject line from an email I got last week. It’s very flattering. It implies that the writer could do nothing but read my book once they had picked it up. The first clue, however, that this was a scam, was she was referring to AI for Authors: An Almost Up-to-Date Guide. While I think it is a great book that everyone should read, a book on AI is not exactly filled with cliffhangers.
So, your first clue that the flattering letter you have just received from a book club leader, a well-known author, a publishing house, an agent, or someone wanting to turn your book into a movie is the praise is just a little too over the top.
AI has brought literary scammers out of the woodwork. And unfortunately, some authors are falling for it. I spoke recently with an author who paid a scammer $40,000 to turn two of his books into movies. The film development company the scammer listed is a real company. The person he supposedly spoke to is a real person who works at that company. Unfortunately, when he checked farther, the email address he had been given was totally fake.
Authors are easy targets for ego-baiting scams. We all want to believe that are book has caught the eye of someone influential who will make it a bestseller, an overnight success. AI enables the scammer to write an email that sounds as if the writer has actually read the book. It will cite characters and quotes from the book, discuss the theme, and cite the number of reviews you’ve received on Amazon.
But buyer beware. Here are few ways to tips for spotting scammers.
- The “pitch” is too flattering. You know your own work. While we’d all love to think our books are “can’t put it down” material, that kind of language is usually reserved for thrillers, not non-fiction, and not even most types of fiction.
- Fake Literary Agents/Publishers: Individuals claiming to represent well-known publishers or agencies, sometimes using real names to gain trust, but demanding upfront fees.
- Book Club/Review: Solicitations offering to get a book in front of prestigious book clubs. Once you bite and send a reply, you find out they want a fee.
- Impersonation: I’ve had two of these lately. Scammers pretend to be famous authors or well-known publicists, contacting new writers to offer advice or, eventually, to request money or personal information.
- Identity/Account Theft: Emails claiming that an author’s KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) account is at risk, designed to trick them into providing login credentials.
How to Protect Yourself
Be suspicious. Be very suspicious of anyone claiming they are a literary agent, a publishing company agent, a film producer, or other person in the industry. They rarely cold call an unknown author.
Your biggest red flag is asking for fees before you’ve received any services. Never pay upfront without a contract—one you’ve had a lawyer look at.
If the offer seems too good to be true, it likely is.
Look for generic language, or language that pressure you to make an immediate decision.
Independently verify the company and the person who has contacted you. Do some internet research, and if you are still unsure, call the company and confirm the person who has reached out to you is employed there. Also confirm that the email you have is that person’s real email.
Protect yourself. Never give your password, banking information, or social media access to anyone.