Protecting Authors from Publishing Scams

UNC Press authors are receiving more scam emails and messages offering book promotion, reviews, book club appearances, podcast interviews, film and television opportunities, marketing services, and other opportunities. Scammers may also pretend to be established authors, publishers, literary agents, editors, journalists, book clubs, or other real people and organizations.

They may mention your book by name, include specific details about your work, or appear to come from someone you recognize. AI also makes it easier to create convincing emails that sound as though the sender is familiar with you and your book. These messages can be hard to spot so we’ve gathered some resources to help you combat these scams.

What to look for

Be cautious about unsolicited messages, particularly when:

The message contains enthusiastic but ultimately vague praise of your book. It may include lots of specific-sounding language without saying much substance about your actual work.

Someone claims to represent an established organization but contacts you from a Gmail, Yahoo, or other personal email address rather than an official account. This doesn’t automatically mean it’s a scam, but it’s the first red flag and worth checking.

There are no verifiable links to the event, book club, podcast, organization, or opportunity being offered. A lack of links or online presence can itself be a red flag. If links are included in a suspicious email, don’t click them to verify the sender; instead, find the organization or person independently online.

The email address or website looks almost—but not quite—like the real one. Check for misspellings, extra words or letters, and unusual domain names.

You are asked to pay for an interview, review, book club appearance, media coverage, marketing service, or other promotional opportunity. Some scammers don’t ask for money in the first email and bring up fees only after you’ve responded.

Someone promises guaranteed media coverage, huge audiences, bestseller status, film or television interest, or other results that sound too good to be true.

You are pressured to respond, pay, or provide information quickly.

You are asked for financial information, passwords, unpublished materials, or other private information.

A real name doesn’t mean a real message

Scammers may use the names of real authors, editors, agents, publishers, journalists, book clubs, universities, and media outlets. They may use information about you and your book that is readily available online or copy real logos, websites, and staff information.

The person or organization named in an email may be completely legitimate while the person sending the email is not.

Scammers may also impersonate UNC Press or Longleaf Services staff, so check the sender’s full email address, not just the name displayed in your inbox. Legitimate messages from UNC Press staff will come from @uncpress.org or @ad.unc.edu addresses, and messages from Longleaf Services staff will come from @longleafservices.org.

When in doubt, check with us

If you’re unsure whether a message is really from us or receive an invitation or offer you’re unsure about, send it to your UNC Press editor or publicist or publicity@uncpress.org before responding, clicking links, opening attachments, sending money, or sharing personal information. We’re happy to take a look.

You can also check the sender yourself. Find the person or organization’s official website or social media account independently rather than using the links or contact information in the email.