The Email Many Authors Dream Of Getting – And Why It’s a Trap

The publishing world is abuzz with excitement as debut novelists and established writers bask in the glow of glowing reviews, literary accolades, and lucrative book deals. However, lurking in the shadows are scammers who use AI-generated emails to lure authors into a trap, promising the world while quietly lining their pockets.

Mary Colussi’s story is all too familiar. Just weeks after her debut novel was published, she received an effusive email from Granta praising her “originality, intelligence, and distinctive narrative voice.” But it wasn’t from Bella Lacey or anyone from Granta – and the person who sent it hadn’t even read Colussi’s novel.

The red flags were there: too much praise, too quickly; a suspicious email address ending with @aol.com; and a quote directly lifted from the synopsis. This is a classic case of “pig butchering,” a term coined by romance scam victims to describe being lured in with flattery before being drained financially.

The Australian Society of Authors has been inundated with reports of these AI-generated scams, which have become increasingly sophisticated over the past year. Scammers can now provide convincing details and summaries of an author’s work, making the emails feel almost too good to be true – which they are. The tactics may have originated in the Philippines, but the latest wave of scams appears to be coming from Nigeria.

As AI-generated emails flood inboxes worldwide, authors have become more adept at identifying them. However, it’s a cat-and-mouse game: scammers adapt quickly, and their AI tools become increasingly sophisticated. Kelly Gardiner, an established author and member of the ASA board, receives these kinds of emails daily – but the recent surge has made her wonder if she’ll ever be able to write without being bombarded by scam offers.

These scams are not just about exploiting authors’ vulnerabilities; they’re also a symptom of a larger problem. The publishing industry’s reliance on AI-generated summaries and reviews creates an environment in which scammers can thrive. It’s a vicious cycle, where genuine writers are squeezed out by scammers who prey on their hopes and dreams.

The US government has taken action against one such operation, which defrauded nearly 800 writers of over $48 million over six years. Victoria Strauss, a veteran author and advocate for writers’ rights, has been tracking these scams since 1998 – and she sees them as a descendant of the infamous “Nigerian prince” scams.

To protect themselves, authors must be vigilant not just with email addresses but also with the language used. Scammers often target older books or those that have been ingested into pirate databases used to train AI. Established authors like Gardiner have learned to spot the telltale signs of AI-generated copy – same terms, same logic, same sentence structures.

But it’s not just authors who are being targeted; respected editors, literary agents, and media figures are also caught in the crossfire. Scammers steal their names and professional authority to trick writers into fake pitch offers, promotional junkets, or film deals. The ABC was recently contacted by a scammer purporting to be Sally Sara, offering an author a guest appearance on her show.

As we navigate this treacherous landscape, it’s essential to remember that the publishing industry’s reliance on AI-generated content has created an environment in which scammers can thrive. It’s time for writers, agents, and publishers to come together and demand better – more transparency, more accountability, and more human connection in our digital interactions.

In the end, it’s not just about protecting authors from scams; it’s about preserving the integrity of the publishing industry itself. By shining a light on these tactics and refusing to be lured by the siren song of scammers, we can create a safer, more authentic environment for writers to thrive in – one where creativity and collaboration replace manipulation and exploitation.