If you’ve ever crafted a story, whether an essay, a short story, or a novel, and whether you’ve published or not, you know the satisfaction of having completed a work and put your name (or pseudonym) to it. Some gifted writers are also gifted marketers, who know how to reach the readers who will purchase and love their work.

I am not one of those.

I’ve recently published and released two books of a three-book fantasy series, the Dragon Guild. They have received glowing editorial reviews and both are recipients of the Literary Triton Book Award. The award isn’t a selling point to readers but it’s chum in the water for sharks posing as “marketing experts”.

I nearly fell for one of the first such emails. The sender claimed to have read the book and offered to help market it. The person sounded legit in every way. I was ready to sign up, until I received an invoice from Nigeria. I may be gullible, but I’ve heard of “Nigerian prince” scams. Thankfully, I ended that conversation. I did not expect the flood of emails that followed.

Here’s an article that describes exactly what I encounter daily. Like all scams, it’s insidious in its approach, convincing, and totally deceitful. Protect yourself! Read this article!

Return of the Nigerian Prince: A New Twist on Book Marketing Scams

POSTED BY VICTORIA-STRAUSS FOR WRITER BEWARE® ON AUG 1, 2025

Marketing scams have always been plentiful. Over the past year or so, though, they’ve really surged. 

I’ve written about one type of marketing scam–the “friendly author” social media scam, in which someone impersonating a real (and often very well-known) author reaches out with a direct message, ostensibly because they’re interested in your books or your writing, but actually in order to refer you to some sort of shady marketing service.

Now there’s a new type of marketing scam… Read More