Did Tolkien Really Just Message Me?
Ok, so it wasn’t Tolkien. Obviously. He might have liked my work. He may even have been inspired. But it wasn’t him.
That said, other great authors have reached out to me. Writers like E.K. Johnston (author of Ahsoka), Julie Shackman (A Secret Scottish Escape), and even Katherine Addison (The Goblin Emperor) have genuinely made contact.
Not before I had to alert them, though. “They” had already messaged me from suspicious, unofficial accounts.
Each of these authors, along with many others, has been impersonated by scammers using fake profiles on Facebook and other platforms. Why? Because posing as a bestselling author gives credibility. It creates an opening.
The scheme is simple. Someone creates a fake account using a famous writer’s name and photo, then sends friendly messages to indie authors like me. These messages often sound supportive or inspiring. Some are clearly written by AI. Others just sound off. Either way, it quickly becomes apparent that it is not Katherine Addison you’re chatting with.
From what I’ve gathered, most of these scams originate from specific West African regions. I only learned this by engaging with them — politely — just to see how far the scam would go. I sent them tracking links and gathered location data that way.
That background might be interesting, but the location itself is not the point. The response is what matters: block the account, report it, and contact the real author so they can take action.
The scammers follow a script. They begin by praising your work, then casually ask something like, “Who is your marketer?”
Or: “Do you have an editor?”
“Are you looking for a beta reader?”
If you give them even a hint that you might be interested, they will suggest someone they trust. That person often has a Fiverr profile. At best, you’re paying someone with no publishing experience. At worst, the entire thing is a scam and your money vanishes.
Hello P.S. Davis! I came across your book and it truly caught my attention! As a bestselling author, I always love discovering and supporting new voices in the writing world. Let’s stay connected. Feel free to send me a message or friend request if you’d like to connect!
I didn’t engage. I contacted the real Katherine Addison instead, who was glad I reached out.
The indie author market is already hard enough without this kind of distraction. So if you ever get a message like this, take a moment. Visit the author’s official website. Use their contact form to confirm whether they really messaged you. Most authors are grateful when you do. They may be able to report the impersonator or take legal action to shut them down.
Facebook knows this is happening. The company has done little to stop it.
Plagiarism might be flattery. Identity theft is not. It’s invasive, and it’s dangerous.
If someone claims to be inspired by your work, even if they appear to be me or a well-known author, such as a New York Times bestseller, take a moment to check. Click on their profile, visit their website, and make sure they are legitimate. Most authors provide a contact form, so use it if you are unsure.