Beware the “Book Club” Scam
- petemitchellauthor
- Jan 28
- 3 min read
If you’re a writer or self-published author, chances are you’ve received an email that looks something like this:
Dear [Your Author Name],
We loved your book and would like to feature it in our exclusive book club with thousands of engaged readers…
What usually follows in an AI synopsis of your book, probably sourced from Amazon or even your own website.
At first glance, it feels like validation. Like someone has noticed and read your work. It seems like someone wants to promote it. But increasingly, these messages are part of a growing wave of book club scams designed to exploit hopeful authors.
How the Scam Works
The approach is usually flattering and vague. The sender claims to represent a book club, reading group, or literary community, often with impressive-sounding membership numbers and promises of exposure. They may say your book has been “selected” or “recommended” for their audience.
Then comes the catch and the payment request. This might be described as a:
administration fee
processing charge
contribution toward reader incentives,
a fee to be listed or promoted, or
a cover charge to provide attendees with supper.
Legitimate book clubs do not charge authors to feature their books. Real readers choose books because they want to read them, not because an author has paid for access.
Common Red Flags
These scams share several warning signs. These include:
Unsolicited emails from bookclubs beyond your region
Contact from groups that you have never heard of
Generic praise that could apply to any book
Obscure email addresses instead of official domains
No verifiable website or social media presence
Claims of huge membership without evidence
Requests for payment before any real engagement
Often, the sender can’t answer basic questions about your book, proving they haven’t read it at all.
When I asked to see an example of a video they were offering to produce for my book, I received a bland, generic (clearly AI generated) video that even failed to mention any book or any author. So much for the promotion.
Why Authors Are Targeted
Authors, especially new and self-published ones, are vulnerable because:
publishing is competitive
recognition feels rare
exposure sounds valuable
rejection is common
Scammers rely on hope and the new author’s craving for validation. They exploit the emotional investment writers place in their work and the natural desire to be seen and read.
Unfortunately, once payment is sent, authors typically receive nothing in return: no real promotion, no genuine readers, no accountability and, no book sales.
What To Do If You Receive One
If you receive a “book club” invitation:
Search the organisation online (add a term like scam to the search). Do they have a real website? Real members? Independent reviews?
Never pay to be featured.
Genuine book clubs don’t ask authors to pay to have their books featured. This is the clearest sign of fraud. The money should be travelling in the other direction – to your book sales.
Trust your gut instincts. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Delete and block the sender and warn other writers in your group. Sharing experiences helps protect the community.
The Bigger Picture
These scams thrive in silence. Many authors feel embarrassed to admit they were targeted or nearly fooled. But awareness is the strongest defence. The more we talk about these schemes, the less power they have.
Real opportunities in publishing come through transparent channels: literary journals, verified book clubs, libraries, schools, and genuine reader communities. None of them requires secret fees or anonymous benefactors.
So, if a mysterious “book club” slides into your inbox with praise and a price tag, remember:
A true reader never charges the writer for the privilege of reading their work.
Stay cautious, stay informed and (most importantly) keep writing.
My current record is three such emails in a single day. Has anyone had more than this?