Important Notice to TNBBC Members - SCAM alert! > Likes and Comments
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I published a book through FastCompany Press 2 years ago. This person contacted me with a convincing email. Happy to share more information if that's helpful to stop this person from perpetrating his scam any further.
I have just been contacted by loribravo5@gmail.com, also with a very convincing email/submission, through my author website. Claims to be the moderator for The Next Book Club (notice Best is left out but is using the name Lori). The postive part is that it brought me to this group. Hope that this also puts the brakes on their scam.
I've just learned that this person is impersonating me which is beyong frustrating. I hope you let them know that we are on to them and won't fall for their scam. Thanks for letting me know!!! And welcome to the group!
I've seen very convincing emails - they use real book clubs/reading groups and the name of the actual moderator/organiser, and offer authors to "feature" the book in their group. I've seen it with groups on Meetup and FB. It's such a shame; being an indie author is hard enough without the scams.
Gal, 100% which is why it's so upsetting for me that they are trying to use me and my brand to trick authors, when my whole reason for doing what I do is to help support them!
Another check on legitimacy! I've been contacted by a Cindy who invites me to take part in the Inkarion Challenge, supposedly connected with this club. Does anyone know about it?
Lee wrote: "Another check on legitimacy! I've been contacted by a Cindy who invites me to take part in the Inkarion Challenge, supposedly connected with this club. Does anyone know about it?"Hi Lee. Nope. Not connected to me or anything I run or host. Would you mind sending me the email and email address so I can take action on my end please?
In more upsetting news, there are additional scammers out there pretending to be me or to be affiliated with this group, attempting to make authors pay for spotlight series. Please know this is not me, will never be me, and feel free to call them out and let them know we know they are scamming. Watch out for emails being sent from tbbnnextbookclub@gmail.com and pricillarjane4@gmail.com
Hello, I have been contacted by Freya Berry who states she is the lead curator for The Next Best Book Club and that your club is considering my book for its "Spotlight Authors" list. I generally delete these as most of them end up being scams. If I have the opportunity to check first, I usually do. Do you know of this person who is acting on behalf of your club? Thank you.
Amy wrote: "Hello, I have been contacted by Freya Berry who states she is the lead curator for The Next Best Book Club and that your club is considering my book for its "Spotlight Authors" list. I generally de..."They most definitely are not part of this club or affliated with any of the things I do here. Thank you for calling it out! Please feel free to email them back with me on CC letting them know you've been in touch with me and I can take it from there. My email is mescorn@ptd.net
Done! I am sick to death of these scammers. I get at least 3-5 of these every single day.
Hello: Last week, I received an email from someone named Mar Gerie, who claims to be associated with this group. She wants me to pay to promote my book on this site. Does this name sound familiar?
Vanester wrote: "Hello: Last week, I received an email from someone named Mar Gerie, who claims to be associated with this group. She wants me to pay to promote my book on this site. Does this name sound familiar?"No, this is a scam. If you are ok Ccing me on the email to let them know you have checked in with the actual creator, please do and I can address them for identify theft. mescorn @ ptd dot net
Thank you so much for promptly responding. These scams are RIDICULOUS!!!
Please be aware the following people/emails are scamming authors and pretending to be affiliated here: Melinda Kathleen: info.melindakathleen@gmail.com
Marianne Brix: info.mariannebrix.ue@gmail.com
I have received several emails from a person named Carol Gift (carol.gift.g@gmail.com) who claims to be associated with your group and has been stating that she is interested in one of my books for your group.
Thomas wrote: "I have received several emails from a person named Carol Gift (carol.gift.g@gmail.com) who claims to be associated with your group and has been stating that she is interested in one of my books for..."If you don't mind, can you respond to them with me on CC, letting them know you have verified they aren't me and I can take it from there? my email is mescorn at ptd dot net
James RomanSCAM ALERT:
I'm a Goodreads author. My new book "The Plum Thief" is receiving strong praise . . . but the scams are Out Of Control!
"Darren Whitaker" claimed to represent the "Best Next Book Club" then interchangeably provided statistics from Goodreads' Next Best Book Club and asked for money to promote my book. I saw through that one when he instructed me to send the money to Nigeria.
Days later, along comes "Mar Gerie," a name noted by others above. Swears that she is from the real Goodreads Next Best Book Club . . . and I fell for it. When she sent an elaborate Questionnaire for me to complete, I gave up $800 for high-end representation.
Must I assume that everyone with a Gmail e-address is a crook? Is there a Goodreads e-address format that identifies the players to trust? It hurts my bank account, but these prolific scammers hurt Goodreads reputation too.
You can create a Gmail email in about 5 minutes super simple (most free email services the same) - rule of thumb if they solicits you and ask for money it’s probably a scam…
James wrote: "James RomanSCAM ALERT:
I'm a Goodreads author. My new book "The Plum Thief" is receiving strong praise . . . but the scams are Out Of Control!
"Darren Whitaker" claimed to represe..."
Hi James, unfortunately there is nothing I nor Goodreads can do regarding these scammers. That's why I have posted all over my socials and here to make people aware. I'm not the only one with my identity and brand being thefted. It's happening pretty rampantly to lit journals and bloggers/reviewers as well.
It's a sad state of the world. But also a sad reality.
If you want to forward me the email for Darrin (i already told Mar to cease and desist) please see my email up above in a previous message.
Lori wrote: "Please be aware the following people/emails are scamming authors and pretending to be affiliated here: Melinda Kathleen: info.melindakathleen@gmail.com
Marianne Brix: info.mariannebrix.ue@gmail.com"
I just got an email from Marianne Brix at info.mariannebrix.ue@gmail.com, asking me to be in your 2026 Author Spotlight Program. Since I can't find any information on that program, I was suspicious. I also got an email from Mar Gerie.
I will delete them. I appreciate you tracking this and posting your warnings.
Lee - Author, Echoes of Genius: The Deep Surge
Lee wrote: "Lori wrote: "Please be aware the following people/emails are scamming authors and pretending to be affiliated here: Melinda Kathleen: info.melindakathleen@gmail.com
Marianne Brix: info.mariannebr..."
Thank you Lee. I am upset that they are still both out there soliciting authors under the pretense of being affiliated with me and TNBBC. I am aware of both of these and have sent them cease and desist emails. I appreciate you being curious and doing your due diligence by researching first!
Hi! I'm adding to this thread. I was contacted today by someone pretending to be Lori with this email: mescornpdt@gmail.comI'm used to scams and decided to do my due diligence and go through the threads of this group then landed on this one. Please let me know the preference to proceed.
G. wrote: "Hi! I'm adding to this thread. I was contacted today by someone pretending to be Lori with this email: mescornpdt@gmail.comI'm used to scams and decided to do my due diligence and go through the ..."
Thanks G. That's a new one for me. I wonder if it's someone I emailed from my personal email account ptd... looks like they are trying to get smarter.
Would you mind forwarding me that email so I can address them directly? Just CC me on it letting them know you are putting them in touch with the real TNBBC community manager.
This person is not connected to our club. Please ignore any communications from them and report suspicious activity directly to Goodreads or the relevant platform.
If you are so moved, please share this post wide and far so others are also not duped by him!!
Thank you for helping keep our community safe!