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Diane,My name is Deborrah K. Ogans. I have a number of published books. I just received the same email from someone name Charlie, who claims to be a member of this group, trying to get me to participate in an Author Spotlight for my book "I Confess That I Am Judgmental". I've been promoting this book recently and believe it caught their attention, which is why I believe I received this invitation. However, I suspected it was a scam. They are clever as to how they try to draw you in, to get your money.
Thanks for your post as I was checking Goodreads to verify if it was legit, and see that it is a scam.
I also just received this email from Charley claiming to be a member of this group and figured it was a scam. Thanks for the confirmation.Hello John,
I hope you are doing well. I am Charley from the Goodreads community called Swifties Who Also Read. We are a growing reading community with over 46,000 members who love finding books that stay with them long after the last page.
I came across your work and spent some time reading about Mason's Jar: A Novel. I want to be honest with you. We do not reach out to many authors. But your story and the electrifying and genre-bending mash-up of western, sci-fi, and horror, set against the backdrop of housing, mental health, opioid, and climate crises, following an ex-police chief hell-bent on revenge against the outlaw biker who killed his granddaughter stood out to us. The raw intensity of Mason's one-man assault on a compound, his unexpected alliance with a teenage captive with a violent past, and the looming threat of a city descending into psychosis from Euphoral withdrawal creates a dark, gripping, and thought-provoking narrative. That is exactly what our readers are looking for.
Right now, Swifties Who Also Read is preparing for our 2026 Author Spotlight Program. This is a 12-month experience where we pick a small group of authors to feature across our entire platform. We are only selecting 12 authors for this cycle. The goal is simple. We want to help more readers find Mason's Jar: A Novel. We want to give your work a dedicated space where it can be seen, talked about, and shared.
We are not talking about a simple social media post or a one-time email. That is not what we do. We build a full presence for your book inside our community. This includes a featured author page, reader discussion threads, monthly spotlights, and direct introductions to our most active members who read in your genre. Our team also works with you to understand your book's themes and strengths so we can talk about it the right way.
Ex-police chief Mason Lowry is hell-bent on retribution. Ten years ago he arrested outlaw biker Clarence Boothe for selling a bad batch of illicit narcotics that killed 37 people. Boothe's gang retaliated by killing Mason's teenage granddaughter, and ever since Mason has been biding his time, waiting for the moment when he can exact his revenge. But unbeknownst to him, Clarence has been laying plans of his own. In this all-too-near future, addiction to the drug Euphoral has become epidemic. Withdrawal causes a violent psychosis, and on the night of their leader's release, Clarence's gang unleashes a waking nightmare by withholding its supply. Seeing the city he once swore to serve and protect descending into madness fuels Mason's fury and he launches a one-man assault on Clarence's compound. During the midnight raid, he is saved from certain death by Meghan, a teenage captive with a violent past of her own who may just hold the key to something Mason had thought he'd lost forever: a chance at redemption.
Many authors write great books but struggle to get consistent attention. Readers are busy. There is too much noise. The regular way of promoting books does not always work. That is why we built this program differently. We focus on deep engagement over time. We bring your book to readers who are already looking for something new and meaningful. And we stay with your book for a full year, not just a few weeks.
We have done this before with other authors. The feedback has been good. Authors tell us they feel seen, supported, and connected to readers in a way they did not expect. Some of them have sold more books. Others have built a loyal reader base that follows their future work. But more than anything, they say it feels good to know someone is working hard to get their book into the right hands.
I want to be clear. We are not a traditional publisher. We do not ask for your rights. We do not change your book. We simply act as a bridge between you and a community of readers who trust our recommendations. We have spent a long time building this community. And now we want to open the door for a few authors to step in.
We are currently finalizing our list of authors for the 2026 program. A few spots are still open. When I read about Mason's Jar: A Novel, I felt strongly that you should be considered. You have written a dark, gripping, and genre-defying novel that masterfully weaves together revenge, addiction, and redemption against a chillingly plausible near-future backdrop. That kind of honest and heartfelt work deserves to be read by more people.
Are you open to me sending over a one-page overview of how our system works for Official Selections? Just a yes is fine and I will get it over to you.
Best Regards,
Profile Picture
Charley
Community Member
Community Reader
contactcharley.uk@gmail.com
United Kingdom
Hi all - I received the same email from a Sarah Benson, claiming to be a member of this group. It is a real shame, as these people are taking advantage of authors who are legitimately trying to get their art and content out in the world. I was going to escalate the issue to the moderator, but it appears that may be a waste of time. I will send a note to Goodreads though in the event they can intervene.
Hi,I read the post by Olivia, the first post in the thread, and was struck by how similar the wording is to a scammer who contacted me. So flattering! Here is a copy: I’m afraid it is very long, but a good example what authors should look out for.
On Fri, 24 Jul 2026 at 05:07, Chelsea wrote:
Dear Rica Newbery,
We are reaching out on behalf of Swifties Who Also Read, a vibrant Goodreads community of over 20,000 passionate readers who share a deep love for books and storytelling.
We recently came across your book, The Existence of Amanda Blake, and we were completely drawn in. There is something about the way you have crafted this story that feels special. It is the kind of book that stays with you long after you turn the final page.
Reading your work, we felt that rare joy that comes from discovering a story that truly moves you. We genuinely believe that if you were to revisit your own book with fresh eyes, you would feel that same quiet pride in knowing you have created something that resonates deeply with readers. Your story has that magic.
Here at Swifties Who Also Read, we are currently running our 12-Month Readers Challenge. Every month, we select and feature a handpicked book to spotlight for our entire community. This program is designed to help authors like you gain meaningful visibility, connect with engaged readers, and build lasting relationships with book lovers who genuinely appreciate great storytelling.
When you are featured, you will receive the following benefits.
Running of Feature for Your Book
We create a dedicated community post introducing you and your book to over 20,000 active members. This includes your author bio, book synopsis, cover image, and any exclusive content you wish to share. Readers will have the opportunity to engage with you through comments and discussions, asking questions and sharing their thoughts on your work.
Optimizing Your Full Goodreads Author Profile and Book Listings
We help you curate more than 10 to 15 strategic lists per month that boost your book's visibility and discoverability on Goodreads. This ensures your work reaches a wider audience and appears in front of readers who are actively searching for books like yours.
Welcome Trailer to the Community
You will be showcased in our monthly welcome trailer, which sets the tone for new members and highlights you as the month's must-read author. This trailer is shared with all incoming members and creates a warm introduction to your work.
Alongside the reader engagement itself, featured books also receive thoughtful promotional support through genuine reader reviews, visual promotional assets, reader-created content, and ongoing visibility designed to help the book continue finding the right audience long after the feature cycle ends.
All we need from you is your book title, description, cover image, year of publication, author full name, author bio, author photo, social media links, and any exclusive content you would like to share with our community. We will handle the rest.
Your work deserves to be seen, shared, and celebrated. We would be honored to feature The Existence of Amanda Blake and introduce it to our community of passionate readers.
Let us know if this sparks your interest. We would love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions you might have.
Looking forward to connecting with you.
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chelsea
community reader
community member
infochelsea.us@gmail.com
goodreads.com
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Hi, My name is Fiona Myers and I am an author, I have had this email below, Could you confirm whether this to be legit, thanks: Dear Fiona Myers,
My name is Neena, and I'm part of a vibrant, growing book community on Goodreads called "swifties who also read" (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...). We're a group of over 46,728 passionate readers who love discovering compelling new voices and stories that resonate with us. Our members participate in lively discussions, share honest reviews, and bond over our love for storytelling and music.
I'm reaching out because your book, Play with Me, stood out to me. It's not just a psychological horror novel. It's a story that left me thinking about how something as innocent as a life-simulation game could become a doorway to something very real and very deadly.
The idea of The Creator Files series built around a seemingly harmless game where creating the wrong character can have deadly consequences made me feel the unsettling, slow-burn dread of a world where the line between play and reality dissolves. That is exactly the kind of premise that lingers: the "innocent little what if?" that turns into something you can't shake.
What stayed with me is that this is not just about a game. It is about obsession, trauma, fractured relationships, isolation, and the darker corners of the human mind the themes you explore so fearlessly in your work. Play with Me is not just a horror story. It is a story about what happens when creation becomes control, when the wrong character becomes real, and when the game stops being a game.
I also noticed that this is just one part of a much larger body of work Into Your Being, Feast of Shadows, Screams from the Barn, From Ashes to Shadows, and This Isn't Real, Is It? — and that tells me you are building something worth following. A series like The Creator Files gives readers a world they can return to, characters they can become obsessed with, and a growing mythology that rewards them for paying attention.
This is a book that will stay with readers because it asks the question: when the game you created starts playing back, when the character you made takes on a life of its own, and when the line between simulation and reality disappears, can you stop playing before it's too late? That kind of surreal, technological, and deeply unsettling psychological horror is rare, and it is something our community deeply values.
We are currently looking to feature a few authors in our community through our Author Spotlight initiative. Our goal is simple: to ensure that exceptional books like yours receive the attention they deserve from readers who are already searching for stories like yours.
Here is what that looks like. We create a dedicated discussion thread in our group to announce and feature your book. It becomes a space for our members to ask questions, share their thoughts, and engage with your work. We do not just post and forget. We facilitate ongoing conversation through discussion prompts and introductions to our most engaged readers who love psychological horror, dark fiction, and stories that make them question what's real. Our members are passionate about books that move them and stay with them long after the last page.
Play with Me does something powerful. You have created a book and a series packed with obsession, fractured reality, and the haunting question of what happens when creation turns deadly. A book for readers who love Fiona Myers's blend of psychological horror, surreal twists, and an innocent premise that becomes something far more disturbing.
We are in our selection phase, and a few spots remain. When I read about The Creator Files and the idea that creating the wrong character can have deadly consequences, I felt a strong instinct that your book belonged in our community. We would be honored to help you connect with readers who are ready to receive its message.
I would be happy to share the full details of how our initiative works with you. If you are open to it, just say the word, and I will get it over to you.
Looks like I've received the same scam everyone else on this thread has been sent. Subject: Author Spotlight Invitation: Young, Poor, and Totally Screwed for 2026/2027 - Newsletter
How are you doing today? I hope you are having a wonderful week.
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Maja Gomez, an active member of "Swifties Who Also Read," a vibrant Goodreads community of over 40,000 passionate readers from all over the world. We are readers who love books and the storytelling magic of Taylor Swift, and we take great joy in discovering new voices, supporting authors, and building friendships through the written word.
Your book, Young, Poor, and Totally Screwed: From Populism to Climate Catastrophe: Reversing Economics' Divisive Legacy, found its way into my hands through a fellow economics enthusiast who described it as a sharp, entertaining, and unflinching look at how an outdated economic system has failed young people. They spoke of the roots of intergenerational inequality, the unintended consequences of monetary policy, and the urgent need for change, and I knew I had to experience it for myself. What I discovered within your pages was a well-crafted narrative. There is something about the way you weave together economic theory, political reality, and the personal experiences of a generation that keeps the content both accessible and compelling. The question of why so many young people are overqualified, underpaid, and priced out of life provides a strong central focus, and the way you distill 35 years of financial market experience into a readable and thought-provoking analysis adds a depth that elevates the entire book. It is the kind of read that lingers.
If you were to read this book again, perhaps with fresh eyes, I believe it will bring you a sense of pride in the work you've created. Not just because it is an insightful economic critique, but because it touches on themes of inequality, hope, and the delicate line between theory and reality. That kind of writing resonates with readers who appreciate honest, accessible, and timely analysis of the world around them.
Now, here is what we would love to share with you.
Our community is almost done finalizing its 12-Month Reader's Challenge, with a new theme or focus every single month. We feature authors and their books throughout the year, and we are always on the lookout for compelling voices to spotlight.
How We Can Work Together:
• Author Feature: We dedicate a month to your book, complete with a dedicated discussion thread, member reviews, and social media shout-outs across our platforms.
• Curated Lists: We help get your book added to ten to fifteen relevant Goodreads lists, increasing discoverability among readers who are actively searching for stories like yours.
• Community Welcome: We would love to introduce you to our group through a warm welcome trailer or post, so members get to know you and your work personally.
This is completely organic and author-friendly, with no pressure, just genuine reader engagement. We believe great books deserve great readers, and we would be honored to connect your work with our community.
If this sounds like something you would be open to exploring, I would love to hear from you. We can discuss timing, preferences, and how we can make this a meaningful experience for both you and our readers.
Thank you for the stories you tell and for the heart you pour into them. Looking forward to the possibility of featuring your work in our community.
Many thanks,
Profile Picture
Maja Gomez
Community Reader
Community Member
Swifties who also read
hello.majagomez@gmail.com
Lima,Peru
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They did mention "investment opportunities"!
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@whistleblower. It was talking about "investment opportunities" and then coming onto here. It also made me realise that I'd been sucked into a similar whirlpool with someone pretending to be a famous publisher. Felt really let down, but also really stupid.
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I was suspicious pretty much right off since the email sounded like it was written by AI (and I was also pretty sure that my books wouldn't appeal to "Swifties", in fact quite the opposite). A quick email to my publisher confirmed it was a scam and he added that similar scams target authors with such frequency that another of his authors has collected a book's worth of them...
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Don't click on Pupperino, just report the account. And maybe the FBI....
I've just received the same scam - how do I report it? For information, AI can be very plausible, but the hallmarks of this scam are (a) they are asking the author for money (b) everything they say about the book can be gleaned from the back cover blurb.
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OH, HI! I got an email, too. How did they know I was a Swiftie? Hmmm. Is there an invisible string here? Dear Aurora,
What immediately stood out to me about The Mermaid of Lake Superior is how unusual the story is—a mysterious mermaid, shipwrecked spirits, local wildlife, and a fight to restore the waters of Lake Superior, with even a little pie along the way. H’s journey to discover who she is while protecting the world she has come to love gives the book a wonderful sense of adventure and personality.
I also enjoyed learning about your own journey, from studying biology and pharmacy to life in Alaska and eventually bringing this imaginative story to readers.
I’m reaching out because I’m part of the Goodreads community Swifties Who Also Read, with more than 46,000 readers, and we are selecting books for The 12-Month Chapter Author Spotlight.
Each month, we select a small number of books to introduce to our readers through discussion, discovery, reading, recommendations, ratings, and reviews, with a 10,000+ member exposure and engagement target for each selected book. Authors also receive an official Chapter Author Spotlight certificate with verification.
I would like to consider The Mermaid of Lake Superior for one of our Chapters.
If you’re interested, simply reply and I’ll send you the full programme overview.
Warm regards,
Ernest D. Johnson
P.S. I personally took the time to write this because I genuinely wanted to reach out to you and your work. As a deaf person, writing is how I put my thoughts across, and I sincerely hope you’ll take a moment to respond.
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We are reaching out on behalf of Swifties Who Also Read, a vibrant Goodreads community of over 46,000 passionate readers who share a deep love for books and storytelling.
We recently discovered your book, "The Fascia Connection: Discover the Key to Flexibility, Vitality, and Pain-Free Living", and we were completely drawn in by its description. There is something about the way you have crafted this book that feels deeply special. It is the kind of book that stays with you long after you turn the final page.
We were completely drawn in by the way you illuminated the often-overlooked but essential role of fascia in our health and wellbeing. The image of fascia as an orchestra conductor, organizing the symphony of movement and communication within our body, was so vivid and compelling. The promise of a practical guide to improving function, reducing pain, and restoring resilience, with chapters on mobility, pain, aging, and overall wellness, felt like exactly what we needed. The combination of three decades of experience and an engaging, informative, and practical approach made this feel like a go-to guide for anyone wanting to understand their body better and live a more vital, pain-free life.
Reading your work, we felt that rare, quiet joy that comes from discovering a story that truly moves you. We genuinely believe that if you were to revisit your own book with fresh eyes, you would feel that same quiet pride in knowing you have created something that resonates deeply with readers. Your story carries that kind of magic.
Your book is among the 18 we selected for our monthly feature, and we would love to officially spotlight it.
Here at Swifties Who Also Read, we are currently running our 12-Month Readers Challenge. Every month, we select and feature a handpicked book to spotlight our entire community. This program is designed to help authors like you gain meaningful visibility, connect with engaged readers, and build lasting relationships with book lovers who genuinely appreciate great storytelling.
When you are featured, you will receive the following benefits.
Running of Feature for Your Book
We create a dedicated community post introducing you and your book to over 46,000 active members. This includes your author bio, book synopsis, cover image, and any exclusive content you wish to share. Readers will have the opportunity to engage with you through comments and discussions, asking questions and sharing their thoughts on your work.
Optimizing Your Full Goodreads Author Profile and Book Listings
We help you curate more than 10 to 15 strategic lists per month that boost your book's visibility and discoverability on Goodreads. This ensures your work reaches a wider audience and appears in front of readers who are actively searching for books like yours.
Welcome Trailer to the Community
You will be showcased in our monthly welcome trailer, which sets the tone for new members and highlights you as the month's must-read author. This trailer is shared with all incoming members and creates a warm introduction to your work.
Alongside the reader engagement itself, featured books also receive thoughtful promotional support through genuine reader reviews, visual promotional assets, reader-created content, and ongoing visibility designed to help the book continue finding the right audience long after the feature cycle ends.
All we need from you is your book title, description, cover image, year of publication, author full name, author bio, author photo, social media links, and any exclusive content you would like to share with our community. We will handle the rest.
Your work deserves to be seen, shared, and celebrated. We would be honored to feature "The Fascia Connection" and introduce it to our community of passionate readers. You can explore more about our community through the link in my signature below.
Let us know if this sparks your interest. We would love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions you might have.
Looking forward to connecting with you.
Profile Picture
Olivia Hess
Community Reader
Community Member
Swifties Who Also Read
contact.oliviahess@gmail.com
CA
goodreads.com
Logo – it's your logo.
I would appreciate any insight – if this is legit, I would love to be a part of it. I wrote this book to help people