You’re Not a Real Author Until You Get Scam Emails

Is your inbox is bursting with slop from bots and scammers? In this "Ask Beth & Lisa" episode, we tackle the explosion of predatory emails—from fake "Silent Book Clubs" to fraudulent Amazon publishing offers—aimed at unsuspecting writers. We discuss why these emails are a weird sign of visibility, how we use the "48-hour rule" to vet opportunities, and why staying connected to the writing community is your best defense. We also go behind the scenes of our high-octane Threads Kidlit Chat and share a sneak peek into why secondary characters often steal the spotlight from your protagonist.

• [00:09:12] Welcome to Season 5: We introduce today's "Ask Beth & Lisa" session and dive straight into why we’re currently losing our faith in humanity.
• [00:10:45] The Threads "Stock Exchange": We recap the chaotic, high-energy success of our first monthly Threads Kidlit Chat and why it felt like being on a trading floor.
• [00:14:48] Secondary Character Magic: We preview our next big craft topic—developing secondary characters that have their own "secret goals" and distinct voices.
• [00:19:20] Spotting the Scams: We break down the specific red flags of current publishing scams and why we view getting these emails as a "badge of honor."
• [00:26:30] The 48-Hour Rule: Our practical advice for authors on how to pause, research, and avoid the high-pressure sales tactics of predatory services.
• [00:30:05] The Writers with Wrinkles Awards: We announce our upcoming year-end awards and how you can get involved.
• [00:33:38] Reflecting on Advice: We look back at our interview with agent Alia Hanna Habib and the importance of a professional author-agent partnership.

Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid are authors and co-hosts of the Writers with Wrinkles podcast. With years of experience in the kidlit world and the broader publishing industry, they created this show to pull back the curtain on the writing life—wrinkles and all. When they aren't recording, you can find them hosting live community chats on Threads or mentoring writers in their private Facebook group.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• Writer Beware: The industry watchdog we recommend for checking any suspicious "offers."
• Facebook Group: The Waiting Room (Our private community for writer support).
• Threads Kidlit Chat: Join us the first Wednesday of every month at 6:00 PM PST.
• Website: Writers with Wrinkles Official Site