Quick heads-up for everyone as you move closer to launch or start marketing your books more actively. We’re seeing an increase in scams targeting authors, especially around book clubs, reviews, and marketing offers. These often look legitimate at first, so a little awareness goes a long way. Common red flags to watch for: 🚩 Book clubs or “reader groups” that cold-message you and require a fee, promise guaranteed reviews, or claim limited spots. 🚩 Marketing offers that promise fast results, bestseller status, or huge exposure with vague details on how they’ll deliver. 🚩 Messages impersonating platforms, influencers, authors, or assistants using lookalike names or emails. Some additional things we’ve noticed: a number of these scammers are using AI tools to pull book titles, descriptions, or author bios and then crafting very personalized, flattering messages. One subtle giveaway is unnatural formatting, like random bolding or emphasis in places a real person typically wouldn’t use it. If someone reaches out unsolicited, asks for money, guarantees outcomes, or creates urgency, pause. Do your research. Ask questions. To help keep this community safe and welcoming, please feel free to reach out or flag any suspicious posts, DMs, or replies you see. If you’re ever unsure about an offer, asking is always okay, as protecting your work and your wallet is worth it.

If you have a publishing company, do you setup your Amazon and other e-commerce sites under your publishing company? In another words, do you receive proceeds from your book via the publishing company or under your name?

I have a lot of people who ask if my books are available to be listened to. Should I invest the time and money to make them into Audio books?

So Spotify and Bookshop.org dropped some big news this week. Who has been following along? 1) Draft2Digital and Bookshop.org have teamed up to sell self-published ebooks through Bookshop.org: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/99616-bookshop-draft2digital-deal.html 2) Spotify and Bookshop.org are teaming up to sell physical books through Spotify: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2026-02-05/bookshop-partnership-page-match-announcement/ 3) Spotify is releasing a Page Match feature which will let readers move seamlessly from print book reading to ebook reading to audiobook listening and back again. It's a one of a kind feature and is kinda revolutionary in how readers interact with books. https://newsroom.spotify.com/2026-02-05/page-match-how-to/ Do you use Spotify for audiobooks currently? It'll be so interesting to see how this shakes things up in terms of discoverability. Spotify is making it so you don't ever have to leave their platform. Curious to hear what you think!

Well, well, well - according to Facebook - It is our fearless leaders Birthday today. Happy Birthday Julie, enjoy the day and here's to many, many more years around the sun! Cheers!