I Don't Think I'm Falling For It - Publicist Scams

Sometimes for kicks, I take a peek at my email spam folder. Google is quite good at catching spam, although sometimes I'll find "real" messages from correspondents I'd completely forgotten about. It happens.

Ninety-nine per cent of my spam originated from "reviewers". Everyone is so anxious to review my novel! I really should tell them they don't need my permission to do so ~ just buy a copy and go crazy! But that would involve interacting with them, and inevitably one of those people would infect my computer with some kind of malware. The satisfaction I'd feel by telling them off isn't worth the risk. One person I hear from a lot titles her messages, "Yea, I want to review your book." I'm tempted to respond with, "Yea, I like reviewers who don't come across as lazy and illiterate."

As my Instagram follower numbers continue to grow, I'm receiving lots and lots of spam like this, and my practice is to ignore it. I did get a message yesterday, however, that was somewhat intriguing. Yes, it was the usual, "let us promote your book", but this one had a twist. It specifically mentioned an author they're working with, so I looked him up. He's someone who's worked for national publications and who has a non-fiction book he's promoting. Nothing on his website mentions a publicist, but of course it wouldn't. The thing that confuses me is, why would someone who's at least a "semi-name" need a cheap publicist? If I remember correctly, the author is based in Washington and must know a lot of journalists who'll gladly review his book. He shouldn't need a paid advocate.

Then again, is it ethical for this company to bandy the guy's name about, if they're not actually working with him? Their packages tout reviews in major publications like the New York Times and the Washington Post, which for the relatively small amount they charge seems, frankly, unbelievable.

I responded to the guy's (?) message and asked if they have a website. Yep. But that was even more confusing. The website certainly features book reviews, but the vast majority of them are for big-time authors and bestselling books (e.g., The Hunger Games). And their "what we offer" spiel says nothing about placing reviews in mainstream publications. It does have the requisite social media links, but all of them are dead except for a YouTube account that's in Spanish. Some books on the website have New York Times reviews, but I have no way of knowing if someone just linked to reviews that had already been published or if the company actually had a hand in obtaining them.

A couple of other red flags: The photo of its "staff" seems like a stock image, and its "terms of services" (sic) is a dead link, as is its "safety information" and Help Center. 

Don't get me wrong; I'm not a rube. My rule of thumb is, anyone who trawls for business, especially via social media messaging, isn't a good choice to give your money to. A thriving business model has customers knocking on its doors, not the other way around. These cold contacts are akin to the "Yea, I'll review your book" girl. The only reason I hesitated at all when I read the DM was that the contact mentioned an actual person they'd worked with (a person I could look up). So, on the off-chance that the service is legit, I DM'd the author to ask about his experiences. He hasn't responded, and likely won't. Unlike me, he has a thriving career, and doesn't need to bother with pesky nobodies. 

UPDATE: Yep, fake, fake, fake. My instincts upon viewing the website were correct. Here's a post from Writer Beware. My scammer, LoomingLiterary Hq (sic) is listed in the postscript. (Sorry for bothering you, big-time author guy.)

How does the old saying go? "When it sounds too good to be true, you're a dumbass for falling for it".....or something like that. 

As if life isn't tough enough for us failed authors, we have to swat away constant pest invasions. What I wouldn't give for a reputable, affordable service.