Beware the Flattery Trap: A Scam Targeting Indie Authors

A few weeks ago, I received a friendly email from someone claiming to represent the Metro Philadelphia Book Club. They said they were curating a selection of books to spotlight, and my novel The Alpha Flame: Discovery had caught their attention. Flattered and curious, I read on.

The offer was polished: a “book spotlight,” member discussions, and even social media promotion. They assured me I wouldn’t need to appear in person or online, they’d handle everything. As a busy author, it sounded ideal.

But the more we corresponded, the more cracks began to show.

After several upbeat exchanges, they finally revealed a small detail that changed everything: a $199 “administrative fee.” No mention of it earlier. No formal contract. Just a request for money.

That’s when I got suspicious. I had sent them a honeypot link, a private page on my own website that I use specifically for situations like this. They replied saying it was a fantastic page and praised its layout… but here’s the catch: they never even visited it. My site analytics confirmed zero traffic to that link.

Their email address? A generic Gmail account. No real domain. No public contact information. Just vague credentials and grand promises.

To top it off, there’s a Facebook event floating around with the same club name, based in Prague. Yes, Prague. Not exactly what you’d expect from a Philadelphia-based book club.

Let me be blunt: this is a scam.

They’re preying on indie authors’ desire for visibility, using flattery to lower our guard and fees to empty our pockets.

If you're an author, especially if you're self-published, be wary of unsolicited offers that promise exposure but ask for money. Real book clubs don’t charge authors. Real promotions come with transparency and accountability.

I’m sharing this to save others from falling into the same trap. If something feels off, it probably is.