I’m participating in the Kidlit for LA auction to raise money for wildfire relief. You can win signed copies of the One of Us Is Lying paperback series from me before the auction closes on Fri, Jan 26. Many other exciting items from the kidlit community!
www.32auctions.com/kidlitforlosangeles
14 y.o. said One of Us is Lying by @writerkmc.bsky.social is so good that when she was reading it in English class, she forgot where she was!
##amreading
Screenshot of Libby app showing Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus
Stayed up late to finish Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus @writerkmc.bsky.social. I have no regrets. Her books are always amazing and surprise me even when I swear I know what will happen.
#BookSky #suspense #ilovemylibrary
A collage of 24 2024 YA mystery and thriller book covers organized by colour
🔎 From gothic thrillers to murder mysteries and everything in between, this comprehensive list of 90 YA mystery and thriller novels published in 2024 has something for everyone who loves the genre! 🔎
popgoesthereader.com/90-young-adu... #BookSky #YALit #KidLit
Candy cane stack ♥️🤍
I'm sure there are more, so feel free to chime in with other red flags you've seen. Dealing with imposters is a hassle, but the #writingcommunity is exceptional at having one another's backs.
6) If you click to read comments on a post and don't see anything, that could be because people are calling out the scammer and getting blocked, making their comments invisible on Bluesky (legit authors certainly can and do block toxic commenters, but that's not usually most or all comments).
5) The account in question isn't linked anywhere on the author's other social media platforms, their Linktree, or their website. Usually, when an author joins a new platform, they'll share it via their more established platforms so that followers can find them there.
4) The language in their posts and/or messages is awkward or flat-out incorrect. We all make mistakes - I once proudly told then-Twitter about my debut "One If Us Is Lying," but authors are word nerds so constant grammatical errors are a red flag.
3) They have an Amazon link in their bio. I don't know why (an attempt to receive affiliate payments perhaps?) but scammers love an Amazon link. Real authors use their own website, a Linktree, or URLs provided by their publisher (which offer multiple outlets to buy a book, not just one).
2) Check who they follow, and who follows them. Real authors will follow and be followed by publishers, agents, bookstores, and fellow authors (often in their same genre - for example, I follow lots of thriller writers). Fake accounts don't follow, and aren't followed by, industry peers.
(honestly this is probably the only advice you need - beware of the DM! - but in case you get targeted by an exceptionally smooth scammer, be on the lookout for the rest of this thread).
Since I recently got rid of an impersonator on here, I thought I'd share ways to identify a fake author account:
1) They message you constantly. Real authors a) don't have time and b) have appropriate boundaries with readers/other writers. We won't ask for personal info or spam you with links.
It made a difference, thank you ♥️
Luckily I’m not on deadline and have time to make whatever grievance crosses my path my entire personality until it’s resolved
We did it friends! Imposter @karenmcmanus.bsky.social is gone. Thanks to everyone who reported, and to @bsky.app for taking action. For readers who are wondering who to trust, authors rarely message people out of the blue and will never ask for personal information.
Ugh same, but improving. Hope to see you in 2025!
Thanks friend! Hope you’re doing well - it’s been ages since I saw you ♥️
Also: a good way to spot fakes is that they never use publisher links like the one above. Usually it’s an Amazon link (not sure why; maybe they get affiliate payments for any sales)
In between battling impersonators I also write books, if you’d like a box set for the holidays I have you covered: www.getunderlined.com/books/753869...
Week 2 of trying to get @bsky.app to remove this aggressive, spammy imposter account.
Where to find me on social media
FYI to anyone who’s gotten a message from this account. Please ignore (or block and report). Thanks to the folks who let me know, and thanks for reading!