John Dean – Crime Writer

The industry we love is being blighted by scammers who adopt the names of authors, agents, editors and publishers in order to con the unwary into helping them to bring about financial benefit for themselves.

I have come across several in recent months because, in addition to being a crime writer I also write children’s books and need an agent to get my work in front of children’s publishers.

I have written about this previously but since then I have dealt with several people who claimed to be someone from the list in my opening paragraph.

It can be difficult to spot those who are not honest not least because their emails, always emails, are always courteous and accommodating but beware if the person contacted you and not vice-versa, then offer their services for a fee. They may be genuine, and if so they are as much victims of the scammers as anyone else, but they may also be after personal bank details which would allow people to plunder your account.

Many publishers (like my publisher Joffe Books) , agents and editors have woken up to the risk and if you go onto their websites have left useful information explaining how to spot the scammers. It makes for essential reading.