Publishing Snake River was a hell of a learning experience.

As a first-time independent author, the entire process was new to me. I knew I’d need to have my manuscript edited and proofread, and that I’d have to hire a cover designer and format it for both ebook and print. Even though I had written a book I was proud of — and had it professionally edited — there was still a lot of work ahead.

What I didn’t know was that scammers are actively targeting indie authors like me, especially through Facebook. And unfortunately, I got caught up in one.

🚨 Here’s how the scam works:

You’re first contacted by someone posing as a well-known author — someone you might even admire. They strike up a friendly chat, talk shop about writing, and then casually steer the conversation toward publishing services. That’s where they recommend you to someone they claim is a “pro” — an expert in ebook production, marketing, or Amazon publishing.

The chat feels authentic. Sometimes it’s even powered by AI, designed to be incredibly persuasive and emotionally tuned in. Eventually, you’re handed off to a “freelancer” who sets everything up through Facebook chat, and then asks you to pay them on platforms like Upwork, Payoneer, or Contra.

They ask for upfront payment.
They pressure you with aggressive upselling.
They use guilt and emotional manipulation.
And the worst part? It works — because it feels like you’re getting help from a real publishing expert.

At the beginning of 2025, I fell for one of these scams.

I’m sharing this now not for sympathy, but to warn other writers. These scams are getting more sophisticated — and with tools like AI chatbots, they’re harder than ever to detect.

⚠️ Here are a few red flags to look out for:

• Never trust a stranger who messages you “just to help” with publishing
• If someone claims to be a successful author, check their Facebook page — their friends list, their post history, their grammar
• Never pay full price up front for services from someone you’ve never worked with
• Always verify credentials on reputable platforms like Reedsy or Fiverr

The scammers I dealt with completely messed up every single thing I hired them to do. I had to go over all of it with a fine-tooth comb to fix errors in formatting, cover design, even proofreading. Honestly, it seemed like they were sabotaging my work on purpose.

Eventually, I slammed the door in their face, blocked and reported them, and took control back. I changed all my passwords, secured my email and financial accounts with 2FA, ran multiple antivirus scans, and even did a digital spring cleaning to make sure nothing was left vulnerable.

And here’s the silver lining:
I learned how to do everything myself.

• Kindle Create made formatting my ebook easy.
• Reedsy’s free book editor let me create a clean, professional paperback and hardcover.
• And if I ever need to hire help again, I now know how to vet people properly — through trusted platforms with reviews and protections.

The version of Snake River that’s now available on Amazon? That’s all me. Clean, polished, and professional. I took back the power they tried to steal.

At first, I felt ashamed for falling for it. But I’ve since realized that these scammers prey on new authors — people chasing their dream, hungry to share their story, and unfamiliar with the traps that come with indie publishing. They are manipulative, predatory, and calculated.

But I’m still here. I learned from it. I fought back.
And now I’m telling this story so no one else has to go through the same thing.