scams – TheTimeDok

That Flattering Email in Your Inbox? It’s Probably a Scam.

Let’s be honest: authors have egos. I’m no exception. We pour our souls into our work, and when someone notices—really notices, it feels like validation wrapped in a warm hug. Scammers know this. They count on it. And they’re getting disturbingly good at exploiting it.I’ve seen my fair share of suspicious emails over the years, but I have to admit—this one nearly got me.

The Email That Almost Fooled Me

Picture this: a polished, professional message lands in your inbox from someone claiming to be a “Consulting Publisher at Bloomsbury Publishing (UK).” The tone is warm. The praise is specific. They mention your book by name and describe it with the kind of glowing language that makes your heart skip a beat.Here’s what “Faiza S. Khan” had to say about my novel, The Ocean Within:

“I was genuinely impressed by its compelling blend of scientific speculation, environmental intrigue, and high-stakes suspense… The novel’s focus on the fragile balance between human progress and the immense, often unpredictable forces beneath the Earth’s surface creates a story that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally compelling.”

Flattering, right? They even praised its “strong commercial appeal” and suggested it “extends beyond genre conventions.” This email knew exactly which buttons to push.

The Red Flags Hiding in Plain Sight

Here’s the thing about well-crafted scams: they sound almost legitimate. But when you slow down and look closer, the warning signs emerge:

Unsolicited contact from a major publisher. Traditional publishers like Bloomsbury don’t typically cold-email unknown authors gushing about their self-published or small-press work.
Vague next steps. The email asks about your “current publishing arrangements” and whether you have an agent—information that helps scammers tailor their pitch (or their ask for money).
Too much flattery, too little substance. The praise is elaborate but generic enough to apply to almost any thriller with environmental themes.
No verifiable contact details. A quick search often reveals these “consulting publishers” don’t exist on the company’s official website.

Why This Matters

Scams like this prey on our deepest hopes as writers. They exploit the dream of being “discovered” by a prestigious publisher. And once they have your attention? The requests begin…fees for “editorial reviews,” payments for “international distribution,” or contracts that sign away your rights.So what should you do if an email like this lands in your inbox?

Pause before you respond. Excitement clouds judgment.
Verify the sender. Search the person’s name on the publisher’s official website or LinkedIn.
Contact the publisher directly. Use contact information from their official site—not the email.
Trust your gut. If it feels too good to be true, it probably is.

The Bottom Line

I won’t pretend I wasn’t tempted, even for a moment to believe that Bloomsbury had stumbled upon my work and fallen in love with it. That’s the power of a well-crafted scam. But the best defense we have as authors is awareness, skepticism, and community.If you’ve received something similar, you’re not alone. Share your experience, warn your fellow writers, and remember: your talent is real, even when the emails praising it aren’t.

Have you encountered a publishing scam? Drop your story in the comments—let’s help each other stay vigilant.

About the cover:

The Ocean Within is a gripping, science-driven thriller that explores the fragile balance between humanity and the forces of nature. Perfect for fans of Michael Crichton, Andy Weir, and Kim Stanley Robinson, this novel will leave you breathless—and questioning how much we really understand about the world beneath our feet.

Get your copy here.

Scam Calls Are Taking Over: Are Our Phones Becoming Worthless?

Let’s face it: our phones, once cutting-edge tools of connection and convenience, are slowly turning into sources of frustration. If you’re like me, you’ve probably noticed how scam calls are taking over our lives, making us second-guess every incoming call. How many of us actually answer our phones anymore when we don’t recognize the number? For me, it’s almost never. And honestly, can you blame me?I get hundreds of scam calls every week, and it’s exhausting. From fake IRS agents to warranty renewal scams, my phone rings constantly with fraudulent attempts to steal my money or personal information. As a result, I’ve developed a strict “don’t answer” rule: if I don’t know the number, I let it go to voicemail. If it’s important, the caller can leave a message. But is that really the answer? Shouldn’t there be a better solution than just dodging calls?

Why Are Scam Calls Legal?

Here’s the part that really baffles me: why is it legal for scammers to hijack our phones like this? Let’s break it down.

We pay for our phones: We’re the ones footing the bill for our phones, lines, and data plans (not to mention the time we lose dealing with these calls). Yet scammers and telemarketers are allowed to freely intrude on our lives without accountability.
No consent required: Many of these calls come without prior consent. They’re random, unsolicited, and often predatory. It feels invasive, and honestly, it should be illegal.
Robocalls are everywhere: It’s not just scammers. Even legitimate businesses and political campaigns use robocalls to bombard us with messages. And while their intentions may not be criminal, the frustration they cause is very real.

Why Isn’t There Stronger Legislation?

It’s 2026, and the problem seems worse than ever. Why can’t we have effective legislation that cracks down on scam calls and robocalls? Think about it: these callers don’t pay for your phone, your line, or your time, so why do they have the right to disrupt your day?Sure, there’s been some progress. In the U.S., for instance, there’s the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and recent efforts like the TRACED Act, which aim to curb illegal robocalls. Technologies like STIR/SHAKEN, which verify the authenticity of caller IDs, are also being implemented by carriers. But let’s be honest; these measures haven’t solved the problem. Scammers are constantly finding loopholes, and enforcement isn’t strong enough to deter them.

The Impact on Everyday Life

Let’s talk about what this means for us, the average phone users. Scam calls don’t just waste our time; they erode trust. We’re now conditioned to ignore calls from unknown numbers, which has real consequences. What if it’s a potential employer? A doctor’s office? A friend or family member calling from a new number? The constant barrage of scam calls makes it harder for us to stay connected in meaningful ways.

What Can Be Done?

So, what’s the solution? Here are some ideas:

Stronger penalties for scammers and telemarketers: Governments need to enforce stricter laws and impose harsher consequences for illegal calls. This includes holding companies accountable for the robocalls they send.
Improved technology: Phone carriers should continue to innovate ways to block scam calls before they even reach us. Apps like Hiya, Truecaller, and Nomorobo are a step in the right direction, but we need these features to be built into every phone system by default.
Public awareness campaigns: Educating people about common scams and how to protect themselves can help limit the success of these fraudulent calls.
Opt-in systems for legitimate calls: What if businesses and political campaigns could only call us if we explicitly opted in? That way, we’d have more control over who can contact us.

What Do You Think?

I’m tired of feeling like my phone is more of a liability than a tool. Scam calls are making our phones almost worthless, and something needs to change. But what about you? Are you facing the same problem? Do you ignore unknown numbers, too? And what solutions would you like to see to stop this epidemic of scam calls?Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s start the conversation, because if we don’t demand change, who will?

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About the Cover Picture: What would you do if your body remembered a story the world tried to erase?

Marisol Reyes believed her life was ordinary, until the night words began to surface on her skin. They burn like embers and speak of a past she has never known: a forgotten village, a family secret, and a legacy passed through blood and bone across generations. Her grandmother carried these memories in silence. Now the words have found their way to her.

As Marisol uncovers the truth about San Miguel de la Luz, a village destroyed in 1963 and erased from history, she learns that her family’s story is woven into the ambitions of a powerful corporation desperate to keep its secrets buried. With the help of Daniel Medina (a boy whose own family is bound to the betrayal that led to San Miguel’s destruction), Marisol must choose whether to remain silent or risk everything to bring the truth into the light.

Written in Skin is a gripping novel of magical realism, historical trauma, and the fight to reclaim lost histories. Perfect for fans of Isabel Allende, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and stories that braid the mystical with the deeply human, this is a tale about memory, resilience, and the power of words that refuse to stay buried.

Get your copy here.