AI publishing scams: How authors can protect themselves at The London Book Fair 2027

The publishing industry is built on relationships, trust and opportunity. But as artificial intelligence makes it easier to create convincing emails, websites and online identities, authors are increasingly being targeted by sophisticated scams.

Whether you're seeking an agent, exploring self-publishing, or attending an international event like The London Book Fair (LBF), knowing how to recognise fraudulent approaches is now an essential part of building your publishing career.

The good news is that the industry is responding. The Society of Authors (SoA) and the Writers' Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) have issued joint guidance to help writers identify and avoid fraudulent activity, encouraging authors to verify publishing opportunities carefully before signing contracts, transferring rights or making payments. Many scams are designed not only to obtain money, but also to persuade authors to sign away valuable publishing rights.

At The London Book Fair, we're committed to helping authors access trusted information, reputable organisations and expert guidance so they can navigate publishing with confidence.

✔  Unexpected approach
✔  Unsolicited offer
✔  Pressure to act quickly
✔  Requests for money or rights
✔  Difficult to verify independently

While scams vary, many involve several common tactics.

1.  An unexpected approach

An author receives an unsolicited email, direct message or phone call expressing interest in their work.

2.  False credibility

The sender claims to represent:

• a literary agency
• a publishing house
• a marketing or publicity company
• or an established publishing professional.

Many scammers copy branding, logos and even staff names from legitimate organisations.

3.  Flattery and excitement

Messages often praise the author's writing, suggest the manuscript has exceptional commercial potential or claim it has been "discovered" by industry professionals. 

Increasingly, scammers use AI to scrape online reviews, book summaries and author directory listings to create highly personalised messages that appear to come from someone familiar with an author's work.

4.  An attractive opportunity

Authors may be offered:

• literary representation
• a publishing contract
• paid marketing services
• international book fair exposure
• industry connections 

5.  Pressure to act

Eventually the conversation turns to urgency, payment or contracts.

Common warning signs include:

• upfront fees
• expensive promotional packages
• requests to transfer publishing rights
• demands for immediate decisions.

If an opportunity feels unusually urgent, unexpectedly flattering or difficult to verify, it's worth taking a step back.

Some of the most common red flags include:

• unsolicited offers of representation or publication
• requests for payment before any professional service has been delivered
• pressure to respond within 24–48 hours
• claims that cannot be independently verified
• interest in unpublished manuscripts without any prior submission
• impressive-looking websites with little publishing history or no independent reputation.

Genuine publishing professionals will not object to authors taking time to seek independent advice.

The Society of Authors and Writers' Guild of Great Britain recommend taking a measured approach before responding.

A simple verification process includes:

1. Don't respond immediately.
2. Research the individual or company independently.
3. Contact the organisation using the details published on its official website rather than replying directly to the email. 
4. If someone claims to represent a genuine publisher or literary agent, report the impersonation to the real organisation so they are aware their identity is being misused.
5. Ask a trusted publishing professional or adviser if you're unsure.
6. Report suspected impersonation or fraudulent activity where appropriate.

Scammers may also make contact by telephone. Some are able to spoof caller ID so that calls appear to come from a trusted organisation, publisher or even a bank. As with emails, independently verify who you're speaking to before sharing information or agreeing to anything.

The SoA and WGGB also recommend avoiding publishing your email address wherever possible. Instead, use a contact form on your website or author profile so you can reduce unwanted approaches while remaining accessible to genuine industry professionals.

Most importantly, never sign a publishing contract or rights agreement until you fully understand its terms and have sought professional advice where needed.

The London Book Fair welcomes authors looking to better understand the publishing industry, grow their knowledge and build meaningful professional connections.

LBF is an excellent place to learn:

• how the publishing industry works
• current and emerging publishing trends
• what is selling across different markets
• how to build an audience for your work
• how rights, licensing and international publishing operate
• where to find trusted organisations and professional guidance.

Author HQ hosts sessions designed specifically for:

• traditionally published authors
• aspiring writers
• independent authors
• self-published authors.

Sessions cover everything from finding an agent and understanding publishing contracts to marketing, discoverability and career development. Authors can also attend talks across the wider Fair covering publishing trends, rights and the evolving marketplace.

The 2027 programme will be announced later this year, while recordings and session listings from previous years provide an excellent introduction to the topics covered.

Held on the Monday before the Fair opens, the LBF Writers' Summit is a dedicated conference created exclusively for authors.

Designed to provide practical publishing knowledge, expert insights and professional development opportunities, bookings for the 2027 Summit will open in the autumn.

New for 2027, the expanded Author Lounge, located close to Author HQ, will offer authors a welcoming space throughout the Fair to:

• ask individual questions
• meet useful publishing organisations
• access trusted advice
• connect with industry experts.

For authors unsure about contracts, publishing services or opportunities they've received, speaking directly with recognised organisations can provide valuable reassurance before making important decisions.

Like many major international events, The London Book Fair's reputation can unfortunately be misused by scammers seeking to add credibility to fraudulent offers.

Authors should remember:

• Always obtain professional advice before signing any publishing contract.
• Never feel pressured into paying for exhibition space, promotional services or publishing packages without carefully verifying the provider.
• Independently confirm any organisation claiming to represent or partner with LBF.

To help support independent authors and reduce the risk of fraudulent exhibition offers, The London Book Fair has partnered with Combined Book Exhibit, providing a trusted route for independent authors wishing to display their books during the Fair. Further information will be available via The London Book Fair website.

One of the most common misconceptions about The London Book Fair is that authors can arrange one-to-one pitch meetings with literary agents.

In reality, The London Book Fair is not a venue for individual manuscript pitches or unsolicited meetings with agents.

Instead, authors can gain something even more valuable: insight.

Across the Fair you'll find opportunities to hear directly from agents about:

• what they're looking for
• how the submissions process works
• how to write effective query letters
• current market trends
• what makes a manuscript stand out.

Formal meetings at LBF are generally reserved for publishing professionals conducting rights business on behalf of existing clients.

Understanding how the process works helps authors prepare stronger submissions through the appropriate channels after the event.

Publishing decisions involving contracts, rights or payments should always be approached carefully. Taking time to verify an opportunity and seek professional advice can help authors make informed decisions and avoid increasingly sophisticated scams. 

Reputable agents, publishers and industry organisations expect authors to ask questions, seek independent advice and take time to make informed decisions.

By combining expert guidance from organisations such as the Society of Authors and the Writers' Guild of Great Britain with the educational opportunities available at The London Book Fair, authors can confidently navigate today's publishing landscape while avoiding increasingly sophisticated scams.

• AI is making publishing scams more convincing than ever before.
• The Society of Authors and the Writers' Guild of Great Britain have issued joint guidance to help writers identify and avoid fraudulent activity.
• Be cautious of unsolicited publishing offers, requests for upfront payment and pressure to make quick decisions.
• Always verify agents, publishers and publishing services independently before signing contracts or transferring rights.
• The London Book Fair is an opportunity to learn from trusted experts, understand the publishing industry and build informed professional connections.
• Author HQ, the LBF Writers' Summit and the expanded Author Lounge all provide reliable sources of guidance for authors at every stage of their publishing journey.
• Legitimate publishing relationships are built on transparency, professionalism and trust - not urgency.

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