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).

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

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)