This Week! Protect Yourself: Red Flags and Rip-Offs

[Script Magazine]

Learn to spot and avoid scams--donate what you can!

Script Online | The Writer's Store | Online Education Donate what you can-- All proceeds will go directly to support EveryLibrary April 16, 2026 • 1:00 PM ET Authors—especially those navigating the indie publishing world—are frequent targets for scammers. From vanity publishers to fake contests and phishing emails, bad actors exploit both our enthusiasm and our inexperience. In this eye-opening live webinar, you’ll learn how these schemes typically operate and how to recognize the warning signs. You’ll leave with practical strategies for evaluating offers, reviewing contracts, and protecting yourself from fraudulent or misleading opportunities that could harm your author career. About This Webinar How to identify red flags in solicitations, publishing offers, and agent outreach The SALSA Test for identifying phishing emails Key contractual terms that could jeopardize your rights and royalties How to respond to questionable offers—and when not to respond at all Trusted resources for vetting services Where to report scams and seek redress Indie authors at any stage of their publishing journey Traditionally published authors exploring self-publishing options Writers preparing to publish their first book Author service providers and industry professionals who want to stay informed Anyone who has received a suspicious message and wondered, “Is this legit?”  Red Flags & Ripoffs With Matty Dalrymple & Michael LaRonn April 16, 2026 • 1:00 PM ET Enroll Now! Meet the Instructors Matty Dalrymple (DAL-rim-ple) is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. Matty also podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author, and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. Michael La Ronn is the author of over 100 science fiction, fantasy, and self-help books for authors including The Good Necromancer and Be a Writing Machine. He hosts a YouTube channel called Author Level Up and serves as the Outreach Manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors.  Active Interest Media 2143 Grand Ave Des Moines, IA 50312 USA View online You received this email because you are subscribed to emails from Script Magazine Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive.