Paul__Michaels
Just a below average author.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2023
- Messages
- 542
- Points
- 133
So, this is a warning for any new authors out there who receive a direct message like this one. This "reader" says they like my work and can't wait to read more. Upon checking their account, they don't have any of my books on their reading list. They don't comment on anyone else's books; however, they follow over 100 authors. Strange, right? It's only after how they respond to me that everything clicks into place. This dude is a so-called "artist," and they have "a few concept ideas for my character," and they want to share them with me.
Oh, boy! The Red Flags are sticking out to this guy like a fucking pincushion.
Red Flag #1: They don't say which character they have ideas for.
I have multiple books. And them being vague is a sign that they haven't read shit. If they truly cared about your novel, book, or series, then they would have brought up one of your characters' names.
Red Flag #2: Zero Comments, but follows over 100 authors.
This is a sign that they just hop on to see who's recently posted on the site and follow a author to direct a message to them later. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone on this guy's follow list has received a message from him with a similar vague "Nice work" to get you to respond. They got me, so it works.
Red Flag #3: They have no obvious portfolio.
If someone is an artist, they would have something to show their work. This guy has jack shit on his account page.
Red Flag #4: They've only been a member for a few days or months.
This guy is in the months category, so he's slyer than most. It isn't definitive, but it is definitely a sign that they create a lot of accounts.
Red Flag #5: An "Artist" is coming to you.
Think about this. You are either a hobbyist, an amateur, or a nobody author, and someone comes up to you and says they love your work so much that they are inspired by it, to the extent that they would love to create art for you. It's, of course, commission-based art—no free rides for you, good sir or madam. They don't care about your work; they care about siphoning money from inexperienced writers while giving you inferior quality art and not doing what you requested. You are better off using AI-generated art than these assholes because they might be using AI Art anyway, so cut out the middleman. And if you want a real artist, then do your research and reach out to one of them.
So, why am I making such a big stink out of this? Because guys like Erik12 are slyer than those idiots who post a comment on a chapter of your work. It's far more apparent that those people are scam artists than people like Erik12. And it annoys the shit out of me that they get money out of hobbyists.
Anyway, I wanted to vent, and this is more of a PSA for new authors than anything else, because it must work to have this many scam artists of late.
That is all.
Oh, boy! The Red Flags are sticking out to this guy like a fucking pincushion.
Red Flag #1: They don't say which character they have ideas for.
I have multiple books. And them being vague is a sign that they haven't read shit. If they truly cared about your novel, book, or series, then they would have brought up one of your characters' names.
Red Flag #2: Zero Comments, but follows over 100 authors.
This is a sign that they just hop on to see who's recently posted on the site and follow a author to direct a message to them later. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone on this guy's follow list has received a message from him with a similar vague "Nice work" to get you to respond. They got me, so it works.
Red Flag #3: They have no obvious portfolio.
If someone is an artist, they would have something to show their work. This guy has jack shit on his account page.
Red Flag #4: They've only been a member for a few days or months.
This guy is in the months category, so he's slyer than most. It isn't definitive, but it is definitely a sign that they create a lot of accounts.
Red Flag #5: An "Artist" is coming to you.
Think about this. You are either a hobbyist, an amateur, or a nobody author, and someone comes up to you and says they love your work so much that they are inspired by it, to the extent that they would love to create art for you. It's, of course, commission-based art—no free rides for you, good sir or madam. They don't care about your work; they care about siphoning money from inexperienced writers while giving you inferior quality art and not doing what you requested. You are better off using AI-generated art than these assholes because they might be using AI Art anyway, so cut out the middleman. And if you want a real artist, then do your research and reach out to one of them.
So, why am I making such a big stink out of this? Because guys like Erik12 are slyer than those idiots who post a comment on a chapter of your work. It's far more apparent that those people are scam artists than people like Erik12. And it annoys the shit out of me that they get money out of hobbyists.
Anyway, I wanted to vent, and this is more of a PSA for new authors than anything else, because it must work to have this many scam artists of late.
That is all.
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A_Few_Concept_Ideas.jpg
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