I received this from the “Verashelpfhelp bookclub” the other day:

Hello,

Am Vera, and I coordinate the ShelfHelp Book Club based in Southeast London. We host vibrant monthly gatherings where a diverse community of readers comes together to explore books that inspire meaningful, thoughtful conversation. Each session is intentionally structured; members vote on titles in advance and arrive prepared for rich, engaged discussion.

We would be delighted to feature your book in one of our upcoming meetings. Our “Spotlight Sessions” focus on a single title, allowing members to delve deeply into its themes and perspectives. Our team manages all aspects of the process from establishing reading timelines to guiding the discussion, ensuring your book receives the thoughtful attention it deserves.

ShelfHelp Book Club has built a strong reputation as an enthusiastic and supportive reading community. Because members read ahead and actively participate, every featured book benefits from genuine engagement and meaningful conversation.

If you’re open to it, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss featuring your book in an upcoming session. I am confident it would be a rewarding experience for our readers.

Warm regards,
Vera

Of course, flattered, I replied:

I am curious about this opportunity. What do you need from me?

To which the following was sent:

Hello,

Thank you so much for your openness and curiosity. That truly means a lot, and I appreciate you taking the time to ask.

At ShelfHelp Book Club, everything we do is rooted in one simple belief: books deserve readers who will truly sit with them, feel them, and talk about them with care. We have grown into a community of over 12,000 active readers who do not just read to finish a book, but read to understand it, reflect on it, and share what it stirred in them.

When an author’s book is featured, it becomes the heart of one of our Spotlight Sessions. Readers commit to your work intentionally. They explore its themes, relate them to their own lives, and engage in thoughtful discussion that gives the book space to breathe and be appreciated. Many authors tell us this kind of focused attention feels deeply rewarding because their words are not rushed past or forgotten.

Our team supports the entire process from start to finish. We coordinate the schedule, guide reader engagement, prepare thoughtful discussion prompts, and ensure your book is presented with clarity, respect, and professionalism. You can simply focus on being the author while we make sure your work is experienced the way it deserves to be.

Authors who participate often gain more than visibility. They gain genuine readers, meaningful feedback, word-of-mouth recommendations, and long-term supporters who continue to talk about the book long after the session ends. It becomes more than a feature. It becomes a connection.

To reserve your place in our upcoming Spotlight Sessions, there is a $105 reservation fee. This secures your slot and allows our creative team to immediately begin preparing your book’s promotional materials so it can be introduced to our readers with care and intention.

Let me ask you something. What do you imagine could happen if your book landed in the hands of over 12,000 readers who are ready to dive deep, reflect honestly, and talk about what your story or message awakened in them?

If this feels aligned with what you want for your book, I would be happy to send you the reservation link now so we can secure your spot immediately and begin working on your book’s presentation right away.

I would love to continue this journey with you.

Warm regards,

Vera

It has everything in it that an up-and-coming author wants to hear, and by the end of the email, they are reaching for the credit card, anxiously wanting to jump on board – only it’s a well-crafted scam:

The “shelf help” or “book club” scam is a prevalent, increasingly AI-driven scheme targeting indie and newly published authors with fraudulent offers of promotion. These scams often use flattering, personalised-sounding emails to trick authors into paying “fees” for inauthentic “spotlights” or “features”. 

How the Book Club Scam Works

• Initial Flattery: Scammers send warm, unsolicited emails claiming that a “book club” or “reading group” has chosen your book for a feature, often praising it profusely to build rapport.
• The “Ask”: After establishing rapport, the scammer requests a payment, often called an “administration fee,” “spotlight fee,” “coordination fee,” or “participation fee” to cover the cost of the event.
• Fake Evidence: The emails are often generated by AI and may falsely claim that hundreds or thousands of members will discuss your book.
• The Disappearance: Once the fee is paid, the scammer either disappears or pressures the author to pay for additional, expensive “marketing services”. 

Common Red Flags

• Unsolicited Contact: The contact comes out of nowhere, usually from a generic Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo account.
• Unusual Payment Requests: Legitimate book clubs do not charge authors to read or discuss their books.
• AI-Generated Content: The praise is generic, and they cannot provide specific details about your book’s content.
• Vague Details: The club cannot provide a link to a group page, photos of past events, or verify their membership.
• WhatsApp or Other Messaging Apps: Scammers often move conversations to WhatsApp to avoid detection. 

How to Protect Yourself

• Never Pay for Book Club Appearances: Legitimate clubs are free, and it is a privilege for them to have an author attend, not the other way around.
• Verify Everything: Search for the book club online. If no credible online presence exists, it is a red flag.
• Ignore and Report: Block the email and report it to your email provider, the Authors Guild, or relevant writing forums.
• Do Not Send Free Files: Scammers may try to harvest your manuscript files. 

Note: If you have been contacted, it is recommended to check with organisations like Writer Beware for the latest information on specific scam names.