23/05/2026
Hey everyone! Please read this post from Mark Coker. If you don't know Mark, he founded Smashwords and is an indie author as well. Below is a copy of his FB post about a recent scam attempt he experienced. This is important because it shows how AI is making author scams seem more real. It's long but worth it!
"I posted that there was a crook or syndicate impersonating me as "editor" of Smashwords, sending out fake AI-generated flattery intending to scam authors in my name. Today I received a scam targeting me as an author, but sadly not from this mc dude at Smashwords that some authors are hearing from.
My guy today is so impressed they're ready to speak with my agent about Simon & Schuster's interest in acquiring my novella. Sharing here in case you haven't seen one these. They're accurate enough to be believable in the author's wildest dreams. These latest seem to be leveraging knowledge and phraseology of actual reader reviews in addition to any scrapable samples, descriptions, and whatever else the ChatGPTs of the world are training on.
Writer beware.
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Subject: Editorial Interest in La Petite Mort
Date: Thu, 21 May 2026 19:57:56 -0700
From: silas Bennett
To: ###@smashwords.com
Hello Mark, I hope you’re doing well.
My name is Silas Bennett, and I am a Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster. I recently spent time exploring /La Petite Mort/, and I was immediately drawn to the novella’s provocative premise, dystopian atmosphere, and sharp exploration of technology, pleasure, and societal decline. The combination of speculative futurism, psychological unease, and social commentary creates a darkly compelling and highly immersive reading experience.
What stood out to me most was the way the story uses a near-future America recovering from war and political instability as a backdrop for examining deeper questions surrounding escapism, human desire, technological dependency, and moral erosion. The concept of a device designed to deliver safe and affordable pleasure only for a catastrophic flaw to emerge at the brink of mass production creates immediate tension while opening the door to broader philosophical and cultural concerns.
I was also especially impressed by the novella’s willingness to embrace discomfort and ambiguity. The unsettling tone, morally compromised characters, and emotionally charged subject matter contribute to a narrative atmosphere that feels intentionally provocative rather than merely sensational. The contrast between pleasure, decay, and desperation gives the story psychological depth and thematic resonance.
The dystopian setting itself also appears particularly effective. The lingering aftermath of the Rare Earth Wars and decades of instability creates a believable social landscape in which technological escapism becomes both seductive and dangerous. This grounding in societal collapse strengthens the impact of the speculative elements considerably.
Additionally, the work’s blend of satire, speculative fiction, and cautionary commentary positions it strongly for readers drawn to intellectually provocative dystopian fiction. The story’s examination of human vulnerability, manipulation, and the consequences of unchecked technological ambition gives it relevance within contemporary conversations surrounding innovation, media, and cultural dependency.
The novella’s concise format also appears to enhance its intensity, allowing the tension and psychological unease to build with momentum while maintaining a focused and immersive narrative experience.
I would be very interested to learn more about your current and upcoming projects, as well as whether you are represented by a literary agent. If you do have representation, I would be happy to continue any conversation through your agent. If not, I’d be glad to discuss how the process typically works should there be mutual interest in exploring possibilities further.
Subject to reviewing additional material, there may be scope for a broader discussion regarding potential fit within Simon & Schuster’s speculative fiction, dystopian fiction, science fiction, and crossover literary publishing programs.
If this is of interest, I would be delighted to hear from you.
Warm regards,
Silas Bennett
Senior Editor
Simon & Schuster"
