Scammer Using this Group > Likes and Comments
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Mad wrote: "This is a fake news"Such fake news that you felt compelled to make a whole Goodreads account JUST to respond to this comment. Definitely not a real scamer getting nervous the people you've sent to this page might see this and be more hesitant about sending you money.
Just came to this site to check if this info is real bc my client who is an author received a very convincing email about this very topic, so thank you for posting this was very helpful.Just FYI, the person posed as Sabrina Barr
Selection Team, Around the World in 80 Books
I joined this group because I just got an email from Terri G, Literary Reviewer at "Around the World in 80 Books." I'm not saying there's anything wrong with this, but when I searched for the group name, it warned me about scams. So I'm wondering what you think. she wrote from a gmail address and she has a profile on Goodreads. Apparently, I was contacted because of my recent book A THIRD TAIL, and they want to feature me in their 2026 Author Spotlight Program. I asked if there's a charge, and was told there was, and I promptly received a detailed pdf telling me all about the benefits of being in this program, but she omitted the part about how much it would cost. The person who contacted me was very nice, but I always want to find some confirmation when something seems too good to be true.
David wrote: "I joined this group because I just got an email from Terri G, Literary Reviewer at "Around the World in 80 Books." I'm not saying there's anything wrong with this, but when I searched for the grou..."
Please don't give anyone money! A quick scroll through this group will show you they don't run paid promotions or author spotlights. Most likely "Terri" is either a hacked or newly created Goodreads account using AI to put specific details about your book in their emails with you to make it sound like they've read it.
What's the full name of her goodread profile? There's only 1 Terri G. in this group and they haven't been active here for a very long time
SK wrote: "Just came to this site to check if this info is real bc my client who is an author received a very convincing email about this very topic, so thank you for posting this was very helpful.Just FYI,..."
Mine was from a Joey A. and there's another commenter saying they got a similar email from a different fake persona. If you're reading this because you received an email, just because it didn't come from one of the people we've flagged doesn't mean it's not a scam.
This scam is prevalent on goodreads right now.
I had someone message me on Twitter for a free reader spotlight, but they wanted a process fee. They're using the name Olivia Brooks.
FYI mine was fgrom Dafne Flego (what a name) - a Community Reader and Community Member. The real giveaway was her Gmail account: defneflagoinfo@gmail.com as gmail accounts are often promotion payment scams.So I played along to see her Participation Options:
1 Month Feature – $200
Featured placement on the Reading Challenge list
Dedicated reader discussion thread
Community spotlight and check-in posts
Targeted introductions to readers interested in thrillers, mystery, conspiracy fiction, and literary suspense
Relevant Goodreads Listopia opportunities
Opportunity to highlight the trilogy as a connected body of work
Space to introduce readers to the themes, research, and inspiration behind the trilogy
Optional author participation
2 Months Feature – $400
Everything included in the 1 Month Feature
Additional month of visibility
Bonus community newsletter promotion
Social media feature
Extended reader discussion and engagement
Continued visibility for the trilogy and its individual books
Additional opportunity to explore the historical and international elements of the story
3 Months Feature – $600
Everything in the previous options
Priority placement on the Reading Challenge list
Featured author interview
Dedicated author spotlight
Continued promotion throughout the feature period
Opportunity to highlight the story behind the trilogy and the research that went into its creation
Additional reader engagement around the themes of truth, power, history, conspiracy, and survival."
This is most the detailed promotion for a scammer I've ever seen, but Around the World Community doesn't do author paid promotions or author spotlights, so it must be a scam?
If you recive an email like this, don't send any money.
AM writes
I was contacted by someone identifying herself as Rachel B, “Literary Reviewer at Around the World in 80 Books,” using the email address hello.rachelb.rr@gmail.com. The email included a link to what appears to be Rachel B’s legitimate Goodreads profile and used her photograph.I was told that my children’s book, Dante’s Cool Wheels, had been selected for consideration for a “2026 Author Spotlight Program.” I was then offered paid promotional packages: $200 for 2 months, $400 for 4 months, $800 for 8 months, or $1,200 for 12 months.
The packages supposedly include an author feature page, monthly spotlight posts, community discussions, targeted reader introductions, and ongoing support.
After finding this discussion, I became concerned because my experience appears very similar to what other authors here have reported.
Can one of the group moderators please confirm whether Rachel B is affiliated with Around the World in 80 Books in an official capacity and whether this “2026 Author Spotlight Program” is actually authorized by this group?
I have screenshots of the emails and payment offer if the moderators would like to see them.
Thank you. I’m posting this both to verify what I received and to help alert other authors in case someone is impersonating a legitimate member of this community.
Alex wrote: "David wrote: "I joined this group because I just got an email from Terri G, Literary Reviewer at "Around the World in 80 Books." I'm not saying there's anything wrong with this, but when I searche..."
Terri Gulyas
Literary Reviewer at Around the World in 80 Books
e. info.terrigulyas.en@gmail.com
w. https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7...
How many authors are hearing from people claiming to be "New York Times Best-Selling Authors" who want to know more about you and your books? I have heard from a number of them ever since my latest book won and award. They have all the links to the real (famous) author, but the email address is a gmail address not associated with the author. I have used the links to contact the agencies actually representing these authors, and haven't heard back from a single one of them. Maybe this is very old news to them? I recently read an article about all the AI fake letters being sent to authors. Some of these fakes have written to me a half-dozen times or more and I have no idea what they are getting out of this, as they're not asking me for money or anything. Do they just like fooling people? Maybe they're failed writers and want to make other writers -- more successful than them -- feel bad?
I received an email from LIZZY HANKS, who wanted to promote my recently published book on this site. There are frauds and scammers everywhere.
Hi everyone,I’m posting this simply for transparency and verification.
I’m Diane, the administrator of Around the World in 80 Book, and this is my established Goodreads account. I also communicate with authors independently about reader-facing book visibility and feature opportunities connected with the communities I manage.
To be clear, these are independent services and are not official Goodreads services.
My current visibility options are:
• Focused Reader Placement — $200
• Positioning + Reader Placement — $350
• Full Interpretation + Visibility Support — $650
The email address I use for author correspondence is also my own.
I’m sharing this because there have been concerns about people contacting authors while claiming to represent Goodreads groups or administrators. I want authors who receive correspondence from me to have a straightforward way to verify that the communication is genuinely from me.
Thank you.
If you guys want some more information on the scams going on (they're using multiple groups) here's a link to a discussion in another group that held some useful (and even entertaining) information:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
The account above ("Diane") joined this group not 10 hours ago.
This is the account of the actual administrator:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2...
their information was simply copy-pasted in. It's pretty obvious, but just in case, I wanted to point it out.
Sorry if anyone got their hopes up.
If you're a moderator for this group I'd suggest adding a brief "no one from this group will reach out asking for money" to the group info since presumably they've been reaching out to a lot of authors.