Most authors will tell you that we get offers every day from people who say they want to help us promote our brand or get published. I’m pretty used to these emails and just delete them, but I got one recently that made me pause. Here’s the first line: “What if you could become a published author without typing a single word?”

The sender explained that I could just “relax and chat” and through “transcription magic” a manuscript would be born. Then the “team” would proofread and edit the work, provide a “beautiful cover” and post the book on “Amazon and other major book retailers in as little as 2-3 weeks.” I’m going to guess here that this is simply a scam, meant to separate unsuspecting people from their money, but let’s assume it’s legitimate.

The whole idea was addressed to “’wannabe’ authors who have the knowledge but not the time, (to make) this is a dream come true.” Just for clarification, I checked the definition of wannabe, which is a person who tries to be like someone else or to fit in with a particular group of people. Note that the word generally carries a negative connotation, so perhaps those behind the email could do a better job of chosing their words, which, ironically, would pretty much be the definition of writing.

That said, I’m afraid that solicitations like this might actually appeal to certain people, which makes me want to scream. Still, I sense that some will fall for it and then go out and proudly claim to be authors, which is offensive to those of us who have immersed ourselves in the difficult world of publishing.

I have been writing books and painstakingly worked to get them out in the world for over 30 years, and it has been a long, difficult journey. Let’s just say that despite having written six traditionally published novels—which means a publisher has paid the bills—I must still depend on a pension and Social Security to keep a roof over my head, because since the advent of Amazon, making a living as an author has become increasingly difficult. The message? Please don’t quit your day job.

Be assured that if you let a company like the one above produce your book or you feed your information into AI, that “brilliant” memoir about your family will, in all likelihood, not sell more than 100 copies. And since you would most likely have to pay to publish your book, you will lose money in the long run.

Note that there are exceptions to not writing a book yourself, like those in the non-fiction world who can and do use ghost writers. I have no problem with that. But in the world of fiction and narrative nonfiction—think memoirs—I believe it’s the author’s duty to do their own writing if they want to proudly wear that author cap.

What offends me most is the idea that one might become an author “without typing a single word”, because there’s no point in being an author if you don’t enjoy the process. While you might disagree, the definition of author is quite clear: a writer of a book, article, or report. So if you’re not a writer you’re not an author. And I would greatly appreciate it if you would refrain from calling yourself one if you can’t do the work.

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

NEXT CHAPTER PUBLISHING

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

When she returns to her job as a National Park Ranger at “The Castle”—a centuried-old Native American pueblo carved into an Arizona cliff—Maggie hopes the comfort of familiar ground will help her heal. Battling trauma and the grief of unimaginable loss, Maggie’s days are carefully measured, her life held together by the thinnest of threads.

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

With the help of friends, fellow survivors, and the land itself, Maggie begins to reclaim her strength. But the danger is closer than she knows, and soon Maggie will have to face a deadly threat… and her deepest fears.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

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Praise for The Castle

“A deftly written and riveting read from cover to cover, “The Castle” effectively showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine mastery of the Romantic Suspense genre.” – Midwest Book Review

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“This is a novel about good rage, about channeling the injustices of the world around us and fighting to do some good with both words and deeds. Lucky for readers, it was penned by a maestra like Anne Montgomery, so that we got a tense, powerful novel in the bargain too.” – Jennifer deBie-Rosie Amber Book Reviews

“Ms. Montgomery manipulates uncomfortable subjects and dark suspense into a gripping tale with hints of romance and humor carefully guiding readers on an informative journey of survival and self-discovery.“ Tonya Mathenia InD’tale Magazine

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

“Ms. Montgomery has an almost magical talent to draw the reader into the worlds she creates through her words. Her characters are interesting, vulnerable and strong. While describing the locations in which her books are set, she weaves history with vivid images, immersing the reader in a hard-to-put-down story full of history, beauty and mystery.” – Margaret Millmore Author