Have You Received a Threatening Email About Your Book? Here's What to Do

AI stealing your book?

 

Hi everyone,

As writers, we pour our hearts and souls into our work. So, receiving a threatening email about our book can be incredibly upsetting. Recently, I came across this email circulating from an anonymous sender:

WE HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR BOOK! WE WILL RE-PUBLISH IT USING AI TECHNOLOGY!

This email claims the sender has access to your book and threatens to rewrite it using AI and publish it on Amazon under a different name. It's scary stuff, but let's break it down and see how we can stay safe and protected.

First things first, stay calm. This type of email is likely a scare tactic. Here's why:

• Technically difficult: While AI can be impressive, perfectly replicating a novel is a complex feat. Most AI-generated content is easily detectable.
• Amazon's security: Amazon has robust systems in place to detect plagiarism. A duplicate book wouldn't go unnoticed for long.
• Empty threats: The email relies on fear to control you. If the sender truly intended to rewrite your book, they likely wouldn't announce it beforehand.

Here's what you can do:

• Don't engage with the sender: Responding could encourage further harassment. Simply delete the email.
• Report the email: Forward the email to your email provider as spam or phishing.
• Strengthen your online presence: Enable two-factor authentication on all your accounts, including your KDP account.
• Report the Scam: If you receive a similar email, forward it to reportascam@amazon.com to alert Amazon of potential copyright infringement.
• Consider registering your copyright: While copyright exists as soon as you create your work, registering it strengthens your legal position. See the US Copyright Office: https://www.copyright.gov/ for details on copyright registration.
• Back up your work: Always have a secure backup of your manuscript in case anything happens.

Additional Resources for Copyright Protection:

Several helpful resources can provide further information on copyright protection. These include:

• Rightsclick.com (https://rightsclick.com/)
• The Copyright Alliance (https://copyrightalliance.org/)
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (https://www.wipo.int/)
• Link to Amazon scam reporting page: How to report scams on Amazon
• Your Local Copyright Office 

Our stories are our power. Together, we rise

Remember, the best defense is a strong community. If you receive a similar email, don't hesitate to share it with trusted writer friends or online communities. Talking about it can help reduce fear and empower you to take action.

Finally, keep promoting your work! Don't let threats silence your voice. The more established your book is, the less likely a derivative work will gain traction.

Has anyone else encountered a similar situation? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

By working together, we can navigate these challenges and continue to share our stories with the world.

Happy writing,

Jacklyn