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Red Flags and Rip-Offs:

HOW AUTHORS CAN SPOT AND AVOID SCAMS

— with Matty Dalrymple & Michael LaRonn —

Red Flags and Rip-Offs:

HOW AUTHORS CAN SPOT & AVOID SCAMS

— with Matty Dalrymple & Michael LaRonn—

Donate what you can

All proceeds will go directly to support EveryLibrary

April 16, 2026
1:00 PM ET

Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for one year. You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation.  Attendees have the ability to chat with the instructor during the live event and ask questions. This webinar is 60-minutes.

A copy of the webinar presentation recording will be added to your Writer's Digest University account as soon as possible after the live webinar. It may take 24-48 hours to process and post in your Writer's Digest University account.

Enroll Now

Donate what you can

All proceeds will go directly to support EveryLibrary

April 16, 2026
1:00 PM ET

Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for one year. You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation.  Attendees have the ability to chat with the instructor during the live event and ask questions. This webinar is 60-minutes.

A copy of the webinar presentation recording will be added to your Writer's Digest University account as soon as possible after the live webinar. It may take 24-48 hours to process and post to your Writer's Digest University account.

Enroll Now

About the webinar

About the webinar

Overview

Authors—especially those navigating the indie publishing world—are frequent targets for scammers. From vanity publishers to fake contests and phishing emails, bad actors exploit both our enthusiasm and our inexperience. In this eye-opening live webinar, you’ll learn how these schemes typically operate and how to recognize the warning signs. You’ll leave with practical strategies for evaluating offers, reviewing contracts, and protecting yourself from fraudulent or misleading opportunities that could harm your author career.

Meet the instructors

Matty Dalrymple

Matty Dalrymple (DAL-rim-ple) is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. ​Matty also podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author, and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors..

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Michael LaRonn

Michael La Ronn is the author of over 100 science fiction, fantasy, and self-help books for authors including The Good Necromancer and Be a Writing Machine. He hosts a YouTube channel called Author Level Up and serves as the Outreach Manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors. Learn more at michaellaronn.com and authorlevelup.com.

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Zoom requirements