Online scams have become more prevalent and more difficult to identify, especially with the expansion of AI. Unfortunately, writers are not immune to being targets of predatory schemes.

In 2026, the Calgary Women’s Literary Club (CWLC) has received emails from writers reporting they had been contacted by an international book club similar in name to the CWLC.

In detailed emails, this alleged club offers writers the opportunity to have their work featured at an upcoming book club meeting, with promotion through banners, flyers, community announcements, and reader reviews. Of course, this is all for a hefty fee!

Writers from around the world have contacted the CWLC to share these emails, identifying them as likely scams. This “book club” may be using a name similar to the CWLC to gain the trust of unsuspecting writers.

The Calgary Women’s Literary Club NEVER charges guest writers/speakers or featured writers who fall within our scheduled program. In addition, the CWLC rarely approaches writers or accepts unsolicited writers to be featured at our meetings.

The Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA), The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC), and various Canadian publishing houses have issued statements about these author-targeted scams. For further information, please refer to the June 2026 article from The Calgary Herald.

Written by Mooréa G.