Published authors are receiving scam emails that invite them to feature on Shine Radio’s Talking Books podcast.
The emails are fraudulent.
At first glance they appear genuine. They are well-written, personalised, and often reference the author’s work, giving the impression of a legitimate media opportunity. However, in many cases, these emails are not what they seem.
The correspondence is using the good name and reputation of Shine Radio, our book programme Talking Books and the names of popular presenters like Suzie Wilde, Tim O’Kelly, Stephen Martin and Laura Sheppard.
How the scammers make money
Some recipients have been asked to pay fees for securing an interview slot, provide personal details, or click on suspicious links. The apparent use of artificial intelligence means these messages can be tailored to individual authors, making them far more convincing than traditional scam emails.
Shine Radio will never ask for money to appear in an interview.
This is part of a wider rise in AI-generated scam emails, where cybercriminals use advanced tools to create highly believable messages. By targeting specific groups, like authors, they increase their chances of success
Red flags to watch out for
If you receive an email claiming to be from Shine Radio’s Talking Books, keep an eye out for these warning signs.
- Requests for payment – Legitimate interviews never require payment.
- Pressure to act quickly – Urgent language encouraging you to respond or pay immediately.
- Suspicious links or attachments – Especially if they don’t match official websites.
- Inconsistent details – Email addresses, branding or information that doesn’t align with legitimate Shine Radio details.
How to protect yourself
- Verify independently – Look up the podcast or organisation through official channels and contact us directly, you can use the contact us feature on our website or email us at team@shineradio.uk
- Don’t click on links – Scam links can take you to fake websites designed to steal passwords, financial details, or install malicious software on your device without you realising.
- Trust your instincts – If something feels off, it’s worth double-checking.
Have you received a similar email?
We’d like to hear from you. Sharing your experience can help warn others and prevent further scams in the community.
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Hi, thanks for flagging this on your site. Here’s the email I just received and I instantly suspected a scam. It came from the email address: team.shineradio.uklaura@gmail.com
Dear Steven,
I am writing from Petersfield’s Shine Radio. We recently read about your move back to Dorset and your transition from London banking to the world of psychological thrillers.
As a community broadcaster in the “Petersphere,” we love featuring local voices. We would like to invite you for a short 10–15 minute interview to discuss your Debt Goes Bad series and your experience setting up Eden Park Publishing. We’d also love to hear a bit about your beagle sisters, Lola and Lucy!
We can conduct this via a remote link at your convenience.
Best regards,
The Shine Radio Team
Petersfield’s Shine Radio | You make it shine
W: shineradio.uk
A: Antrobus House, College Street, Petersfield, GU31 4AD
Follow us for local stories: Facebook | Instagram
Thanks Steve – this is very useful – thank you for sharing.
I also received this scam email. Though I have published numerous short stories, I have not published a book. Below is the entire exchange:
Hello Alexander
I hope this message finds you well.
I’m reaching out from Shine Radio UK FM, where we curate and present standout books to our listening audience through a dedicated on-air feature.
As part of our editorial selection process, your book stood out to us for its quality and audience appeal, and we would like to consider it for an upcoming broadcast segment.
This feature is designed to go beyond simple mentions. We present selected titles in a way that captures attention, builds curiosity, and introduces authors to a wider, engaged audience. Our listeners value meaningful recommendations, and our goal is to position each featured book where it can generate genuine interest and discovery.
If selected, your book will be:
• Presented to a broad and attentive radio audience
• Highlighted through a structured and engaging on-air segment
• Positioned to expand visibility and attract new readers
• Supported by additional awareness around the feature
We are currently finalizing our next lineup of featured titles and would be pleased to share more details with you.
Please let me know if you would like to receive further information on how your book can be included.
Warm regards,
Suzie Wilde
Shine Radio UK
Radio Feature Opportunity for Your Book FM
I replied – Do not email me again. – and received this message:
Hello Alexander,
Thank you for your message.
I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. We have removed your contact details from our mailing list, and you will not receive any further emails from us.
Wishing you all the best with your work.
Kind regards,
Suzie Wilde
Shine Radio UK
I received one as well. It looked fishy, but I had trouble finding this post so I contacted the radio station directly to let them know. The scammer has sent three follow up emails just checking to see if I’m interested. They also included a picture from this website in the initial email.
It almost look legit. I really hope no one falls for it!
Thank you so much for letting us know, Kelly.
NB: This is a scam email falsely claiming to be from Shine Radio.
Hello TG Hardy,
I am reaching out on behalf of Talking Books at Petersfield’s Shine Radio.
I recently came across Where the Sabiá Bird Sings and was struck by its atmospheric portrayal of identity, longing, and resilience, as well as its richly drawn journey between Rio de Janeiro and Annapolis. The memoir-style narrative and the cultural texture woven through Jean-Pierre Sinclair’s story make for a deeply evocative reading experience.
As part of our literary programming, we are currently inviting a select group of authors, from established voices to debut novelists and emerging writers, to join us for upcoming broadcast conversations exploring the craft of storytelling and the ideas that shape remarkable books.
Hosted by Suzie Wilde and Tim O’Kelly, Talking Books is a space devoted to thoughtful discussion about writing, imagination, and the enduring power of narrative. Through Shine Radio’s award-winning volunteer-run platform, we connect writers with an engaged audience of readers who value meaningful literary conversation.
We are currently scheduling our next round of author features and would be delighted to explore including your work in our upcoming programming calendar.
This would be a wonderful opportunity to discuss your writing journey, the inspirations behind Where the Sabiá Bird Sings, and your exploration of belonging, cultural identity, and memory with our growing local and digital audience.
If this is of interest, simply reply with:
Interested
and I will share full details regarding available recording dates and feature information.
Any information you provide in response will be used solely for coordinating this invitation in accordance with Shine Radio’s privacy practices.
Warm regards,
Suzie Wilde
Host, Talking Books
Is this bogus?
Very much so – a good example of the ploy out there in the wild. Hope you haven’t been hoodwinked by the flattery of scammers.
Hi, I also received one of these. My novel Before We Turn to Dust seems NOT up the podcast’s alley-being the tale of a love triangle that led to a famous early 20th century Texas feud.
Definitely NOT English, not local. Nor am I, though I lived in London briefly and attended an English girls’ school.
(And am a better reader and writer for it.)
The request for payment was a non-starter for me and the ridiculously prompt appointment times were also a big red flag.
With AI, these pitches have gotten more and more sophisticated sounding, and I’ve become wary. I ignore almost all of them.
The twist here is that this program really DOES exist and you can find it online.
Through listening to the podcast—which I loved btw—I learned that you will be sending a cease and desist letter. If you can find the source of this spam, that seems a good idea.
In any case, you found a new listener even if I didn’t find a new audience. Thank you for calling all this out.
All best,
Clara
Hello and thanks for posting the scam warning. I came close to getting hooked, even offered to make a $100 donation. So glad I did the due diligence via your website warning. Here’s the entire exchange:
Dear Tom,
Thank you for your prompt reply.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 4:00 PM (UK time) works perfectly, and I’ve noted that as our tentative appointment.
Thank you as well for your generous $100 contribution in support of our community broadcasting efforts. It is greatly appreciated.
And yes, absolutely we will provide listeners with information on how they can learn more about and order The Woman She Left Behind. Our goal is to introduce our audience to both the author and the work, and we’ll be happy to include the relevant book details as part of the feature.
Please feel free to send the PDF copy of the book, along with the JPG author photo and any author biography or promotional information you’d like us to have. These materials will help us prepare for the conversation and ensure we can introduce your work properly.
For your contribution, would you prefer to make payment via PayPal, or would you prefer that we send you an invoice? Just let me know which option is most convenient for you, and I’ll provide the relevant details.
Thank you again, Tom. We look forward to speaking with you on June 3rd and learning more about the remarkable journey behind The Woman She Left Behind.
Warm regards,
Kind regards
shine radio.
On Sat, May 30, 2026, 8:35 PM Tom Huggler wrote:
Hello again,
My preferred date and time is Wednesday, June 3, 2026 – 4:00 PM (UK time)
I would contribute $100 (U.S.) for the opportunity, assuming listeners would be provided with details for ordering my book.
I can email-attach a PDF of the book for your host(s) to reviewand provide a JPG and author info for your website.
Please let me know and thank you.
Tom
On Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 12:26:13 PM EDT, Peters Fields wrote:
Dear Tom,
Thank you for your response. I’m delighted to hear of your interest.
The next step would be a brief introductory call where we can discuss the interview format, answer any questions you may have, and confirm the details of your feature.
I currently have the following availability:
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 – 11:00 AM (UK time)
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 – 4:00 PM (UK time)
Thursday, June 4, 2026 – 12:00 PM (UK time)
Please let me know which of these options works best for you, or feel free to suggest an alternative time if needed.
As part of supporting Shine Radio’s ongoing community and charitable broadcasting efforts, we invite featured authors to make a voluntary contribution. There is no fixed fee, and participation is entirely based on whatever amount you feel comfortable donating. Every contribution is greatly appreciated and helps us continue producing literary programming and author conversations for our audience.
If you decide to move forward, may I ask what amount you would feel comfortable contributing toward the feature? Once I hear back from you, I’ll be happy to provide the next details and confirm our call.
Thank you again for your interest. I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Kind regards
shine radio.
On Sat, May 30, 2026, 5:18 PM Tom Huggler wrote:
Thank you for responding. By all means, please send interview particulars.
Tom Huggler, Author
THE WOMAN SHE LEFT BEHIND
On Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 12:12:44 PM EDT, Peters Fields wrote:
Dear Tom,
Thank you for your thoughtful reply, and no worries at all regarding the delay. I’m glad the message eventually reached you.
We’re delighted to hear that you’d be interested in joining us for a conversation about The Woman She Left Behind. The additional context you’ve shared about retracing Rachel Barnum’s journey is particularly fascinating and would make for a compelling part of the discussion. The research process behind historical fiction often provides listeners with a deeper appreciation of both the story and the author’s creative journey, and we’d love to explore that during the interview.
Thank you as well for your generous offer to share review copies. That would certainly be helpful as we prepare for the feature and familiarize ourselves more fully with the novel.
The next step would be for us to send over the details of the interview opportunity, including how the feature works and what participation would involve. Once you’ve had a chance to review the information, you can decide whether you’d like to move forward.
If you’re interested in taking the next step, please let me know, and I’ll be happy to send everything across.
Thank you again for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Kind regards
shine radio.
On Thu, May 28, 2026, 5:33 PM Tom Huggler wrote:
Dear Stephen,
My apologies for not responding sooner. Apparently, my software didn’t recognize your email address; consequently, your kind inquiry went to spam, and I just now retrieved it.
I would be delighted to interview with your hosts and discuss the themes you highlighted. The novel includes “The Making of a Historical Fiction,” an essay that explains how retracing protagonist Rachel Barnum’s journey, step by step and by identical modes of travel, provided me with insights into the dilemma and challenges she faced. Interviewers find this personal research as intriguing as the novel.
I’m happy to share copies with you and others who wish to read the novel. Thank you for contacting me. I look forward to hearing from you, and assure I will respond promptly!
Sincerely,
Tom Huggler, author
THE WOMAN SHE LEFT BEHIND
(989) 714-1407 mobile
https://www.TomHuggler.com
On Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 10:12:34 AM EDT, Peters Fields wrote:
Dear Tom Huggler,
I hope you are having a productive week.
My name is Stephen Martin, and I am reaching out from Shine Radio (Petersfield), where our Talking Books-style segment features thoughtful, in-depth conversations with authors. Our programming often explores how contemporary writing engages with questions of identity, memory, and the emotional and social frameworks that shape human experience.
I’m reaching out to invite you for a feature conversation about your book, The Woman She Left Behind.
We were particularly drawn to the evocative title The Woman She Left Behind, which suggests a narrative shaped by absence, memory, and the emotional consequences of separation or departure. It offers strong potential for discussing relationships, identity, and the ways people are reshaped by the choices and losses of others.
In our conversation, we would be delighted to explore themes such as:
• The inspiration behind The Woman She Left Behind
• The meaning of the title and its emotional resonance
• Themes of separation, memory, and identity
• Character journeys shaped by absence or change
• Emotional and relational complexity within the narrative
• What you hope readers take away from the book
At Shine Radio, we value reflective and engaging discussions that move beyond simple summaries to explore the deeper meaning and impact of a writer’s work. We aim to create a space where authors can share both their creative journey and the ideas behind their writing in a natural, conversational way.
The interview would be conducted remotely at a time convenient for you.
We would be delighted to feature The Woman She Left Behind with our audience.
Warm regards,
Stephen Martin
Shine Radio (Petersfield)
Thank you for posting the warning. It was helpful to be able to check as I received this today, which seemed odd especially as I’m in Australia:
Dear Trudy,
I hope you are having a productive week.
My name is Stephen Martin,and I am reaching out from Shine Radio (Petersfield), where our Talking Books-style segment features thoughtful, in-depth conversations with authors. Our programming often explores how contemporary writing engages with questions of identity, memory, and the emotional and social frameworks that shape human experience.
I’m reaching out to invite you for a feature conversation about your work. We’re particularly interested in how your writing contributes to wider discussions around storytelling, personal and collective history, and the ways narrative can illuminate complex aspects of the human condition.
In our conversation, we would be delighted to explore themes such as:
The ideas and inspirations that shape your work
How your writing engages with identity, memory, and lived experience
Your creative process and approach to storytelling
The broader social or emotional questions your work brings into focus
At Shine Radio, we value reflective, engaging discussions that move beyond simple summaries to explore the deeper meaning and impact of a writer’s work. We aim to create a space where authors can share both their creative journey and the ideas behind their writing in a natural, conversational way.
The interview would be conducted remotely at a time convenient for you.
I would be delighted to feature you on the programme and share your work with our audience.
Warm regards,
Peters
Shine Radio (Petersfield)
I have been giving this a lot of thought and I have concluded that I will not pay to have an interview. If you really want to interview me, it doesn’t make sense to have to pay for it. I have been interviewed before by another radio show at no cost to me. So, I am going to pass on this opportunity.
Hi received this from a gmail account.
Dear,
I hope you are having a productive week.
My name is Stephen Martin,and I am reaching out from Shine Radio (Petersfield), where our Talking Books-style segment features thoughtful, in-depth conversations with authors. Our programming often explores how contemporary writing engages with questions of identity, memory, and the emotional and social frameworks that shape human experience.
I’m reaching out to invite you for a feature conversation about your work. We’re particularly interested in how your writing contributes to wider discussions around storytelling, personal and collective history, and the ways narrative can illuminate complex aspects of the human condition.
In our conversation, we would be delighted to explore themes such as:
The ideas and inspirations that shape your work
How your writing engages with identity, memory, and lived experience
Your creative process and approach to storytelling
The broader social or emotional questions your work brings into focus
At Shine Radio, we value reflective, engaging discussions that move beyond simple summaries to explore the deeper meaning and impact of a writer’s work. We aim to create a space where authors can share both their creative journey and the ideas behind their writing in a natural, conversational way.
The interview would be conducted remotely at a time convenient for you.
I would be delighted to feature you on the programme and share your work with our audience.
Warm regards,
Peters
Shine Radio (Petersfield)
I have received two emails from what I thought was your radio station. I must say, I was excited at the thought of having a book conversation with you. Thankfully, you have given us warning on your website.
I have copied the portion of the email I received last night.
Thank you for saying yes, and thank you for writing Holy Idealist. I finished it this week, and I found myself sitting with it long after the final chapter. The way you trace Willi Graf’s quiet, unwavering moral clarity against the machinery of the Third Reich feels extraordinarily resonant right now. In a moment when the world is again wrestling with questions of complicity, courage, and what faith actually demands of us, your book arrives not as a historical curiosity but as a living conversation. That is precisely what Talking Books exists to host.
The interview itself is straightforward and genuinely conversational. We record remotely from our Petersfield studio, so you can join from wherever you are most comfortable. It runs 25 to 30 minutes, just you and me (Tim may pop in briefly), talking as two readers who have spent real time with this story. No formal Q&A, no rapid-fire questions, we follow the book where it leads us.
What the feature includes:
A professionally produced 25–30 minute interview, edited for clarity and flow
Broadcast on Shine Radio with permanent archive access for your website and publicity
A dedicated feature page on the Talking Books site with your book cover, synopsis, and buy links
Social media assets drawn from the interview, ready for your own channels
Inclusion in our monthly newsletter to our core listener base of engaged literary readers
We handle all production, editing, and promotion as part of our dedicated feature packages, which begin at £95, an investment in giving Holy Idealist the sustained visibility it deserves with an audience already seeking exactly this kind of thoughtful, consequential book.
If you would like to move forward, simply reply with the number of your preferred slot:
Tuesday 16 June, 10:30 a.m.
Thursday 18 June, 2:00 p.m.
Monday 22 June, 11:00 a.m.
Holy Idealist deserves readers who will sit with it as I did, readers who need to hear Willi Graf’s story right now, who need to understand what moral courage actually looks like when the cost is real. This feature gives your book a permanent, shareable home with precisely that audience, and a conversation that honours the depth and urgency of what you have written.
Warmly,
Suzie Wilde
Host, Talking Books
I also received one of these spam emails. When I attempted to forward it to my publisher’s publicist to confirm that it was bogus, my email client alerted me that the supposed Shine Radio email address (a Gmail), did not appear to be real. Glad to see that email clients are getting smart enough to help out in this way.
I am another writer targeted by this scam. My instincts told me not to trust the invitation and I contacted the radio station via their website…
I seem to get at least one of these each week and it is becoming quite tedious.
Thank you Shine Radio for your quick response.