The creator of A Song of Ice and Fire is sounding the alarm. George R.R. Martin, through his publisher Penguin Random House, has warned fans to be cautious of scammers online who are pretending to be established writers. These impersonators claim to offer mentorship or writing advice, but their real goal is far more sinister: stealing money, manuscripts, or personal information.
Quick Read
- Scammers are impersonating famous authors online.
- They claim to mentor or advise aspiring writers.
- The goal is often to steal money, manuscripts, or personal data.
Protecting fans and aspiring writers
Penguin Random House explained that scammers are using the names of well‑known authors to trick aspiring writers into sharing sensitive information. The scheme often involves promises of mentorship, feedback, or publishing opportunities. In reality, these are attempts to exploit fans’ trust in beloved figures like Martin. The publisher emphasized that legitimate authors do not solicit money or manuscripts through random online messages.
For fans of Martin, the warning is especially important. The Game of Thrones fandom is vast, and scammers know how to exploit that passion. By impersonating Martin or other high‑profile writers, they can lure unsuspecting fans into handing over valuable work or personal details.
ATTENTION: Recently We’ve been made aware of scammers who are impersonating well known writers online. Here’s a statement issued by Penguin Random House explaining the situation:
Scammers are using established writer’s names and making false claims that they’re interested in…
— George RR Martin (@GRRMspeaking) March 11, 2026
How to stay safe
Penguin Random House advises anyone who receives suspicious communication to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov). They also provide resources at prh.com/prh-fraud to help fans and writers learn more about publishing scams. The key takeaway: if an offer sounds too good to be true, or if someone claiming to be a famous author asks for money or manuscripts, it’s almost certainly a scam.
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