Got an email this morning that I thought I could just report as spam and move on, but then I actually read it, and it was weirder than that…
Replies
Clearly a scam – “a thank-you tip, usually matched by authors, which makes the whole process collaborative” is hilarious – but why the hell are they emailing me about a book I haven’t written? Surely, that’s where the scam falls down? So I googled my own name, and…
aug 26, 2025, 8:51 am • 12 0 • view
…as a heckler at the Glasgow Empire once said of Mike and Bernie Winters: “Christ, there's two of them!” I have not made any effort to contact Mr Coates in Massachusetts to inform him of this kind offer, because it’s clearly not kind, but extremely dubious
aug 26, 2025, 8:54 am • 17 0 • view
When Eric Morecambe was asked what he and Ernie Wise would be if they weren't comedians, he replied "Mike and Bernie Winters"
aug 26, 2025, 10:45 am • 0 0 • view
Yes, I just read that when I looked them up to confirm that my memory (of the heckle) was right. A great line from Morecambe, that
aug 26, 2025, 10:46 am • 0 0 • view
Bizarre discovery to make first thing in the morning, though. And discovering that I have an exact namesake raises the question of what I’ll do when an enterprising publisher sees sense and offers me a million-dollar contract for a book of weird history…
aug 26, 2025, 8:55 am • 23 0 • view
Ooh, an update. This is a keen scammer (as you would be, I suppose, if you thought authors were easy marks)
![Screenshot of email from Sylvain Marigold: Re: [rocket emoji] Helping Erased find its readers and reviews Hi [waving emoji] I just wanted to kindly follow up on my previous message. I completely understand you may be busy working on your book or the next one [book and stars emojis], but I’d really love the chance to hear your thoughts. As a quick reminder, I’m part of a private community of readers and reviewers who genuinely enjoy supporting authors by boosting visibility through honest reviews, discussions, and exposure. We’ve already worked with other authors, and it’s always exciting to see how much impact it brings. No rush at all just thought I’d check in and see if this might be something you’d be interested in exploring. [smiley face emoji] Looking forward to hearing from you whenever you get the chance. Warm regards,](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vckf3haopb3yncclmf7o2m3f/bafkreicbbjxiy2lpxfi3tzbseag2hxthpuvzcjjmx6pvzcr5cayejd7kee@jpeg)
aug 27, 2025, 3:29 pm • 6 0 • view
Tempting though it is to reply with a lecture about the importance of cursory research if you want to discover that I reside in Essex, not Massachusetts, I think the greatest public service here is done by ignoring, so that Ms(?) Marigold continues to waste her time
aug 27, 2025, 3:30 pm • 9 0 • view
I think Marigold Sylvaine works much better than Sylvaine Marigold I’ll get the popcorn ready if you tell her
aug 27, 2025, 3:42 pm • 1 0 • view
I have several namesakes including a musician in 'Bark Psychosis' and a meteorologist (dec) responsible for releasing anthrax on Gruinard Island. 😬
aug 26, 2025, 9:44 am • 2 0 • view
Surely I have shared with you my surprise on first day at Uni seeing your name on the fellow students list? I was at school with a Chris Coates and wondered aloud to Hollis if it was him. He told me no, it was *his* school chum, not mine
aug 26, 2025, 10:26 am • 1 0 • view
Oh, you may have told me that, but I forgot. It rings a vague bell. I now picture him saying it with an air of 'oh dear: Coates'
aug 26, 2025, 10:45 am • 0 0 • view
Have you ordered a copy though?
aug 26, 2025, 10:52 am • 0 0 • view
Well, call me a terrible snob, but I still prefer published to self-published. So many books, so little time. We have to whittle them down somehow...
aug 26, 2025, 10:56 am • 1 0 • view
I really want Sylvaine Marigold to be a real person though.
aug 26, 2025, 8:57 am • 6 0 • view
Yes, we could speculate endlessly on what she looks like (although it sounds a bit like a drag name)
aug 26, 2025, 9:04 am • 3 0 • view
The gloves are off ;)
aug 26, 2025, 9:06 am • 2 0 • view
Or a Mills and Boon author.
aug 26, 2025, 9:05 am • 3 0 • view
My porn name is Lucky Jones, which I always felt was just going to waste.
aug 26, 2025, 9:07 am • 1 0 • view
Pebbles Tomlinson.
aug 26, 2025, 9:07 am • 1 0 • view
You'd have to opt for another Flintstones character and be BamBam if you want to make it in porn.
aug 26, 2025, 9:09 am • 0 0 • view
My porn star name is Mulberry Hall, which is an actual building in York, but also, clearly, a George Sanders type who tried to make in old Hollywood, but ended up in skinflicks, and has a drink problem and crippling self-loathing, but loves his dogs
aug 26, 2025, 9:20 am • 2 0 • view
Yes, sounds too much like Sylvie Krin to be a real person.
aug 26, 2025, 9:07 am • 1 0 • view
Rubber glove heiress.
aug 26, 2025, 9:06 am • 3 0 • view
LP WINNER
aug 26, 2025, 9:07 am • 1 0 • view
"Dahling, let me tell you about this wonderful opportunity I have for you" *Deep drag on cigarette*
aug 26, 2025, 9:08 am • 3 0 • view
It would make a fabulous guinea pig name
aug 26, 2025, 9:22 am • 2 0 • view
Do you get pedigree guinea pigs? At shows? "...and here we see the exquisite longhair Sylvaine Marigold, alongside her distinguished brother Rouge Dragon Pursuivant"
aug 26, 2025, 9:29 am • 4 0 • view
aug 26, 2025, 9:32 am • 1 0 • view
A thank-you-tip x 2000 equals...
aug 26, 2025, 8:58 am • 0 0 • view
This happened to a UK singer-songwriter who found she’d brought out an album … only it was written by AI. Story on BBC
aug 26, 2025, 8:58 am • 3 0 • view
Oh, yes I read that. Well odd
aug 26, 2025, 9:04 am • 1 0 • view
Could be worse... 🤦♀️ Annie Lennox shares spectacularly cringeworthy email from 'new music coordinator' | Mashable share.google/2t2oyGIMnL4J...
aug 27, 2025, 4:36 pm • 0 0 • view