{"id":30376,"date":"2026-03-20T03:00:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T10:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=30376"},"modified":"2026-03-17T06:35:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T13:35:18","slug":"how-to-spot-scammers-and-ai-artists-in-your-book-art-search-green-flags-vs-red-flags-by-anna-leitensdorfer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2026\/03\/20\/how-to-spot-scammers-and-ai-artists-in-your-book-art-search-green-flags-vs-red-flags-by-anna-leitensdorfer\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW TO SPOT SCAMMERS AND AI \u201cARTISTS\u201d IN YOUR BOOK ART SEARCH: Green Flags vs. Red Flags by Anna Leitensdorfer"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"HOWToday we welcome back Anna Leitensdorfer<\/a> to Writer\u2019s Fun Zone. She is stopping by to chat with us about \u201cHOW TO SPOT SCAMMERS AND AI \u201cARTISTS\u201d IN YOUR BOOK ART SEARCH: Green Flags vs. Red Flags.\u201d Enjoy!<\/em><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

One of an author\u2019s largest struggles when publishing their book<\/strong> is looking for artists to make their book cover — and any other art-related things that will help accentuate the book!<\/p>\n

After all, book covers are one of the first things readers look at.<\/p>\n

Plus, nowadays many authors look to character art and interior art to not only decorate their books but to also use it for promotional marketing on social media\u2026and special editions may have illustrated endpapers, sprayed edges, and bookish merch like stickers to really add that little extra pizzazz.<\/p>\n

So, how do we separate the scammers from the real ones?<\/strong><\/p>\n

RED FLAGS<\/h2>\n

1. Direct Messages (DMs)<\/h3>\n

Social media is a jungle out there.<\/p>\n

Do not answer any direct messages<\/strong> from \u201cartists\u201d pestering you for commission work.<\/p>\n

They are most likely scammers.<\/p>\n

However, if you met an artist on Instagram or another platform in the comments section, for example, and both of you mutually agree to go to direct messaging, then that\u2019s totally fine.<\/p>\n

The messaging must be mutual.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

From an artist’s standpoint, it\u2019s a lot better if the author reaches out to ME rather than I reach out to THEM.<\/p>\n

Also, don\u2019t be afraid to block artists if they continually pester you for work after you said no.<\/p>\n

2. Social Media Presence<\/h3>\n

A good way to see if your artist is legitimate is to look at their social media.<\/p>\n

If their account looks fairly new<\/strong>, then stay clear.<\/p>\n

Many scammers will create bot accounts that were just made last week.<\/p>\n

Low follower count, not a lot of posts, or none at all can also be good indicators.<\/p>\n

Plus, see if you can look up their social media tag on other platforms.<\/p>\n

For example<\/strong>, my Instagram handle is the same on Threads, TikTok, and X, so it\u2019s easy to find me wherever you look.<\/p>\n

Not to mention if you suddenly see artwork on their social media that you know you saw a month before the account was even made, they may be stealing artwork from other artists.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be afraid to out them at that point to help save others from being scammed.<\/p>\n

3. No Consistent or Naturally Evolving Style<\/h3>\n

Be suspicious of \u201cartists\u201d who used to draw terribly, then 1 week later are posting artworks that are fully rendered realism without any warning or indication that they were doing so.<\/p>\n

Something ain\u2019t right there.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I draw in about 3 different styles, but you can see I have been naturally evolving with those styles (as I experiment to get better at my craft) long before AI appeared, and the progression can be seen on my Instagram.<\/p>\n

After all, we artists learn from our mistakes.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s how we evolve.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

If I suddenly created photorealistic artwork after showing no progression to how I got there, it would look very suspicious.<\/p>\n

Other tells include fingers, clothing, and hair \u201cmelting\u201d into other aspects of the piece.<\/p>\n

If you ever suspect something you see or something an artist you commissioned sent you is AI, you can always have an artist friend help you look for inconsistencies.<\/p>\n

In some cases<\/strong>, you may be able to ask the artist if they have the drawing or sketch phase of the artwork under the guise of curiosity without explicitly accusing them of AI.<\/p>\n

I personally wouldn\u2019t mind, as I would rather someone ask because they\u2019re curious instead of outright accusing me of using AI without any proof (which has happened before, and they got real quiet after I showed them work-in-progress pictures).<\/p>\n

Also, do not be afraid<\/strong> to add a \u201cNo AI\u201d clause in a contract that an artist sends you, so if the work turns out to be AI, they are in breach of contract, and you may be able to take legal action.<\/p>\n