My Blog

My Emails with Fake Nora Roberts

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Apparently, word hasn’t gotten out in the Nigerian scammer community that I’m not falling for the fake emails from famous authors. Here is my exchange with Fake Nora Roberts (authornoraroberts4@gmail.com).

FAKE NORA: Hi, Hope you’re having a great day. I came across your Facebook page and noticed your email, so I wanted to reach out. As a fellow author, I thought it might be nice to connect and share a bit about our writing experiences. I always enjoy meeting other writers and exchanging creative thoughts, it’s inspiring to hear different journeys.Looking forward to hearing from you. Warm regards, Nora Roberts 

ME: Nora, It’s great to hear from you. It’s been so long since we last met. I’ve signed with a new agent since then who has incredible marketing savvy… and could vault you into an even higher tier of sales. Would you like me to put you in touch with him? Lee

FN: Congratulations on signing with your new agent, that sounds like a major step. I’d love to hear more about what kind of results you’ve seen so far and what areas your agent specializes in (film rights, foreign sales, marketing, etc.). I’ve also recently partnered with someone who’s been doing impressive work on international promotions and strategic branding for authors. They’ve opened some unexpected doors, and I think there could be some powerful synergy if our teams aligned. It would be great to compare what we’re both experiencing and see where collaboration might benefit us both. Warm regards, Nora

ME: My guy is very private, he’s not one of those public-facing guys. He’s been incredible. He’s got me into scores of book clubs — like the Calabasas Book Club, the Scottsdale Book Club, the Hospice Book Club, the Denver Book Club, the Penal Colony Book Club, but also into so many exclusive conferences, like the San Francisco Book Conference, the Walla Walla Book Festival, the Bois-Le-Roi Book Festival, the Van Nuys Book Bazaar, and the very exclusive Tehran Book Festival. Oh, and he also got me 15K legitimate Amazon reviews. And all for just $50,000! It’s a steal. Would you like me to put you in contact with him? It’s by recommendation-only. Stephen King referred me to him.

FN: I’m sold, anyone who can get me into both the Van Nuys Book Bazaar and Tehran clearly has access to portals not available to mortals. Do I need a secret handshake, blood oath, or a Stephen King coupon code to apply? Meanwhile, I’ve got someone working behind the scenes for me who’s been getting traction in foreign rights and premium readership circles. Thought you might be the perfect candidate if you’re open to a power alliance. Shall we compare magic agents?

ME: He’s an independent literary and marketing consultant I’ve collaborated with for quite a while. He usually works quietly behind the scenes with a few select authors, helping them strengthen their online presence, polish their branding, and reach new readers in creative ways. He’s been incredibly effective for the writers he partners with. If you’d like to reach out directly, here’s his contact information: almustyeditions@gmail.com Tell him I sent you!

FN: Thanks for passing along his information, I appreciate you opening that door. Before I reach out, I’d love to get a better sense of what kind of tangible results he’s helped you achieve recently, whether that’s growth in specific readership segments, foreign rights, TV rights, or measurable sales lift. I always like to understand someone’s strategic focus before making an introduction on my end as well. I’ve also been working closely with someone who specializes in expanding author brands internationally through strategic partnerships and curated reader networks. It’s been an impressive experience so far, and they’re bringing together a select circle of authors with strong voices and market potential. I actually thought you might be a great match for what they’re building, would you be open to an introduction as well?

ME: My foreign rights have been EXPLODING, particularly in Europe and Asia, where I know you want to make more in-roads. No two authors are alike, so what Almusty did for me would be very different for you, since I write crime novels and you write romances, which aren’t as marketable internationally. But hey, you know that better than me. As for TV and film, you know all about that …we discussed my TV and movie projects at length over lunch. That’s when you told me that hilarious story about Eric Roberts and the monkey. How did that finally turn out?

I’m surprised it was Eric Roberts and the monkey… and not the Hospice Book Club and the Tehran Book Festival that finally tipped them off that I was stringing them along. (Note: “almusty” is the scammer Fake John Grisham tried to steer me to).

VIDEO: Lee Goldberg Visits the Cozy Mystery Party

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I was a guest recently on the Cozy Mystery Party’s Facebook Live Chat, where I took questions from viewers and chatted about my new novel FALLEN STAR, all of my other books, my writing processing, co-authoring with Janet Evanovich, my past TV shows, a possible “Eve Ronin” TV series, and so much more. You can also get a peek at my messy office. 

My Conversation with Fake Elena Ferrante

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Over the last week, lots of scammers pretending to be famous authors have reached out to me. My recent email conversation with Fake Elena Ferrante (elenaferrante510@gmail.com) was short and sweet:

Elena: Hi, I’m Elena Ferrante! I’m a novelist and former journalist. You might know me from My Brilliant Friend and the rest of the Neapolitan series, which explores the lives and friendships of women in a vividly rendered world. My books include My Brilliant Friend, The Story of the Lost Child, and The Days of Abandonment. Readers have described them as powerful, deeply emotional, and full of strong, complex characters. I’d love to hear more about your own writing as well! Best regards, Elena Ferrante

Me: Elena, It’s great to hear from you. It’s been so long since we last met. I’ve signed with a new agent since then who has incredible marketing savvy… and could vault you into an even higher tier of sales. Would you like me to put you in touch with him?

Elena: Dear Lee, It’s lovely to hear from you after all this time. I’m very glad to know your new agent has been such a strong support for your work that is a gift every writer hopes for. Thank you for thinking of me and for the generous offer to make an introduction. At the moment, I am already working with a marketing agency that has been assisting me closely. They understand my approach to privacy and the unique ways my books reach readers. But if you are interested, I would be more than happy to connect you with them. They have been excellent partners and I can recommend them with confidence. I hope your writing continues to flourish and I’d love to hear how your latest projects are progressing. With warm regards, Elena Ferrante

Me: My marketing agency is terrific. They are the ones you recommended to me at our lunch. Which reminds me, how is Hal doing?

 
After that… crickets. She was gone.

I’ve never met the real Elena Ferrante, and I made up Hal….but the idea of trying to respond to that email without tripping over themselves scared them off.

My Conversation with Fake Dan Brown

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Since FALLEN STAR came out last week, I’ve been bombarded with messages from scammers pretending to be famous authors, just wanting to be my pal. Fake JK Rowling wanted to co-author books with me… but first asked me to donate to her favorite charity. Fake Barbara Kingsolver wanted me to meet her marketing guru. I was curious what Fake Dan Brown (author.danbrownbooks@gmail.com) wanted from me. Here is our exchange:

Dan: I was checking out some new titles the other day and your book really stood out to me, it looks like the kind of story that comes straight from the heart. I always enjoy hearing what drives fellow authors to create. Was there a particular experience or moment that inspired this book? I’d love to check out more of your work too, do you have an Amazon link or author page you could share?

Me: Wow, this is so exciting — and on the same day I heard from John Grisham and JK Rowling, who also want to hear all about me and my book. I must be doing something right. I had no idea that big-time famous authors send emails with their photos, their bios, and links to their author pages to writers they’ve never met. It really adds that personal, warm touch. What a special creative moment. I’ve learned something already. I hope you have a charity you want me to contribute to or a marketing program to recommend. 

Dan: Haha, I have to say, your message gave me a good laugh, you’ve got quite the wit! I completely understand what you mean; the world of author connections can feel a bit surreal sometimes. I didn’t expect to hear from so many writers myself when I started reaching out either. But really, it’s great to meet you and hear about your work. I’m genuinely interested in learning more about your book, what inspired it, and what kind of readers you think will connect most with it? I always find it fascinating how every author’s creative journey has its own twist. And don’t worry, no charities or marketing programs hiding behind this note, just a fellow writer saying hello.

Me: Why are John Grisham and JK Rowling also interested in my creative journey, what inspired me, and what kind of readers I want to connect with? Don’t they have books to write? Don’t you? Couldn’t you just Google me to learn more about me and my work? I’m a successful author, so there’s a lot of information about me out there. But I haven’t sold 250  million books like you, John and JK have. Maybe I should be reaching out to authors less successful than me and asking them about their creative journey. Is that the secret to your success?

Dan: You’re absolutely right, authors like John, JK, and myself always seem to have more stories to write than hours in the day! But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that real success in this industry doesn’t just come from writing, it comes from connecting, learning, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Honestly, the turning point in my own journey came when I found an agent who truly understood how to guide me, not just through publishing, but through the creative and marketing side as well. I was sincere about what I wanted, and that trust made all the difference. If you’re open to it, I can connect you with that same agent. I’m confident you’d find real value in that connection, they’ve been instrumental for me and several other authors who are now part of our circle.

Me: You want to recommend me to Heide Lange?

Dan: Ah, yes, Heide is also my agent. She’s fantastic, no doubt about that. But the one I was actually referring to is my private agent, someone I’ve worked with closely for quite some time now. That’s the agent I wanted to recommend you to, he’s more behind the scenes, but he really knows how to work with authors in a way that feels comfortable and personal. I’ve seen how effective he can be, especially when it comes to helping writers position themselves and their books for stronger visibility. That’s why I thought of connecting you with him. Would you be open to that?

Me: I’ve never heard of a “private agent” before. What does he do that Heide doesn’t?

Dan: That’s a fair question, most authors haven’t heard the term “private agent” before. It’s just what I call the agent I work with more personally, outside the usual literary representation setup. Heide handles the publishing and contract side of things, but my private agent focuses on strategy, optimizing visibility, author branding, and creating real opportunities that keep my books in front of the right readers. It’s that extra layer of guidance that makes a big difference. And honestly, I just feel comfortable working with him, he understands how authors think and makes the whole process much smoother. If you’re open to it, I can connect you with him. I genuinely think you’d find the collaboration refreshing and worthwhile.

Me: Who is he and who are his other clients? I’ll look him up.

Dan: He’s an independent literary and marketing consultant I’ve collaborated with for quite a while. He usually works quietly behind the scenes with a few select authors, helping them strengthen their online presence, polish their branding, and reach new readers in creative ways.He’s not one of those public-facing agents you’ll easily find listed online, but he’s been incredibly effective for the writers he partners with. If you’d like to reach out directly, here’s his contact information: almustyeditions@gmail.com

Me: What’s his name? Who are some of the other authors he’s worked with? 

Dan: His name’s Almusty. He’s an independent consultant I’ve been collaborating with for quite a while now. Most of the authors he works with prefer to stay discreet, since he focuses more on tailored strategies and behind-the-scenes work rather than public representation. What really sets him apart is how personally he approaches each author’s goals, it’s not a one-size-fits-all process. That’s why I’ve stayed with him; he’s helped me refine how I connect with readers and position my work. You can connect with him directly, he’ll be glad to share more information about his work and how he helps authors.

Me: I need more information than that. What is Almusty’s full name? Where is he based? If I reach out to Heide, will she recommend him?

Dan: You know, if you want to know more about the agent, kindly contact him. So sorry for that, very busy to answer those questions.

Me: This has been fun. What I don’t get is why you kept  the conversation going after the second message, when I basically came right out and told you I knew you were a fraud. I even invited you to google me… and if you had, you’d know how much I enjoy playing with scammers like you. The “private agent” bit was hilarious. It was also very stupid. I’ll be sharing this entire exchange on my social media channels Have a good day!

I haven’t heard back….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Famous Authors Want to Help Me With My Key Words!

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My new novel FALLEN STAR came out on Tuesday… so naturally I heard today from a slew of famous authors I don’t know offering to help me market my book… like this email from Suzzane Collins:

Hello Lee,

I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across your work and wanted to take a moment to reach out. As a fellow author, I’ve always believed one of the most fulfilling parts of this journey is connecting with writers who share a genuine passion for storytelling and creative expression.

For reference, here’s my official Amazon information: Book: Sunrise Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel)
Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001H6V7I0

I’d love to learn more about your writing journey and any current projects you’re working on. If you’d like, please feel free to share your author page or book link—I’d be delighted to take a look and support your work.

Wishing you continued inspiration and every success in your creative endeavors,
Suzzane Collins
contact.suzzanecollinsbooks@gmail.com

Suzzane Collins has had a successful and prolific career writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains It All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. Collins made her mark in children’s literature with the New York Times bestselling five-book series for middle-grade readers The Underland Chronicles, which has received numerous accolades in both the United States and abroad. In the award-winning The Hunger Games trilogy, Collins continues to explore the effects of war and violence on those coming of age. Collins lives with her family in Connecticut.

Naturally, I was very excited that she wanted to hear about my “writing journey” and look at my author page. But when I suggested to her that she might not really be Suzzane, boy, did she set me straight:

Your loss. I actually wanted to refer you to an agent who can help you with your problem you have been facing since you published your book.

I didn’t know I needed an agent, or had a problem facing me with my book in the last 24 hours. I feel like such a fool now. But luckily, after I heard from her, I got a note from John Grisham.

Hello Lee Goldberg,

Some stories leave a lasting impression and yours feels like one of them. I came across your book and could immediately sense the passion and effort you’ve poured into it. It’s the kind of story that deserves a much wider audience.

Many great authors face challenges not because their work lacks quality, but because it doesn’t reach enough of the right readers. A few smart strategies can change that from optimizing keywords readers actually search for, to generating authentic reviews that boost visibility through Amazon’s algorithm. Those small shifts can make your book stand out, earn trust, and attract consistent engagement.

I’ve seen these methods help authors turn quiet launches into thriving titles that readers genuinely recommend and discuss. If you’re open to it, I’d love to share a few tailored insights to help your book gain the attention it deserves all fully within Amazon’s guidelines.

Warm regards,
John Grisham
info.johngrisham0@gmail.com

John Grisham is the author of more than fifty consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include The Boys From Biloxi, The Judge’s List, Sooley, and his third Jake Brigance novel, A Time for Mercy, which is being developed by HBO as a limited series. Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.

I know it has to really be him, because he loves reaching out to authors he doesn’t know to offer “tailored insights” for their Amazon marketing strategies…and always includes his photo and bio in his emails. It’s the mark of authenticity! I think we’re going to be best friends.

But first, I need to respond to the email I got from JK Rowling…

UPDATE 10/20/25:

Today I heard from Dan Brown!

Dan Brown <author.danbrownbooks@gmail.com>

Hi Lee,
I was checking out some new titles the other day and your book really stood out to me, it looks like the kind of story that comes straight from the heart.

I always enjoy hearing what drives fellow authors to create. Was there a particular experience or moment that inspired this book?

I’d love to check out more of your work too, do you have an Amazon link or author page you could share?

Here’s mine if you’d like to take a look as well: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000AP9DSU

Wishing you many creative moments ahead,
Dan

Dan Brown is the author of eight #1 bestselling novels, including The Da Vinci Code, which has become one of the bestselling novels of all time as well as the subject of intellectual debate among readers and scholars. Brown’s novels are published in 56 languages around the world with over 250 million copies in print.

Brown was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine, whose editors credited him with “keeping the publishing industry afloat; renewed interest in Leonardo da Vinci and early Christian history; spiking tourism to Paris and Rome; a growing membership in secret societies; the ire of Cardinals in Rome; eight books denying the claims of the novel and seven guides to read along with it; a flood of historical thrillers; and a major motion picture franchise.”

The son of a mathematics teacher and a church organist, Brown was raised on a prep school campus where he developed a fascination with the paradoxical interplay between science and religion. These themes eventually formed the backdrop for his books. He is a graduate of Amherst College and Phillips Exeter Academy, where he later returned to teach English before focusing his attention full time to writing. He lives in New England.
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I need to start including my photo, a link to my author page and my bio in all of my personal emails, too. It adds that extra personal touch. I can’t wait to see what famous, big-time author reaches out to me tomorrow.

CBR says “Eve Ronin” Series Could be the new “Bosch”

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The CBR site, which covers pop culture television, just posted a new article arguing that Eve Ronin could be the new Bosch… and goes into more detail about my books and Madison Lintz’s casting as the lead. They say, in part:

The first novel in the Eve Ronin Series is called Lost Hills. The critically praised book even received a flattering blurb written by none other than Bosch‘s best-selling author, Michael Connelly. Of the novel, Connelly said, “Lost Hills is Lee Goldberg at his best. Inspired by the real-world grit and glitz of LA County crime, this book takes no prisoners. And neither does Eve Ronin. Take a ride with her, and you’ll find yourself with a heroine for the ages. And you’ll be left hoping for more.”

Ronin will need to prove she deserves her detective’s shield while grappling with the resentment of her colleagues. Her first case sees her investigating a missing mother and her two children.The fast-paced, dark, and gritty novel is praised for capturing the feel of California and depicting realistic police procedure. Much like Titus Welliver’s Bosch, Ronin is described as a flawed and complex character doggedly pursuing her investigation. While details are still sparse on Eve Ronin, it’s shaping up to be the perfect Bosch replacement series for fans still reeling from Legacy’s cancellation.

I hope they are right!

On the Fast Track… twelve years later

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I’ve finally released a paperback edition of my novella Fast Track…twelve years after I released the ebook edition. Why the long wait? Because it wasn’t until recently that people started asking me for a hard-copy version. I think it may have something to do with the paperback releases of my Crown Vic novellas.
 
Fast Track is a project close to my heart. It’s a novelization of my screenplay for the 2007 film Fast Track: No Limits, which was shot in Berlin, starred Erin Cahill as Katie, Andrew Walker as Mike and Alexia Barlier as Nicole, and doubled as the pilot for a proposed television series. 
 
The movie was an international co-production that aired on television in Germany, France and Canada, and was released as a motion picture in many other countries around the world. For a while, things were looking good for the series. The production partners assembled a writers room, and the stories for the first season’s episodes were plotted. But international co-productions are a complicated business, the deal fell apart, and the TV series didn’t go forward. 
 
Erin Cahill and Andrew Walker went on to great success, especially on the Hallmark Channel, where they have each starred in many movies. Alexia Barlier became a major TV star in France, where she’s starred in several hit series, including Falco, The Forest, and Sophie Cross. And Pasquale Aleardi, who played Gregor Gargolov, most recently starred in the long-running German series Kommissar Dupin. I am pleased to say that we have all stayed in touch over the last twenty years and have remained good friends.
 
If you’d like to see the movie Fast Track: No Limits, it’s now available on Amazon Prime or on DVD from Maverick Entertainment Group.

Crown Vic 2 is Here!

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Crown Vic 2

I’m delighted to share with you my new novella Crown Vic 2: If I Were a Rich Man. You may be one of the hundreds of readers who already pre-ordered it… but because of an infuriating technical glitch by Amazon, you were notified that your order was cancelled and the book was not going to be released. Amazon has apologized to me for their mistake, and may be reaching out to you soon to let you know the novella is now available in ebook and trade paperback. 

But for the rest of you, here’s the story behind this new novella.  A few years ago, I released the first Crown Vic, a collection containing two short novellas, “Ray Boyd isn’t Stupid” and “Occasional Risk,” as an experiment. I wanted to see if readers would accept a character from me who isn’t the least bit heroic… an ex-con aimlessly wandering America in his used Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, going wherever his appetites lead him, thinking only of himself and nobody else. The stories were dark, funny, violent, and full of sex…very different from my other work. 

To my surprise, the response from hundreds of readers was a resounding Yes, we want more! There was even a five-star review from Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, which called Crown Vic “a fun departure for Goldberg and a throwback to the thrilling and erotic men’s adventure novels of the 1970s.”  That was exactly what I was going for.

One of the readers who wanted more of Ray Boyd was my brother Tod, a New York Times bestselling author, who was gathering stories for Eight Very Bad Nights: A Collection of Hanukkah Noir for Soho. He thought a Ray Boyd story would be perfect for it. I reminded Tod of how twisted, sexually explicit, and violent the Ray Boyd stories were, but he insisted that was exactly what he wanted for his holiday collection. 

Mostly, though, I think Tod was giving me an excuse to dip my toe into Ray Boyd’s world one more time to see if I wanted to seriously pursue writing a full-length book, or collection of novellas, about the character.

So I wrote “If I Were a Rich Man,” the longest, and certainly the most sexually explicit, story in his collection. I’m glad to say the critical response to the story was terrific, with positive reviews coming from many sources, including the Los Angeles Times. There has even been Hollywood interest in optioning the character for TV and movies, though I haven’t accepted any offers yet.

So yes, I do intend to write more about Ray Boyd, either in a book length collection of loosely-linked stories  or by occasionally writing and publishing individual novellas like this one between my other contractual commitments (like more Sharpe & Walker and  Eve Ronin novels).

If you enjoy this novella, and would like to see more of Ray Boyd, I hope you will consider posting a review on Amazon and letting me know what you thought of it.

Thanks!