My phish collection posts are usually quick screen shots with commentary. This one, about an Ellen Marie Wiseman impersonator, needs more.
I don’t get out much, and so I had never heard of Ellen Marie Wiseman. Turns out, she’s a best selling author. She writes historical fiction and I look forward to enjoying some of her stuff soon. As I write this in late March, 2025, the cover above is for her latest novel coming out in July. I grabbed her picture and book cover from her bio page on her website.
I thought I had met the real Ellen Marie Wiseman when @ellenmarie342 reached out to me on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 1:16 PM US Central time. The comment thread seemed innocent enough. Well, looking back, maybe not. Her imposter appealed to my ego.
Hi Greg
I admire your book presentation. How many publications have you released to date?
We talked about book publishing and marketing and publicity. I whined about my marketing challenges, of course, secretly hoping that my new “friend” would throw me a publicity bone. And my new “friend” dangled one. Here is the rest of the conversation thread. Ellen’s imposter in quote blocks. My replies in blue. Commentary in italics.
Hi Ellen – these three so far.
Wow that’s impressive! Do you self publish?
“Bullseye Breach” was with a hybrid publisher. I learned lots of lessons about writing and publishing with that experience. “Virus Bomb” was with Morgan James Publishing. And then “Trafficking U” was with Winged Publications. Future stuff – cross that bridge when we get there. How about you?
You’ve had quite a varied publishing journey! Each experience must have offered you a unique perspective on the industry. I published with Kensington.
Yes. Each one was different. Marketing and sales – still trying to crack that code.
How was your experience publishing with Kensington?
My experience with Kensington has been great.
Unlocking the secrets of marketing can feel like solving an endless puzzle. I’ve found working with a publicist to be incredibly helpful, have you ever collaborated with one?
I did, back in 2015 and 2016. Results were so-so. I’d do it again with the right publicist.
It can be a hit-or-miss process at times. When you worked with a publicist in 2015 and 2016, did you focus more on digital platforms? If you’re considering doing it again, I can connect you with a publicist I’ve been working with for years.
Back then – we focused on TV and radio. I did several interviews and the exposure was good but nothing came from them. That was mostly my fault because I didn’t learn how to tie books into my messaging.
Anyway – sure – thanks. I’d love to talk to the publicist you’ve been working with. I’ll owe you one.
This next paragraph, from Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 8:40 AM, was about the only thing I did right in that conversation.
But first – do me a favor. This where I put on my cybersecurity hat. I found your website and filled out the contact form. Just send me an acknowledgment from over there that we’re trading messages here. This will help me feel good that you’re really you here on X instead of somebody impersonating you.
I never heard anything more from @Ellenmarie342 after that. As of this writing, this clown is still there.
I found the real Ellen Marie Wiseman website and reached out on her contact page. She also listed her publicist and agent contact info and I reached out to them. Her publicist replied. I never heard from her agent. Surprise, surprise. Agents are not good at responding to authors they don’t know. One aspect of the publishing industry nobody talks about in the glitz and glamour presentations.
And then Ellen replied. She does not have an X (Twitter) account and she confirmed this clown is impersonating her. Others have also reached out to her about this clown, she had reported the problem to X, and… well, nothing. As I compose this, Ellen’s impersonator is still there, no doubt still trying to con other authors over private messages.
I imagine Ellen’s impersonator, or maybe somebody else in a deception web, would have pumped me for money if I had kept up the conversation. And these clowns have probably pumped lots of other authors for money.
Not a bad gig. Tarnish a hard-working author’s reputation, drain other authors’ bank accounts, and get rich on their backs.
I’m no attorney, but the only solution I see is persuading the FBI or other law enforcement agency to help with federal identity theft criminal charges. Good luck with that – I have some experience with the FBI. But, Ellen, if you can get law enforcement onboard, and if you need a witness to testify for the prosecution, count me in. Also, feel free to share this blog post everywhere. Heck, I’m not proud – I can use the publicity. And If you’re ever in the Midwest, USA, or I’m in your neighborhood, let’s shake hands.
In case X melts down and you need evidence for a court case, I’ll also post screen shots of my conversation with the Ellen Marie Wiseman impersonator. Feel free to use them as you see fit.
For more phishing samples, see my phish collection. Don’t phall for phishing.
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