August 2026 - This AI scam is just the tip of the iceberg. Anthropic...again.

Can't see the images? No problem.

August 2026

Summer survival check time! How are you holding up? Whether you're battling heat, smoke, or San Diego's version of humidity (cute by comparison, I know), I hope you're finding ways to stay cool.

Despite the heat, scammers aren't taking a summer break. They've discovered that writers—especially angry ones—make profitable targets, and the Anthropic lawsuit has given them the perfect cover story.

Even worse? AI has transformed scams from laughably obvious to disturbingly convincing. No more Nigerian prince letters loaded with misspellings and bad grammar. Now it's polished emails, professional-looking legal docs, and phone calls you'd swear are legitimate. This month's scam tip is essential reading—not just for the Anthropic case, but for any class action lawsuit scam. Don't let the bad guys win. Stay informed, stay skeptical, and stay safe.

Seaside Cove #9

Available Now in Kindle and Print

Small-town political intrigue and murder spell trouble for Seaside Cove's dynamic duo

When Rick learns that the mayor has ties to the town’s most powerful developer, he launches his own search for the truth. Of course, keeping his sharp-eyed thirteen-year-old daughter out of danger proves impossible—especially when Alex teams up with Shadow, an enormous Newfoundland with instincts as keen as her own.

Soon, the Atwoods’ discoveries expose a deadly scheme rooted in the past that may force a desperate killer to strike again.

Click Here

Scam Tip

July 31, 2026

Anthropic Lawsuit Scam: 5 Ways Scammers Are Targeting Writers

Writers have become the targets of scammers very quickly recently. This latest scam uses the Anthropic Lawsuit class action suit as bait. Read how you can avoid becoming a victim.

Writing News

So far, 2026 has been a nonstop blur of trips to and from Palm Desert as we’ve gone from moving Kathy’s mother to an assisted-living facility and have prepared her home for the real estate market. We’ve got our fingers crossed that the bulk of the trips are behind us, and that we can now spend a little time home before we take off on our next road trip. After touring the Big 5 National Parks in Utah in April and May, we’ve set our sights on Yosemite, Lassen, and Redwoods parks in California this fall. Who knows? Between now and the time we leave for that road trip, I may actually get started on the next book!

Booklovers Bench Contest

We’re running our August contest over at Booklovers Bench. This month, we're giving away books by Maggie Toussaint (Flamed Out, print (US only) or e-book) and Cheryl Hollon – Death a Sketch, print (US only) or e-book. Be sure to stop by and enter at bookloversbench.com

Modify your subscription | View online