From Edie: Protect your writing career with two simple online security habits. Learn how to avoid phishing emails, fake social media accounts, and missed opportunities.
Two Online Security Habits Every Writer Should Make Part of Their Routine
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Writers spend countless hours protecting their manuscripts. We back up our files, proofread our work, and carefully build our online platforms. But many writers overlook something just as valuable—their digital identity.
Two simple habits have protected my writing career for more than twenty-five years. They've helped me avoid missing publishing opportunities, uncover fake social media accounts, and catch problems before they became disasters.
Here they are:
- Check your email spam folder every day.
- Search for yourself on social media at least once a month.
These two routines belong on every writer's calendar.
Writer Habit #1: Check Your Spam Folder Every Day
I know—it isn't glamorous. But it could save your career.
1. Publishing Opportunities Can End Up There
Early in my writing career, I submitted a proposal for my first novel after an editor requested it.
Four weeks passed.
Then six.
Then eight.
At a writing conference, I happened to see that editor and apologized that my proposal hadn't been accepted.
She looked puzzled. "But it was," she said. "We're just waiting for you to sign the contract."
Yep, the contract had been sitting in my spam folder. Ever since then, checking spam has become part of my daily routine.
2. Important Warnings Often Arrive There
One day, while deleting spam, I noticed an unusual email mentioning social media activity that supposedly came from me.
Curious, I investigated.
Someone had tagged me in questionable posts that could have damaged my reputation. Because I found the email quickly, I was able to deal with the situation before it spread.
3. Legitimate Emails Sometimes Look Suspicious
Years ago, while building The Write Conversation, an email landed in my spam folder from someone claiming to represent novelist Warren Adler.
Honestly, I almost deleted it.
Why would someone like Warren Adler be contacting me?
But something about the email felt genuine. The writing was professional, the sender's information checked out, and I decided to respond.
It really was his assistant.
That single email led to Warren Adler becoming a regular contributor to The Write Conversation for several years before his passing. I would have missed that incredible opportunity if I had simply emptied my spam folder without looking.
4. Download Notifications and Confirmations Can Hide There
- Conference recordings.
- Course registrations.
- Newsletter confirmations.
- Password reset emails.
- Purchase receipts.
All of these can end up in spam. Don't assume that because you're waiting for an important email it will automatically appear in your inbox.
One More Thing About Email...
AI has changed phishing dramatically.
Years ago, scam emails were easy to spot because they were filled with spelling mistakes and awkward grammar. Not anymore. Today's phishing emails often look polished and professional because they're generated with AI. Never assume an email is legitimate simply because it's well written.
If an email asks you to click a link, verify an account, or enter login information, slow down and make sure it really is from the company you think it is. And if it comes from someone you know, check with them BEFORE clicking the link and make sure they actually sent it.
Writer Habit #2: Search for Yourself on Social Media Every Month
Before we go any further, let's clarify two terms that are often confused.
Hacking
A hacked account means someone has gained access to your actual account and is posting or messaging as you. Recovering a hacked account can be difficult and time-consuming.
Cloning
A cloned account is different. Someone simply copies your public information—your name, profile photo, and bio—to create a brand-new account pretending to be you. They haven't stolen your password, but they have stolen your identity.
Unfortunately, AI has made cloned accounts much more convincing. Some scammers even imitate your writing style and messaging patterns to fool your friends and followers.
How I Check for Fake Accounts
Once a month, I search for myself on every social media platform where I have an account.
That includes Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Threads, and any other network where I maintain a presence.
I don't stop with the first search results.
- I click through and look carefully for:Profile photos I've used before
- Slight misspellings of my name
- Extra numbers or characters added to my username
- Duplicate biographies
- Accounts pretending to represent my work
I usually block out about an hour each month to complete this process.
Why I Check So Often
Fake accounts become more believable the longer they exist.
If an impersonator gathers followers, posts content, and interacts with people for weeks or months, reporting that account becomes much more difficult. Finding the account early makes removal much easier.
What I Do When I Find One
I never ignore it.
Instead, I:
- Report the account immediately through the platform.
- Do not block the account right away because I want to monitor whether it's removed.
- Let my followers know an impersonator exists and ask them to report it as well.
Multiple reports often speed up the removal process.
One More Layer of Protection
Before hacking or cloning ever becomes an issue, enable two-factor authentication on every account you own.
Yes, it adds one extra step when you sign in.
It's worth it.
I also recommend using a password manager so every account has its own unique password. Reusing passwords is one of the fastest ways hackers gain access to multiple accounts.
Bonus Habit: Google Yourself
Every few months, search your own name, website, and book titles.
You may discover:
- Broken links
- Old websites
- Unauthorized copies of your work
- Incorrect information
- New opportunities to update your online presence
Think of it as routine maintenance for your writing career.
Things to Ignore
Scammers have become incredibly sophisticated.
One of the most common scams appears to come from Facebook or Meta and claims your account is about to be suspended unless you click a link.
Don't do it.
Legitimate account issues are communicated through your official Meta account or dashboard—not through random Messenger messages demanding immediate action.
I also make it a personal rule never to click links sent through Messenger or unexpected direct messages.
If I think someone genuinely intended to send me something important, I contact them another way to verify it first. A simple text or even a sixty-second phone call is far easier than recovering a stolen account.
Bottom Line
As writers, we spend years building our reputation, platform, and relationships. They're worth protecting. Checking our spam folder every day, searching for ourselves on social media once a month, and taking a few basic security precautions require very little time—but they can prevent enormous headaches later.
The best time to protect our online identity is before someone else tries to steal it.
Your Turn: Have you ever found an important email in your spam folder or discovered someone impersonating you online? I'd love to hear your experience in the comments.
Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
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TY, Edie!
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