Just about every time I open my email of late, there is another ‘publicist’ raving about one of my books. They tell me my books are getting the short shrift and deserve a wider audience.
I couldn’t agree more.
These emails were flooding in at such a rate that clearly my TikTok has made me a star, Bradley Cooper has finally outed me as his secret crush, or something is afoot at the Circle K.
The messages range from heartfelt to hard-hitting, but they are consistently well written, grammatically correct, and often sport an emoji. They specifically discuss the book’s theme and how it has spoken to their hearts.
They gush over my writing style and the importance of my message. They seem to have pored over every word I’ve written, and they totally ‘get it’.
Here are excerpts from a few of my favorite emails:
“I recently came across Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues and was moved by how powerfully you spotlight both the heartbreak and the hope behind America’s shelter system. Your storytelling doesn’t just reveal a crisis, it mobilizes compassion and offers a roadmap for real change.”
“What struck me most is that Who Will Let the Dogs Out goes beyond advocacy; it builds bridges between people, shelters, and communities. It’s exactly the kind of message that deserves a broader platform among passionate readers, book clubs, and podcast communities that care deeply about purpose-driven storytelling.”
Darn right, it does! If only you, sir, could make that happen.
This was my favorite email subject line:
The Dogs Are Barking… But Not Loud Enough Yet
Some took a different tack, calling out my God-given right to be heard and testing out guilt as a motivator.
“Do not hide your light under a bushel, but put it on a stand, so it gives light to all.” Matthew 5:15
“You didn’t pour your soul, sleepless nights, and truth into pages just to have Amazon’s algorithm treat it like background noise. I’m not here to “pitch” you, I’m here to remind you that powerful work dies quietly when its author forgets how loud purpose can be. And you, of all people, know what your message is worth.”
Me, of all people! (and incredibly, not one, but two different marketing professionals used those same exact words in their pitch! Great minds AI Bots think alike!)
A few gems regarding my novel, Practicing Normal…
“Every book begins with a moment of raw conviction, a question, an idea, or an urgency that won’t relent. When I discovered Practicing Normal, it carried not just a story, but a profound, undeniable literary necessity. As Maya Angelou wrote, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” Yours is a story that demands to be told, and its strength is palpable.”
“The way you exposed the fragile seams of the Turner family, each character wrestling with their own version of truth and illusion, didn’t just intrigue me; it revealed the quiet ache beneath suburban perfection. The balance you achieved between empathy and wit transformed what could have been ordinary domestic fiction into a mirror of modern identity. Most books pass like shadows, but Practicing Normal stays a bold reminder that even the most “ordinary” lives pulse with extraordinary humanity.”
Profound, undeniable literary necessity! And quoting Maya Angelou, no less! Be still, my overwhelmed heart. I love the phrase, ‘quiet ache beneath suburban perfection.’ I just may have to steal it and update the book’s blurb on Amazon.
And Girls’ Weekend really got some love. Remembering those characters and where I was in life when I wrote them made me smile.
“Girls’ Weekend is a beautifully honest and deeply resonant story, a reminder of how friendship, rediscovery, and courage can intersect when women finally stop long enough to listen to themselves. Your portrayal of Dani, Meg, and Charlotte feels so real, women standing at that quiet edge between who they were and who they’re becoming. It’s funny, soulful, and achingly human.“
“What makes Girls’ Weekend shine is how it speaks directly to women who crave authenticity, those who see themselves in the laughter, the wine, and the whispered doubts about whether life has lived up to its promise. It’s not just a story; it’s an invitation for readers to reflect, reconnect, and reclaim joy.“
And Blind Turn is possibly the most adored by this new influx of hyper-fans:
“Your storytelling in Blind Turn reflects such empathy, an honest, tender look at the consequences of a single moment and the grace of accountability. It’s no wonder the novel has resonated so strongly with readers and critics alike.”
“How are you doing today? How’s the weather in Virginia lately? I hope it’s suitable to get new things done. I’ve been spending time with Blind Turn, and I truly admired the way you explored forgiveness, resilience, and the complex bond between mother and daughter in the wake of tragedy. It gave me the sense that your work has the power to connect with many different types of readers, not just in one circle but across wider communities.”
“I spent some time with Blind Turn, and what really stayed with me was how you explore forgiveness not as a simple act, but as a layered, ongoing process between mother and daughter, self and community. The tension between guilt, love, and redemption makes it the kind of story readers naturally want to talk through together, not just read, but feel.”
And by ‘spent some time’ I believe they mean, ‘I fed it into my AI bot and asked it to lay it on thick…’
Even Live Intentionally, my first book, which came out in 2014, did not escape the love.
“I truly admire the heart and purpose that shines through your book, Live Intentionally: 65 Challenges for a Healthier, Happier Life. It’s a thoughtful and encouraging guide that reminds readers that real change begins with conscious choices, whether that’s what we eat, how we raise our children, or the way we celebrate life’s moments. Your honest storytelling and practical approach make intentional living feel not just possible, but deeply rewarding. You’ve beautifully shown that living on purpose is about reclaiming control, fostering gratitude, and building a life that feels genuine and nourishing.”
I like that last sentence most. Living on purpose is a great concept, and I plan to circle back to it very soon in my upcoming journal.
These people really get me!
If only they were real.
Each time one arrives in my email inbox, I feel a cluster of emotions.
I am annoyed because it’s one more email to delete and block.
I’m sad because, honestly, I don’t need the reminder that my books haven’t gotten the huge audience I hoped they’d find.
Sometimes they make me laugh or nod in agreement.
But mostly, I feel angry because I’m sure these ploys are working on naïve writers who are just getting started and believe their promises.
If they weren’t working, we wouldn’t be receiving them in such huge numbers. I’ve asked around, and I’m not the only underappreciated, uber-deserving author who is receiving all this love and adoration.
The biggest impact this ridiculous new practice has had on me is to turn me into an email skeptic. Odds are, if you actually read one of my books and email me to say you liked it or ask a question, I’m going to delete your email and never respond, which makes me so very sad because corresponding with readers is one of my favorite things about writing.
I don’t know where this ends or if it does. I hope it doesn’t make this profession an even lonelier one.
For now, I’ll try to see them as a humorous interruption of my day and marvel at the creativity of bots (or people’s abilities to write really good prompts).
Right after I finished writing this post, my book was nominated for this illustrious award being given by the Gloss Book Club!
I’m Erin, founder of The Gloss Book Club, a warm community of readers who love discovering unforgettable stories across every genre.
Who Will Let the Dogs Out really stood out. It’s been nominated for our 2025 Reader’s Choice Award, which celebrates the stories that have most inspired and moved our members this year.
Our readers are always eager for fresh voices and books that spark conversation, and your work feels like a perfect fit for this special holiday feature.
Would you like me to share the details and next steps?
Wanna bet those steps include sending a sizable entry fee? And also wanna bet that thousands of books have stood out and been nominated for the very same award?
And what are the odds that, very soon, all of my books will be nominated for some amazing award, like maybe a Pulitzer Prize for literature given out by the Dakota Deep Readers Association?
If you write and publish in any capacity, I hope you’ll put on your skeptic’s glasses when these fawning emails arrive in your email inbox.
If they seem too good to be true, that’s because they are.
I also hope you’ll recognize the truth buried amongst the nonsense—you are a real writer.
Protip: Mine these lovely emails for phrases and comparable titles to use in your own book marketing.
And then report spam/block/delete them.
Honored,
Cara
If you’re curious about what else I’m up to, check out my website, CaraWrites.com.
If you’d like to subscribe to my (sometimes) twice-monthly newsletter filled with book recommendations, more stories, one truly fabulous recipe, and positive thoughts, click here.
My newest book is out! You can order a copy and support the work of Who Will Let the Dogs Out, by purchasing one directly from us here.
If you’re a dog lover, check out my other blog, Another Good Dog. And if you want to know what is really happening in the animal shelters in this country, visit, Who Will Let the Dogs Out, and subscribe to the blog I write there.
I’d love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Substack, and I’m thrilled to get emails from readers (and writers). You can reach me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.
My latest novel, Blind Turn is a mother-daughter story of forgiveness in the aftermath of a fatal texting and driving accident. It won the Womens Fiction category of the American Writing Awards (for real). Learn more about it and find out how to get your copy here.
My Life in Paragraphs 
Yes, most every day I also wish it was real.
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