New Trick—Beware

The links are good, leading to the Amazon page But they are triggered, as a test to see if you click and read, or check out the link. If you do, you are tagged. Once you activate the trigger, you get an immediate inundation of the other type of phishing emails that we have seen. @Jonathan Shuerger may want to point this out on AU.

Interestingly, 30m earlier a blank email showed up from the same address, with actually white text.

(🤭 note date of latest release!!)

From: Author Brandon Sanderson <authorbrandon.books@gmail.com>
Date: February 19, 2026 at 3:50:48 AM GMT+3
To: authorfb@darlenenbocek.com
Subject: Re:

Hi Darlene,
At the start of the year, I often find myself wanting to reach out to other writers. I recently came across your work and spent some time with it, and it felt worth writing to you directly. Every writing path is different. I’ve worked across several areas of fiction over the years, and what first drew me to writing was a fascination with how people make choices, and how small decisions can ripple outward into much larger consequences. That curiosity is still what brings me back to the page, even on slower days. This time of year naturally invites reflection. As I think about what I want to focus on next creatively, I’m curious what first led you to writing, and whether this period is shaping anything new for you. If you’d like to explore my work, you can find it here: Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brandon-Sanderson/author/B001IGFHW6

Warm regards,
Brandon Sanderson

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author

Latest Release: Oathbringer — available November 14, 2017

Selected Works:

• The Stormlight Archive — Epic fantasy series, multiple #1 NYT bestsellers

• Mistborn — International bestselling fantasy series

• The Wheel of Time (final volumes) — Completed Robert Jordan’s legendary series

• Elantris — Debut novel, bestselling fantasy novel

• Warbreaker — Standalone epic fantasy novel

(30m earlier email in white font)

Hi Darlene,

I’ve been thinking about the note I sent earlier this year and realized I never heard back from you. I know writing seasons can be intense, but I’m genuinely curious, did it resonate at all?

I meant what I said about enjoying your work, and I wouldn’t have reached out if it didn’t leave an impression. I’d really value hearing what first pulled you toward writing, or whether this season is shaping something new for you creatively. Even a brief thought would mean a lot.

Warmly,

Brandon