Savannah Guthrie’s New Book, Mostly What God Does, Targeted in Online Scam

Unauthorized handbooks related to the 'Today' Show co-anchor’s new book appeared online soon after its Feb. 20 publication

Savannah Guthrie on Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Savannah Guthrie. Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Savannah Guthrie’s new book has been the target of scammers looking to capitalize on its popularity.

The Today Show co-anchor’s new book, Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere, sold out immediately upon its publication on Feb. 20. Shortly after, scammers uploaded fake workbooks related to the title on Amazon.

Guthrie, 52, told Page Six that her mother was the one to tip her off about the fraudulent companion books.

“I couldn’t believe it. My mom sent it to me, and it says it’s a ‘workbook,’ and it’s even yellow like the color of the [real] book,” she told the outlet. “But I didn’t write any workbooks, so don’t buy them!”

Savannah Guthrie book
'Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere' by Savannah Guthrie.

Thomas Nelson

Guthrie also took to Instagram to share screenshots of the fake handbooks for sale, and pointed out that her name was even misspelled on one of them.

“When a book hits No. 1 as fast as Savannah’s did, third-party sellers will often create fake books,” said Damon Reiss, VP and Publisher of the W Publishing Group, an imprint of Guthrie's publisher Thomas Nelson, in a statement shared with PEOPLE. "We are thrilled [Savannah’s] book continues to sell out in a matter of hours and days.”

The essays collected in Mostly What God Does touch upon Guthrie’s experiences as a mother, wife and journalist, and how her faith has helped her through various hurdles in her life. The author spoke with PEOPLE about the writing process, which included describing the grief she felt after losing her father when she was 16.

Savannah Guthrie
Savannah Guthrie.

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

"It's kind of hard to put it into words, because it's not about a sense of peace, it's just a sense of acceptance and trust that God knows what he's doing and that he does have a plan," she said. "In that moment, that plan can be shocking and devastating and earth-shattering. My father's death was all of those things for me and for my family.”

She added that “the grace of God, you can kind of come to terms and come to understand. And through faith, believe not only that God knows what he's doing, that death is not his plan, but that through faith, we have hope."

Guthrie, who has also penned the bestselling picture books Princesses Save the World and Princesses Wear Pants, said that she had some reservations about how her most recent release would be received.

Savannah Guthrie attends the Mostly What God Does book presentation on February 21, 2024 in New York City
Savannah Guthrie with her book 'Mostly What God Does'.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty

“I worried a lot, but I worried about writing a decent book,” she said. “I worried about writing something that would touch people that was honest and authentic and true.”

“I guess the readers will tell me,” she added.

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Allison Carter, Senior Publicity Director of W Publishing Group, suggests that “fans eager to get their hands on copies of Mostly What God Does can also purchase the ebook or audiobook, read by Savannah."

"They can also take this opportunity to check with their local brick and mortar indies and chain retailers, or visit the book’s webpage to make sure they’re getting to the correct purchase link for online retailer sites,” Carter tells PEOPLE.

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