> Author states it's a volume problem.

How is that relevant? The entire point of using a bot is to be able to achieve volume while including customisation and the ability to hold a conversation if you reply.

> Examples show no individualisation beyond the book content.

The post has no examples. Where have you found examples? And why do you presume adding hurdles will stop things for more than a day or two before the campaigns are more effective?

> My suggestions would be quite effective.

Your suggestions are based on you presuming an outdated spray and pray approach that is increasingly being replaced by far more sophisticated campaigns. I'm not Scalzi, but I regularly get approaches that include far more customization than what you propose, including e.g. full-on web pages customized for my business.

> This isn't a new phenomena in the author world, it's been plagued by 'you have won 1st prize in a poetry competition' for decades.

I know. It's been decades since I got my first one. That is also a good reason to think that something has changed for Scalzi to decide this now after he's for years been above average accessible.