TLDR - it is implied that a convicted fraudster named Monica Main either coerced an old (and possibly feeble / demented) romance author (Judith McNaught) or stole her identity to fleece wannabe writers out of money. I applaud the author for digging this deep, what an odd scam. It is affinity fraud, except the group is struggling writers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affinity_fraud