What a two days. This is another scam I’ve been hit with. Some person unknown is impersonating an editor at a legitimate publishing house and sending form letters out like hot cakes to authors such as myself. The apparent hope of the scammer is that an author will bite and send a proposal. Then, for a fee, the scammer will offer to make your query letter or final book as clean as cherry pie.
I’ve removed the name and publishing house of the impersonated editor. I hope this saves some other author frustration and disappointment.
Which is what I felt until anger took over, accompanied by the wish to expose someone who has appropriated good name and identity of an established editor. That’s the real victim in this scam, not me.
Hello Hank,
My name is [NAME OF SCAMMER], Executive Editor at SCAM House; amber@mhpbookspublishing.com (fake as a $3 bill)
Your Wrongs of Passage examines hazing through its history, consequences, and place within fraternity and sorority culture. It is the kind of investigative nonfiction that connects individual harm with the institutional traditions that allow it to persist.
I would be interested in learning more about any current, upcoming, or potential book projects you may be considering, as well as whether you are represented by a literary agent. If you are, I would be happy to continue the conversation through your agent.
There may be alignment between your work and SCAM House’s interest in narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism, social history, education, and books examining institutions, group behavior, and contemporary social issues, particularly works that bring forward meaningful stories and perspectives that connect with readers.
If this is of interest, I would be delighted to hear from you and discuss your work further.
With appreciation,
| NAME OF SCAMMER Executive Editor, REAL PUBLISHING HOUSE |
UNDERNEATH THE SIGNATURE IS A REAL LOGOS OF A REAL LEGITIMATE PUBLISHING HOUSE
PS
For about three hours I thought this was real and promised the poohbutt a proposal. Which brought this:
| NAME OF SCAMMER Executive Editor, REAL PUBLISHING HOUSE |
UNDERNEATH THE SIGNATURE IS A REAL LOGOS OF A REAL LEGITIMATE PUBLISHING HOUSE
The poohbutt also targeted another author with an almost identical letter. You can find that letter on Substack with a simple Google search.
And here is a horror story
[US] book publishing scam melvillehousepublishing.com
This post is an effort to create awareness concerning book publishing scams.
My mom was recently (last week) scammed out of $1500 through an organization impersonating Melville House Publishing based in NY. The scammers are using a Los Angeles address on Wilshire Blvd. Names given are Miles, Henry, and Brad. I think the real publishing company’s website is mhpbooks.com. Not 100% sure as of this post. Waiting for replies from them. Letting them know someone is impersonating their company.
While google searching for publishers mom came across this particular publisher, called the number to get information and fell for their shtick. She decided to go all in on the 1st publisher she contacted. They sent her some illustrations she liked and appeared to be working on the book after she signed a “Services Agreement” and paid $1500 with a CC.
She got me involved when she was considering signing up for their “marketing strategy “ campaign. 6 months or 12 months. Another $4-8k. We did our due diligence at that point and came to the unfortunate conclusion that it was a scam. She tried getting her $ back today by emailing them a request for a refund due to “unsatisfactory “ work which the contract stated was 100% refundable in 30days with written request. They were not pleasant when they called her after receiving the email and were extremely pushy as you can imagine. Eventually telling her she would get $0 refunded. Her CC statement states the payment was made to a tech company in TX. She’s reported to the FBI scam department and FTC. And the CC company of course.
The crappy thing about it to me is for the moment she’s lost all motivation to continue with publishing her book that last week she was so excited about. $ is $…crushing dreams is fu$&@#%g rude.
Please repost this on relevant threads. Hope this helps some folks. If you’ve been scammed try to keep your head up and don’t get discouraged. It seems to be an unfortunate part of the publishing learning curve.
- AI Imposter & Celebrity Author Scams: Fraudsters use AI to impersonate famous authors (like Colleen Hoover or Kate Quinn), well-known literary agents, or editors from major publishing houses. They send warm, personal messages praising your work before pivoting to ask for money, links, or expensive marketing packages. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
- Fake Media & Radio Appearances: Scammers send emails pretending to represent public radio stations (such as Texas Public Radio) or newspapers, offering interviews or features in exchange for upfront booking or processing fees. [1, 2]
- Extortion and Hostage Books: Scammers take down or threaten to remove an author’s book from online retailers, demanding thousands of dollars in fees to supposedly meet “Amazon publishing standards” or register fake trademarks. [1]
- Phishing & Official Impersonation: Deceptive emails are sent impersonating the U.S. Copyright Office or the Authors Guild, asking authors to verify registrations or click malicious links. [1]
- Never Pay for Interviews or Reviews: Legitimate media outlets, public radio stations, and reputable podcasts never charge guests a fee to appear or be interviewed. [1]
- Confirm Independently: If someone claims to be a specific agent or publisher, independently look up that person’s official office contact information and email them directly to verify. [1]