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.
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
The scam artist also targeted another author with an almost identical letter. https://substack.com/@christinewolf/note/c-337761421