This post has been updated
I’ve written about this new “beware” twice already (you can see those posts here and here), but it appears to be a growing problem, so I want to put out a more focused warning.
Scammers–the same Philippines-based Author Solutions copycats that I’ve featured numerous times in this blog (also see the long, long list in the sidebar)–are impersonating reputable literary agents and agencies in order to bamboozle writers into buying worthless “services.” Here are the misused names I’ve documented so far; the scam companies they work for are in parentheses:
– Jennifer Jackson of the Donald Maass Literary Agency (TechBooks Media, aka Chapters Media and Distribution)
– Victoria Marini of the Irene Goodman Literary Agency (Writers Desks)
– Danielle Burby of the Nelson Literary Agency (Writers Desks)
– Nelson Literary Agency (some guy calling himself Justin Smith, Book Scout, with a fake Nelson Agency email address)
– Matt Belford of the Tobias Agency
– Clare Richardson of the Maria B. Campbell Associates (Chapters Media and Distribution) (see my blog post about this particular scam)
– Alexa Stark of Trident Media (Silver Ink Literary Agency)
– Sarah Fuentes of Fletcher and Co
The scammers’ solicitations come out of the blue. Here’s what you might receive:
Or this:
Or this:
These approaches are followed by opportunities to spend large amounts of cash. For the Jennifer Jackson scammer, it’s a “review” of your book plus “book insurance and returnability” for a total of $1,400. For the Victoria Marini scammer, the video trailer she’s shilling for “promotional” purposes costs $3,000 (an amazing discount!) For the Danielle Burby scammer, it’s “Submissions to Traditional Publishing Companies” by “Book Scouts” for the wallet-squeezing sum of $5,000.
The Jennifer Jackson scammer has also recently started offering something so off the wall that it’s worth another image:
I’ve seen a lot of egregious lies and bullshit from the Philippines-based scammers, but this one–that there is such a thing as publisher insurance and writers need to buy it in order for their work to be considered–really takes the cake. There. Is. No. Such. Thing. (This email also illustrates a growing scammer trend: attempting to capitalize on the pandemic. A number of predatory vanity publishers are doing this too.)
I shouldn’t need to say that reputable literary agents don’t charge fees or sell services as part of (or as a condition of) representing you. It’s also very rare that a reputable literary agent will contact you out of the blue; in the publishing biz, you can never really say never, but the odds that any such contact is legitimate are extremely small.
The poor English in the emails above should be a very large clue as well.
Even though I’ve only identified four iterations of this scam so far, I don’t doubt that there are others. Writers, please, PLEASE be on your guard. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. And if you encounter a scam like this, please contact me, so I can add it to my list.
Some basic tips for protecting yourself:
1. Proceed from a point of skepticism. As noted above, an unsolicited contact from a real, reputable agent isn’t automatically suspect, but it’s rare. Out-of-the-blue contacts are far more likely to be illegitimate. Caution is definitely in order.
2. Mistrust–and verify. Google all the individuals and/or companies that are mentioned to see what information you can find (are there complaints? Have they shown up on this blog?) If someone claims to work for an agency, visit the agency’s website to see if that person is mentioned–and be suspicious if they aren’t. If an individual or company claims to have placed books with reputable publishers, or to have sold film or other subsidiary rights, see if you can verify the claim–and if you can’t, or if there are no checkable details (such as names or book titles) attached to the claim, be wary.
3. Use your common sense. Anyone can make an occasional typo, but professionals communicate professionally (no reputable agent would send out language-challenged emails like the ones above). Check the email address and any links–do they match the person or company claiming to be contacting you? (For the Jennifer Jackson and Victoria Marini scammers, the mismatch between their email addresses and their claimed agencies is an important clue. Unfortunately, the Justin Smith/Nelson Agency scammer is a bit savvier; the address he’s using is fake, but it looks legit if you don’t know otherwise.) If there’s a demand for money, or if there’s a service for sale, be sure it’s a company that customarily charges such fees or offers such services (reputable agents generally don’t).
4. Contact Writer Beware. Always a good default if you aren’t sure about an individual or company. We may have heard something, or received complaints, and if we have, we’ll let you know.
Finally, I want to note that, while writers are the scammers’ principal targets, the agents and agencies are also victims. These scams are a form of identity theft, tying the agents’ names and reputations to dishonest and predatory practices that they are then forced to disclaim. Everybody loses–except the scammer, of course.
Hopefully, with increased awareness, we can make it more likely that the scammers will be losers, too.
UPDATE 8/20/20: Here’s the payment request that “Jennifer Jackson” sends out to prospective victims. Note that “she” requests a wire transfer–preferred by the scammers over credit cards or PayPal, where payments can be reversed via a dispute:
Chapters Media and Advertising is run by the same people who run TechBooks Media (the scam company “Jennifer” is shilling for). Chapters has business registrations in several states, including Wyoming and Florida–though not in Nevada, where it purports to be located. It’s registered as a “foreign LLC”, and guess where officer Mark Rosario lives:
UPDATE 9/25/20: Matt Belford of the Tobias Agency is the latest to have his name appropriated by scammers.
UPDATE 10/17/20: Chapters Media is impersonating another reputable agent: Clare Richardson of Maria B. Campbell Associates. Here’s one of its solicitations:
As with the Jennifer Jackson impersonation, writers who respond are referred to “secretary” Mia Roberts for a “social media campaign”, and asked to send the four-figure fee via wire transfer to Bank of America. The writers I’ve heard from report that the so-called campaign amounts to little more than some stuff on Facebook plus a bunch of unverifiable promises.
I received this email today and based on the email address being Gmail and not a business, out of the blue aspect, no business name and the mismatched fonts…I am going with scammer but I haven’t seen her name in any of the posts so wanted to check. Thanks
Hi Adrienne,
I am Andrea Gray , a literary agent passionate about powerful stories with screen potential. I came across your book The Inheritance: A Cozumel Island Adventure and was instantly drawn to its cinematic quality.
I’d love to discuss representing it for a possible film or series adaptation. I work closely with Hollywood producers, including ABC Family, and believe your story could be a perfect fit for their audience.
Please provide a good number to call and the best time to talk with you about this.
Thanks,
Andrea Gray
Literary Liaison
Phone Number: + 1(424) 432-0928
This is almost certainly a scam. Real literary agents rarely reach out to authors directly; they also have at least some online footprint (website, deal reports, conference attendances, social media, etc.). The out-of-the-blue approach, the failure to mention how she “came across” the book, and the lack of any online evidence that she exists all spell “scam” to me. (Also, no real literary agent would call themselves a “literary liaison”, which is a term with no established meaning in the industry.)
Adrienne, I received the exact same email, and have been researching Andrea Gray.
Well, receiving the exact same email leads me to believe that it is definitely a scam. And I can’t find anything about her. She’s not on any literary agent sites and it’s a Gmail address. Thanks for responding. I appreciate it.
Has anyone heard of Chris Parks at DeFiore? Is she legit? She responded to my book proposal saying it wasn’t strong enough and to get my numbers up and she also said she wanted me to get a ghostwriter for my book proposal. I asked her if we could just focused on publishers that weren’t concerned about numbers and she insisted that I get back to her after working with a ghostwriter she suggested. I spent $4,000 ($1,000 of which I still owe), only to have Chris come back to me and say she is not confident she can get past the numbers. The same numbers I had before she asked me to work with a ghost writer. She sent back a list of agents but I feel scammed.
Have you heard of Kyla Garcia and writer’s crown literary agency? They reached out and want me to sign, but haven’t asked for money.
Has anyone ever been approached by Shondaland Media for obtaining movie rights from a self published book?
I’ve gotten several reports of solicitations supposedly from Shondaland Media. It’s an impersonation scam. The aim is to convince you to pay for some service, such as a screenplay or a “cinematic book trailer.” There should never be a purchase or cost associated with rights acquisition.
Production companies like Shondaland don’t contact authors out of the blue like this: they mostly acquire rights via reputable agents.
I was contacted by Ruth Garcia from Fynest360, who presented herself as a literary agent. She promised that she could help me increase the rank of my book on Amazon, and I was initially convinced by her pitch. However, after further investigation, I found out that Ruth Garcia is actually a man from the Philippines who has been using a voice-altering application to impersonate a woman.
Additionally, Fynest360 took my money for services they didn’t deliver. I’ve already contacted my bank and am in the process of recovering the funds, but I wanted to make sure you are aware of this situation.
Please consider adding Fynest360 to any scam watchlists or directories you may be aware of, as they are operating deceitfully and preying on authors.
I just wanted to keep you informed and hopefully prevent anyone else from falling into a similar situation.
I’ve gotten several reports about solicitations by Fynest360, and it’s been added to my Overseas Scams List. Hope your bank is able to help you recover your money.
A woman by the name of Alexandra Taler, claiming to be with “The Literary Firm” in NY, contacted me by phone saying Simon & Shuster had called her for a special meeting where my book, “What Did You Learn at School Today?” was discussed. Ms. Taler explained to me that S&S wanted to purchase my publishing rights and she would be my agent. After researching her name and company, as well as her “License Number,” I decided this was a scam. I wasn’t able to find her name on Any Literary Agent List. She never asked for money — she asked for my CV, my full, raw manuscript, an updated picture of myself, and said I would be asked by S&S to sign the acquisition documents in order to be paid $80,000.
Has anyone else had a similar experience, or been contacted by anyone from “The Literary Firm”? (address states it is at 60 Broad Street in NY)
I’ve gotten multiple reports about solicitations by “agents” at The Literary Firm”. It’s a scam: reputable agents rarely reach out to writers directly, but for scammers, it’s their main M.O. Other scam signs:
– Real literary agents don’t approach publishers on behalf of authors they don’t represent. No real agent would submit your book to a publisher without a) having already signed you to representation, and b) telling you.
– There’s no licensing (or other regulatory oversight) for literary agents. Anyone who wants to can call themselves an agent, whether or not they’re qualified to do the job…or whether or not they have dishonest intent. This is one of several reasons why there are so many fake/scam literary agencies like The Literary Firm.
Hi my name is Juanita I just received an email from a lady name Allegra Lombardi is she real or a scam
I am glad I found this!
Got this email yesterday:
Dear …..,
Greetings!
I am David Lin, a Literary Agent at Zenith Literary Agency, would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on receiving a commendation for your book “100 Walls To Be Broken” from our Book Scouts.
Website: https://www.zenithliterary.com/
We have conducted an initial assessment of your book and shared it with our partners across various sectors, including Bookstores, Traditional Publishers, and Movie Producers. I am pleased to inform you that several of them have expressed significant interest in your work. Your book has received favorable reviews, with a rating of 7.87 out of 10, considering both its Market Viability and Readability. The only concern that has arisen is that your book has yet to establish a significant presence in the market, particularly in terms of sales distribution. We are reaching out to you to discuss these concerns and explore potential strategies for addressing them. Our primary objective is to bridge the gap and foster potential collaborations with key decision-makers in these industries.
Zenith Literary Agency is an independent literary representation agency that directly collaborates with Bookstore Owners and Movie Producers. Our vision is rooted in the belief that exceptional literary works should promote the welfare of aspiring and established authors alike, fostering a vibrant, dynamic, and ultimately successful presence in the world of publishing.
What are the advantages of partnering with a literary agent?
Having a literary agent can truly propel the success of your book and elevate your status as a professional writer. Your agent can capture the attention of publishers and negotiate contracts to secure you a favorable book deal.
Staying Informed about Market Trends
We remain well-informed about the ever-evolving trends in the book publishing landscape. This industry is constantly shaped by technological advancements, cultural shifts, and even the latest developments in Hollywood. We are attuned to current book-to-film trends and understand what book editors are seeking in today’s market.
As your literary representative, we will serve as your compass in the complex publishing world. We can assist you at every stage, from crafting your query letter and submission package to establishing your book’s presence in the global market.
Securing the Best Opportunities
Our role is to secure the best opportunities for you. We have a keen understanding of the fluctuating book market and are well-equipped to negotiate a more favorable book advance than you might secure independently.
Our Goals:
Facilitate placement of your book in Physical Bookstores
Present your book to Traditional Publisher scouts for consideration
If your book exhibits potential for adaptation into a film, we can pitch it to acquisition managers in Movie Production companies.
This project has the potential to be a significant success, and I look forward to discussing it with you in greater detail. Please let me know the best telephone number and time to reach you or confirm this message.
Our company does not solicit payment nor do we sell any service providers. We are purely a commission-based organization.
Choose representation, make a difference.
I’m so glad I found this site. I was approached by one of these fake agents a week ago. Although the email, which is similar to other emails shared here, seemed a bit suspicious – my book has only been out for a little over a month, so how could people be raving about it and it have a high score – but as scammers do, she was telling me what I wanted to believe. In doing some research this page came up. Reading the comments helps me realize that I was, indeed, targeted. The fake agent emailed me again, today, and made an appointment to call me tomorrow, but now I know I will just let it go to voicemail. No more email responses or anymore interactions. Once I have their number I will block it. Thank you EVERYONE, for sharing your stories.
What was the agent’s name?
Hi I received an email from Zenith Literary, seems to be a scam.
Below is the email:
vero…@zenith-literary.com
Jun 20, 2024, 3:48 PM (4 days ago)
to me
Dear Leo DaLynx,
Greetings!
I am Veronika Young, the Senior Literary and Book-to-Film agent at Zenith Literary Agency, and I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on receiving a commendation for your book “LEO THE LYNX AS ASTROLYNX IN GOOD MORNING SUN ” from our Book Scouts.
Agency: Zenith Literary Agency
Address: 522 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2600, New York, NY 10175
Website: http://www.zenithliterary.com
We have conducted an initial assessment of your book and shared it with our partners across various sectors, including Bookstores, Traditional Publishers, and Movie Producers. I am pleased to inform you that several of them have expressed significant interest in your work. Your book has received favorable reviews, with a rating of 8.87 out of 10, considering both its Market Viability and Readability. The only concern that has arisen is that your book has yet to establish a significant presence in the market, particularly in terms of sales distribution. We are reaching out to you to discuss these concerns and explore potential strategies for addressing them. Our primary objective is to bridge the gap and foster potential collaborations with key decision-makers in these industries.
Zenith Literary Agency is an independent literary representation agency that directly collaborates with Bookstore Owners and Movie Producers. Our vision is rooted in the belief that exceptional literary works should promote the welfare of aspiring and established authors alike, fostering a vibrant, dynamic, and ultimately successful presence in the world of publishing.
What are the advantages of partnering with a literary agent?
Having a literary agent can truly propel the success of your book and elevate your status as a professional writer. Your agent can capture the attention of publishers and negotiate contracts to secure you a favorable book deal.
Staying Informed about Market Trends
We remain well-informed about the ever-evolving trends in the book publishing landscape. This industry is constantly shaped by technological advancements, cultural shifts, and even the latest developments in Hollywood. We are attuned to current book-to-film trends and understand what book editors are seeking in today’s market.
As your literary representative, we will serve as your compass in the complex publishing world. We can assist you at every stage, from crafting your query letter and submission package to establishing your book’s presence in the global market.
Securing the Best Opportunities
Our role is to secure the best opportunities for you. We have a keen understanding of the fluctuating book market and are well-equipped to negotiate a more favorable book advance than you might secure independently.
Our Goals:
Facilitate placement of your book in Physical Bookstores
Present your book to Traditional Publisher scouts for consideration
If your book exhibits potential for adaptation into a film, we can pitch it to acquisition managers in Movie Production companies.
I am eager to learn more about the current status of your book in order to better position myself as your Literary Manager. I kindly propose that we schedule a meeting to discuss how we can work together to make a meaningful impact on your writing career.
Choose representation, make a difference.
Best Regards,
Veronica Young
Definitely a scam. The solicitation is the main indicator, but scam sign is all over the website: non-working social media and other links, false claims to rep trad-pubbed books, and there’s no independent evidence of the existence of any of the supposed agents.
These stupid guys from LitPrime even invited a Filipino celebrity, who clearly had no idea what the industry was about, and invited people to apply for a job a LitPrimix. By the way, LitPrime and LitPrimix are one. Check out the video below.
https://m.facebook.com/MTCcareers/videos/apply-now-at-mtc-litprimix/389471413016489/
Chris, the Filipino celebrity introducing the company, owns it. he marries a cebuana Filipina and relocates to where the heat on scams in the publishing industry are doing it, Cebu City!
Goodluck…. #bookfilmsmedia is a scam as well
Reply
Another SCAM https://bookfilmsmedia.com/about-us/ beware beware beware #bookfilmsmedia #scambookcompany
Hello! Interesting post. Not sure if I got a scam or a real thing, in a recent email. Ari Handel from A24 Studios wants to put a book of mine to film. But he’s recommending a screenwriter/helper- Christian Mann from Astute Literary. Not sure if legit or not. Hope is, but….
Came out of the blue.
Hi, Tommy,
It’s a scam. Astute Literary is part of a complex of scams that does business under several different names, and is very active in impersonating production companies and publishers–I’ve gotten many reports and complaints. The aim is to suck you in with exciting offers, and then trick you into paying for something: a screenplay, a “cinematic trailer”, and more.
Click the “Overseas Scams List” link in the top menu for more information. Also see the recent guest post on how a book really becomes a movie.
Received an email from “Allegra Lombardi” at Story Arc Literary Group. Email sounded good but did not mention my books title Red Flag #1. Googled their website and the link to the Home page said “Hom.” RedFlag #2. They map locates them in San Francisco but they list NYC as the address.
When they did not follow up I started googling everyone in the company, not a thing until “Andrea Powell” which drove me here. Exact same name and photograph to Lit Guard.
Thanks for making a connection for me that I hadn’t made (Andrea Powell of LitGuard/StoryArc). I’ve updated my Overseas Scams list.
This is a comm I rec’d today, unsolicited:
Hello Gary,
Please refer to the attached PDF for the literary agent agreement form.
Once you have read and understood the proposal, feel free to sign the agreement and return it to me.
Send me your manuscript and book cover as well. I’ll be sending out exploratory letters to traditional publishers, movie producers, and book investors who could be interested in your work, so this is how I start supporting it.
If you would like any information or clarifications, please reply to this email or contact me at +1 347 480 1834.
I look forward to working with you soon.
Take care & have a good one!
Sincerely,
Anastasia Summers
Book and Film Agent
Email : asummers@independentliteraryagents.com
Number: +1 347 480 1834.
My father received communication from the same individual yesterday. She claimed to have a $250k deal prepared through Simon and Schuster. She sent a “Confidential” Memorandum. I would attach it here but not able.
Please send it to me — beware@sfwa.org. Thanks!
I received a phone call and email from Anastasia Summers this morning (5/17/24) – the same information as your email. Glad I found your post above.
Have you or your readers heard of Pageturner Press and Media (supposedly out of Chula Vista, CA) and one “their” agents, Ralph Matthew? This guy is a real piece of work and yes, he is a scammer, as I found out the hard way. What really gets me, is he used Macmillian Publishers Logo, names of actual employees and crafted multiple items about their planned acquisition of my book, all of it bogus. He even went so far as to come up with an NDA so it wouldn’t be suspicisous if Macmillian didn’t acknowledge who I was if I or someone else called to ask about my deal. He also used their logo and names to come up with an offer for acquisition, again all bogus. The real icing on the cake, he put together a full page invite from a reporter at the NY Times complete with logo informing me he wanted to have a one-on-one interview for the Times when I was in New York. All of this a scam. I was foolish enough to initially fall for it, but no more. I do want to warn anyone, however, you may get a solitication from this “agency” and this agent, to immediately cut them off, and report them to the authorities.
I’ve got a good BOOK PUB scam. CHRIS CORTEZ (7 4th Ave, Brentwood, New York 78900, (631) 869 – 4346, ccortez@independentliteraryagents.com) contacted and offered publishing services. The next day, he paid $300,000 for Simon and Schulster’s agreement to buy a three-year pub contract. I was offered 85%, while Chris Agency receives 15% of the $300K. I was urged to agree to “other services- manuscript adjustments and new cover, etc. for $2700 from Limelight Pages and Media Agency (Mr. Sam King) to satisfy Simon Pub.’s review requirements – to get the funds and seal the pub agreement.” Dennis Eulau of Simon & Schuster Pub phoned for contact information. Later, I received an email with a PayPal link to pay from someone in Utah. It was done by Krishna Curley, another so-called agent.
Finance: Professional Development Agency. Please pay the payment at 556 S May Dr, Cedar City, UT 84720. Contact info@theopulentsocial.com or call +1 (435) 690-1159.
The phone number is fine. The email may work. The address is linked to a Realtor.com website.
Chris Cortez’s information address is 7_4th Ave, Brentwood, NY. It’s a residential house!
Chris Cortez used every reason not to rewrite the contract in lieu of a $300,000 offer from Simon Pub.
Q. Why doesn’t everyone postpone payments for services in return for 10X the rates I offer–rather than advance $2700 for art and writing work?
What’s intriguing is that Lady Ms Curley said she relocated from the Philippines. The other TWO likewise had Filipino accents. She was in Utah, Chris in New York, and the other was in Massachusetts?
An obvious swindle….
I’ve gotten several recent reports of solicitations by “Chris Cortez” as well as another “agent” using the same email address, “Adara Lopez” (I put them in quotes because these are not their real names). These fake agents are a front for Limelight Press and Media Agency, which is a scam (click the Overseas Scams link, above). Such scammers routinely use entirely fake offers from Big 5 publishers to trick writers into buying re-publishing and other largely bogus services–up to and including fake phone calls from people purporting to be from the publisher.
Would you please forward me anything you received from Chris Cortez, including emails, contracts, offer letters, etc.? beware@sfwa.org. Thanks.
I just got this email. Is this legit? I noticed they didn’t mention the name of my book.
My name is Andrea Powell, and I’m representing the LITGUARD, based out of sunny Pasadena, California. We’ve been getting some attention lately from big players in the publishing and film industries who are on the hunt for fresh material to adapt into novels and movies. What we do here is take a close look at manuscripts, carefully assessing their potential before we give them our stamp of approval.
Now, when we reviewed your literary work we were genuinely impressed. Our Editorial, Research, and Quality teams have not only shared your information but also wholeheartedly endorsed your work. These teams are responsible for evaluating submissions and actively searching for books and novels with potential for literary representation. We’ve already sent out some initial proposals, and we’ve got official invitations from interested organizations rolling in.
To take things to the next level, we’d love to chat with you directly. Could you kindly share your best contact number and a convenient time for us to call you? Alternatively, you can reach out to me directly using the contact details you’ll find in my email signature.
As your literary agent, my success is tied to yours. I only earn my commission when your book lands a deal with a major publishing house. Rest assured, my aim is to secure the best opportunities for you and your exceptional work.
Thank you and I’m eagerly looking forward to our upcoming conversation.
Litguard is a scam–I’ve gotten reports of identical solicitations using other “agent” names, and their website has multiple warning signs, including false claims and fake agents.
Reputable agents only very, very rarely reach out to authors they don’t already represent. For scammers, it’s their main way of acquiring clients. Out of the blue publishing- or movie rights-related emails or phone calls are highly likely to be scams.
I received this from Andrea Powell today (5/1/24). When I googled the ‘agency’, a fancy website came up, but there were also some big red flags.
…I hope this message finds you well and thriving in your creative endeavors.
My name is Andrea Powell, and I am reaching out from the Story Arc Literary Group in New York, a hub for innovation in the literary and film industries. Our team has had the pleasure of reviewing your work, and we are thoroughly impressed by the unique voice and profound narrative you’ve crafted.
At Story Arc, we specialize in identifying manuscripts that not only resonate with readers but also hold the potential to be transformed into compelling novels and films. Your work has not only passed our rigorous evaluation but has been enthusiastically endorsed by our Editorial, Research, and Quality teams. This endorsement has sparked significant interest, leading to preliminary proposals and formal invitations from prestigious organizations eager to explore your work further.
We are excited about the prospect of working together and would love to discuss this opportunity with you personally. Could you please share your best contact number and a convenient time for a call? Alternatively, feel free to reach out to me directly at the contact information provided in my email signature.
As a literary agent, my commitment is to your success; I earn my commission only when we secure a deal with a major publisher that meets your expectations and showcases your talent to the fullest.
Thank you for considering this opportunity. I am looking forward to the possibility of a fruitful collaboration that places your work in the spotlight it truly deserves.
Warm regards,
I’ve just started to get reports about solicitations from StoryArc, which does have a fairly slick website but otherwise is as fake as fake can be, with “agent” photos from sites like FreePik, claims of expertise unsupported by any verifiable details, and an array of trad-pubbed book cover images that they don’t quite claim, but definitely falsely imply, that they’ve repped (given that their domain name was only registered on April 2 of this year, it’s a bit hard to see how they’d have repped Robert Ludlum or Umberto Eco).
Solicitation really is the number one sign of a scam these days. Also, in this particular solicitation, the first line (“I hope this message finds you well and thriving in your creative endeavors” is a tell: it’s one of a collection of two or three goofy first lines that I’ve seen used over and over in scam solicitations.
Hi Victoria,
I received a text msg. out of the blue purporting to be from an actual agent — Nicole Aragi, who apparently ran or runs her own agency. In the text, however, she identified herself as a literary agent at Trellis Literary Management — again, a real agency. They have a Web site and appear to be legit, but Nicole Aragi is not listed as one of their agents. In the text, Nicole says she was approached by Danya Kukafka, another real agent at the Trellis agency (she’s on their web site), who supposedly introduced Nicole to my self-published book, which Nicole claims to have been quite taken with. She goes on to say that she would “love to endorse your book to these (not clear what she means by “these”) Hollywood Producers, Movie production companies, and Traditional publishing houses.” She then says she would like to “discuss a proposal that would be mutually beneficial,” and asks for my phone number (which you would think she would have since she sent this by text. This rings alarm bells for a number of reasons, but the fact that they’re using the names of legit agents and dropping names of other legit agents and agencies is a couple of notches above the usual persistent scammers I’ve dealt with since publishing my book. Have you had any reports of anything like this, or anyone impersonating Nicole Aragi or using Trellis Literary?
Thanks much for the tireless work you do!
Greg Mandel
Hi, Greg,
I heard from another author just in the past few days who got an identical solicitation, also via text. Trellis and its agents are being extensively impersonated by a scammer (mostly with phone calls and emails); my guess is that this is coming from the same scam, though I’ve no idea why they seized on Nicole Aragi, who is a well-known agent with her own eponymous agency. Why not just approach as Danya Kukafka, who they’ve previously impersonated multiple times?
Anyway, in the time since I wrote this post, agent/agency impersonations have become extremely common. Since you’ve received one such solicitation, you will probably be a target for more. (If you’re interested, here’s a look at one of scams that’s most active in this regard: https://writerbeware.blog/2022/07/29/metamorphosis-and-impersonation-a-new-front-for-an-old-scam/)
I self-published my book more than 10 years ago, and I still get at least one phone call per week from one of the scammers. It’s insanity.
Just got this email – looks similar to the Clare Richardson one above.
“Dear Annabelle Franklin,
My name is Hadley Ramsay, I am a Senior Scout for Film/TV of Maria Campbell Associates. We are not a Literary Agency and do not represent authors. We do not accept unsolicited materials or phone calls either because we only work with Literary Agents connected to the organization. Maria B. Campbell and her colleagues are identified as Netflix’s sole scouts for new upcoming projects. Also trusted by other Hollywood Producers.
We would like to offer your book a chance to pave the way in the movie industry. If you would like to take this opportunity, kindly provide your Literary Agent’s contact information so we can provide him/her with the complete list of requirements for submissions.
All the best,
Hadley Ramsay
Senior Film Scout
Film Acquisitions Department | Maria B. Campbell Associates
mariacampbellassociates@gmail.com
https://mbcbook.com/
381 Park Avenue South Suite 1321 New York, NY 10016″
Thanks for your comment, Annabelle. I’ve devoted a whole blog post to the Maria B. Campbell impersonation scam.
Another scam literary agency is Astute Literary Agency https://astuteliterary.com/. another scam Production company is Icon Productions who is seriously dumb enough not to know that the real Icon Productions is now called Icon Film Distributions.
Got a cold call from Legendary Films and then Astute Literary. Are they in cahoots and scammers?
Legendary is a real media company with a number of divisions–but none of them are called Legendary Films. It’s also very unlikely that a major media or film company would cold-call a writer.
Astute Literary Hub is a scam: I’ve gotten multiple reports. I suspect this was yet another impersonation scam.
How can you confirm that the Astute Literary Agency is a fake? I’ve gotten an email from them. And they want me to pay $7000 for the screenwriter. I would appreciate any contact about this. I don’t want to be excited for something that might not happen.
Tony Gibbs from Warner Media complete scam.
Followed up on the "Tony Gibbs" "WarnerMedia" scam. Complete fraud. Warner Brothers "taking steps to prevent this individual from misrepresenting WB." They put confidentiality on their e-mails so cannot share here. Confident they will shut him down.
Also received calls from a "Tony Gibbs" claimed had offer from Bantam Books, but needed money upfront for his "certified editor" to review. Have you read the book, Tony? No, that's why the certified editor. He offered to front $500 but I'd have to reimburse the addtl $2500.
He provided what seems to be a fake IMDB profile, plus the trace back of the other e-mail scammers involved – "Warner Media Talents" in Los Angeles – appears to be rent by the month shared spaces and no Sec of State business listings = scam.
Players = Hanna Evans @ getbestsellersstatus. Cameron Davis @ Warner Media Talents. Tony Gibbs @ Warner Media Films. getbestsellersstatus address is a mail drop in a run-down Redondo Beach area.
844-600-9720 toll free but avoid these guys. There may be a legit agent in NYC named Tony Gibbs this guy is impersonating.
Warner Media, Bantam, IMDB and others are all getting notified.
Just had a series of emails and calls from 'Paradigm Talent' and 'Warnermedia' claiming to want to represent my book. I was alert, but curious to know how far they would go! I'm an unknown writer and write just for enjoyment, so knew that an agent would not head hunt me….ever. The first red flag was that the talent agent didn't even know what my book was called. Then I had a series of calls from a man with a strong accent claiming to be Tony Gibbs from Warner media. I cut him off after a little while and they continued calling back and emailing. It would be funny if it wasn't for the fact that they're criminals ..guessing identity theft or preparing to ask me for money. Beware..they are out there.
Paul,
I'm interested. Please email me: beware@sfwa.org. Thanks.
LitPrime invites viewers to write a review of their experience with the company.
If you accept their invitation and write a negative review, clicking the "submit"button takes you to a list of requirements that ensure your negative
review will not be published. LitPrime is driven by greed; stay as far
away from them as possible. If you sign a contract with them, prepare yourself to be lulled into pouring thousands of dollars down a rat hole. They will tell you your book is exceptional and should be advertised in the New York Times Magazine for "only" $7,000, or should be made into a movie which will require the services of a screenwriter startng at $15,000. They are unworthy of membership in the community of honest D-I-Y publishers. One of their key employees was recently terminated for embezzlement. I can name names and cite specifics. Paul H. Schneiter
These stupid guys from LitPrime even invited a Filipino celebrity, who clearly had no idea what the industry was about, and invited people to apply for a job a LitPrimix. By the way, LitPrime and LitPrimix are one. Check out the video below.
https://m.facebook.com/MTCcareers/videos/apply-now-at-mtc-litprimix/389471413016489/
Chris, the Filipino celebrity introducing the company, owns it. he marries a cebuana Filipina and relocates to where the heat on scams in the publishing industry are doing it, Cebu City!
Goodluck…. #bookfilmsmedia is a scam as well
Thanks Victoria,
He claimed that Westbow Press was a setup to hoodwink people into thinking they were the self-publishing company for Thomas Nelson and Zondervan when in fact they were not. I checked on the Thomas Nelson site and found them advertising Westbow Press, so he was obviously lying. He reckons he just got it wrong because of his busy schedule! A clear scammer!
Neil
Neil L,
I'm afraid this is a scam. "Johnny" is one of a number of fake agent personas created by a scam doing business as Paper Bytes and Chapters Media, among other names. See my writeup here: https://accrispin.blogspot.com/2021/03/paper-bytes-marketing-solutions-and-its.html
I have been contacted by Johnny Saints who included a pdf of himself from https://victoriastrauss.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Paper-Bytes-fake-agent-Johnny-resume.pdf. He wants to promote my book to mainstream publishers. It has already been published by Westbow Press but he reckons I have to buy the distribution license plus various other conditions before any publisher will consider it. Is this at all legitimate?
karen,
I've gotten complaints about Shontelle Summers claiming to represent Writers Desks and Writers Book Publishing House. Both are scams (actually they're one scam using two names).
Anonymous 5/12,
I've gotten complaints about The Book Chambers (which is on my scam list–see the sidebar). The names of the contacts don't really mean anything–they aren't real people, but rather internet personas inhabited by telemarketers.
I have been contacted by The book Chambers – again strong accents, poor emails. looking for a lot of money to make a book video. Leonard Hicks and Kevin James the names of the contacts.
Has any one heard of Shontelle Summers? I received an email from her at Writers Book Publishing House. I also notice that on the scammers list too. 🙁
Unknown 5/04,
I'm getting a lot of complaints about these three names. If the approach was email, would you forward it to me? beware@sfwa.org Thanks!
I also have just been approached by June Michaels connecting himself with Universal Pictures and Allison Grey. Strong Phillipino accents. Asking me for $ to make me a Cinematic Trailer for Universal Pictures. Sound familiar? Orions Media Agency is non-existant.
Do you know of a June Michaels from Orions Media Agency? Please leave me as anonymous.
Chris Jovan Robinson,
Johnny Saints is one of a number of fake agents created by the same scam company discussed in this post (though under a different name): https://accrispin.blogspot.com/2021/03/paper-bytes-marketing-solutions-and-its.html
Has anyone heard of Johnny Saints? A literary agent
Anonymous 2/11,
Would you share a link to the FB page of the supposed agent? I'm very interested in these fake agent personas, which are becoming more common. Thanks.
Victoria,
I found your page because the "Authors Reputation Press" (which you mentioned on your list) is RSVPing the events of a local writers group that I organize on Facebook! The FB page of the supposed agent was created in February, completely empty, but for a photo of a suspiciously model-esque literary agent.
Thank you for running this page.
FWIW, the links in the gmail message I received (where I regularly receive Victoria Strauss messages) didn't work. I found the post at last by going to the Writer Beware blog. Not sure what broke. I'd like to post this on my blog JustCantHelpWriting.com, but not sure if the link works. Thanks!
Anonymous 10/28,
I got your email, and don't worry–no personal information about you will be shared.
When you say you're negotiating with an agency, would that be the agency mentioned in one of your emails to "Shontelle"? If so, based on what you say in the email I'm concerned that thsi may be another scam. Would you be willing to tell me who the agency is? If so, please email be at beware@sfwa.org
I just sent it to you the Writers Desk correspondence with Shontelle Summers. Please delete my personal info off of it before posting. I'm still trying to negotiate with an actual agency and would prefer not having my name attached to this crap. Thanks
Anonymous 10/27,
Writers Desks is one of the companies that's actively using reputable agents' names to solicit for their scam services. Would you share the email with me? beware@sfwa.org. Thanks!
Hi Victoria, I recently posted a comment stating I'm in the process of an agreement with a company you mentioned as a potential scammer. I also was just recently emailed by yet another company Writers Desk with a Shontelle summers stating for a mere 5000.00 USD i can get a contract with Penguin Random House for 120000.00.
They are also using Clare Richardson of Maria Campbell associates too. She gets you to Mia Roberts of Chapters Media and you pay her to advertise for you to get your social media presence up
Unknown 10/03,
I'd like to document this new impersonation–if they've emailed you, would you please forward it to me? Your name and contact info will never be shared. beware@sfwa.org . Thanks!
He's up, they are using Clare Richardson, who is a legit employee of Maria Campbell associates, who scouts for netflix.
They were pretty crafty, but she said something like, " I'm going to have my secretary call you, sorry if she sounds funny, she's Chinese"
I knew right away that a top executive would never say anything like that.
So ive been going back and forth for 5 days pending live im trying to send them money and acting super excited. I figure, maybe this will slow them down from scanning someone else. And it's been pretty entertaining.
This was also, chapters media.
I agree with Marcia Yudkin when she says, “And I disagree a bit about the prevalence of literary agents contacting authors out of the blue. There are a good many bloggers who published their first book because an agent saw their blog and suggested they write a book. I myself received several inquiries from genuine agents.”
I was contacted by my current agent out of the blue. Of course I verified his name and agency (googled their website) before responding)..
Also, not all agents choose to belong to AAR.
Thanks for the work you do. Invaluable.
If an agent charges you and is not listed on reputable agency authors they are fake.
Good catch, Anonymous–I've corrected my mistake.
Er, you've got a Jason Smith listed at the top ("some guy calling himself….") and Justin Smith everywhere else. Feel free to delete this comment.
IF I got something like the posted comms above, I'd wonder how they ever saw my work. I am not traditionally published at the novel length. How would Famous Agent ever have a reason to read my stuff? Their slush piles are taller than their chimneys. The 'yeah, right' factor is huge here.
Now, if I were a top selling Indie author and Famous Agent was thinking about signing me to a book deal based on that, I would have expected that work to be at least mentioned…and if it was, I'd quiz them about the work, just to see if they had read it.
That's too much work for a scammer. They're after easier prey. Make it hard for them. If you have a mind to–tie up their time.
Hi Victoria,
Another clue you didn't emphasize is that the samples you quoted are all completely generic in their references to the letter recipient's work. They don't provide clear evidence that they've read the person's work. A legitimate literary contact would most likely say something specific about their work and why they felt it was promising to make the inquiry seem credible.
And I disagree a bit about the prevalence of literary agents contacting authors out of the blue. There are a good many bloggers who published their first book because an agent saw their blog and suggested they write a book. I myself received several inquiries from genuine agents after I published an essay in the New York Times. But as I said, if the inquiry doesn't mention what sparked the interest, it is probably a scam.
Thanks for all you do to keep aspiring writers informed!
Marcia Yudkin
The only relevant professional organizations for literary agents are the AAR and its equivalents in other countries. In this case, though, that wouldn't help, because the scammers are stealing the names of real people who may legitimately be members.
Always, always, ALWAYS, check to see if the letter-writer belongs to a professional organization of literary agents. The Association of Authors Representatives (www.aaronline.org) comes to mind. Doubtless there may be others of which I'm not aware.
They're using the same tactic that "phishers" have for decades now: create an account that looks mostly legit and then hope whoever gets it doesn't notice the slight differences. Like sometimes I get fake contests claiming to be from CVS Pharmacy but you can tell the font isn't the same. Or I get "Amazon" emails to an account not associated with my Amazon account.
More than just initial payment to these scammers, you have to worry what they'll do with your financial information. It really is a difficult world for authors, agents, and publishers with all these scams.