I’ve written many scam case studies and investigations on this blog, all of which reference and/or describe writers’ direct experiences (while protecting their identities, as Writer Beware always promises to do). But when the essay below landed in my inbox this week, it presented the perfect opportunity to offer a different perspective: a writer’s own first-person description of her encounter with a scammer.
The scam in question is an extremely common one: out-of-the-blue contact from someone claiming to be a well-known film producer/famous movie director/executive with a major production company supposedly eager to turn the writer’s book into a movie. The essay details all the typical elements of this often-elaborate fraud: praise and promises carefully calibrated to manipulate the writer’s hopes and dreams (and ego), contracts and other items that lend a veneer of authenticity, even a phone call from the famous director attached to the project! But also warning signs, which this writer didn’t ignore but too many writers do–such as American movie people speaking with strong foreign accents.
Denise Beck-Clark has kindly given me permission to use her name and bio (at the bottom of the post). Hopefully her experience will help other writers recognize and avoid this type of scam. (My favorite part of the story: when the scammer recommends using Writer Beware.)
For more reading, this post describes how the book-to-screen process happens in the real world: How a Book Really Becomes a Movie.
My Twenty-Four Hour Dream
by
Denise Beck-Clark
It began when I came home and listened to a voicemail that said it was “Matthew Tolmach from MGM, you know, MGM the big movie studio, calling to talk about your book, Thirty Years Hence” and to call him back ASAP.
The area code was 520 which Google told me was Tucson, Arizona.
I called him immediately, and we were on the phone for about thirty minutes. After he confirmed that he really was Matthew Tolmach from MGM Studios and that I really was the author of Thirty Years Hence, I inquired about him being located in Tucson. He said that the director they were working with was now based there because the offices they had had in LA were decimated in the recent spate of fires.
He then explained the following: a team of MGM staff who search for books they think will make great films came upon my book and placed it in the top five books they would consider for adaptation. They already had the director, none other than Kathryn Bigelow, the first female director to win an Oscar (for the film The Hurt Locker). He added that Bigelow knew about my book and was also on board for the adaptation.
My heart was already beating faster, but it really sped up when he mentioned that they were going to ask the bigwigs at MGM for $35 million, classifying it as a big budget film to be shown internationally. From that amount I would receive $6 million, beginning with an advance of five percent, or $300,000.
The part of my mind that was still grounded on earth was thinking, this has to be too good to be true, and, it’s probably a scam. But I continued to talk with “Matthew” (not without some difficulty thanks to his accent) and asked what I thought were pertinent questions.
I also told him there was something that might complicate the plan for my book: I was already working with another company that was writing the screenplay. I’d paid them, supposedly to compensate their film agent who eventually would try to sell the screenplay to a film producer. Implying that I may have been scammed, “Matthew” asked the name of the company. I told him, and he asked if I was in front of my computer. When I said yes, he suggested I go to the site, Writer Beware. He seemed to be quite familiar with it as he told me to put the company name into the search box. I did so and was relieved when the result said, “Not Found.”
He told me that one of the requirements I would have to comply with for MGM would be providing a screenplay. I said, “I thought the film company provides the screenplay.” In not so many words he reiterated that no, that would be for me to do. I again spoke of the possible complication of the company I had paid which was supposed to finish the screenplay by around July, at which time I would have it; but I didn’t know the legalities of my rights vis a vis what I could do with it. I had signed on with that company, agreeing that they would find the film producer and reap part of the earnings if the screenplay were sold.
“Matthew” went on to enumerate other “requirements” that were also listed in a contract he was going to email me. Plus, he said, because I didn’t seem to understand him that well (presumably due to his accent), the next day he would call me and then connect the call to Kathryn Bigelow herself.
Great, I thought, when we hung up. I was cautiously optimistic, not allowing myself to get too excited, thinking I would certainly know more once I spoke to Kathryn Bigelow. I didn’t stop to think how unlikely it was that a famous director would talk out of the blue to an unknown writer, instead of having staff take care of these initial details.
I also realized that since we weren’t having a call with visuals, how would I know it was really Kathryn Bigelow I’d be speaking to? So I went online and found her Oscar acceptance speech which I watched and listened to carefully to get a sense of her voice.
The next afternoon, at around 1:00 p.m., 10:00 a.m. in Tucson, “Matthew” called, and within a minute or so said, “I’ll connect you with Kathryn now.” After a few seconds I heard ringing and then a woman’s voice…with an accent. She introduced herself as Kathryn Bigelow and for the next ten or so minutes talked rapidly, basically repeating much of what “Matthew” had said, and finally emphasizing that if I had questions or concerns I should speak to “Matthew”, as she was very busy completing a film starring Idris Elba.
It was the call with “Kathryn Bigelow” that nailed the lid on the coffin. The fact that she kept pronouncing my name as “Dennis” instead of “Denise” was the overriding clue. Unlike the woman on the phone, the woman I saw on YouTube giving her Oscar acceptance speech sounded totally American without even a hint of a drawl, twang, or suggestion of another language.
Shortly after that call I got another email from “Matthew” containing another contract listing the requirements I was presumably going to fulfill. This contract was different from the first one, however. Added to it was a fee of $2,500.00 for the “Hollywood Review”, one of the “requirements” I kept asking him to explain, to no avail. Actually, the total fee was $5,000, he said, but “Kathryn” had kindly offered to pay half!
Shortly after this email, Matthew called to make sure I’d gotten it.
“Yes,” I said, “and you didn’t say anything yesterday about my having to lay out money. I’m afraid, Matthew, that I won’t be able to do this project with you. That’s it for me.”
Oddly enough, he just said, “Okay, no problem. Bye,” almost as if he had been expecting it.
After that I went to Writer Beware and read the article about imposters. In the list of individuals and companies that imposters frequently claim to be was “Matthew Tolmach,” a film producer with his own company. Damn, a narrow escape.
But this got me wondering, more than I had been, whether I’d been conned by the other company. Even though they had supplied some of what they’d promised, including a book trailer and a live interview (both of which can be seen on YouTube), after reading the Writer Beware article I’m skeptical of whether I’ll ever see a screenplay. And even if they do come up with one, will it be film-industry-ready and lead to a film?
The rep from their company has told me they started working on the script in December and would take six to eight months to complete. As of this writing it’s been about four months. I will be calling them to see how it’s coming along…so stay tuned.
Denise Beck-Clark is the author of Thirty Years Hence, A Novel and Concurrent Sentences: A True Story of Murder, Love and Redemption. She has also written essays on Medium and Substack. Find out more at her website: www.denisebeck-clark.com.
Okay, we now know there are scammers out there. My novel is being advertised in Times Square, New York City, and on Kindle and Amazon. I have spent $7,000. This novel is about ‘Grandy’ my beloved paternal grandfather. This novel is true. I want my book to be made into a movie for the glory of ‘Grandy’ for all of his hardship endeavors. His early was not good and the Navy made him into a remarkable man. The book is detailed with many adventures and death. There are numerous photos. If he died in a submarine, I would not be here today. How do I go about Hollywood calling and hoping it’s not a scam? I think ‘Grandy’ is looking out for me.
I am a first time self-writer. I hold a bachelor’s degree in journalism. I have to be careful what I type because I am worried my publisher may read this. I have spent $7,000 for editing and designing my book, an interview with Logan Crawford, never heard of him. He’s a full time reporter and acts as a reporter on “Blue Bloods” and other shows. My novel will be advertised in Times Square, New York City. I will also get a soft and hard back cover of my book.
I am feeling really stupid and too trusting of people. I have always been that way. I always think the best of people and you can’t do that in this time of day. Crime Pays – Big Time!
The thing that makes me sad is that these scammers exist because there are writers who are falling prey to them every day. Otherwise the scamming writers “industry” would dry up and we wouldn’t have to worry about it. The best thing we can do is promote awareness of it, and this website, as much as possible.
Thank you for sharing on this site.
I too have been targeted by a “Hollywood producer,” promising lots of money for my book. When asked-which one? They threw out my latest release. When asked-why that one and what parts do you think are the most cinematic? I got a generic answer they could have gotten from the copy on the back of the book. Then they asked for $5000 for “development fees.”
At that point I cut communication. It’s sad because I think other authors might get caught up scams like this. Hopefully your article will be read by authors approached by these scammers.
I’ve been targeted by many scammers, but sadly not a single one related to my (unpublished) novel. Guess no one knows about it. Reading these comments makes me wonder what % of the GDP is “produced” by scam artists. Must be a significant amount.
Dear Denise, Thank you so much for contacting Writers Beware. God Bless Victoria for her diligence of having this site. GUESS WHAT……just today Katheryn Bigelow called me….just today Bigelow and her fraudlent co conspirator contacted me wth their lying criminal BS contract from MGM. Even if the FBI don’t lock them up they have already been convicted and sentenced in the court of The Almighty Father……..I hope they enjoy a exceptionally warm environment…… another win for Writers Beware……
Thank you for sharing this experience, Denise. It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement when something sounds like a dream come true. Your story is a strong reminder to stay cautious and trust our instincts. I’m grateful for resources like Writer Beware that help protect writers.
GREAT article! I almost went for a $7500 scam to put all my books on audio. Fortunately, I wised up in time, but it was a close call.
I was approached by a “production” company by phone, and was immediately suspicious when I mentioned my team The NY Mets. The person on the phone, calling from “Pennsylvania,” was unfamiliar with “sports.” Okay, find me one person in Philadelphia who has not heard of their arch rival NY Mets!
I googled this “company,” located one name they provided to a shell address in N. Carolina. Enough to alert me. I blocked the person.
Pick up the subtle clues. This person sounded uneducated and yet said he loved my book. As a nonfiction history crime writer, I am accustomed to readers at least having some prior knowledge of my subject. Just listen to these scammers talk and they reveal themselves.
Such a great article. Thank you. The industry is filled with “lossertunities.” I’ve had several offers to collaborate with screenwriters/writers who talk big but have no credits, and expected me to do all the heavy lifting. Also, had a “producer” who goes by Amara de Falco who offered to buy film rights to my novel. $375k. And all I had to do was front her with $6k to buy 400 copies of my book to make it an Amazon bestseller to attract A-list talent. Ha! How do these people live with themselves?
I receive so many calls and emails like the one described in this article, that I assume they’re all scams. Someone legit could contact me, and I wouldn’t give them the time of day because I’ve been bombarded with these morons for years, pretty much daily.
Thank you all so much for your comments. I’m thinking now that I probably was scammed by the company that is supposedly writing the screenplay of my novel. They did as was mentioned here in the comments, they offered to allow me to pay the fee for the agent (as they described it) in monthly payments so I could afford it. The only reason I could afford it was thanks to the last few dollars remaining of an inheritance. I didn’t rush into it, though. I looked them up, and they supplied me with “proof” that they were legitimate. They’re still saying there will be a script in a few months. What also persuaded me initially was that they had a review of my book that was the best review of any I’ve read. The reviewer, one James Wolf if I remember correctly, really understood the book. Of course that’s not to say he wasn’t part of a scam.
One last note, regarding peoples’ accents. Neither the fake “Matthew” nor the fake “Kathryn Bigelow” had Indian accents. I’m not quite sure what they were but they weren’t Indian, and I’m leery of making global statements such as just hearing an Indian accent makes the speaker suspect and the listener suspicious. Actually, I’m remembering now, about a year ago I almost got scammed on my artwork. The woman who called me had no accent, other than American. So, writer/artist beware! (Great site, really!) Denise
Thank you so much for sharing this.
I think I’m lucky not to have the money to pay these people!
However, I am always suspicious of being contacted out of the blue. That just doesn’t happen. And foreign accents, especially Indian sub-continent ones, are a red flag. They are always called an English name, as if that would make you think they’re English (or American, I suppose).
It happens a lot here. I just hang up when I hear an Indian accent.
Thanks for the heads up! I appreciate your taking the time to tell us your tale. As someone who got caught up in the excitement and stopped writing for two years because of the experience, hearing this warning from a fellow writer is important! As Alanis Morissette sang, — you live, you learn!
I’m sorry to tell you that’s not really how Hollywood works. No “company” goes to an author and says we want to turn your book into a screenplay so give us a fee and we will complete the screenplay and use it to catch the attention of producers who will use it to sell a movie. Even if a screenplay materializes, even if it’s actually good, you’re still a million miles from receiving any money and an actual film production. This from a screenwriter in Hollywood for 25 years.
Thank you Denise, and Victoria for sharing this awful experience. I was scammed recently, and as a new author I had no idea scammers were such a big thing. The company had nz as part of its website name, [I am from New Zealand], so I stupidly thought it would be legit. 6 months later, no cover that was in any way what I asked for, a really appalling attempt at formatting, and two calls with two separate imposters with names of ‘Sam’ and ‘Sophie’, both with foreign accents, I asked for a refund and of course that was it. No way of contacting anyone except to the ‘info@’ email address.Vistoria told me their website is based in Pakistan. I’ve lost my confidence and trust to hire anyone else. At least Denise, you realised early and didn’t hand over your manuscript. I did. I hope that your original screenplay is not a problem and that we can all watch the movie one day!
The company is called Book Publishers NZ. bookpublishers.co.nz
Don’t go there!
Wow! Thank you so kindly for sharing this story that seems to be an epidemic that is getting worse for writers/authors. I too am an author that has received many of these calls and emails. Early on, I purchased various marketing services, i.e. republishing, website, video interview, etc. After all of this, they were still trying to string me along but yet no results, not even connection with a literary agent.
I am now very careful to research and screen these scam calls and emails from those claiming to have a way or connection for getting my book acquired by a traditional publisher.
So thankful for the Writer Beware blog site!❤️
Dear Mz. Strauss; We should all thank you for all your very needed exposure of these crooks & thieves. I am a fan of a guy who goes after the scammers in India and Pakistan who are doing the same thing but on a different route. May GOD bless both of you.
Sincerely, W.A. Miller
I use a technique to filter out the noise. Since my books are so wonderful, according to the voice on the other end of the phone, I ask them if they have read my books. Someone else has read them according to the voice. I simply ask, buy my books and read them. Then we can talk. Ha, ha, ha. Those scam emails and phone calls have gone pretty much gone away.
Thank you, Denise and Victoria, and all who shared their experiences. I too fell for a similar scam, which grew out of another scam. I know we are on thin ice talking about accents, but this was a consistent theme for all of my scams. Watch out for Amazon publishing group and DC literary agency. Zack
I fell for this with Skyhorn Entertainment, but it was an Eric, not a Mathew. Almost the same MO as this one. Only I fell for it until I finally caught on. Stay away from Skyhorn Entertainment!
I would always ask if the production company is a WGA signatory, and I’d probably call the WGA, SAG, PGA, and/or DGA to see if they know who anyone contacting me is. MGM would have been the first alarm, because MGM isn’t anything like it used to be (do a news search on line.) And no, you don’t pay to have someone write the script. Unless you don’t want to, ask for a first draft option. You will probably get replaced after that, but first draft carries certain rights under a WGA contract. So many thoughts about this.
Thank you Denise for your experience description. Like you, I’ve had similar opportunities presented for one of my books. When I speak with all the persons talking to me, the overriding similar component is the accent. Trying not to be prejudicial, I will speak with all these for a short period. I now am not taking any of these seriously since my experience has made me ‘gun shy!’ (I write Westerns thus the relationship to firearms.)
Thank you for relating how you were almost pulled into a scam. Since my last one (#3), I’ve become very conscious of doing my due diligence.
Thank you to Writer Beware as well! The service is so very valuable.
I could only relate to your post… the excitement of having been noticed (per se) was a rush for this once only published writer; an essay a few years back! Sharing my excitement a fellow writing friend rained on my parade … righteously so! She implored me to read the ALERT on the company I was contacted by. Yeah, I had questions, to which were not answered on the initial phone call. A second phone call was scheduled, but after reading the review I confronted the ‘agent’ via email and said based on what is out there relating to her company I would not do business with a company that had warnings, testimonies, not to mention affiliations with members of a different fraudulent and scamming company. Then, discovering (from the review on Writer’s Beware) others who didn’t pull away had been screwed; the promise of book to ‘film’, great sales from big name sellers, in addition to all around help for the first timers; evidence of their target market — the ignorant. I thank my friend. I thank you for your post.
Wow. This person’s close call was instructive. Thank you for publishing her story. She did some really good due diligence to protect herself as well.
I’m glad she dodged Matthew. I hope she can cut her losses to the other scammer. And yes, it’s a scammer.
A few things to consider…
Always check here (Writer Beware) first. You can’t cover every scammer, but you can cover a lot.
A subscription to IMDb Pro will let you look up contact info for many people in movies and TV. I think you can subscribe by the month. It’s a good way to check whether the person calling is who they say they are.
Unless you’re a huge bestseller, and I mean huge, Hollywood isn’t going to pay millions for your book. They have Guild contracts that precisely define their pay rates. I haven’t looked recently; but a few years back, their Guild contract specifies $180,000 for the ENTIRE story, from idea or novel to final shooting script, with precise rules for how that money is divided up among contributors (and people vying for contributor credits so they can claim a slice of that). Today you’re probably contending for your share of $200,000. In order to pay you more than that and not get in trouble with the Writers Guild, they have to find another channel to pay you, usually by labeling you a producer. Again, you would know if you’re big enough for this sort of deal. It wouldn’t be a surprise phone call.
Somebody who’s supposedly excited about producing your book will know your book. Ask them to explain what’s great about it. Probe them in detail. A scammer won’t actually read your book, they’re too busy scamming.
Yog’s Law applies: Money flows toward the writer. If you’re paying them, it’s a scam.
Yes, thanks for the post. I have experienced and you can use my name. I am a Pastor, Retired Educator, Author, and Gulf War Veteran. I have met with many members of Congress, etc…
These characters are always trying to scam our people. They tried with me… I am willing to talk about other Black Author scams…
I had an experience like this but without the accents. The nail in the coffin for me was when they asked for $3,000 for a review and presentation to the director. When I said I didn’t have that kind of money, the said I wouldn’t have to pay all of it because they would front me half. Then he introduced a payment plan that would make it easy for me to afford. I just laughed to myself and told him no deal. He and his co-players who had called me several times were out of luck the moment they asked for money.
So glad you posted this! I agree with Nicholas that having this sort of resource really makes me feel someone is actually looking out for me instead of trying to steal my money!
That was a great article and it really rang home for me. A bit after the publication of my first novel, I too received a call. Nothing “big” like MGM, just a smaller independent film company that thought my novel would make a great movie, and all they needed was for me to help them with the startup costs… $3000 (this was back in 2004, so it would be slightly more in today’s dollars). I was highly suspicious but it was a moot point as I simply didn’t have that kind of money laying around back then, and thus I dodged that bullet. I’m very glad that for authors today, there are sites like Writer Beware that we can refer to and be better protected.