Those Dreadful Scams!
It’s about time the Art of Writing published updates on some appalling scams that target writers. Scams are becoming more and more insidious as more and more books are listed on Amazon and author names are traceable to email addresses. The Con Job we will focus on today targets self-published and traditionally published books. The swindlers are particularly active now, scamming titles on Amazon.
This MGM scam was brought to my attention by literary scout and editor Philippa Donovan from Smartquill. One of her writers received an email saying her book was a ‘masterpiece’ and that MGM was interested in buying the film rights.
I’ll let Philippa tell it from here:
I am just forwarding the first email rather than the chain as the first email is the one most likely to end up in people’s inboxes and cause hope/confusion. Also, I have included Author and Title instead of the actual names. But ‘Elee’ did their research and knew the author’s name and the title of book.
The reasons it nearly passes muster: The MGM website as link, the fact that Orion is indeed part of MGM, the correct-looking email address, the offer of a direct phone line with the correct LA code.
The reasons it does not: It calls the book a masterpiece. A producer would not do this on first approach, because in acknowledging how good it is, they’d drive up the price. They would never open a negotiation like this. Also, the way it says “one of the chosen authors”. Like it is a competition, and the author has won a prize and should therefore be grateful.
The way it plays out is that once they have your attention, they ask if there is a screenplay based on the book, and if there is not (99 cases out of 100), they offer to do one for you, for a fee. So ultimately you must pay them to get your book “optioned" by MGM when MGM actually knows nothing about it.
I am doing some work for a producer who has a deal with MGM, so was able to forward this scam directly to the producer and hopefully shut it down!
On 10 Mar 2023, at 5:04 am, Elee Reed <eleereed@orionfilmsproduction.com> wrote:
Hi, Author!
I trust this email finds you in an excellent state of health. This is Elee Reed, a literary film consultant based in Los Angeles, California working for Orion Films Productions under the umbrella of MGM, Metro Goldwyn Meyer.Good news is that your book — Title, reached our office for it was recommended for a Hollywood movie making this masterpiece be suited as an international film. Having said that, you are one of the chosen authors that qualify the standards in which it's our utmost interest to represent and invest in your book to be submitted over to our film producer partners for a movie adaptation. Also, I could send you a few questions via email or maybe reach out to you through phone as your schedule allows. Anyhow, you can call me at my direct phone number, 323-451-7062. Really hoping to hearing from and working with you in the future.
Best regards, keep safe!
--
Elee Reed
✉ eleereed@orionfilmsproduction.com
☏ (323) 451-7062
mgm.com/orion
To help you suss out scams, the Art of Writing has also looked up some great scam flaggers. It’s excellent and also covers Vanity Press scams. I have a few writers who have fallen for these kinds of fake publishers. They are still waiting for their manuscripts to be edited and their books to be published. Sadly, they will have a long wait. One Art of Writing writer has been waiting four years. Another tip on this blog mentions: “endorsement” to Hollywood via screenplay and treatment creation. https://writerbeware.blog/
If any of you have a scam experience you would like to share, we would love to publish it. Write to me at lisacliffordwriter@gmail.com and together we can protect writers!
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