Scammers targeting authors have become more sophisticated than ever—using real staff names, photos, familiar industry language, and convincing emails that mimic legitimate publishing communication. If you’ve ever wondered:
- “Is this person really from Tellwell?”
- “How do I verify someone contacting me about my book?”
…this guide gives you everything you need to confirm whether someone truly represents Tellwell Publishing.
Below, you’ll find clear steps to identify legitimate communication, verify staff identities, and recognize red flags before they become a problem.
✅ Tellwell’s Official Email Domains
All legitimate communication from Tellwell will only come from the following email domains:
- @tellwell.ca
- @tellwell.com.au
- @tellwellpublishing.com
- @mytellwell.com
- @tellwell.zendesk.com
- @empoweredauthorsummit.com
- @publishingmatch.com
If the sender’s email does not match any of these domains, the message is not from Tellwell.
📞 Phone & Video Verification: A Step Many Scammers Avoid
Tellwell staff, such as publishing consultants, project managers, and marketing consultants, regularly communicate with authors through:
- Scheduled phone calls
- Video chats (Zoom, Google Meet, or similar platforms)
- Screen-sharing sessions during onboarding or project reviews
If someone refuses to speak with you by phone or video, this is a major red flag.
Real client-facing Tellwell team members:
✔ Will speak with you on the phone
✔ Will join a video call if requested
✔ Want you to feel confident and informed
Scammers typically avoid live communication because they don’t want to reveal their identity, location, or legitimacy.
🔎 How to Verify a Tellwell Employee
Here’s how to confirm someone is truly part of our team:
1. Check their email domain
If it doesn’t match the official list above, it is not from Tellwell.
2. Ask for a phone or video call
Authors may schedule calls, either via phone or video, with our client-facing Tellwell team members such as publishing consultants, project managers, and marketing consultants.
3. Make sure the message makes sense for your project
Does the message match your stage of production, your package, or past communication?
4. Forward anything questionable to: [email protected]
Our support team will verify the message and investigate further if needed.
🚫 Common Red Flags: Signs the Person Is NOT from Tellwell
Impersonators often:
- Use a real staff member’s name but email from Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, or other personal accounts
- Avoid phone or video calls
- Promise unrealistic outcomes (e.g., “guaranteed bestseller,” “guaranteed film contract,” or “national media coverage”)
- Create a false sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly
- Ask for personal or financial details unexpectedly
- Include suspicious links or attachments
And importantly:
🔐 Request unusual payment methods
Tellwell’s payments are never made through third-party platforms, personal accounts, or unfamiliar links.
- All payments are handled through our proprietary software, Octavo
- Every legitimate payment link always begins with:
https://portal.tellwell.ca - If a payment link does not start with this URL—or someone asks for payment outside of Octavo—it is not legitimate
The only exception is when you have arranged a direct bank transfer with your verified Tellwell representative, and even then, instructions come only from an official Tellwell email domain.
If something feels strange in a payment request, pause and verify immediately.
🔐 How to Stay Safe When Communicating About Your Book
To protect your project:
- Do not reply to messages from personal or unfamiliar email addresses
- Do not click unknown links or attachments
- Only submit payments through secure Tellwell channels
- Check whether offers match Tellwell’s published pricing
- Always verify suspicious messages with our support team
Your publishing journey deserves to be safe and transparent.
❓ FAQ: Verifying Tellwell Staff & Communication
How can I confirm someone actually works for Tellwell?
Check their email domain, request a phone or video call, and verify with [email protected] if unsure.
Does Tellwell communicate by phone and video?
Yes. Our team uses both regularly.
A person refusing both is not a Tellwell employee.
Does Tellwell ever use Gmail or other personal email accounts?
No. We only use our official domains.
How do I confirm a payment request is real?
All secure payment links begin with:
https://portal.tellwell.ca
If the URL is different, stop and verify.
Does Tellwell guarantee film deals, bestsellers, or traditional publishing contracts?
No credible publisher can guarantee these outcomes.
Final Thoughts: When in Doubt, Verify
If something feels unusual—whether it’s an unfamiliar email address, a too-good-to-be-true offer, or someone refusing a phone or video call—pause and verify.
📧 [email protected]
We’re always here to help you confirm authenticity and protect your publishing journey.
