Updated May 2026: We’ve added screenshots and examples of recent scam emails reported by authors impersonating Tellwell Publishing staff and services.
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?”
- “Is this publishing offer legitimate?“
…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. . We do not use Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, or other personal email providers for company communication.
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.
🚫 Real Scam Examples Authors Have Forwarded to Us
Unfortunately, we’ve seen a rise in scammers actively impersonating Tellwell Publishing and members of our staff.
These impersonators are becoming increasingly convincing by:
- copying Tellwell branding
- using real employee names
- creating professional-looking signatures
- researching authors beforehand
- using AI-generated writing to sound polished and emotionally persuasive
Their goal is to build trust quickly and convince authors to pay for fraudulent services.
Below are real examples authors have forwarded to us.
🎬 Example 1: The “Screenplay Adaptation” Scam
Several authors have reported receiving emails claiming their book has been selected for screenplay adaptation and would be pitched directly to Netflix or HBO Max.
The scam emails often:
- praise the author’s manuscript
- claim the story has “strong cinematic potential”
- promise screenplay adaptation services
- mention Netflix, HBO Max, or film opportunities
- use Tellwell’s BBB rating and reputation to appear legitimate
- encourage authors to schedule appointments or make payments
The email falsely claimed Tellwell was offering screenplay adaptation and pitching services to major production companies.
🚫 Tellwell does not have a screenplay production department or offer any sort of “screenplay service.”
The scam also falsely promised:
- screenplay writing services
- executive pitch decks
- strategic proposals to Netflix and HBO Max
- royalties from adaptations
- minimum six-figure payouts
These claims are completely false and are not associated with Tellwell in any way.
No legitimate publisher can guarantee:
- film deals
- Netflix acquisitions
- bestseller status
- media coverage
- publishing contracts
Any company making these promises should immediately raise concern.
📚 Example 2: The “Amazon Metadata” Scam
We have also received reports from authors contacted by scammers impersonating someone from Tellwell and offering “Amazon metadata optimization” or “Amazon refresh plan” services.
In one reported case:
- the scammer used a Gmail account impersonating a Tellwell team member
- payment was requested through PayPal under a completely different company name and individual name
- the communication appeared connected to overseas accounts
🚫 Tellwell does not offer an “Amazon refresh” service. While we do help authors who publish with us set up and optimize their Amazon metadata as part of their publishing and marketing support, Tellwell does not randomly solicit authors who have not directly engaged with us.
Thankfully, these authors contacted us before making payment so we could confirm the communication was fraudulent.
We are actively reporting these accounts and documenting new incidents as they arise.
These are important red flags that authors should watch for, which we’ll cover further below.
🚫 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 (such as PayPal), 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.
