Sourcebooks

Avoid Publishing Scams Get tips for how to protect yourself.  Learn More

Protecting authors from publishing scams

Part of being your publishing partner means protecting you from scammers who increasingly target authors and illustrators. These fraudsters impersonate legitimate publishers (including Sourcebooks) to steal money or personal information.

Here's how to identify real Sourcebooks communications and avoid getting caught in a publishing scam.

“Is This Email Really From Sourcebooks?”

Legitimate communication from us will:

  • Come from @sourcebooks.com or @callistopublishing.com email addresses
  • Not request upfront payment for publishing, marketing, or submission services
  • Never ask for bank account details, Social Security numbers, or credit card information via email
  • Not create artificial urgency ("respond in 24 hours or lose this deal")
  • Not reach out via social media direct messages for official business

When in doubt: contact your Sourcebooks team directly, or email info@sourcebooks.com before you respond.

How Publishing Scams Work

These scams affect the entire publishing industry, and fraudsters impersonate employees from publishers of all sizes. This exploits the trust authors place in established and reputable publishing houses.

Common Fake Email Addresses

Scammers create deceptive email addresses by:

  • Replacing letters with numbers: @sourceb0oks.com (zero instead of "o")
  • Adding extra words: @sourcebooks-editorial.com or @sourcebooks-publishing.com
  • Using misspellings: @sourcbebooks.com
  • Changing domains: @sourcebooks.net or @sourcebooks.co

Please note: the domain is the part that matters. A display name can say anything, so always check the full address.

What Scammers Promise

Fraudulent messages commonly offer:

  • Guaranteed publication deals with Sourcebooks
  • "Fast-track" manuscript review for a fee
  • Marketing packages or publicity campaigns requiring payment
  • Representation as a "Sourcebooks literary agent" (we work with external agents; we don't employ them)

What Scammers Request

Impersonators typically ask for:

  • Upfront fees for "submission processing" or "manuscript review"
  • Banking information to "process your advance"
  • Personal identification for "contract verification"
  • Social Security numbers or tax details
  • Immediate payment to "secure your publishing slot"

Recognizing Phishing Messages

Common email red flags include:

  • Domain issues: lookalike domains, free email providers, or reply-to addresses that don't match the sender.
  • Poor quality: spelling and grammar mistakes, odd formatting, or generic greetings like “Dear Author.”
  • Artificial urgency: deadlines measured in hours, threats that an offer will disappear, or pressure not to consult anyone.
  • Suspicious links: shortened URLs, or link text that doesn't match the destination when you hover over it.
  • Dangerous attachments: unexpected invoices, contracts, or .zip and .exe files you didn't ask for.

Common Questions

Q: “Did Sourcebooks email me about a book deal?”

A: We acquire books through literary agents and our established submission channels. We never announce a deal by cold email, and we never ask for a fee to move a manuscript forward.

Q: “Someone from ‘Sourcebooks’ is asking me to pay for marketing. Is that real?”

A: No. We do not charge our authors for publishing, publicity, or marketing services. Any request for payment is fraudulent.

Q: “I already shared personal or financial details. What should I do?”

A: Contact your bank immediately, change any shared passwords, report the incident to the authorities listed below, and let us know at info@sourcebooks.com.

Predatory Marketing Pitches

A growing number of authors are receiving unsolicited emails from self-described “book marketing strategists.” They tend to manufacture urgency around metrics like review counts, warn of a “launch catastrophe,” and pressure you to respond before you've had time to think. Key red flags: cold outreach referencing your specific book data, language designed to make you feel like you're failing, and a vague paid proposal hidden behind a reply of “interested.” Before engaging with any outside vendor who contacts you this way, reach out to your Sourcebooks team.

If You Receive a Suspicious Message

Immediate actions:

  • Do not reply to the message
  • Do not click links or download attachments
  • Do not provide personal, financial, or manuscript information
  • Do not make payments of any kind

Verification process:

  • Forward the suspicious message to your publishing team, or to info@sourcebooks.com
  • We will confirm authenticity quickly
  • If confirmed fraudulent, mark as spam and report the account

Reporting Publishing Fraud

If you've been targeted by or lost money to publishing scams, report to:

Our Commitment to Authors

At Sourcebooks, our partnership with the creative community is built on trust. We take protecting that trust extremely seriously.

Questions or Concerns?

Contact info@sourcebooks.com and we will respond quickly. For more information on avoiding publishing scams, visit the Authors Guild resource center.