Yes, My head got turned...

A shiny email lands in my inbox. Someone says my book “stood out.” And for a split second, my nervous system believes the version of reality where the right person finally found me.

Then the other part of my brain shows up. The one that’s been around enough to flinch. And full disclosure, I did call Michelle Williams and had a long talk with her.

Why these emails hit writers so hard

Look, writers want validation. We spend years getting silence. Then a stranger arrives with praise, certainty, and urgency. That combo is intoxicating.

And it’s not just vibes. Scammers use the same psychological levers marketers use. Scarcity. Authority. Flattery.

The email isn’t targeting intelligence. It’s targeting longing.

Three scam letters sent to me and what they reveal

Hello Monica,

My name is Reba Nell McEntire, a country music icon and award-winning actress known for my powerful voice, chart-topping songs, and decades of dedication to the entertainment industry.

Beyond my career, I hold a sincere commitment to supporting authors through meaningful financial assistance. It is both a privilege and pleasure to recognize your work in this meaningful way,  your book truly stood out, and you have been thoughtfully selected as part of this promise I am honored to fulfill.

Dear Monica,

I’m Mary, Content Manager at Woodside Motion, my role here is to connect with authors during the early stages of our review process, helping them understand how we work and what we look for in new material. I make sure their questions are answered and their creative vision is clearly represented within our team.

Woodside Motion is a creative media company based in New York that develops and supports original storytelling projects across various platforms. We work closely with authors and creatives to bring meaningful stories to wider audiences. Our Outreach Team recently endorsed your book after a detailed review, recognizing its originality, emotional strength, and the clarity of its creative vision. The story’s tone and depth stood out as both distinctive and compelling, leaving a strong impression on our team.

Based on the overview of our team your storytelling and the emotional depth of your narrative. The tone felt intimate and courageous, and the central theme of identity, resilience, and personal transformation was both powerful and relatable. They admired how the story unfolds the way you reflect on life’s transitions with vulnerability and strength, showing how movement, both literal and emotional, becomes a path toward self-understanding.

Your ability to balance raw honesty, emotional clarity, and a reflective narrative style gives the book a rhythm that feels both authentic and cinematic. The tone and structure reminded me of films like Wild and Eat Pray Love. stories that explore self-discovery and healing through personal journey. In the same way, your book delivers a perspective that feels fresh, layered, and deeply engaging.

I'd love to schedule a short call to discuss how we can continue supporting your book’s journey and creative goals. Your insight as the author is invaluable, and we’d love to hear your thoughts firsthand. Please let us know your availability, we’re excited to connect and talk more about your vision for Never Still: A Memoir.

Warm regards, 

Mary Adams 

Woodside Motion Co. - Content Manager

Dear Monica,

Hello, I'm Michelle Williams- Film Agent at LA Film & TV Network. We specialize in turning exceptional books into visually stunning films and TV series. Your work has caught our attention for its depth and distinctiveness, and we're convinced it has the makings of a successful adaptation.

At our company, we're all about collaboration. We preserve the soul of your story while maximizing its potential on screen. Projects like ‘Wonderstruck’ and ‘How I Live Now’ showcase our ability to bring narratives to life while expanding their reach.

Your creativity and unique voice are exactly what we love to see on screen. I believe there’s a fantastic opportunity to bring your stories to a wider audience through film. Our team has a strong track record of successful adaptations, and we’d be thrilled to explore potential projects with you.

Are you available today? If so, could you provide a number where I can reach you? I'm available for a call or meeting at your convenience to discuss deeper into your story and discuss the process on how we can adapt your book into a cinematic masterpiece.

Thank you for considering this opportunity. We're excited about the prospect of partnering with you to bring your narrative to a wider audience in a compelling and innovative way.

Best regards,

Michelle Williams

Film Agent | LA Film and TV Network

24367 Walnut St Santa Clarita, CA 91321, USA

**They’re classics. Different outfits. Same skeleton underneath.

The celebrity benefactor letter

“Hello Monica, my name is Reba Nell McEntire…” and then the famous-person voice. Big identity. Big warmth. Big promise of financial help “supporting authors.”

Here’s the tell. Celebrities don’t do cold outreach like this. Their teams do, and those teams don’t write like a chain letter. Also, impersonation scams are common.

What bugs me most is the emotional framing. “Privilege and pleasure.” “You have been thoughtfully selected.” Trying to make me feel chosen so I stop asking questions. Puah!

The content manager at a production company letter

Wild (2012)

Eat Pray Love (2006)

The second one’s longer. More specific. More “industry.” It name-drops New York. It praises tone and structure. It compares you to Wild and Eat Pray Love. It’s meant to feel like a real development note.

But the language gives it away. It’s generic praise in a tailored suit. No concrete plot points. No character names. No scenes referenced. No lines that could only be written by someone who actually read your manuscript. That’s on purpose.

Also, the “schedule a short call” move. That’s the handoff. Once you’re talking, they’ll steer you toward paying for something. Coverage. Processing. A required service provider. Something that sounds normal-ish if you’re new, and naïve, like me.

The film agent adaptation letter

“Are you available today? Provide a number.” That’s the pressure. And the ask is backwards. Legit agents generally don’t need you to rush. They also don’t typically pitch you with weirdly vague credits like “Projects like Wonderstruck and How I Live Now showcase our ability…” without clear connection to the actual company.

Here’s a practical detail writers miss: reputable reps and producers leave trails. IMDb. Agency roster pages. Client lists you can verify. When that trail is thin or confusing, pay attention.

OK, so I gave them my number.

The red flags

Thing is, scammers aren’t always sloppy. Some are. Some aren’t. So, look for patterns, not typos.

1. Praise with no proof of reading

Real talk: “Emotional depth” is not evidence. “Intimate and courageous” is not evidence. That’s copy. A real reader mentions something you can’t fake fast. A plot turn. A specific setting. An image that made them pause.

What’s the one detail they could only know by reading? If the answer is “nothing,” lean towards no.

2. The identity flex

Celebrity name. “Content Manager.” “Film Agent.” It’s all authority costume. I’m not saying titles are bad. I’m saying scammers love titles because titles shorten your skepticism.

3. Urgency that doesn’t match publishing

Publishing moves slowly. Film rights can move faster, sure, but still. The “today” push is usually a control tactic. They want you responding before you research.

4. A fast pivot to private channels

“Send your number.” “Let’s jump on a call.” It’s not always shady, but it’s convenient for them. Calls aren’t searchable. Emails are. Also on calls, they can apply pressure in real time.

5. They ask you to pay to be considered

This is the big one. Legitimate agents make money when you make money. Legit producers option material because they think they can develop and sell it, not because you paid a “review fee.” A cold email that leads to you paying? Nope.

Advice from my editor and publisher (who I consulted after the second letter)

Step 1. Don’t reply yet

Step 2. Search the company plus the word scam

Yes, literally that. Company name + “scam.” Company name + “complaint.” Company name + “fee.” Then search the sender’s name. Then  search unique phrases from the email in quotes.

What you’re looking for is repetition. Other writers posting the same template.  I was shocked to find fellow writers in my position.

Step 3. Verify the domain and the people

Click nothing. I look at the email address. Is it a free Gmail slapped onto a “company” persona? Is the domain one letter off? A sneaky dash? Extra word?

.

Step 4. Ask one pointed question

If I chose to respond, keep it simple and mildly inconvenient for them:

• “What scene or chapter made you reach out?”

• “Who specifically reviewed the manuscript, and when?”

• “What’s your submission policy link on your official website?”

A real person answers like a real person. A scammer dodges. Or they paste more fog. When I asked this question during my one (dumb) phone call I got sidestepping.

What legitimate adaptation interest usually looks like

“What if it’s real and I blow it?” Fair fear. So, here’s what I found when I researched actual film and TV interest.

They’re specific about rights

They mention optioning. Shopping agreements. They might ask who controls the rights (you, your publisher, an agent). They don’t call it a “cinematic masterpiece” in an intro email. That’s not how development people talk when money and contracts are involved.

They can be verified in two clicks

They have a track record you can actually find. Credits. Names that connect. A company address that matches more than one source.

Entertainment is huge, so verification is easy to access.

They don’t ask for upfront fees

Yes, there are paid services in the industry. Script coverage exists. Pitch coaching exists. But a cold outreach that funnels you into paying them is the classic setup.

How I’d now respond to each of my three letters

Honestly? I wouldn’t. Silence is a full sentence.

But I did want closure, so I referred them to my publisher. I did give one my phone number. I did not get further calls.

Reply to the celebrity benefactor

“Thanks. Please share the official website and team contact for this program, plus a link to where it’s publicly announced. I’m only able to continue through verified channels.”

Reply to the content manager praise letter

“Appreciate the note. Which chapter or scene did your team respond to most, and what’s your official submissions policy link?”

Reply to the film agent urgency letter

“Thanks for reaching out. Please send your company site, your profile page on that site, and the project page or IMDbPro link for recent adaptations you’ve represented. I’ll review and discuss with my publisher”

And if they get annoyed? Good. That reaction is data.

What to do if you already engaged

Stop the conversation

Ghost if you want. Or send one line: “I’m no longer interested. Please don’t contact me again.” Then block.

Lock down your accounts

If you clicked anything or shared credentials, change passwords immediately. Turn on 2FA. Email is the big prize because password resets flow through it.

Document it

Save the emails. Screenshots. If it escalates, you’ll want the trail.

It's a CRAZY new world out there... Be cautious!