Author Alert: The Latest List of Fake Agencies, Publishers, and Services to Avoid

Published August 18, 2025 · The Digital Desk at America Publishers

Every year, thousands of hopeful authors set out to publish their books with dreams of reaching readers worldwide. But in 2025, the sad reality is that the publishing world has also become a hunting ground for scammers who prey on that very dream. Behind professional-looking websites, official-sounding names, and fake reviews, entire networks of fraudulent “publishers” and “literary agencies” are tricking writers into handing over their hard-earned money, only to deliver nothing in return.

These scams are not just frustrating inconveniences, they can devastate an author’s confidence, finances, and even the future of their book. What makes matters worse is how convincing these companies look on the surface. Many impersonate trusted names like Amazon, use virtual U.S. addresses to seem legitimate, and even steal real book covers to convince writers they have a strong publishing history. By the time an author realizes the truth, it’s often too late.

That’s why awareness is the single most powerful weapon. When authors know what to look for, they can protect themselves, their work, and their dreams. This guide isn’t about fear, it’s about empowerment. We’ll pull back the curtain on the worst offenders, reveal easy red flags you can check in minutes, and give you direct steps on what to do if you’ve already been targeted.

Your words are valuable. Your story deserves respect. And your publishing journey should never begin, or end, with a scam.

What a Real Publisher / Literary Agency Looks Like

Before we dive into the fakes, it’s important to understand what the real deal looks like. A legitimate publisher or literary agency will never hide in the shadows or rely on vague promises. They have track records, industry recognition, and most importantly, transparency.

A true publisher will be upfront about their process. They will have verifiable books you can actually find on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or other established platforms with clear details about who published them. Their websites won’t just show glossy stock images or borrowed book covers. Instead, they’ll highlight genuine authors, real titles, and often include links to reputable distribution outlets.

Literary agencies are similar. Authentic agents are usually listed on industry-recognized databases like the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) or featured on trusted sites like Publishers Marketplace. Their agents don’t cold-call or spam inboxes; instead, they review carefully submitted queries and only take on projects they believe in. And most importantly, legitimate agents never charge authors upfront fees. They earn their commission when your book earns money, not before.

You’ll also notice a clear difference in communication. Real companies don’t bombard you with chat pop-ups the moment you land on their page. They don’t make outrageous claims like “#1 publisher in the world” or “guaranteed bestseller.” Instead, they speak in a professional, measured tone because their work speaks for itself.

The bottom line: real publishers and agencies don’t chase authors; authors seek them out. That single truth is often the easiest way to separate the genuine from the fake.

Unmasking the Fakers

Now that we’ve covered what real publishers and agencies look like, let’s peel back the mask on the fraudsters. These companies thrive on appearances. They build slick websites with big promises, professional-looking logos, and claims of being “the #1 publisher” or “trusted worldwide.” But behind the curtain, it’s often the same recycled scam under a different name.

Most of these fake firms rely on three main tricks:

1. Impersonation: Many pretend to be connected to Amazon, Macmillan, or other well-known publishing houses. They use names like “Amazon Book Publishing Experts” or “Macmillan Ebook Publisher” to fool unsuspecting writers into believing they’re legitimate. In reality, these companies have zero ties to the real corporations. Amazon only operates Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), which is free to use and does not cold-call or chase authors.
2. Virtual Offices & Fake Addresses: A common tactic is renting virtual addresses in New York, California, or London to appear established in the U.S. or U.K. When traced, many of these domains are registered overseas, often in Pakistan or Iceland. This is one of the easiest ways to confirm a scam: the address and IP history don’t match the claims.
3. Stolen Covers & Fake Reviews: Scammers fill their sites with book covers they never published, fake awards dated before the company even existed, and glowing five-star testimonials using stock photos. In many cases, those reviews are uploaded in suspicious batches, all on the same day.

The danger is real: these companies are not interested in building your career. They are interested in extracting as much money as possible through upselling, charging authors for editing, marketing, and distribution services that either never happen or are worthless.

The more you understand their playbook, the easier it is to spot them, no matter what shiny new name they hide behind.

Scam Publishers & Services to Avoid

Amazon Impersonators (Trademark Violators)

If you see the word Amazon in the name of a so-called publishing service, that alone is your first red flag. Amazon does not run private “publishing services.” The only legitimate pathway is Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), a free platform that allows authors to upload and distribute their books. Any company claiming to be “Amazon Publishing Experts” or offering to publish “through Amazon” is engaging in trademark infringement and deception.

Some of the most notorious examples include:

• Amazon Author Hub (amazonauthorhub.com) – Fake testimonials, fake book covers, and the same web design used across multiple scam brands.
• Amazon Book Publication LLC (amazonbookpublication.llc) – Trademark infringement, fake awards, and stolen author photos.
• Amazon Book Publishers / Amazon Book Publisher (various URLs: .net, .co, .llc) – All linked to the same network, recycling stolen covers and fake addresses.
• Amazon Book Publishing Expert / Experts / Professionals – These sites push false claims of five-star reviews on Trustpilot, though none exist.
• Amazon Ebook Publications & Amazon Ebook Writers – Long-running scam sites that often recycle the same phone numbers used by dozens of other fake firms. Some versions are now offline, but their network continues under new names.
• Amazon Expert Publishing / AMZ Book Publications (and variations like AMZ KDP Publishers, AMZ Books Publishing, AMZ Book Publishing Services) – Classic imposters using “AMZ” branding to trick authors into thinking they’re part of Amazon. Most use virtual U.S. addresses registered overseas.

The common thread? They all misuse the Amazon name to create false authority, mislead authors, and sell overpriced or non-existent services. Remember: Amazon will never cold-call you, never email you to offer publishing services, and never charge you for distribution. Anything else is a scam.

Number-Based & Clone Brands

Another pattern you’ll notice in the scam world is the use of numbers in their names. These companies recycle the same formula, flashy logos, virtual addresses, and cloned websites, while hoping new authors won’t recognize the overlap. If you come across a publisher with a name like 360 or 888, that alone should make you pause.

• 360 Author Solutions (360authorsolutions.com): Claims to have books published under its name, but a closer look shows otherwise. Out of three titles they listed, two didn’t exist on Amazon and the third was published by a different company long before this website was created. Their “U.S. office” is just a virtual space, and they share the same phone number and address as Nexus Book Solutions, another scam on this list.
• 360 Book Publishers (360bookpublishers.com): Same tactics as above: fake addresses, fake titles, and false claims. One victim even reported being contacted by them after paying for services they never received. Facebook’s transparency tools show the company is actually based in Pakistan.
• 888 Book Publishing (888bookpublishing.com): Created in January 2025, this one is a sub-brand of 888 Innovations. The website is riddled with grammar and syntax errors, a telltale sign it wasn’t written by a native English speaker. Their phone number is the same one used by Amazon Central Publishing and Kindle Publishing Pro, both fake companies. Some of their displayed book covers were published years before this website even existed, proving they’re using stolen material.

These scams rely on quick rebranding. When one site gets exposed or taken down, they spin up a new one with another number in the title. Different name, same game.

Copycat Ghostwriting & Book Services

Not every scam hides behind “Amazon” or a number. Another common trick is to pose as ghostwriting firms, book service providers, or small “literary groups.” These outfits usually promise affordable packages for editing, writing, or marketing, but most of them vanish after taking an author’s money or deliver plagiarized, low-quality work stolen from elsewhere.

• Ace Book Writers (acebookwriters.com): Their website is full of covers that belong to books published by other companies years earlier. Using stolen material as their “portfolio” is both copyright infringement and outright fraud. Their U.S. office? A rented virtual address.
• Ace Book Writing (acebookwriting.com): Created in October 2021, this site even triggers browser security warnings. A quick Google search shows their phone number is shared with other shady firms like “Ace Publishing Services.” When a company can’t even secure its own domain safely, that’s your sign to run.
• Nexus Book Solutions (nexusbooksolutions.com): Connected directly to 360 Author Solutions, sharing the same phone number and office address. Their website recycles the same copy-paste promises, complete with fake author testimonials and stock photos.
• Story Arc Literary Groups & Zenith Literary: These names are part of a larger trend of “literary-sounding” companies that don’t actually operate as agencies. They often pop up in clusters, using identical templates, fake reviews, and claims of industry partnerships that don’t exist.

These firms thrive by luring in authors who want extra help with their books, offering ghostwriting or editing at too-good-to-be-true prices. The end result? Poor-quality work, stolen content, or no service delivered at all.

The lesson: if a “book service” can’t show verifiable clients, transparent staff, or industry credentials, it isn’t worth your time or money.

Red Flags to Hunt For (2-Minute Checks)

The good news is that most scams reveal themselves within minutes, if you know what to look for. Here’s a simple checklist you can use to spot red flags before you hand over a single dollar:

• Instant chat pop-ups: If a website launches a chat box the second you land on the page, that’s almost always a scam tactic. Real publishers don’t need aggressive sales reps stalking visitors.
• Virtual U.S. addresses: Many of these firms rent mailboxes in places like New York or California. Use Google Maps or IP lookup tools and you’ll often discover the “office” is just a shared workspace or that the site was actually registered overseas.
• Recycled phone numbers and addresses: Scam companies often run dozens of sites under different names. Search their phone number or address, and you’ll see the same contact details linked to multiple fake publishers.
• Over-the-top claims: Beware of phrases like “#1 publisher in the world” or “guaranteed bestseller.” No legitimate company talks this way. Success in publishing is never guaranteed.
• Suspicious reviews: Many scammers flood review sites with glowing five-star testimonials uploaded in batches on the same day. Others post “author stories” with stock photos or even fake names.
• Borrowed or fake book covers: If you see a cover on their site, check Amazon or Barnes & Noble to confirm. In most cases, those books were published years earlier by real publishers and simply stolen for show.

These quick checks take less than two minutes, but they can save you from months of frustration, lost money, and broken trust. Always trust your instincts, if something feels off, it probably is.

Where to Report If You’ve Been Scammed

If you’ve already been caught in the web of a fake publisher, you’re not powerless. The most important step is to report them quickly and with as much evidence as possible. Don’t just say, “They scammed me.” Be specific: explain what was promised, what you paid, and what wasn’t delivered. Back it up with emails, contracts, invoices, and screenshots. The stronger your evidence, the harder it is for these companies to keep operating.

Here are the key places to file your reports:

1. FBI – Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

Submit a detailed report here: ic3.gov. The FBI investigates online fraud, especially when it crosses borders.

2. Meta (Facebook & Instagram)

If the company runs ads or pages on social media, email legalinvestigations@meta.com with proof, links, and screenshots. Include the scammer’s Facebook or Instagram page in your complaint.

3. S. Attorney General – Bureau of Consumer Protection

File a complaint through your state’s Attorney General office. These departments track fraudulent business activity and can take legal action.

4. Google
   Report fake websites by emailing abuse@google.com. With enough complaints, Google may remove them from search results.
5. Writer Protection Outlets

Trusted watchdogs like Writer Beware and WritersWeekly collect and publish scam reports. Sharing your experience with them helps warn other authors.

Remember: don’t let embarrassment hold you back. Even seasoned authors have been caught in these traps. By reporting your case, you’re not only standing up for yourself, you’re helping protect the entire writing community.

Protect Yourself Moving Forward

While scams can be sophisticated, protecting yourself doesn’t have to be complicated. The best defense is a mix of awareness, research, and healthy skepticism. Here are practical ways to safeguard your publishing journey:

• Always verify before you trust. If a company claims to be connected with Amazon, Penguin Random House, or any other big publisher, fact-check it. Real publishers have official websites with a long history of verifiable books and authors.
• Never pay upfront for publishing. Traditional publishers make their money by selling books, not charging authors. Self-publishing platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) are free to use. If someone asks for thousands upfront just to “publish your book,” that’s a red flag.
• Cross-check contact details. A quick Google search of an address or phone number can expose whether it’s shared by multiple “publishing” companies. Virtual mailboxes and recycled numbers are common scam tactics.
• Look beyond the website. Anyone can make a professional-looking homepage. Check industry databases like Publishers Marketplace or author watchdogs like Writer Beware to see if the company has real credibility.
• Ask other authors. Writing communities, on forums, Facebook groups, or trusted organizations are often the first to raise red flags. If you’re unsure, ask. Chances are someone else has already dealt with the same firm.

Most importantly, remember this: real publishers don’t chase authors, authors chase them. If a company is cold-calling, flooding your inbox, or pressuring you into a “limited-time deal,” it’s almost certainly a scam. Protecting your work means slowing down, asking questions, and trusting your instincts.

Stay Sharp, Stay Published

The publishing world should be a place of creativity, collaboration, and growth but too often, scammers turn it into a battlefield for unsuspecting authors. These fraudulent companies know how deeply writers care about their work, and they exploit that passion for profit. The good news is that once you know their tricks, you hold the power to stop them cold.

Every fake publisher, ghostwriting scam, or “Amazon” impersonator has one weakness: exposure. When authors recognize red flags, share their experiences, and report bad actors, these schemes lose their grip. Knowledge is not just protection, it’s prevention.

So, if you’re stepping into the publishing world for the first time, carry this truth with you: real opportunities don’t come knocking through spam emails, pop-up chats, or high-pressure sales calls. They come from transparent, established channels, reputable industry professionals, and communities that build writers up, not tear them down.

Your story deserves a fair chance. It deserves to be in the hands of readers, not buried in the traps of fraudulent firms. By staying alert, asking the right questions, and leaning on trusted resources, you safeguard not only your own book but also the integrity of the writing community as a whole.

Stay sharp, stay resilient, and most importantly, stay published.

Source: Writer Beware Blog and WritersWeekly. For more information, visit https://writerbeware.blog and https://writersweekly.com.