YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!!!
If you can keep track of the names and URLs, this post is about:
- Spotlight Network TV / thespotlight.network
- Spotlight TV
- Logan Crawford (a “famous personality” we’ve never heard of)
- Atticus Publishing / atticuspublishing.com
I received the following email yesterday:
Hello Angela,
I received an email as well as a voice mail from an organization on the West coast. Of course, I look at this as a scam. They said they found my book (title removed), and are very interested in it. They want me to contact them for a zoom interview to discuss the book on the “Spotlight Network” TV system. This is hosted by a guy, Logan Crawford. I pulled it up and watched their promo video on You Tube. Also pulled him up on Wikipedia but not much there.
I don’t believe any of it. I feel it is a well-orchestrated scam, but don’t know where the hook is or how they get into my back pocket.
So I don’t know if you have heard of them or had any exposure to this company. Let me know your thoughts when you can.
Thank you,
DH
COINCIDENTALLY (or not so much!), on that EXACT same day, our Managing Editor, Brian Whiddon, received a voicemail on his phone from the same company, touting the “Logan Crawford” name, and wanting to interview Brian about his book.
What these spammers and telemarketers are NOT telling authors on that first contact is that the interview is actually an “infomercial,” which will cost the author $1000 or more! How many people are actually going to hear that interview and then buy the author’s book? We bet few to none!
I did some digging and here’s what I found:
The “Logan Crawford” Interviews—Writing Scams or Overpriced Marketing? (You have to page down a few times to find that part of the article.)
READ THE COMMENTS UNDER THESE THREE POSTS FOR OTHERS’ EXPERIENCES:
Another #scam to waste authors’ precious time
Vanity Radio and TV: Think Twice Before Paying for Interviews – “…most often delivered via “sponsored content” internet stations such as The Spotlight Network…”
AND
“Publishing/marketing scammers sell the services of multiple show hosts (see below), but the three personalities noted above–Kate Delaney with America Tonight Radio, Ric Bratton with This Week in America, and Logan Crawford with Spotlight With Logan Crawford–make some of the most frequent appearances on scammer websites and in their email solicitations. Crawford is primarily an actor, with the interviews seeming like kind of a side hustle…”
Here is a partial transcript of the voicemail that was left on Brian’s phone by the same company. It was difficult to understand at times because the caller seems to have an accent.
“I’m calling you because we receive information about the book you published entitled Blue Lives Matter and we are calling authors like you because we would like to offer you a possible television interview…” (BLAH BLAH BLAH…)
She continued: “…along with our host Logan Crawford. Logan Crawford is a Hollywood actor and an Emmy award winning anchor in spots like Network TV. If you receive this voicemail please call us back at 415-907-0443… (And, more blah blah blahs.)
I took Brian’s phone, and responded to “Bella Page” at “Spotlight Network TV / Atticus Publishing.” I pretended to be Brian, told her I’m too busy for phone calls, and gave her Brian’s personal email address.
THE EMAIL BRIAN RECEIVED (THAT I RESPONDED TO):
Hi Brian,
I hope you are well.
We would love to offer you an opportunity to discuss and promote your book ‘BLUE LIVES MATTER: The Heart Behind the Badge’ on our TV show.
Be featured on the show with Emmy Award-Winning Journalist and Hollywood actor Logan Crawford – attract more readers, make an impact, and grow your author’s brand.
Stand out and get in front of your readers by discussing your book/s on TV. Nothing adds credibility more than being seen on TV
BLAH BLAH BLAH, AGAIN.
The email has a professional photo of Logan Crawford sitting behind a desk. It lists the logos and names of five large companies under “Trusted by his clients.” (YAWN…)
There’s a ton more sales verbiage that made me feel like I was reading an ad written by a scammy used car salesman.
I WROTE BACK:
Hi Bella,
How much does it cost?
Brian
BELLA WROTE BACK within three minutes by copying and pasting more sales garbage…I mean jargon.
It included this: “Logan particularly endorses books to his partners to the doers and makers in the publishing industry, Hollywood film makers, book reviewers, literary agents, traditional publishers, partnered physical bookshops, librarians, media outlets, and magazines.”
Cough (bull) cough (sh*t). I challenge Logan Crawford to send us a list, with contacts, of all the books he’s had turned into movies, has had reviewed by professional reviewers, has had picked up by real literary agents, has had contracted with traditional publishers, and where he was personally responsible for purchases by bookstores and libraries. And, all of this at NO COST to any of the authors. I’m betting the number is ZERO!!!
Oh, Bella was kind enough to send a quote:
The “Logan Crawford” Interviews—Writing Scams or Overpriced Marketing? (You have to page down a few times to find that part of the article.)
Another #scam to waste authors’ precious time
Those three directly above also have numerous comments that mention your company (not the ones you listed in your email warning a few minutes ago). Please advise.
Several authors said they were quoted $999 but you quoted me far more than that.
Oh, and Atticus Publishing and Spotlight are listed here:
https://atmospherepress.com/
Please advise. I want to make sure I’m signing up with the correct company since you said some are impersonating you.
Brian
AND, THAT’S WHEN BELLA (POOF!) DISAPPEARED!!!
BUT, I WASN’T DONE WITH HER YET! I SENT ONE MORE EMAIL:
Hi Bella,
Full disclosure. Brian Whiddon is the Managing Editor at WritersWeekly.com. It’s interesting that you were able to obtain his email address and phone number…but you had no idea what he actually does for a living. We also know that you know NOTHING about his book and that nobody at your company has ever read it.
I have been texting and emailing you from his phone and his email. My name is Angela Hoy. I’m the publisher of WritersWeekly.com. We’ve been exposing bad actors in the publishing industry for more than 25 years. SURPRISE!!!!!
I know you are probably an innocent salesperson who is earning a commission on sales. I feel bad for wasting your time but it was important for us to obtain the information you sent so we can share it with our readers around the globe. WritersWeekly.com is one of the oldest and most-respected writing-related websites on the Internet.
You might want to think about working for a more reputable company. The vast majority (if not all) of those author clients are likely paying far more for that “infomercial” than they are earning back in book sales.
I wish you well. And, I hope you can find a much better job.
Angela Hoy, Publisher
WritersWeekly.com
EXTREME AUTHOR ALERT – PART I: This International Scam is Fooling THOUSANDS of Authors Across the Globe!
EXTREME AUTHOR ALERT – PART II: 19 Signs You’re About to Get Scammed By a Foreign “Book Publisher”
EXTREME AUTHOR ALERT – PART III: How WritersWeekly Communicates Directly with Deceitful “Publishers” to Expose Their Appalling Practices
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COMMENT RECEIVED BY EMAIL:
Not so much a question as a thank you. I read your article about Spotlight Media and the “famous” Logan Crawford. I thought the email I received looked dodgy right from the get go. But being an eternally optimistic author (aren’t we all?) I followed up with some research and stumbled across you article. You confirmed my initial thoughts. Many thanks for your effort in exposing these leeches. Keep up the great work!
Jack Silber
About a week ago, I received a similar email in my inbox. I chose not to read it, as it was from an unknown source using a well-known company’s name. Instead, I bravely informed them that their email had been sent to the FBI and then blocked them. Your email was quite amusing, but it’s a stark reminder of how quickly life can change. I sincerely hope that the sender finds a legal, fulfilling job that doesn’t involve the police knocking on their door at midnight.
COMMENT RECEIVED VIA EMAIL:
That’s a hilarious article exposing Spotlight Network. Here’s a funny thing about that (in)famous Logan Crawford. There is a bonafide British actor named Crawford Logan. That gentleman is a radio actor active especially on BBC during the 1990s and early 2000s. He’s even done some Doctor Who episodes. (I know of him only through Wikipedia links).
-Avon
Hi, Angela,
Happy Sunday! I was impressed by the research you did on this scam, but most of all I was impressed and touched by your final email encouraging the person on the other end to find a better job. You worded it very well…very kindly. I hope she takes your advice.
Marianna
I can simplify your response:
Dear Bella,
Your emails have been forwarded to [whatever company or organization will cause the most trouble for her].
Then block her emails.
Cackle.