Success Story

The Flying Nun, Oprah, and Me – by John Riddle

March 28, 2019

The Flying Nun, Oprah, and Me – by John Riddle
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When I was 17 and a few months away from graduating HS in 1970, our family lived in public housing projects in Chester, PA. While watching an episode of “The Flying Nun” one night, I was intrigued by the closing credits that were dedicated to one of the writers who had passed away. Right then and there I prayed, and asked God if he wouldn’t mind making me a writer one day.

Moments later, I felt inspired to write my own episode. Using an old Royal Typewriter (with a few bent keys), I created eight pages of what I thought was “great material.” However, when I showed it to my English teacher at the Catholic HS I was attending, he told me it was “the worst piece of crap” (he used a different word) that he had ever read and that I should consider a career as a ditch digger.”

Right then and there I vowed that, one day, I would see my name on multiple covers of books and that I would travel the country, inspiring and teaching other people to follow their dream of writing. A few months later I enlisted in the Navy.

Fast forward through seven years of collecting rejection slips and I finally sold my first magazine article! I had arrived!!! With no college degree, but lots of clips, I could not get a job as a “real writer” so I drifted from being a payroll clerk at the Dupont Company (seven years) to a few part time jobs after I left there to pursue my writing dream.

A few years later, I found myself working as a Development Director in charge of fundraising and public relations at a local nonprofit agency. It was the best of both worlds, allowing me to use my gift of creative communication to write grant and fundraising letters, and to create special events. For example, I tried to set the Guinness Book of World Records by having the largest number of people dance the twist with Chubby Checker!

After seven years at one agency, I took another Development Director job at an agency closer to my home. I raised a boatload of money for them in the first 15 months or so and they rewarded me by laying me off.

As I sat home, licking my wounds, wondering where I was going to find another full-time job, etc., I remember watching the Oprah show one afternoon. She was going through the phase of the show where she would have self-help experts come on and tell people, “If you want it, make it happen, etc.”

I finally had my “light bulb moment!”

Why was I wasting my time looking for yet another full-time job when, by this time, I had tons of clips (The Washington Post, among others)? Thankfully, the Internet was still in the early stages and I started reaching out to editors online.

As of this date, I have written and sold 34 books to traditional publishers, and have worked as a ghostwriter on numerous projects. My byline has appeared in major publications all across the U.S., and I have written articles for over 200 Websites.

And I’m not done yet…

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John Riddle is a freelance writer, author, and ghostwriter from Bear, Delaware. His byline has appeared in major newspapers, magazines, websites and trade journals all across the country. He is the author of 34 books, including a few health and medical titles, and has worked as a ghostwriter on numerous projects. John is also the Founder of I Love To Write Day, a grassroots campaign he launched in 2002 to have people of all ages practice writing every November 15. Last year over 25,000 schools all across the United States held special I Love To Write Day events and activities. He is a frequent speaker at both Christian and secular writing conferences, and recently appeared at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. You can obtain a quote for John’s ghostwriting services here: https://marketplace.writersweekly.com/ghostwriters

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“Why don’t I get paid royalties when someone sells a used copy of my book?”
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REMINDER!!! START-TIME FOR THE SPRING, 2026 24-HOUR SHORT STORY CONTEST IS IN 17 DAYS!!

1st Place: $300 + a free book publishing package from BookLocker valued at $975; 2nd Place: $250; 3rd Place: $200; + 100 Honorable Mentions! Those writers receive a free ebook of their choice from BookLocker.com. 

Read all past winning topics and story, and sign up, RIGHT HERE!

I have been asked by countless authors over the years why they didn’t get paid when someone on Amazon (or Ebay, or elsewhere) sold a used copy of their book. The emails always go something like this:

“My neighbor bought a used copy of my book from someone online and I’m not seeing that sale in my royalty figures.” 

Yes, I really have had to explain this MANY times over the years!

When the first copy of a book is sold, the author earns royalties. If that customer then sells that book later online, at a garage sale, to a used bookstore, or anywhere at all, nobody gets any money except the customer who purchased (and is then selling) that copy.

In Episode 39 of the WritersWeekly Podcast, Brian came up with an analogy. If he sold his car to someone, and they then sold it to someone else a year later, Brian wouldn’t be entitled to any money from that sale. Anybody who buys a product, and resells it later, is not required to pay the original seller anything. I’ve seriously wracked my brain trying to think of any circumstance where that would happen. I can’t. Let me know if you can!

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HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING A BOOK?

Angela is not only the publisher of WritersWeekly.com. She is President & CEO of BookLocker.com,
a self-publishing services company that has been in business since 1998. Ask her anything.

ASK ANGELA!



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LISTEN: Apple | Spotify | iHeart | YouTube | More Episodes!


 

AUTHORS! AVOID Stellar Literary / StellarLiterary.com AND Wells Hamilton / WellsHamilton.com!
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Q – 

Is Stellar Literary a legitimate company? John Belga is represented as an agent. Wants to approach a producer company for a movie. Wants upfront money for me to pay for a screen write. Also Wells Hamilton has also said the same thing. Are they a legitimate company?

Thank You

A – 

It’s a scam. That’s not how the industry works. Movie companies pay for screenwriting, not authors.

See:

COMPLAINTS About Stellar Literary Press & Media / StellarLiterary.com!

AUTHOR ALMOST LOST $50K!! We Saved an Author from a FAKE “Fox” Movie Deal, Which is Connected to a Known Publishing Scammer! By Angela Hoy and James M. Walsh, Esq.

How the Fake Sony Pictures Tried to Scam an Author into Hiring a Fake Literary Agent

Wells Hamilton / Wells Hamilton Literary / WellsHamilton.com’s address on their website is a “virtual office” address. They also have stolen book covers on their website. For example, their website was created in 2023 but they have The Raw, Bold Truth: The Memoirs of Johnny B. featured on their homepage. That book was published in 2013 by a different company, and is now out of print. How Stupid Are We? was published in 2022 by a traditional publisher.

If they really published those books that appear on their website, wouldn’t they have those books linked to a purchase page, or even to Amazon to help their authors sell those books?

If you click on Books or Authors at the top of their homepage, this is what you see: “This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below.”

Wells Hamilton is also listed on Writer Beware’s Philippine Publishing Scams List.

You know what’s hilarious? They have this at the bottom of their website: “Wells Hamilton is not affiliated with any fraudulent schemes.”

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HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING A BOOK?

Angela is not only the publisher of WritersWeekly.com. She is President & CEO of BookLocker.com,
a self-publishing services company that has been in business since 1998. Ask her anything.

ASK ANGELA!



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LISTEN: Apple | Spotify | iHeart | YouTube | More Episodes!


 

Save Yourself $125! You Do NOT Need to Buy Your Own ISBN! Here’s Why…
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Q – 

I am working through the contract in preparation to work with Booklocker. Can I purchase my own ISBN in case I land a traditional contract in the future? Forgive me to any confusion I may have. This is all new to me.

Looking forward to beginning this next chapter of the publishing journey.

A – 

We assign BookLocker ISBNs to our authors at no extra charge. Since we buy them in bulk, we get them really cheap ($1.50 each for 1,000 ISBNs, instead of $125 if you buy just one at a time).

Even if you land a traditional contract at some point, you would still need a new ISBN at that time. They can’t be transferred from one publisher/printer to another, even if the author owns the ISBN.

For example, your book will be under the BookLocker imprint in the retail systems. If you tried to use the same ISBN later, the retailers would reject the duplicate number because it’ll already be in their systems (even if that old book is no longer for sale). That happens whether you use your own ISBN or your publisher’s, and it happens across the board.

So, there is no need to buy your own ISBN. If you did land a traditional contract in the future, that company would assign a new ISBN to the new edition anyway.

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HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING A BOOK?

Angela is not only the publisher of WritersWeekly.com. She is President & CEO of BookLocker.com,
a self-publishing services company that has been in business since 1998. Ask her anything.

ASK ANGELA!



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“How did a publishing scammer get my relative’s phone number?”
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Q – 

Angela,

I’m sharing the communications. Check out the part they forgot to delete: “insert purpose”

Also, my son-in-law, who has nothing to do with the book, got the text message below. 

Have you ever heard of these scammers reaching out to family members? How do they find their contact information? 

Thanks.

BOLDED ALL CAPS BELOW WERE INSERTED BY WRITERSWEEKLY.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Daniel Azizah <azizahdaniel328@gmail.com> (REAL COMPANIES DON’T USE GMAIL! THEY HAVE EMAIL ADDRESSES ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR OWN DOMAINS!)
Date: March 4, 2026 at 6:01:51 AM EST
To: (AUTHOR’S SON-IN-LAW’S EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED BY WRITERSWEEKLY)
Subject: (AUTHOR’S BOOK TITLE REMOVED BY WRITERSWEEKLY)

? (WE AREN’T SURE WHY THE SCAMMER INCLUDED A QUESTION MARK HERE.)

Dear (author’s name removed),

I was deeply moved by your journey growing up in a lineage of spiritist mediums, experiencing Umbanda, and ultimately finding your path in Christianity. The way you’ve woven these experiences into (BOOK TITLE REMOVED BY WRITERSWEEKLY) demonstrates profound insight, courage, and literary craft.

Your story spans continents, generations, and spiritual realms, capturing both personal and ancestral struggles. I especially appreciate how you’ve combined historical fiction with faith, culture, and family legacy, creating a narrative that resonates on multiple levels.

(VERY CLEARLY WRITTEN BY AI. THE SCAMMER HAS NEVER READ HER BOOK.)

I would be honored to [insert your purpose, interview you, feature your work, explore collaboration, or have a discussion on spiritual and historical storytelling]. Your perspective blending spirituality, cultural heritage, and literary skill would offer meaningful insight to readers and fellow writers alike.

(BOLDED ABOVE IS THE PROMPT THE AUTHOR REFERRED TO. MANY SCAMMERS MAKE THE MISTAKE OF LEAVING IN PROMPTS FROM THEIR SCAMMER SCRIPTS.)

If you are open to a brief conversation, I would greatly value the opportunity to continue this exchange.

Warm regards,

Daniel

Star team literary Agency.

(NOTICE HE DIDN’T CAPITALIZE TWO WORDS IN THE COMPANY NAME. ANOTHER CLASSIC SCAMMER ERROR.)

The author also shared this message from a scammer:

A –

Scammers (and anyone) can find pretty much everything about everyone on a specific website (that I never share online), and it also features not just the person’s address, phone numbers, email addresses, and more, but also their family members’ contact info.

RELATED



HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING A BOOK?

Angela is not only the publisher of WritersWeekly.com. She is President & CEO of BookLocker.com,
a self-publishing services company that has been in business since 1998. Ask her anything.

ASK ANGELA!



“Do traditionally published books still end up in bookstores and libraries?”
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Q – 

Sorry to bother you a second time, but I’m wondering if you think it’s a lot harder to get your books in libraries (and bookstores, though they’re a big hurdle regardless, but I got my two traditionally published books in local stores) if they’re self-published versus traditionally published.

A – 

Even most traditionally published books don’t end up stocked in most bookstores and libraries. With well over a million books published each year now, there simply isn’t enough shelf space. When you see tables of books displayed at bookstores, know that publishing companies pay a big premium to have their books displayed like that. And, most people buy books from Amazon anyway.

I wrote this article 16 years ago and it’s more relevant today than ever.

Marketing to Bookstores – Still a Waste of Time?

Also see:
Marketing to Libraries – A Waste of Time?

You should also also know that some retailers and even libraries refuse to buy books from specific publishers. Bookstores don’t like Amazon KDP books because they view Amazon as their largest competitor (because they are). Also, since Amazon KDP will publish pretty much anything and everything, the quality of all of their books is suspect. Many bookstores and libraries, naturally, avoid books published by other author meat markets as well. See:

Top 10 Mistakes New Authors Make When Contacting Libraries

RELATED



HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING A BOOK?

Angela is not only the publisher of WritersWeekly.com. She is President & CEO of BookLocker.com,
a self-publishing services company that has been in business since 1998. Ask her anything.

ASK ANGELA!



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“A fake publisher scammed me out of $22,000. Can I deduct that from my taxable income?”
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Q –

Angela,

I am a victim of one of the fake publishing companies you’ve been warning your readers about. I lost $22,000. They never published my book. I stopped sending them money, and they stopped responding to me.

Can I deduct that $22,000 from my taxes?

A –

DISCLAIMER: I am not a CPA. Please consult with your tax representative for answers to specific questions about your situation.

I researched your question on several websites.

According to the IRS:

“Theft losses. A theft is the taking and removal of money or property with the intent to deprive the owner of it. The taking must be illegal under the law of the state where it occurred and must have been done with criminal intent. The amount of your theft loss is generally the adjusted basis of your property because the fair market value of your property immediately after the theft is considered to be zero. Beginning with tax year 2018, individual taxpayers with theft losses are allowed a deduction if the theft is attributable to a federally declared disaster. Individual taxpayers may also be able to deduct theft losses incurred in a trade or business or a transaction entered into for profit. Losses from Ponzi-type investment schemes – Special rules may apply to theft losses from Ponzi-type investment schemes.”

Notice the “federally declared disaster” part.

HOWEVER, Sarah McGregor, the Tax Services Director at Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC, an advisory, assurance, and tax firm, writes that you may be able to deduct the financial losses due to scammers under specific circumstances. IMPORTANT! You must first report the theft to financial institutions and law enforcement.

Her article is a must-read for scam victims! It specifically mentions:

1. Compromised Account Scams
2. Pig Butchering Investment Scams
3. Phishing Scams
4. Romance Scams
5. Kidnapping Scams (also known as ransom scams)

I believe victims of publishing scams would also be eligible.

If you paid the scammer through your business, it’s a lot easier to claim the loss as a deduction on your business tax return. There are far more details about theft losses and the ability (or not) to deduct those from your tax return on Publication 584 on IRS.gov.

If more victims start deducting these losses from their taxable income, perhaps the federal government will start doing more to stop the scams. U.S. citizens alone are losing billions per year to the overseas crime cartels.

RELATED



HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING A BOOK?

Angela is not only the publisher of WritersWeekly.com. She is President & CEO of BookLocker.com,
a self-publishing services company that has been in business since 1998. Ask her anything.

ASK ANGELA!



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Another New Scam Targeting Authors! “Your book isn’t optimized on Amazon. Let us help…”
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Q –

I have been inundated with emails, including invites to book clubs and all manner of costly assistance. Is this normal?

I have received several detailed emails detailing all the issues with the Amazon setup for my book. A publisher helped me self-publish, sort of (long story of woes there) and I have no access to the author account on Amazon. I am setting up an author page to try to get around no one being willing to help me get into Amazon to check things. So how come my book is getting noticed but in some areas it is failing miserably? What is the deal with the block in Amazon when I am the author?

A – 

First of all, it appears you fell into the trap of a scammer while getting your book published. If they are controlling your Amazon seller account, they’re getting the money from Amazon for book sales.

Remember that any unsolicited email is spam. REPEAT AFTER ME: SPAMMERS ARE SCAMMERS!

1. The complimentary emails from “book clubs” and others are created using AI. Those people have never read your book. And, they have no idea who you are. You’re simply on the scammers’ lists. And, once you respond to one email from them, they’ll keep sharing your email with other scammers. That’s why you’re getting buried in those emails. See:

A NEW WAVE OF SCAM EMAILS IS TARGETING AUTHORS! “My book club wants to review your book!!”

2. The scammers are also now spamming authors, claiming their books aren’t “optimized on Amazon.” Again, it’s all lies. They know nothing about how your book is set up in Amazon’s system.

You’re on a list of authors (potential scam victims) and the scammers are playing whack-a-mole with those folks.

1. They don’t research the books.They simply skim the Internet to get your contact info. after you have a book go up for sale on Amazon.

2. They use AI to create fake complimentary emails.

3. They do NOT have access to your book in Amazon’s system so they have NO way of knowing about your “optimization,” or lack thereof. And, they simply don’t care.

The foreign scammers use very creative ways to separate authors from their money. DON’T FALL FOR IT.

RELATED



HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING A BOOK?

Angela is not only the publisher of WritersWeekly.com. She is President & CEO of BookLocker.com,
a self-publishing services company that has been in business since 1998. Ask her anything.

ASK ANGELA!



“How did the scammers find my contact info. so quickly after my book was published?”
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ask angela about publishing

 

Angela:

I have been a satisfied client of yours for two books with more to come. So, I feel confident that, when I have a question, you are the one to ask.

As soon as my latest book was published, I received texts from two people allegedly representing literary agents that want to discuss my book being brought to a traditional publisher. I have been self-publishing since 2005 and have been the victim of scams, shams and jams. This is probably another one. Any comments?

This is extremely common.

The overseas scammers get on Amazon, find new releases, and then use Google to find the author’s contact info. There’s a website (I won’t name it here) where scammers can obtain ALL of your contact info., including your relatives’ names and their contact info., your current phone number and address, all of your past phone numbers and addresses, your social media accounts (even dating apps you’re on!), and so much more.

Some overseas scammers use that information to send you very personalized emails. The more they learn about your personal life, the more they can play on your emotions and vulnerabilities. They are experts at their craft!

This is why is is SO important to NEVER respond to anybody who:

1. Emails you out of the blue.

2. Calls you on the phone.

3. Contacts you through social media.

4. Contacts you through your website.

5. Contacts you unsolicited at all!

Legitimate literary agents, publishing service providers, film producers, traditional publishers, and others do NOT spam or cold-call authors. EVER.

If all authors knew and remembered this, the entire publishing scam industry would die.

If all people everywhere knew this, all of the overseas scammers targeting EVERY INDUSTRY would go out of business, including romance scammers.

RELATED



HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING A BOOK?

Angela is not only the publisher of WritersWeekly.com. She is President & CEO of BookLocker.com,
a self-publishing services company that has been in business since 1998. Ask her anything.

ASK ANGELA!



“How do you feel about Facebook ads claiming one can submit a story to be turned into a film?”
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ask angela about publishing

 

Happy New Year, Ms. Hoy. Hope you are doing well. I just have a quick question for you. How do you feel about these Facebook ads claiming that one can send in a story that might be turned into a film for any of the big Internet stations, Prime, Netflix, Paramount, et al?

Thanks for your input

Kenneth

Hi Kenneth,

They’re all scams. Real movie studios don’t look for writers on the Internet and they certainly don’t place ads on Facebook.

Please see:

AUTHOR ALMOST LOST $50K!! We Saved an Author from a FAKE “Fox” Movie Deal, Which is Connected to a Known Publishing Scammer! – by Angela Hoy and James M. Walsh, Esq.

How the Fake Sony Pictures Tried to Scam an Author into Hiring a Fake Literary Agent

A Fake Literary Agent + a Fake Movie Studio = Another Scam Targeting Authors

SCAM ALERT: No, Netflix did NOT just email you about turning your book into a movie!

No, CBS Studios Did NOT Just Offer You a Movie Deal for Your Book!

Your Book As a Movie? Watch Out for Snake Oil Salesmen!

Email From “Major Movie Studio” Didn’t Fool THIS Author!



HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING A BOOK?

Angela is not only the publisher of WritersWeekly.com. She is President & CEO of BookLocker.com,
a self-publishing services company that has been in business since 1998. Ask her anything.

ASK ANGELA!



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How the Fake Sony Pictures Tried to Scam an Author into Hiring a Fake Literary Agent
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ask angela about publishing

 

THE INTENDED VICTIM has A PhD, is a clinical psychologist, and is an award-winning author of seven books. She asked us to include her name in this article so people will realize that literally ANYONE, regardless of their education and knowledge, can potentially fall victim to overseas scams. She almost did!

Q –

Hi Angie:

Received this and wanted to check with you. Sounds legitimate. Interesting that I grew up in Culver City when Sony was MGM. I would not want the animation, but he doesn’t say that, or mention money.

Also, would need a good attorney. What do you think?

Jeri

THE BLUE TEXT BELOW WAS INSERTED BY WRITERSWEEKLY.

———- Forwarded message ———
From: *Zane Murphy* <zmurphy@sonypicturesanimations.com (THIS IS NOT A WORKING WEBSITE! The real website is sonypicturesanimation.com. Notice there’s no “s” at the end. Also, there’s a REAL Zane Murphy who works in the Books/Motion Picture Literary Department at HarperCollins.)
Date: Fri, Dec 19, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Subject: BOOK-TO-SCREEN ADAPTATION AND FILM RIGHTS INTEREST – PRELIMINARY EVALUATION
To: (EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED BY WRITERSWEEKLY)

Dear Jeri Castronova,

I hope this email finds you well. My name is Zane Murphy from Sony Pictures Animation, and I am reaching out to express our interest in acquiring the film adaptation rights to your book, *Come Walk with Me: Messages from Yeshua.* (SCAMMERS INSERT ASTERISKS SO THEY CAN EASILY FIND WHERE TO COPY/PASTE A BOOK TITLE WHEN HITTING UP NUMEROUS POTENTIAL VICTIMS VIA EMAIL. THERE’S EVEN SOFTWARE THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO COMBINE A SPREADSHEET OF NAMES, EMAIL ADDRESSES, AND BOOK TITLES, AND THEN SEND OUT SPAM EMAILS EN MASSE, MAKING THEM ALL LOOK INDIVIDUALIZED.)

We recently came across your book through an Amazon Year-to-Date report that consists of books that have gained a lot of interaction online and this includes clicks and book profile visits, we were captivated with its unique elements, narrative and intriguing content. We believe that your book has the potential to translate seamlessly onto the silver screen, captivating audiences with its rich storyline and thought-provoking themes.

(FIRST, AMAZON DOES NOT SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH ANYONE OTHER THAN THE PUBLISHER OF THE BOOK. SECOND, LOOK AT HOW HE COMBINED TWO SENTENCES INTO ONE. CLASSIC FOREIGN SCAMMER ERROR. ALSO, THERE IS NOTHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THE BOOK. THIS GUY HAS NEVER SEEN OR READ THE BOOK, OBVIOUSLY. EVEN IF IT WAS DETAILED, SCAMMERS USE AI TO WRITE THOSE FALSE PRAISE EMAILS.)

Before proceeding further, we would like to propose a preliminary evaluation of the book to ensure its compatibility with our vision for a cinematic adaptation. Our team will conduct a thorough analysis to assess the story’s adaptability, visual appeal, and market potential. Additionally, we would appreciate your assistance in securing any necessary requirements for us to proceed.

* Query Letter
* Market Analysis
* Book Analysis
* Original Manuscript (NEVER SEND SPAMMERS YOUR MANUSCRIPT!!!!)
* Proof of Rights / Chain of Title
* Bookstore Returnability Enrollment
* Proof of Bookstore Returnability / Distribution Eligibility

(WHY WOULD THEY NEED ALL OF THAT, ESPECIALLY THE BOOKSTORE NONSENSE, IF THEY’RE GOING TO TURN THE BOOK INTO A MOVIE? THEY WERE GOING TO TRY TO GET HER TO PAY THEM TO REPUBLISH THE BOOK. THEY WERE ALSO GOING TO CHARGE HER FOR THOSE OTHER “SERVICES.”)

If the evaluation proves successful and all requirements are met, we would be delighted to discuss the possibility of acquiring the film rights to the book. Our aim is to collaborate closely with you throughout the development process, ensuring that the essence of your work is preserved while bringing it to a wider audience through the medium of film.

Also, maintaining confidentiality about transactions with your self-publishing companies where the book was published during the acquisition process is crucial for authors. It will ensure that negotiations remain focused and minimizes potential conflicts or misunderstandings. By keeping these transactions private, you can prevent unnecessary complications and ensure a smoother evaluation process because self-publishing companies tend to stop deals or take a certain percentage from the authors specially with movie productions.

(HA HA HA!!! THEY WANT IT ALL PRIVATE BECAUSE ANY REAL PUBLISHER WOULD SPOT THIS SCAM RIGHT OFF THE BAT! IT’S LIKE THE FAKE CELEBRITY ROMANCE SCAMMERS WHO TELL THEIR VICTIMS NOT TO TELL ANYONE THEY’RE “DATING.” SCAMMERS LIKE TO SEQUESTER THEIR VICTIMS FROM OTHERS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THOSE OTHERS WILL RECOGNIZE THE VICTIM IS BEING SCAMMED. ALSO, ONLY SCAM SELF-PUBLISHING COMPANIES TAKE MOVIE RIGHTS FROM THEIR AUTHORS.)

If you’re in need of help with the submission of requirements I can recommend a licensed Literary Agent from an elite Literary Organization which is knowledgeable about movie adaptation processes, James Miller from Indie Literary Organization. You may contact him through email which is j.miller@indieliterary.org

(THAT IS ALSO NOT A WORKING WEBSITE. AND, THERE IT IS!!! THE SCAMMER IS REFERRING HER TO ANOTHER SCAMMER…BUT IT’S PROBABLY THE SAME GUY PRETENDING TO BE TWO PEOPLE. WE’VE SEEN THAT BEFORE!)

Just let him know that you’re in need of help in securing movie adaptation requirements for the preliminary evaluation.

You will be given at least 10 business days to confirm and respond to this email and at least 15 business days to secure the requirements for the preliminary evaluation. If we don’t hear from you within the given time frame, unfortunately, we will be giving this opportunity slot to the next book of interest.

(ANOTHER SLIMY SALES TACTIC! TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!)

We are eager to hear from you soon. We look forward to the possibility of working together and bringing your incredible story to life on the big screen.

Best Regards,
Zane Murphy
Assistant to Executive Director,
Content Planning and Strategy
CA-SONY STUDIO LOT CULVER CITY
9050 Washington Blvd Sony Pictures Studios,
Culver City, California. USA, 90232-3195
Phone: (310) 909-7157
Email: zmurphy@sonypicturesanimations.com (NOTICE HOW THIS IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE URL BELOW.)
https://www.sonypicturesanimation.com (THIS IS THE REAL WEBSITE. THEY PUT IT HERE TO FOOL THE AUTHOR INTO THINKING IT’S LEGIT. HOWEVER, WHEN THE AUTHOR REPLIES TO THE EMAIL, IT GOES TO THE SCAMMER, NOT TO THE REAL SONY PICTURES.)

A – 

Hi Jeri,

I’m copying attorney James M. Walsh on this email.

I’m not being rude but I want to ask (so I know what potential victims are experiencing) what made you think it was legit?

It’s an impersonation scam.

Sonypicturesanimations.com is not a working website. That’s always the first thing I look at. Some of the scammers do have real websites where they’ve even stolen the logos, etc. from the real production company. This scammer didn’t even bother to do that. I’m 100% certain you’re talking to someone in Pakistan, the Philippines, or Nigeria.

They were going to hook you, and then ask for tens of thousands. We literally just saved an author $50K last week from an identical scam (except they claimed to be FOX instead of Sony).

AUTHOR ALMOST LOST $50K!! We Saved an Author from a FAKE “Fox” Movie Deal, Which is Connected to a Known Publishing Scammer!

Angela

AUTHOR RESPONDS

WOW! I had no idea they were so pervasive and persuasive. It sounded pretty good to me, probably after all the smooth talk about the book. Guess I wanted to believe the book was good enough for a studio to be interested. I thought I was above the honey-talk, and now I know better.

Just read the 50K FOX movie deal article and how they scam authors. I’ve gotten several phone calls the past couple of years, which came on my answering machine, from Columbia Studio offering ‘at least $300K’ for film rights, one for Return of the Goddess and one for Come Walk with Me, and figured they were scams.

The indieliterary.org also should have been a tip-off, since that agent is probably involved. Also, as you mentioned, the 10-day time limit for response also was a tip-off. I sure have gotten an education from you about all the things to look for. All us authors are grateful for you blowing the lids off these foreign scams. It’s time we Americans wake up to the fact that foreigners think we’re easy book and political targets, and need to defend ourselves.

Best of luck to you and Brian.

Would love to answer this creep and tell him where to put his offer.

Blessings,
Jeri

ANGELA RESPONDS

If you respond to the email, they’ll simply share your email (since they know it’s legit) with other scammers.

1. They target Americans because most of us have more money than people living in the scammers’ countries.

2. It’s also considered honorable in those places to scam Americans.

Educating people about scams is the only way to prevent it. Scam websites are popping up at the rate of thousands per day. And, they’re not just targeting authors. There is no limit to the number of businesses they are pretending to be, including law firms!

AUTHOR RESPONDS

Angela

Okay, will not reply to his email. If you can use my email in WritersWeekly, then go ahead. I’m all for educating the public in awareness to these scams and anything we can do to stop them.

You can also sign my name, showing how anyone anywhere can easily be taken in by these scammers:

Jeri Castronova, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Award-winning Author

COME WALK WITH ME: Messages from Yeshua

ONE TIMELESS DAY: Landscapes of a Soul

RETURN OF THE GODDESS: The Hidden History of Nefertiti – Akhenaten – Mary Magdalene – Scota

THE GODDESS AND THE GAME BOARD: A Guide to the Golden Age with Messages from the Archangels, Ascended Masters, and Galactic Beings

CODE OF THE KING: A Deadly Search for Ancient Wisdom Award-Winning Book 1 of the Thriller Trilogy: “Masters of the Game Board”

QUEST FOR THE EMERALD TABLETS: The Secret of the Alchemist Gold – Book 2 of the 2013 Thriller Trilogy MASTERS OF THE GAME

SYMBOLS OF THE GRID: Matrix of Mastery – Book 3 of the 2013 Thriller Trilogy MASTERS OF THE GAME

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2 Responses to "The Flying Nun, Oprah, and Me – by John Riddle"

  1. Amy Bartlett  May 4, 2019 at 2:46 am

    Great piece and great encouragement as always to keep the writer’s nose to the grindstone. Consistent message from one of the best freelance-process “coach”es in the biz.

  2. Roy Stevenson  March 30, 2019 at 8:38 pm

    Nice inspirational piece, John! Good for you, for keeping on. I’m wondering if the 200 websites you have written for all paid for your work, or if you wrote for some of them gratis?