Publishing & formats
How to avoid publishing scams before you share work or commit.
At a glance
Check a publishing offer by verifying the organization through independently found contact details, asking for a written scope and separating promised services from guaranteed outcomes. Confirm who will do the work, hold the accounts and deliver the files. Pause when an offer relies on pressure, impersonation or claims that cannot be checked.
Verify the person and organization independently
An unexpected offer can sound convincing because it names your book, a known company or an opportunity you would like. Treat those details as claims to check. Find the organization's contact information independently, then ask whether the person and offer are genuine. A link or phone number inside the original message is not an independent check.
The Authors Guild's publishing scam alerts document impersonation and misleading approaches aimed at authors. Use the alerts to recognize patterns; they are not a substitute for checking the specific proposal in front of you.
For someone claiming to represent Greenfield, use our published contact details. Do not send passwords, identity documents or complete manuscripts simply to establish who contacted you.
Identify what the offer actually sells
Writing, editing, design, production, distribution setup and marketing are different activities. A legitimate paid service should make its deliverables understandable. Paying a service provider does not by itself establish a scam, and calling a package “publishing” does not explain what work it includes.
| Claim | Ask for |
|---|---|
| Professional editing | The editorial stages, manuscript length, review process and included passes. |
| Custom design | Concepts, revisions, asset licensing and final print or ebook deliverables. |
| Bookstore distribution | Named ordering channels and a distinction between availability and stocking. |
| Launch marketing | Specific activities, channels, dates, approvals and reports. |
| Registration support | The identifier or registration involved, eligibility and who holds the record. |
Pause when urgency replaces evidence
A genuine deadline should have an understandable reason. Be cautious when an offer demands an immediate commitment while discouraging you from reviewing the agreement or speaking to someone outside the sales conversation. Ask for time to read the scope and resolve questions.
A promise of a particular sales result, guaranteed positive reviews or a major adaptation deal needs more than enthusiasm. Ask which part is a service the provider controls and which depends on a third party. A provider can describe work it will perform; it cannot control readers' purchases or another organization's selection decision.
Understand accounts, identifiers and final files
Ask who will manage publishing accounts, receive reports and deliver the editable manuscript and agreed production files. Clarify what happens if the relationship ends. Do not hand over your personal mailbox password as a shortcut to publishing-account access.
An ISBN and a publisher imprint also require precise discussion. KDP's ISBN guidance distinguishes its assigned imprint from an author's own registered imprint. Ask which arrangement your proposal uses rather than assuming every ISBN service has the same result.
Keep a record and resolve discrepancies before proceeding
Save the proposal, agreement, promised deliverables, approvals and relevant correspondence. If a payment or service differs from what was agreed, describe the discrepancy in writing and request a clear response through independently verified contact details.
If you suspect fraud, consult your payment provider and the relevant reporting or consumer-protection channel for your location. Get qualified advice for a contractual dispute. Preserve evidence and avoid publishing an accusation you cannot support.
For a practical comparison of ordinary service scopes, read what a publishing quote should include and the Greenfield publishing process. A useful proposal should make your next decision easier to understand.
Common questions
Does paying for publishing support mean it is a scam?
No. Authors can legitimately hire writing, editing, design and production services. The questions are what is being sold, whether claims are accurate and whether the agreement matches the work you expect.
Does online distribution mean my book will be on store shelves?
No. Ordering availability and a bookseller's decision to stock a title are different. Ask a provider to explain the exact channels and activities included.
What should I do if someone claims to represent Greenfield?
Use the phone number or contact page on greenfieldpublishers.com to check the enquiry independently. Avoid relying solely on contact details supplied in the message you are trying to verify.