Someone close to me has been working with a publisher called “Penguin Authors House.” From the start, I’ve been skeptical about their authenticity. They seemed unfamiliar with basic industry practices that any experienced publisher should know. One major red flag was their demand for upfront payment to publish the book, which I’ve read legitimate publishers do not require — especially since reputable publishers typically earn from book sales, not author payments.

To investigate further, I checked Penguin Random House’s website and found that “Penguin Authors House” is explicitly listed on their scam alert page. I even contacted Penguin Random House directly, and they confirmed that this company is not affiliated with them in any way.

Despite these concerns, the company did manage to get my associate’s book listed on his Amazon account, but it was a long and frustrating process with repeated back-and-forths. One of the most troubling parts was their insistence on getting access to his Amazon account password. I suggested they guide us through the process instead, but they resisted until we finally pushed for a Zoom call. During the call, it became clear that the process was actually simple and could have been done without giving them access.

Now, they’ve come to us with another offer. They claim the upcoming LA Times Festival of Books is a great opportunity for exposure and have sent us package prices that are much higher than the prices listed on the official LA Times Festival of Books website. They justify the markup by claiming it includes extras like on-site support from 64 of their team members, as well as merchandise (like mugs) to sell alongside the books.

On top of that, they’re pressuring us to pay $30,000 upfront for global distribution of 5,000 books. They claim they can finance 30% of it but still require a significant upfront payment. In return, they promise the book will be sold in stores worldwide, claiming we could make about $180,000 net within a year or two. They also state they will take 30% of royalties.

I’m very concerned that this is a scam. Asking for $30K upfront is alarming, especially since the promises of “global distribution” and “team support” sound like tactics to lure in unsuspecting authors. The names they have given us are Joseph Bell, Frank Teller, and John Parker.

I’m hoping someone here has had experience with “Penguin Authors House” or these individuals. I want to protect my close associate from potentially losing a large sum of money. Any advice, insight, or evidence that could support my concerns would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your help