Scammers Impersonating Atmosphere Press
Recently, The Guardian reported on an international publishing scam in which fraudsters cloned legitimate small-press websites, fabricated staff pages using AI-generated images, and solicited large upfront payments from authors under false pretenses. In some cases, these impersonators copied real publishers’ branding and even listed books that do not belong to them.
We are sharing this because Atmosphere Press has been directly impersonated.
Additionally, an author recently forwarded us a series of emails from a company calling itself “Atmosphere Publishing.” The messages attempted to collect money and included an “author agreement” designed to appear legitimate. Fortunately, the author had previously communicated with someone from our real team and recognized discrepancies before signing or paying anything.
The materials we received were deeply concerning.
In the interest of protecting writers, we are documenting what happened and outlining how to identify similar scams.
Example of a PayPal invoice a real author received from a scammer impersonating Atmosphere Press; note the company name “Atmosphere Publishing” (not Atmosphere Press) and the request for payment via PayPal—Atmosphere Press does not invoice authors this way.
What This Scam Looks Like
Based on the materials we’ve reviewed and reporting from The Guardian, these impersonation schemes often include:
⚠️ Websites that closely resemble legitimate publishers
⚠️ AI-generated staff headshots and invented executive biographies
⚠️ Fabricated testimonials using real authors’ names or book covers
⚠️ High-pressure email outreach promising rapid publication
⚠️ Broad or predatory rights clauses buried in legal language
Their goal is to create enough surface credibility to persuade authors to pay them for services they will never actually provide.
Important Clarification
Atmosphere Press’s Acquisitions Team:
➥ Communicates exclusively through official @atmospherepress.com email addresses
➥ Operates solely under the name “Atmosphere Press” (not “Atmosphere Publishing”)
➥ Does not cold-email authors demanding immediate payment
➥ Does not pressure authors to sign contracts on short deadlines
➥ Provides clear, transparent agreements and time for review
➥ Maintains publicly verifiable business listings, including profiles on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau
If you receive communication claiming to represent us and something feels off, trust that instinct. You are always welcome to verify directly through the contact form on our official website. You can also check out our masthead to see the very real, very talented people behind Atmosphere Press!
Page 1 of the fake contract a real author received from scammers impersonating Atmosphere Press — even using our logo and the real name of one of our publishing packages.
Red Flags to Watch For (With Any Publisher)
Whether the name attached is ours or another press’s, here are practical warning signs:
1. Slightly Altered Company Names
Small changes—“Publishing” instead of “Press,” added hyphens, different domain endings—are common impersonation tactics.
2. Email Domain Mismatch
A legitimate publisher’s acquisitions staff will email from their official domain. Free Gmail, Outlook, or suspiciously similar domains are cause for pause.
3. Urgency + Payment Pressure
Statements like:
⚠️ “Sign within 24 hours”
⚠️ “Final notice before cancellation”
⚠️ “Immediate processing fee required”
Professional publishers do not operate this way.
4. Contracts That Strip Rights
Be wary of language granting:
⚠️ Unlimited global rights without limitation
⚠️ Perpetual marketing charges
⚠️ Vague “administrative” or “registration” fees
⚠️ Unclear termination clauses
If a contract feels unbalanced or opaque, consult an attorney or an experienced publishing professional before signing.
5. AI-Generated “Team” Pages
Stock-photo faces labeled as CEOs with minimal online presence are increasingly common. If leadership cannot be independently verified, proceed cautiously.
Scam email impersonating Atmosphere Press.
If You’ve Been Contacted
If someone claiming to represent Atmosphere Press has contacted you:
1. Do not send money.
2. Do not sign anything.
3. Reach out via the contact form on atmospherepress.com.
4. Preserve screenshots of emails, websites, and documents before they disappear.
5. If you have already sent funds, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to your local fraud authority.
A Larger Industry Concern
The rise of AI tools has made it easier than ever to fabricate credible-looking publishing operations. The Guardian investigation highlights how these scammers replicate branding, lift real book covers, and manufacture executive identities to build trust quickly.
This is an annoyance, yes, but more than that, it is a coordinated effort targeting writers—especially emerging authors eager for opportunity.
Transparency matters in publishing. So does vigilance.
A Final Word
At Atmosphere Press, we are proud of the work our authors do and of the trust they place in us. The fact that scammers see value in imitating our name is unfortunate—but it also reinforces why clear communication and education are essential.
If you are ever unsure whether communication is truly from Atmosphere Press, please contact us directly through the information listed on our official website!
When it comes to your rights, your work, and your money, caution is not cynicism; it’s wisdom.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.