I don't know if any of you have come across this organisation but they purport to seek new writers as a speciality. They have a 'showcase' on their website and they are also a literary agency. The two are obviously intertwined. My work has been judged to be suitable for display in their showcase - he's the catch - which will only cost £50 for twelve months. This does not, in any way, mean that i have been picked up by the agency.
Should i pay? Is this someone feasting on the hopes of the unpublished? Does anyone of any influence look at these showcases?
Can anyone answer these questions?

Should i pay?

No way.

I've had a look at this site before - the quality of most of the work is dire and I would be very surprised if anyone ever got picked up by an agent as a result of being showcased there.

I've never been able to find out any proper information about the literary agency side either.

Hang on to your 50 quid!

Caro

I notice this site is listed on the Write Words directory.

I don't think real agents go looking for clients in these kinds of showcases - clients come to them, or if they do go looking, it's in places where the work's already been filtered: the MA sites and perhaps the big competitions. There's also the site that links to A P Watt and The Friday Project (can't remember the name) but that's much cheaper...

Emma

Don't do it. I made the mistake of paying the £35 (as it then was) to 'showacse' a bit of my first novel. When, later, I asked them to take it down because I'd got a publication deal and thought I'd better get it off there, they left it up but with a tag on saying 'now published' as of it was them that had got me the deal!!!! It wasn't even the same novel that had been picked up by a publisher (as I had made celar to them). I had to ask them about four times to get them to remove it. They are complete charlatans.

Rosy

It’s listed as not recommended by Preditors & Editors. Don’t waste your money. You can promote your work here on your own showcase page for no extra cost.

Dee

Thanks to all respondents. Advice has been noted and is greatly appreciated. I shall use the money for food instead.