I was very surprised by an email from a literary agent called *** , saying how impressed she was with my work and would be delighted to represent me. I was suspicious, not having tried to contact her, so googled the name. Sure enough, there is an agency, but when I googled further I found that it is listed on another site called Writers Beware as one of the 20 worst agencies in terms of complaints received. What's the idea of approaching authors in this way?

Sheila

[Edited by david bruce at 17:46:00 on 04 September 2006
Reason: for the legal safety of the site we cannot discuss specific agents or publishers reputations. Please contact David Bruce if you require more info about this policy.]

What's the idea of approaching authors in this way?

Making money from people who are so desperate to get published that they are blinkered to scams and charlatons.

I got a call the other day on my landline telephone from some guy saying, "Good morning Sir (it was 6pm), I understand you own a mobile phone..."

It's one of those sales openers, like, "Hi, do you enjoy eating out?" which panders a little to ego and is there to keep you on the line.

I didn't even give him an answer.

BTW, the funniest sales opener I ever received was when I was a very skinny, pale teenager with a heavy metal t-shirt and a mullet. Some big guy in the centre of Newcastle gave me a friendly (but bloody hard) punch on the shoulder and told me I looked like I worked-out and tried to sell me a bodybuilding brochure he'd written.

Colin

Great story, Colin.

I think this agent's approach obviously cashes in on - not vanity, necessarily - but writers' honest longing to have people like their work, and then relies on them not knowing how real agencies work. Preditors and Editors would give the lowdown. Agencies like this make the money from charging editorial fees and reading fees and submission fees, not selling work. It's big business in the States from what I can tell. And it all sounds so reasonable: in plenty of other trades you pay someone to represent you upfront, after all. I remember recently looking at one of those 20 Worst Agencies on the net because I knew it was a scam, and still I felt the convincingness of their site. Apparently Miss Snark started her brilliant blog to try to explain how real agents work, to help aspiring writers avoid this sort of thing.

Emma

Cornelia, I feel for you. There is nothing more crushing than someone enthusing over one's work, only to then discover they are less than honourable.

The same thing happened to me earlier this year, when a seemingly professinal outfit said they loved my novel, and would be delighted to represent me. The catch? They then asked, after my initial joy had prompted a somewhat speedy reply, for $3000 up front.

It is dispiriting, but we are lucky to have this site and the people on it to warn us of the pitfalls, and in this case, I would steer well clear.

I hope you soon recieve some genuine interest.

JB

Talking about dire sales openers, i recently had the following on the phone:

"Is that Mrs Casey (we'll say )

"Yes."

"Really....gosh... I can't believe it....you sound FAR too young to be married."

Needless to say, i don't and he didn't get any business.

Casey

Thanks for the responses. I suspected it was a scam to get reading and editing fees but I only thought to check the Internet after I had responded by telling them what I am working on. I am definitely not up for paying editing fees at the moment.

Sheila

Well done for having the nouse to check them out, Sheila - pity the poor b*****s who don't.

Casey

Bad luck, Sheila. I'm wary of anyone that mentions editing services as part of a publishing pitch. I nearly got caught out by a scam myself recently, until - like you - I ran it by the good folks of WW and they told me to steer clear. Lucky we all have each other, isn't it?
Tony

We sure are! The email I got didn't mention anything about editing, just about representation, but the website made it clear that the agency offers editing services. I suppose it's fair enough touting for business from people who might want to buy these. After trying without success to place a finished novel, for instance, some people have said they have been well-served by an agency. It may be they were sincere about representing me - it was a nonfiction section and I have published nonfiction work. However, that they approached me, instead of the other way round struck me as very strange. When they turned out to be on a 'bad agency' list it definitely put me off.

Sheila

I suppose the best way to avoid this sort of thing is, to only send your stuff off to reputable agents who are listed in Preditors and Editors, or books like Writers and Artists yearbook and to be very wary of anyone who approaches you in the first instance, especially if they make seemingly wonderful promises.

Katerina

I'm feeling uncomfortable now because before my doubts caused me to check I replied to the agency director and described, as requested, the nonfiction book I'm currently writing. Now she says she is avidly interested, impressed by the research, looking forward to a long and happy relationship, etc. and could I send a summary and sample chapters. Should I go along with this until I'm asked for money, or tell her she was badly critted by a website, or make up an excuse? Could anything awful happen?

A couple of months back I submitted the book outline to a couple of publishers, one who said their list was full and the other I haven't heard from. I'm in no rush because the book isn't finished and I don't want a deadline to work to, especially with the London Film Festival coming up, as well as a creative writing course.

Sheila