A lot of con artists have invaded the industry and the literary world is not an exemption. It is important to discern if a literary agency is a scammer or not. New comers and veteran novelists alike can fall prey to literary agency schemes so added precaution and knowledge about the matter is essential. There are specific signs that your literary agency is just a scam so better read on and be informed.
The rule is pretty simple for literary agencies. They only get to make money out of your books, fiction or non-fiction, by selling it to reputable publishers. This rule may seem basic enough but a lot of writers are still falling victim to con artists of the literary world. If your literary agency is asking for additional fee related to reading, evaluation, marketing or retainer’s fee, then you should consider this as a warning sign that something is not right with your agency.
Reading fees are already banned by the Association of Author’s Representatives (the active trade group for literary agents in the United States of America). The same holds true for evaluation fees. If the agent would like to critique your work then he is free to do so but it should come at no cost. If you really want good opinion regarding your work, you should approach a professional editor instead.
Note that not all fees being charged to you by your literary agency are scams. Literary agencies do charge fees that they incur on your behalf for the production and distribution of your work. Chargeable expenses include photocopy expense, stamps and the like. Most reputable agents put these expenses in the contract that writers are required to sign to make the transaction clear for both parties.
One of the indicators that the agency is a reputable one is that they do not ask for a payment even before any work has started. Reputable literary agencies would also provide you with receipts of the copies that the agency said they made and are charging you for. Renegotiate your contract if you think that it will not work for you.
If you want a reputable literary agency, such as the Scott Meredith Literary Agency, to represent you, then do not look for their advertisement in magazines and the internet for chances are, they do not advertise there. You will find their contact details in market books and other resources instead.
The rule is pretty simple for literary agencies. They only get to make money out of your books, fiction or non-fiction, by selling it to reputable publishers. This rule may seem basic enough but a lot of writers are still falling victim to con artists of the literary world. If your literary agency is asking for additional fee related to reading, evaluation, marketing or retainer’s fee, then you should consider this as a warning sign that something is not right with your agency.
Reading fees are already banned by the Association of Author’s Representatives (the active trade group for literary agents in the United States of America). The same holds true for evaluation fees. If the agent would like to critique your work then he is free to do so but it should come at no cost. If you really want good opinion regarding your work, you should approach a professional editor instead.
Note that not all fees being charged to you by your literary agency are scams. Literary agencies do charge fees that they incur on your behalf for the production and distribution of your work. Chargeable expenses include photocopy expense, stamps and the like. Most reputable agents put these expenses in the contract that writers are required to sign to make the transaction clear for both parties.
One of the indicators that the agency is a reputable one is that they do not ask for a payment even before any work has started. Reputable literary agencies would also provide you with receipts of the copies that the agency said they made and are charging you for. Renegotiate your contract if you think that it will not work for you.
If you want a reputable literary agency, such as the Scott Meredith Literary Agency, to represent you, then do not look for their advertisement in magazines and the internet for chances are, they do not advertise there. You will find their contact details in market books and other resources instead.
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