Are There Bad Literary Agents?
By: Donna Sozio
http://www.impublished.com/
While getting submission packages ready to submit to literary agents a lingering question on most writers’ minds is, “Are there bad literary agents?”
The answer is yes and you should know about them.
Traditionally a literary agent represents a writer and makes money from the commission they receive from the sale and sales of your book. That’s it.
Beware of any agent who tries to sell you editorial, consulting or packaging services. If they do, that is the point when they stop being agents. Instead they have just become editors, consultants, or packagers who use the promise of publishing to sell their services.
Also be wary of agents sliding in fees such as a reading fee. Nominal photocopying fees are for the most part okay. Yet, start asking questions if any copying fee is over $50.00. Also, make sure you only have to pay after your book has been sold.
Sometimes first-time writers feel somewhat shy asking questions, especially, financial questions. You may feel like they are the mighty literary agent. And you are the lowly writer, which is – by the way - complete bunk.
It’s important to know this because the lowly first-time writer mentality is exactly the fodder unscrupulous agents feed on. If you are dealing with a legit agent you will never jeopardize your writing career by initiating an intelligent conversation about money. It will only help you gain esteem and impress your future agent with your business savvy.
It’s a rule of thumb that the unscrupulous go after the desperate. For which there is a simple solution. Don’t be desperate. Then no one can take advantage of you.
Yet, if you find yourself in a situation where: 1. You thought you submitted to a literary agency, 2. You get accepted or they want to work with you, 3. But you must first shell out a $2500 editorial fee to get you ready to submit to publishers. Don’t be afraid to: 1. Talk money, 2. Ask questions, 3. Ask for references.
This is why: Once an agent starts asking for money – instead of making you money – you are now a customer and they need to prove the worth of their products. Especially, since editing services don’t come cheap. Also, how do you measure results? Exactly when does “getting you ready” for publishing mean green light go?
In past literary agent searches, I have been offered a few editing services in lieu of representation. One of the offers didn’t even have my name at the top of their reply email. This was a sure tip-off that the email was computer generated. It read like one of those automated sales messages with important information left on my voice mail. Not to mention they also asked for a quick two grand.
If you are ever in doubt about what to do in this situation, remember that as an author, you’re The Catch. You are the one with the powerful saleable idea. They are lucky to have you. You shouldn’t feel lucky that you have them.
Ask yourself this question: Is this literary agent acting in my best interest or are they using my deep burning desire to get published to sell me editorial services? If the answer is the latter, then yes, they are a bad agent.
What do you do if you find yourself in this situation?
First, always follow your instincts. If you smell a rat, you smell a rat. It’s that simple.
Yet, if you still want to inquire further, go ahead. You are under no obligation. You are free to email or call them to gather more information without making a commitment. Remember, at this point, they have become a seller of “services” and you are the valued customer.
In the end, make sure they are offering you representation for your book not preparation.
On a final note, I want to add that out of over 140 submissions to literary agents, I was offered only two editorial or “preparation” services when I submitted my work for representation. Yes, there are bad agents out there. But don’t let them give the thousands of wonderful hardworking literary agents out there a bad name.
To learn everything you need to know about reputable and not-so-reputable literary agents visit: http://www.impublished.com/.
By: Donna Sozio
http://www.impublished.com/
While getting submission packages ready to submit to literary agents a lingering question on most writers’ minds is, “Are there bad literary agents?”
The answer is yes and you should know about them.
Traditionally a literary agent represents a writer and makes money from the commission they receive from the sale and sales of your book. That’s it.
Beware of any agent who tries to sell you editorial, consulting or packaging services. If they do, that is the point when they stop being agents. Instead they have just become editors, consultants, or packagers who use the promise of publishing to sell their services.
Also be wary of agents sliding in fees such as a reading fee. Nominal photocopying fees are for the most part okay. Yet, start asking questions if any copying fee is over $50.00. Also, make sure you only have to pay after your book has been sold.
Sometimes first-time writers feel somewhat shy asking questions, especially, financial questions. You may feel like they are the mighty literary agent. And you are the lowly writer, which is – by the way - complete bunk.
It’s important to know this because the lowly first-time writer mentality is exactly the fodder unscrupulous agents feed on. If you are dealing with a legit agent you will never jeopardize your writing career by initiating an intelligent conversation about money. It will only help you gain esteem and impress your future agent with your business savvy.
It’s a rule of thumb that the unscrupulous go after the desperate. For which there is a simple solution. Don’t be desperate. Then no one can take advantage of you.
Yet, if you find yourself in a situation where: 1. You thought you submitted to a literary agency, 2. You get accepted or they want to work with you, 3. But you must first shell out a $2500 editorial fee to get you ready to submit to publishers. Don’t be afraid to: 1. Talk money, 2. Ask questions, 3. Ask for references.
This is why: Once an agent starts asking for money – instead of making you money – you are now a customer and they need to prove the worth of their products. Especially, since editing services don’t come cheap. Also, how do you measure results? Exactly when does “getting you ready” for publishing mean green light go?
In past literary agent searches, I have been offered a few editing services in lieu of representation. One of the offers didn’t even have my name at the top of their reply email. This was a sure tip-off that the email was computer generated. It read like one of those automated sales messages with important information left on my voice mail. Not to mention they also asked for a quick two grand.
If you are ever in doubt about what to do in this situation, remember that as an author, you’re The Catch. You are the one with the powerful saleable idea. They are lucky to have you. You shouldn’t feel lucky that you have them.
Ask yourself this question: Is this literary agent acting in my best interest or are they using my deep burning desire to get published to sell me editorial services? If the answer is the latter, then yes, they are a bad agent.
What do you do if you find yourself in this situation?
First, always follow your instincts. If you smell a rat, you smell a rat. It’s that simple.
Yet, if you still want to inquire further, go ahead. You are under no obligation. You are free to email or call them to gather more information without making a commitment. Remember, at this point, they have become a seller of “services” and you are the valued customer.
In the end, make sure they are offering you representation for your book not preparation.
On a final note, I want to add that out of over 140 submissions to literary agents, I was offered only two editorial or “preparation” services when I submitted my work for representation. Yes, there are bad agents out there. But don’t let them give the thousands of wonderful hardworking literary agents out there a bad name.
To learn everything you need to know about reputable and not-so-reputable literary agents visit: http://www.impublished.com/.
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