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Reputations, Accreditations and Scams of Literary Agents
By C. Hope Clark
Yes, sharks swim in the sea. Arm yourself with information to avoid predators
that could take off with your book or worse, lock it up in a contract and do
nothing but charge you fees for the privilege.
AAR
First, consider an agent/agency that is a member of AAR. The Association of
Authors’ Representatives is a non-profit professional organization for
independent literary and drama agents. Study the Canon of Ethics at the web site
– http://www.aar-online.org/ .
Basically, these rules dictate that AAR members be ethical in their service,
financial dealings, and contracts. They charge no reading fees. They cannot
represent both the buyer and the seller of a book product. The list is short.
Read it to know what the professional standards of a credible agent should
emulate.
Not all good agents are AAR members, though. To join, an agent must be
recommended by two AAR members and must have represented at least ten different
literary properties in successful contracts in the previous 18-month period.
Often times an agent is too new to have met the minimum standards. Study their
practices, noting how closely they adhere to the AAR Canon of Ethics. Often,
they’ll mention on their web site that they are not a member, but follow the
ethics. That's good. If you sign with them, remind them of it.
The Red Flags of Scams
The most common negative reported by less-than-reputable agents is the practice
of charging a reading fee. Then there are those who think your work is good but
needs polish, so they recommend an editor to help you improve. Of course, this
editor charges.
These types of agents are making a living off these fees, not from selling your
book. AAR does not authorize members to charge or recommend either fee. An agent
is supposed to make a living from your success and your sales, not your pre-sale
efforts. He markets your book, negotiates contracts with publishers, keeps track
of the rights that have been sold and handles the business-side of an author’s
career so the author can write.
Avoid fees like: reading fee, marketing fee, submission fee on contract signing,
evaluation fee, editing fee, catalog fee, web site fee, or publicity fee.
A reputable agent will not work with pay-to-publish contracts. They should only
negotiate contracts with publishers that pay you. Suspect kickbacks in such
dealings.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America maintains a marvelous web
site on agent scams called Writer Beware -
http://www.sfwa.org/beware/ You’ll even find case studies identifying key
players in major scams.
While new agents have to start somewhere, be careful. There is no licensing
requirement for an agent. Agents grow into the position. Note educational
background, previous publishing, editing or agenting experience. Usually a young
agent has served under more prestigious or seasoned agents in multi-agent firms.
A no-name agent with no background is to be avoided. Note: Just because you are
a new author, attempting to publish your first book, does not mean you have to
settle for a lesser agent. On the contrary, you need someone knowledgeable to
chart the waters for you.
Know who the agent/agency represents. Credible agents don’t mind stating their
successes. Usually the web sites clearly flaunt those authors and their books.
Be wary if an agent doesn’t want to disclose his or her clients.
Rates should run 10-15% for domestic sales and 20-25% for foreign or brokered
sales. Agents should only work on commission.
Avoid agents who knock on your door. Good agents don’t need to seek business.
Avoid agents willing to represent your short stories or poetry. There is no
money in this side of the agenting business, and the small, independent presses
have this market sewed up.
Other Scam Identifying Resources
Writer Beware -
http://www.sfwa.org/beware/agents.html
Agent Research and Evaluation -
http://www.agentresearch.com/
(scroll down to bottom of page to search an agent’s name)
Absolute Write – http://absolutewrite.com
(go to the Water Cooler Forum under Bewares and Background)
Agent Query -
http://www.agentquery.com/writer_bs.aspx
(Beware of Scammers)
Preditors & Editors -
http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubwarn.htm
Knowledge is power. Empower yourself, and you'll be fine. Learn all you can
before signing with a literary agent. Most
of them are perfectly fine - wonderful business people. But some are not. Know
your stuff before signing that contract.
BIO
C. Hope Clark loves agent blogs. Sign up for a few to stay on top of the agent
world. Her new ebook AGENT IN YOUR POCKET lists many of the agent blogs
available out there.
www.fundsforwriters.com/ebooks.htm
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