Is this a scam????????? - Writers Forum

mortiis29 · 01-23-2006, 08:12 PM

Hi everyone...

I recently approached an agent and aked if they would like to have me on their list of clients. The agent accepted me (after seeing samples of my work and praising it).
He then went on to tell me that I would benefit from lit-coaching and that he would start representing me as soon as I had done that

.
AND, that the 'lit-coachiing organisatin' would charge $500-600US for the prvillage. (although he stated that he'd already made slots for me in his agency's schedule).

ANY comments please

Dresdor · 01-23-2006, 08:52 PM

I'm going to say that it's probably a scam. Especially if he won't represent you without the lit coaching. A common thing that happens is that the lit coaching service will kick back a few hundred to him and not really help you at all. Probably if you go through it, there will be other fees and such that he will ask you to pay so he could get more of your money.

I would still find out as much info on this agent and the lit-coaching organization as possible, because it very well might not be a scam.

As always: check Preditors and Editors

mammamaia · 01-24-2006, 08:14 PM

not 'probably'!... DEFINITELY!!!... NO legit agent/agency will EVER offer or recommend paid 'help'... it's clearly a scam and you should run fast as you can the other way...

checking with p&e and checking the agents' websites before querying, will save you from getting suckered like this in the future...

Lady_Kristin · 01-24-2006, 08:16 PM

If they're asking for money..... then RUN!

Kristin

fillerlady · 01-24-2006, 10:14 PM

If they're asking you for money, then definitely run away fast.

Susie

Blackhawk_t · 01-26-2006, 05:47 PM

I know everyone has said it, but if they are asking for money, than it is not in your best interest to continue. If he wants you on the team, then they need to pay for your lit classes. If they are willing to do that, then they fell you will make them money. No one is going to invest in someone unless they feel that person will make them money. Like Dresdor said, somebodies getting a kick back for getting people to sign up for lit-coaching.

mammamaia · 01-26-2006, 08:24 PM

sorry, blackhawk, but real agents won't pay to get new writers on their 'teams'... they merely represent individual writers and their work, doing their best to get the work sold to publishers, then take their commission...

no legit agent will pay a penny for any writer to improve their skills and product... if your work's not already good enough to sell, there's no reason for them to waste their time [or money] on you...

cellardoor · 01-26-2006, 11:22 PM

is anyone here an agent?

give me a dollar

i wish i was drunk.

man, i'm sorry for fucking around in this thread.

davidray · 01-27-2006, 08:27 AM

This is not always a scam, just the vast majority of the time. Steve Alten, a reasonably successful writer (financially, anyway) was told the same thing by his agent. Steve took the plunge, paid for the work, and is now published by Doubleday. He writes about this experience at www.stevealten.com. Sometimes an agent will see an idea that they really like but that needs a lot of work and will make this sort of request.

That said, your case sounds like a scam (unless I misinterpreted it). As others have pointed out, the referral to a particular service is suspect. Also, a real book doctor will be considerably more expensive that $600 for a full-length novel. I recommend passing on the offer. It's a very disappointing experience to get hopes dashed that way, but it's not nearly as disappointing as getting screwed.

A number of writing web sites keep lists of "bad" agents and publishers. One of them is www.sfwa.org. It's a good resource for double checking agents' stories. Writers who have been scammed by agents will frequently post about it on the internet. It never hurts to google the agent/agency name and see what comes up.

Here's a good example - I had a manuscript accepted by a publisher, Publish America. I was leery of them because they are not a top tier publisher, the books in their online catalog looked like crap, and they seemed a little too eager about my work (I'm more accustomed to rejection!). So I entered this in google: "Publish America" lawsuit (the quotes make sure google looks for the company name - it's necessary if it's a two word name). The results confirmed my suspicions and I told them to take a hike.

mammamaia · 01-28-2006, 07:48 PM

i thought by now everybody knew pa was a poor excuse for a pod, david... or, was that way back in your callow youth?

davidray · 01-28-2006, 11:55 PM

Well, I'm happy to say that my callow youth isn't completely over! But yes, my experience with Publish America was one of my earliest initiations to the world of publishing. I'm actually still a relatively new writer - only been at it seriously for a few years. I'm just glad I was smart enought to google PA before I made any commitments.