Is the realistic for an agency to requre? - Writers Forum

Aussie Billy · 03-04-2006, 09:25 PM

First time I've run across something like this ... an agency requesting a critique before agreeing to take on my work.
Based on the signing of a publishing contract, I presented a second ms to an agency. Having worked once with a publisher in a direct manner, I would like to have the services of an agent ... one that can deal with a number of publishers in my bets interest. My publisher considered my second ms but decided it was not what he was accepting at this time.
The agency read my ms and said they think my story has commercial potential but before accepting my work they would have to have a formal critique done ... a service they do not offer. The agency is very clear ... they make no money until they sell my work. BUT before agreeing to represent me, they wanted an acceptable third party (a a qualified industry professional) to conduct the critique.
While not against my finding my own sourse they offered a number of vendors ... one of which is http://www.writersliterary.com/Critique-novel.rtf
It should cost me, the agency suggests, no more than $70-$90.
As far as I can see, the rest of the services offered by this agency is boiler plate ... just as any other agency offers, all at the usual percentage.
Any thought on this? Should I step on the bandwagon or skip on to another lit agent? Is it worthwhile to have a a qualified industry professional critque my ms?

So ... help!
Guess I'll go down to the beacfh for a while ...
Thanks ...
Aussie Billy

darthwader · 03-05-2006, 06:31 AM

I think that is stupid. An agent should (and usually does) do their own appraisal of a potential client's work at their own expense. It seems to me that they are simply trying to cut their costs, and if that is the case, they are not the type of people I would want representing me.

Beardedtroll · 03-05-2006, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussie Billy

My publisher considered my second ms but decided it was not what he was accepting at this time.
The agency read my ms and said they think my story has commercial potential but before accepting my work they would have to have a formal critique done ... a service they do not offer.

Now, I have no experience with publishing, so this is just my layman's opinion, but if the agency believes your work has commercial potential why are they not willing to invest $90 to investigate that potential? Further, if the agency feel they need a formal critique but has not conducted one yet, how can they be confident of their assessment of your work?

Having to supply an agency with a formal critique strikes me as similar to having to supply a moving company with a truck. Isn't that supposed to be their job?

darthwader · 03-05-2006, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beardedtroll
Having to supply an agency with a formal critique strikes me as similar to having to supply a moving company with a truck.

Bingo, Yahtzee. You took my thoughts, and summed them up into a witty metaphor.

mammamaia · 03-05-2006, 07:03 PM

it's not at all s.o.p., and i'd bet the agency is a rip-off in other ways, as well!... no reputable legit agent will ask for such a thing and will surely never recommend any specific service-provider... delete them from your list and keep looking for a legit agency that will consider your book worth repping, via their own opinion...

best of luck... love and hugs, maia

ps: what publisher bought your first book, if you don't mind saying?

Julianne · 03-06-2006, 10:02 AM

Billy,

That sounds fishy to me, too. I'd say forget about that agency and try others.

Julianne

Julianne · 03-06-2006, 01:37 PM

Yep, I checked these guys out on Absolute Write. They're a scam. See this thread for a start:

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26990