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