Scams, Shams, and Flim-Flams
I'm so excited about all the writing opportunities I have for you this week! But before we get to those, I'd like to take a few minutes to share some warnings.
As a group, writers are generally considered a hungry bunch, and I'm not talking about food here. Let's face it, most of us have said at one time or another, "I don't care if I don't make any money, I just want to see my name in print" or "I just want to get God's message out there" or "I want to leave something written down for my family."
And in case you haven't noticed, there are those out there who are eager to help you. There's just one little catch-they're not doing it to help you grow in your craft as a writer or to help you learn more about the business side of writing. No, they are simply eager to take your money. And they do...to the tune of thousands, or in some cases, millions of dollars a year.
Today we'll look at agents.
You may be surprised to learn that anyone can call himself an agent. There is no certification process, no licensing procedure. He simply creates a website (which almost anyone can do these days), print some business cards on his home computer, buy an ad in the back of Writer's Digest, and he's in business.
I know, I fell for it.
Back in 1997 I was really hungry. I had written my first book and had spent the past four years trying to get it published. No bites. So I studied the classifieds in the back of Writer's Digest. After all, I reasoned, if an agent is listed in the back of Writer's Digest, he should be a good agent, right? Wrong.
Lesson #1: Real agents find their clients at writer's conferences and through referrals. Good agents, real agents, producing agents don't need to advertise in the back of Writer's Digest or any other magazine. They get more submissions than they can ever accept, why would they spend money on advertising? And just for the record, Writer's Digest or any other writers' magazine sells classified ads for the sole reason of making a profit, not to verify whether agents are legitimate or not.
In my situation, I applied to the Kelly O'Donnell Literary Agency and was thrilled to receive a contract. I had an agent and she said she already had 25 publishers who had shown interest in my book! Hoo-wee! I was on my way!
Lesson #2: Most real agents don't charge up front fees. A closer look at Ms. O'Donnell's contract revealed this small statement: "There is a reading fee of $250 for each work, and this is refunded upon the contingency of author/publisher contractural agreements together." GULP. There was a little problem in paradise: I didn't have $250 and didn't have the nerve to ask Gary for it.
Most real agents only make money when they help you make money. I'm not a mathematician, but even I can figure this out-If an "agent" made $250 from every hungry author he met, he could make a ton of money-and never sell a single book!
Lesson #3: Real agents don't usually send you to a specific editor. Some scam agents tell hungry authors that their work is close to being ready, but needs some editorial work in order to be publishable. They then offer to refer the authors to an editor who in turn charges a large sum of money to make the works publishable. What the authors don't realize is that the phone call or submission goes directly back to "agent." Any fees sent to the "editor" go to the same place--the scam artist's bank account! After the authors finish with the "editor," they are referred back to the agent for "representation," requiring an additional $250 up front fee. And sometimes the agent is truly sending the author to another person who is not a reputable editor, but is receiving a kickback for sending the author to them.
You can read about the Kelly O'Donnell criminal case here: http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/007053.html
So what do you do if you want to check out an agent?
1. Check out the Association of Authors Representatives http://www.aar-online.org/mc/page.do. All listed agents agree to a code of ethics that include not charging reading fees. But please understand that many reputable agents are not members of this organization, even though they still follow the spirit and the letter of the AAR code of ethics, so don't let the fact that an agent is not a member make your decision for you.
2. Check out Preditors & Editors http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubagent.htm for a list of warnings regarding agents.
3. Google: literary agent warnings
4. Go to Writer's Weekly http://www.writersweekly.com/whispers_and_warnings.php and follow their Whispers and Warnings.
5. Google the specific person you're investigating, but realize that individual websites may not be legitimate.
6. If you get to the point of serious discussion with an agent, ask for a specific list of agented books. Then go to Amazon and see if the publishers are reputable, traditional publishers. Often, unscrupulous agents will list self-published or vanity press books. And even though there's nothing wrong with self-publishing, you certainly don't need an agent to self-publish a book.
Thankfully, my story has a happy ending. I was saved by the fact that I didn't have $250 to spare at that time in my life! If I had had the money, I probably would have fallen for the scam and lost it, and maybe more.
Praise God, He has since blessed me with a knowledgeable agent who works hard on my behalf.
So take these words to heart and check out your "agent" carefully. You could lose a lot more than $250.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More Than You Ever Wanted to Know about Me...
I recently had the joy of being interviewed by Crystal Laine Miller at When I was Just a Kid http://wheniwasjustakid.blogspot.com. What a fun interview! I hope you'll check it out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have I Got Some Writing Opportunities for You!
Don't sit around dreaming about publication. Many of our Christian Writer's Den readers have seen their name in publication and made a little money, simply because they followed through on opportunities listed here. Why don't you give it a try? (NOTE: Some listings are not paying markets.)
1. The Small Group Exchange is seeking gifted writers to contribute articles. Every article will link to the writer's bio/personal sites and will receive exposure to thousands of readers. You can find Submission Guidelines here: www.smallgroupexchange.com. Contact Editor, Samantha Krieger at Samantha@bluefishtv.com for more information.
2. Chicken Soup http://chickensoupforthesoul.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books is always looking for writers. Right now they're looking for stories about golf, extraordinary teens, New Year's resolutions, power moms, and more. Deadlines coming soon!
3. Sharing Memories From the 70's with Kids Writing Contest http://www.nabbw.com/display_news.php?nid=12
4. A Cup of Comfort Book of Bible Promises. For information and guidelines, email Susan Townsend at monitor@visi.net.
5. Armchair Interviews is running a writing contest, Summertime Blues. Hurry-deadline is September 30. Check it out at: http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/readers_place
6. Adams Media and Literary Cottage are looking for stories for two anthologies: one about Woodstock and one about dogs. Cash prizes awarded for top stories! http://www.literarycottage.com
7. Gary Chapman is looking for writers for Love Lessons: Everyday Acts of Love That Change Lives, which will be published by Bethany House. Contact Jeanette Littleton at lovelessons@earthlink.net.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And Don't Forget to Check out These Writer's Conferences and Retreats Coming Up Soon!
1. Christian Writer's Retreat at the Cabin Cove, August 29-31, Todd, NC. Contact Ann Wayne for more information. busygirlann@gmail.com. I'll see you there!
2. North Texas Christian Writer's Conference, September 12-13. Roanoke, TX http://www.ntchristianwriters.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=40&Itemid=87
3. Christian Authors Guild Catch the Wave Writer's Conference, September 26-27, Woodstock, GA. I'll see you there! http://www.christianauthorsguild.org/10.html
4. Christian Writer's Den Writing Retreat for Women, October 16-19, Todd, NC. We're currently full, but it's not too late to get on the waiting list. http://vondaskelton.com/lib/uploads/docs/misc/cwdretreat2008.doc Contact Edie Melson at emelson@charter.net for more information. I'll be there!
5. Glorieta Christian Writer's Conference, October 22-26, near Santa Fe, NM. I'll see you there! http://www.classervices.com/CS_Glorieta_Conf.html
6. Upstate SC American Christian Writers One-Day Writing Workshop, Anderson, SC, October 25. For more information, contact Elva Martin, elvamartinministries@charter.net , (864)226-7024-H; 314-0804 (cell)
7. Write2Ignite Conference for writers of children's material, November 7-8, Indian Trail, NC. http://www.Write2Ignite.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, that should keep everyone busy for a few days! Thank you for joining me again here at the Christian Writer's Den. I appreciate each of you and am so thankful to have you here.
As we close, I'd like to share a passage with you:
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogue that Jesus is the Son of God. Acts 9:19b-20
Paul went at once and began to spread the Good News. What are you waiting for?
I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
As a group, writers are generally considered a hungry bunch, and I'm not talking about food here. Let's face it, most of us have said at one time or another, "I don't care if I don't make any money, I just want to see my name in print" or "I just want to get God's message out there" or "I want to leave something written down for my family."
And in case you haven't noticed, there are those out there who are eager to help you. There's just one little catch-they're not doing it to help you grow in your craft as a writer or to help you learn more about the business side of writing. No, they are simply eager to take your money. And they do...to the tune of thousands, or in some cases, millions of dollars a year.
Today we'll look at agents.
You may be surprised to learn that anyone can call himself an agent. There is no certification process, no licensing procedure. He simply creates a website (which almost anyone can do these days), print some business cards on his home computer, buy an ad in the back of Writer's Digest, and he's in business.
I know, I fell for it.
Back in 1997 I was really hungry. I had written my first book and had spent the past four years trying to get it published. No bites. So I studied the classifieds in the back of Writer's Digest. After all, I reasoned, if an agent is listed in the back of Writer's Digest, he should be a good agent, right? Wrong.
Lesson #1: Real agents find their clients at writer's conferences and through referrals. Good agents, real agents, producing agents don't need to advertise in the back of Writer's Digest or any other magazine. They get more submissions than they can ever accept, why would they spend money on advertising? And just for the record, Writer's Digest or any other writers' magazine sells classified ads for the sole reason of making a profit, not to verify whether agents are legitimate or not.
In my situation, I applied to the Kelly O'Donnell Literary Agency and was thrilled to receive a contract. I had an agent and she said she already had 25 publishers who had shown interest in my book! Hoo-wee! I was on my way!
Lesson #2: Most real agents don't charge up front fees. A closer look at Ms. O'Donnell's contract revealed this small statement: "There is a reading fee of $250 for each work, and this is refunded upon the contingency of author/publisher contractural agreements together." GULP. There was a little problem in paradise: I didn't have $250 and didn't have the nerve to ask Gary for it.
Most real agents only make money when they help you make money. I'm not a mathematician, but even I can figure this out-If an "agent" made $250 from every hungry author he met, he could make a ton of money-and never sell a single book!
Lesson #3: Real agents don't usually send you to a specific editor. Some scam agents tell hungry authors that their work is close to being ready, but needs some editorial work in order to be publishable. They then offer to refer the authors to an editor who in turn charges a large sum of money to make the works publishable. What the authors don't realize is that the phone call or submission goes directly back to "agent." Any fees sent to the "editor" go to the same place--the scam artist's bank account! After the authors finish with the "editor," they are referred back to the agent for "representation," requiring an additional $250 up front fee. And sometimes the agent is truly sending the author to another person who is not a reputable editor, but is receiving a kickback for sending the author to them.
You can read about the Kelly O'Donnell criminal case here: http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/007053.html
So what do you do if you want to check out an agent?
1. Check out the Association of Authors Representatives http://www.aar-online.org/mc/page.do. All listed agents agree to a code of ethics that include not charging reading fees. But please understand that many reputable agents are not members of this organization, even though they still follow the spirit and the letter of the AAR code of ethics, so don't let the fact that an agent is not a member make your decision for you.
2. Check out Preditors & Editors http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubagent.htm for a list of warnings regarding agents.
3. Google: literary agent warnings
4. Go to Writer's Weekly http://www.writersweekly.com/whispers_and_warnings.php and follow their Whispers and Warnings.
5. Google the specific person you're investigating, but realize that individual websites may not be legitimate.
6. If you get to the point of serious discussion with an agent, ask for a specific list of agented books. Then go to Amazon and see if the publishers are reputable, traditional publishers. Often, unscrupulous agents will list self-published or vanity press books. And even though there's nothing wrong with self-publishing, you certainly don't need an agent to self-publish a book.
Thankfully, my story has a happy ending. I was saved by the fact that I didn't have $250 to spare at that time in my life! If I had had the money, I probably would have fallen for the scam and lost it, and maybe more.
Praise God, He has since blessed me with a knowledgeable agent who works hard on my behalf.
So take these words to heart and check out your "agent" carefully. You could lose a lot more than $250.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More Than You Ever Wanted to Know about Me...
I recently had the joy of being interviewed by Crystal Laine Miller at When I was Just a Kid http://wheniwasjustakid.blogspot.com. What a fun interview! I hope you'll check it out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have I Got Some Writing Opportunities for You!
Don't sit around dreaming about publication. Many of our Christian Writer's Den readers have seen their name in publication and made a little money, simply because they followed through on opportunities listed here. Why don't you give it a try? (NOTE: Some listings are not paying markets.)
1. The Small Group Exchange is seeking gifted writers to contribute articles. Every article will link to the writer's bio/personal sites and will receive exposure to thousands of readers. You can find Submission Guidelines here: www.smallgroupexchange.com. Contact Editor, Samantha Krieger at Samantha@bluefishtv.com for more information.
2. Chicken Soup http://chickensoupforthesoul.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books is always looking for writers. Right now they're looking for stories about golf, extraordinary teens, New Year's resolutions, power moms, and more. Deadlines coming soon!
3. Sharing Memories From the 70's with Kids Writing Contest http://www.nabbw.com/display_news.php?nid=12
4. A Cup of Comfort Book of Bible Promises. For information and guidelines, email Susan Townsend at monitor@visi.net.
5. Armchair Interviews is running a writing contest, Summertime Blues. Hurry-deadline is September 30. Check it out at: http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/readers_place
6. Adams Media and Literary Cottage are looking for stories for two anthologies: one about Woodstock and one about dogs. Cash prizes awarded for top stories! http://www.literarycottage.com
7. Gary Chapman is looking for writers for Love Lessons: Everyday Acts of Love That Change Lives, which will be published by Bethany House. Contact Jeanette Littleton at lovelessons@earthlink.net.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And Don't Forget to Check out These Writer's Conferences and Retreats Coming Up Soon!
1. Christian Writer's Retreat at the Cabin Cove, August 29-31, Todd, NC. Contact Ann Wayne for more information. busygirlann@gmail.com. I'll see you there!
2. North Texas Christian Writer's Conference, September 12-13. Roanoke, TX http://www.ntchristianwriters.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=40&Itemid=87
3. Christian Authors Guild Catch the Wave Writer's Conference, September 26-27, Woodstock, GA. I'll see you there! http://www.christianauthorsguild.org/10.html
4. Christian Writer's Den Writing Retreat for Women, October 16-19, Todd, NC. We're currently full, but it's not too late to get on the waiting list. http://vondaskelton.com/lib/uploads/docs/misc/cwdretreat2008.doc Contact Edie Melson at emelson@charter.net for more information. I'll be there!
5. Glorieta Christian Writer's Conference, October 22-26, near Santa Fe, NM. I'll see you there! http://www.classervices.com/CS_Glorieta_Conf.html
6. Upstate SC American Christian Writers One-Day Writing Workshop, Anderson, SC, October 25. For more information, contact Elva Martin, elvamartinministries@charter.net , (864)226-7024-H; 314-0804 (cell)
7. Write2Ignite Conference for writers of children's material, November 7-8, Indian Trail, NC. http://www.Write2Ignite.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, that should keep everyone busy for a few days! Thank you for joining me again here at the Christian Writer's Den. I appreciate each of you and am so thankful to have you here.
As we close, I'd like to share a passage with you:
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogue that Jesus is the Son of God. Acts 9:19b-20
Paul went at once and began to spread the Good News. What are you waiting for?
I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
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