A word of warning for the "would be published"

From freelance journalist Danuta Kean in The Times (12 August) comes a investigation into a new pitfall for would-be authors - "Beware the fees of these not so special agents".

Some "literary agents" appear to be tracking down would-be authors and also charging up front fees.  In the article, Clare Alexander, president of the Association of Authors’ Agents says, “No member of the association would charge a reading fee.”

The article is worth reading in full if you have a manuscript you are currently trying to sell.

Comments

[crimeficreader]

Maxine,
Thanks for the comment on the format change btw. Pleased to hear you think it's better. I was starting to think the old format looked like a turgid quagmire.

[crimeficreader]

Maxine, if you read the article in full it particularly refers to what appear to be unscrupulous practices.
One example is a would-be author who heard from an "agent", receiving a letter effectively touting for business and asking for a fee after pointing out that in today's world, if you're not a household name, haven't appeared on a reality TV show or don't have an agent, "...then you have virtually no chance of attracting a publisher". Danuta Kean was unable to contact the "agent" directly for comment (or an associate of his). It does look mightily suspicious.

As for the broader point you mention, I'm sitting on the fence a bit. I think the current methodology works better in attracting new talent, expecially where so many are advised not to give up the day job. If up front fees are charged then a lot of people would not make it, and indeed if that had been the case in the past, I think there'd be a few of today's successful authors doing other things.

I think it's OK to pay for a critique service, as long as it's reputable, but I'll draw an analogy to the BBC's Dragon's Den programme here (which I recently saw for the first time). When it comes to a deal, it's a marketplace and everyone's trading. If you're seeking investment for your company you make a presentation and put a lot of work into it. Investors will look at it, but don't charge for doing so. Likewise, an author has a manuscript for sale...

[Maxine]

Hey, you've changed your design. Like it! Nice big type for the visually challenged.

I wonder about this reading fee business. I mean, I know what you and others mean about it being a bad thing, but on the other hand, it takes time to read and comment on a manuscript. Where is the line between a reading fee and being a freelance editor? (Slightly, but not entirely, playing devil's advocate here, speaking as an editor.)