In today’s publishing world an agent can make the difference in a writer’s career between success and failure. But while the writer searches out the perfect agent, he should be on the lookout for the fakes, frauds and scam artists whose only interest in him is taking his money without selling, or being interested in, his work. There are steps the writer can take to avoid the dishonest agent’s trap:
Study the Agent’s Website
Most agents today have websites and, with a little experience, a writer can often discern the legitimate agent from the dishonest one through the content on his website. A legitimate agent’s website will include a list of recent sales with titles, authors and publishers so that the writer can check them out. Questionable agents probably don’t have a sales record and will not have a similar list on their sites. On his website, a trustworthy agent will include his qualifications. If the agent is new, the writer should look at his background in other areas of publishing. A good agent’s website will include contact information such as phone number, address and email address. A shady agent’s site will often not be as forthcoming with specific contact information. A genuine agent has submission guidelines posted on his site, a dishonest agent will try to solicit the writer’s business. A writer should remember that a legitimate agent probably has more submissions than he knows what to do with and has no need to solicit clients.
Never Pay an Agent up FrontShady agents will snag a naïve writer with promises of success. The catch is that the agent will charge him a fee first. A writer should always keep in mind that the agent works in his best interest and does not get paid until the writer does. An agent who makes money only when the writer does is motivated to sell the writer’s book. An agent who has made a profit from the beginning is not motivated and, in some cases, will take the money and run. A writer should never, any type of fee to an agent.
Investigate Potential AgentsThere are many websites designed to expose agent scams. Some keep detailed, up-to-date lists of agents and make a point of highlighting those that are known to be dishonest. The 2009 Guide to Literary Agents is the most widely used general print guide to agents. Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents is another choice with the added plus that it is produced by an agent.
Finding the right agent can be a confusing and time intensive venture but the writer should keep in mind that it is one of the most, if not the most, important business decision he will make in his career.
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