Thank you for the tips! I'd love if the video had chapters included, so here they are:) 1:40 charging an upfront fee 2:46 asking to pay for their editing services 4:10 contacting you out of blue 6:09 pushing towards a specific publisher 7:47 making unrealistic promises 9:52 quick tips to spot legit literary agent
I self published a book and its for sale on AMAZON and Barnes and Nobles. A literary agent contacted me and after reading my book offered to help me with no fee at all. They said that they would love to work with me for 5% to 15%. They said they would not ask for any money except for the 5 to 15%. They have all kinds of services. They are helping me so I can finish my next book.
Thank you so so much for this. I almost did fall for one. We work out butts off for something that we all accept we will likely fail at but are willing to accept the hundreds of mini-failures for the chance at making something that people enjoy. Scammers of all forms are so disgusting.
I was recently scammed!! I didn't fall for it. I self published a children's book in 2021. Long story short, I got an email from supposed amazing literary agency interested in traditionally publishing that book! I was psyched at first but then a little whisper told me to do my research. I ended up finding a microscopic discrepancy in the domain. It was not a Gmail or yahoo domain, it ended in the word "talent" instead of the correct ending "agency". Everything else seemed legit so I decided to call the agency direct (Not the number attached to the email) and ask... The agent I spoke to was so nice about it and ended up asking me to query their agency! Everything happens for a reason because the experience pushed me to move forward with many more queries, which is great because I was nervous before. Now I'm in the waiting game, and that's way better than the I don't know if I can do this phase.
Wow! Thank you for sharing this story; definitely, definitely everyone should do their research when contacted out of the blue by 'industry professionals'! I'm so glad your story has a positive ending. Good luck with querying :)
CASE IN POINT> I met an author who "published" with a printer who charged $4,000 and printed one book for him. Yes, one copy. But he is "published," and his book is "out there" in the marketplace, right? No editing. No Editorial guidance. It was obvious to me that this writer was unfamiliar with standard writing instruction available all around us. And his "publisher" never said word one to help him. Makes me sick to think about it. This person had the best of intentions and an interesting concept, but no guidance.
Thank you for the helpful videos. You really opened my eyes to this industry. I was thinking to pay someone to read and edit my writting before. Thankfully I saw your video first before spending anything.
I am working with a literary agent as we speak, she use to work with one of the five big traditional book company , it sound legit we are in the first stages, we will see if she knows what she is doing . Thanks for info!!!!!
I contacted an editor for a manuscript of mine. The employment agency paid her $2,000.00. The editor just took the money and ran. I thought she was a better person than that. She never did the edits and did nothing but lie but treated me like I was trying to accomplish nothing with my time. Not true of course. I reached out to the Horror Writers Association Grievance committee. Someone from the committee talked to the editor who still didn't do the edits - a month or two later. But she did delete my novel copy on her computer. Yeah this is why I am so not trusting. How do you know you can trust someone?
I am so sorry you had to experience something like this, especially when it took so much of your time and money! If, in the future, you're interested in looking for book editors again, I would first research whichever editor you're looking to work with. Unless they are a debut editor, they should have a social media account or professional website someone online, listing their services, biography, and rates. Then, before committing to a contract, you can ask them for a sample of their editing services. This is a common industry practice, so if they refuse, that's a red flag. I go further into detail in this video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ovlO3Hk7cDM.html Best of luck with your projects!
I met an author who "published" with a printer who charged $4,000 and printed one book for him. Yes, one copy. But he is "published," and his book is "out there" in the marketplace, right? No editing. No Editorial guidance. It was obvious to me that this writer was unfamiliar with standard writing instruction available all around us. And his "publisher" never said word one to help him. Makes me sick to think about it. This person had the best of intentions and an interesting concept, but no guidance.
Hi thanks for this video... i have an agent response which i got after i submitted a query for my book through their website... but they are saying that they will charge only 160 pounds for readers report that is charged by the freelancer editors they work with...plz suggest wht to do. Thx
Hi, I had a literary agent contact me via Twitter after reading one of my tweets about querying, and invited me to send her my pitch and first chapter. I did some research prior to responding, and they are an agent with a well-established agency and a large online presence - she also runs writing/publishing events, and she is also listed on QueryTracker so should have been vetted. On her profile she says she’s closed to queries unless via request or reference. I sent the pitch and first chapter, and then a few weeks later she asked for the full manuscript. I have done so and as yet awaiting a response. Is this legit? Am I just an exception to the rule? Was it a mistake to send her my manuscript? Thanks :)
Thank you a lot for your videos. " I have a bad feeling about this" would you mind looking into the below I just received via E-mail? Thoughts? In the last few days we have considered and discussed your novella. Editorial consider various aspects of each work we are sent to conclude what type of offer, if any, that Olympia can make. We agree your work is well-written with a consistent and absorbing narrative, we believe that your work deserves a chance to reach the wider market. As I’m sure you know - as it is explained on our website - we receive hundreds of submissions each month, many of which are rejected. When we accept a work, we can offer either a traditional publishing contract or a hybrid publishing contract. In this instance we would be able to publish your work under the Olympia banner and wish to make a hybrid publishing offer for '' Please consider this offer carefully. This type of contract would incur a one-off fee for the publication of your work. Any future costs, to cover marketing over the lifetime of the book, will be covered by Olympia.
