Types of things to watch out for with agents:
* Charging the author a fee up front, to be accepted as a client. Can be called a
reading fee, or a monthly "office expenses" charge. The best agents, and most successful
ones, only charge a percentage fee of royalties the author earns, typically 15%. Suppose a
realtor charged you a fee to come over and tour your house before getting the listing?
How quickly would you show that realtor the door. . .
* Charging back unusually large "postage and copying fees" to send out an authors'
work. One crooked agency accepts almost every client that contacts them, but in the fine
print of the contract they charge "postage and handling" of up to $10 per submission they
send out on your behalf. It doesn't cost $10 to send a letter and a sample chapter of a book
to a publisher. This company makes a fortune from these fees whether or not they actually
successfully market any of their clients work.
* Directing authors toward specific editing services or giving authors' names to
these services. Sometimes they even own the editing service. Some agents make a
significant portion of their income from referral fees from these services.
* Terms in Agency contracts with writers vary widely. Must be read carefully. Not
standard at all.
* The agent contacts publishers pretty much at random. The agent's value to you is
in the relationships they have with publishers, so that if the publisher hears from them,
they know the book is worth taking a look at. Ask to see copies of rejection letters that
come back from publishers. If it looks like just a form letter response, rather than a letter
you would send to an acquaintance, you can bet the agent may be just picking names out
of a directory of publishers.
* Puts forth a weak effort or gives up on the client's project after a few months. You
have a right to ask how active the agent is going to be. How many publishers are they
going to contact, how will they follow up? You also have a right to periodic reports as to
whom they have contacted and the results. You must determine how much time and
attention they are really going to give you.
Another reason it is imperative to have a reputable agent is that the publishing
house typically pays the agent, who deducts their "cut" and sends the remainder it to the
author. It's a frightening thought that a less than honest person gets their hands on the
money you've earned from sweat, blood, and even tears.
ABOUT THE AUTHORDee Power is the author of several nonfiction books, the latest is The Making of a
Bestseller. Find out more about her and how to get your book published at
http://www.BrianHillAndDeePower.com
