BEWARE OF AGENT SCAMMERS ON THE PROWL~

As the publishing biz adopts digital technology, many smaller, traditional publishers have merged with conglomerates who already have editing departments. The influx of books waiting for editing increases the need for additional in-house editors. However, in a cost-cutting move to hold down production costs, publishers now rely on agents to submit manuscripts that are saleable and well-edited as well.

This is why it’s so important for you to revise words and phrases that will cause agents to label your manuscript as being "unworthy" of publication and send it to delete-ville. Yikes! You don't want that to happen.

(So, what are these killer words?
They’re identified, along with a search-mark-revise technique,
in my “red-flag” mini-tutorial available at MolliMart.)

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The increased dependence on agents has increased the agent population. And, as you might expect, this attracts increasing hordes of agent scammers, eager to prey on writers who want, more than anything, to become published authors.

If you’re on the agent quest, run away, fast as you can, from any agent who:

• Charges to read your submission.
• Requires a “marketing” fee when you sign their life-time contract.
• Attempts to sell you a critique or manuscript assessment.
• Offers to send your manuscript to an “independent” editing service.
• Pressures you to sign with a fee-based publisher (a vanity press).

 
Due diligence is the rule of the day. Legitimate, newer agents, eager to build their list of writer clients, can be treasures for unpublished writers. Particularly if the agents have industry-relevant track records, and are associated with reputable agencies.

Bottom line? Educate yourself. Research agent/agency track records at:

• Predators and editors
• The Association of Authors Representatives (AAR)
• Agentquery.com
• QueryTracker.com
• Publishers Marketplace/Publishers Lunch  

 Happy Hunting!