Literary Agent Red Flags

[A. E. Lowan]

I really like this guy.

 

[pmmg]

I have my own BookTubers i listen too, but the one or two I've seen with this guy were pretty good, even though I'd be unlikely to click on him just cause of the vibe his look throws off.

 

[Carolyn]

So, I have a question that stems from something that's come out of the blue.

An agent, vetted and seemingly legit, with signed writers and sold books and everything, reached out to me. She was knowledgeable about my work, had obviously read it (because some of the questions she asked could not have been gleaned from summaries), and was interested in why I wrote what I wrote. She asked for a submissions package on 3 different projects, all within her agent wishlist scope, and told me not to bother going through her submittable, since it was closed to submissions. She checked in once a week, reminded me to take my time, quality over speed and all that.
And has now disappeared. Her email is now returning "mailbox not found" messages.
As I said, the agency is legit. I vetted both the agency and the agent before I ever replied with a single word.
I don't want to jump to conclusions, but here's the thing...

Two other agents, both seemingly legit, have also reached out to me. Neither of them give me the same "done their homework" vibe, but it's all got me thinking...Is this a new scam? The first agent has none of my work yet, and doesn't have anything to gain by our emails. We weren't even discussing representation yet.
Anyone have any insights?

 

[pmmg]

Its all a scam. I get this at least once a week. Some are very convincing. None are legit.

 

[Romy]

If they come to you, they are scammers.

 

[pmmg]

You know...I ask the question, if you liked my story so much, why didn't you go on Amazon and leave a review?

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

You know...I ask the question, if you liked my story so much, why didn't you go on Amazon and leave a review?

Or be like the classic middle / high / college teacher.
'read this book and give me a three paragraph essay on what you liked about each act, go on, I'll wait'

I'm sort of concerned what the next step will be (Besides editing I mean) if I finish one of my original stories.

Both of them are written 'for my amusement' but, I could see certain crowds liking them.

 

[Mad Swede]

So, I have a question that stems from something that's come out of the blue.

An agent, vetted and seemingly legit, with signed writers and sold books and everything, reached out to me. She was knowledgeable about my work, had obviously read it (because some of the questions she asked could not have been gleaned from summaries), and was interested in why I wrote what I wrote. She asked for a submissions package on 3 different projects, all within her agent wishlist scope, and told me not to bother going through her submittable, since it was closed to submissions. She checked in once a week, reminded me to take my time, quality over speed and all that.
And has now disappeared. Her email is now returning "mailbox not found" messages.
As I said, the agency is legit. I vetted both the agency and the agent before I ever replied with a single word.
I don't want to jump to conclusions, but here's the thing...

Two other agents, both seemingly legit, have also reached out to me. Neither of them give me the same "done their homework" vibe, but it's all got me thinking...Is this a new scam? The first agent has none of my work yet, and doesn't have anything to gain by our emails. We weren't even discussing representation yet.
Anyone have any insights?

Yes, they are scams. Read the following: Two New Impersonation Scams to Watch For. You can even e-mail Victoria Strauss with the details.

In fact bookmark and follow Writer Beware, because Victoria Strauss has the low down on all those out there who don't have your best interests at heart.

 

[pmmg]

But...Victoria read my book and really liked it...

 

[A. E. Lowan]

This is a scam. They're getting very good. Go back to your e-mail. Check the address over with a fine-tooth comb. They can be off by only a single character, and they're finding us through our comments on social media.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

This is a scam. They're getting very good. Go back to your e-mail. Check the address over with a fine-tooth comb. They can be off by only a single character, and they're finding us through our comments on social media.

Hmm, so the only publishers I should trust are the ones I go to specifically ?
And even then they can raise 'red flags' so if they do find someone else?

 

[A. E. Lowan]

Hmm, so the only publishers I should trust are the ones I go to specifically ?
And even then they can raise 'red flags' so if they do find someone else?

Yup. It really sucks. It's the hand that we've been dealt. I don't say this to be passive. I say it to identify the hand I'm taking off of the next scammer to type at me or mine.

 

[pmmg]

Yeah...I dont get it. Most writers are not exactly wealthy. Most barely function. Why would you think they would be a good pool to get money from?

There has to be a bigger pond.

I ignore all of these by policy. If I did not approach you, then you are a scammer. Just the only way to function.

 

[pmmg]

I should post up some of the things I get. I just wish some of them were true...cause it would be nice.

And many come from names that are pretending to be known in the industry. I had Danielle Steele write me (apparently), like why would she ever be reading my book? I am sure it fell into her lap by accident, and she was like...OOOOooo, dark gritty fantasy with rape and violence, I cant wait...

Such BS...If you like my book, leave a review.

 

[A. E. Lowan]

Yeah...I dont get it. Most writers are not exactly wealthy. Most barely function. Why would you think they would be a good pool to get money from?

There has to be a bigger pond.

I ignore all of these by policy. If I did not approach you, then you are a scammer. Just the only way to function.

Nope, we're the pond to hit. That feeling when you wish it was real, that someone had really read our work and they loved it? That's how they get us. They hit us hard and go right for the validation. So many of us have never had any support for our work. We're easy targets, and social media just gives them a kill box.

 

[pmmg]

Funny.

 

[ThinkerX]

Hmm, so the only publishers I should trust are the ones I go to specifically ?
And even then, they can raise 'red flags,' so if they do find someone else?

Not just publishers and agents. ANYBODY who sends unsolicited offers is 99% likely to be a scammer. This includes 'best-selling authors' (I'm up to five of these so far this month), 'Book Club reps (ten or twelve this month), 'Masters of the Amazon algorithm' (plenty), and assorted 'placement specialists,' along with folks with stables of thousands of readers eager to dive into your book for a small fee or tip. Many of these characters masquerade as members of legit outfits - I recently had two pretending to be with Reedsy, a legit editing/marketing company.

They all use very similar logic and phrases. They want to know about your writing style and what your plans are. When called out, they use terms such as 'I understand your skepticism,' then alter the tone of their pitch. A lot of them will try to get you to do business with sketchy sites, saying, 'This worked for me.'

I suspect that the majority of these scammers are members of the same (Nigerian) group. Look for terms like 'kindly' and 'great author,' along with strangely spelled names.

That said, I have done business with a LOT of email newsletter sites. AFTER the first go around, they will send you all sorts of special deals and updates, some worth pursuing.

 

[Romy]

Desperate people with a dream are easier targets. And less chance to step on the wrong toes initiating full legal countermeasures.
Big enough pond and I guess worth the effort.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

Desperate people with a dream are easier targets. And less chance to step on the wrong toes initiating full legal countermeasures.
Big enough pond and I guess worth the effort.

For now I think my game plan (When I properly finish a book, not just the draft) is to publish on amazon kindle.
Will I make 'millions' off of that? who knows, my characters and worlds are driven by my funny bone and my funny bone is 'built different' than most other people. (I even throw like-minded people/punsters a few times...) Heck, I'll be happy if I find an audience at ALL and maybe get a few good reviews. Cause that means I am doing some part of it right.

Though I don't know the spesifics, say if I publish on amazon would I be able to publish in print with someone else?

 

[A. E. Lowan]

Oh, hey! He just dropped another video, and even on-topic!