A Warning Story For Writers

This isn't my story to tell, but wanted to post the link since I have so many friends looking for agents to represent them and very few writers who have been scammed by agents feel they can expose the story to anyone but their closest friends. Here is a writer who has gone public about a very well known agent and his editor wife. Their names are listed at the end of the series of blog posts (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3). Dean Wesley Smith has posted a link on his blog along with his knowledge of this agent and his wife conducting this scam.

This is a good reminder to all writers to be super careful when it comes time to hire an agent. Don't jump at the first offer without extensive consideration. Don't give control of your money and writing future over to a stranger no matter how much they flatter you or how well "respected" they might be in the industry.

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 10, 2010 at 8:30 AM

    Angelia,

    Thank you for adding to the warning.

    The more writers that see this increase the chances of it not happening as much.

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 10, 2010 at 2:15 PM

    Thanks for stopping by, Daryl. I'm happy to pass the word around. I know many people are defending the actions of the agent and editor, but I think that there is a decided conflict of interest in their situation which preys on the hopes and dreams of writers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownNovember 10, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    The agent from this story sent a comment to Dean Wesley Smith which Dean also responds to here.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownNovember 12, 2010 at 5:33 PM

    This writer's story has been taken down due to threats which have been made to him and his family and nasty letters to both him and DWS for commenting on it. So, unfortunately you can no longer learn from his mistake. I won't mention any names since I don't want any threats made toward me or mine, but just be VERY WARY of any agent who would refer you to a freelance editor to improve your manuscript no matter how great and established this agent is (think top tier agents here). An agent should not be referring writers to someone he/she has a personal relationship with to make money off of a writer.

    ReplyDelete

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