literary scams

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[CowboyLogic]

Paul, Vinnie, Andy...

Do you have a topic going, somewhere on literary scams?
I have run into a few in my path to publication with the last being a direct email from an agent who wants to push my novels.

I did a little research and found the information priceless.

If I was a beaver I'd slap my tail on the water to warn everyone, but not having a big flat tail, I need to find a soap box to holler from.

[awesomeness forever]

HOLLLLLLLLLLER!

[CowboyLogic]

You asked for it... Note the copy and pasted boilerplate in her answer when I questioned her character:

Perhaps better read from bottom section to top section:

Hi Roger Haller,
  Thanks for your e-mail. I'm happy to tell you more about myself and my literary agency.
  I represent fiction, non-fiction, screenplays and poetry. Once I become your literary agent, I will be interested in representing all of your book-length work. When you see your book proudly displayed on store shelves, you will have the peace of mind of knowing you were represented by a literary agent who had your best interests at heart.
  Working as a literary agent is a dream come true for me. I firmly believe that writers are the most creative and imaginative people on the planet. I consider myself extremely blessed that I get to work with so many talented writers every day. I love interacting with editors and writers. I love great books. And I love the challenge and excitement of being a sales professional. Being a literary agent is a perfect fit for me because it allows me to combine all my favorite things.
  Prior to being a literary agent, I was a freelance editor for book publishing companies. I have also worked as a newspaper reporter and copy editor. I have a journalism degree from Michigan State University.
  I would be happy to read a book summary and sample chapters for your current writing project. I would also love to read a writer's bio and learn a bit more about you as a writer and as a person. My submission address is:
 
Michele Glance Rooney, Literary Agent
32667 Haverford Road
Franklin, Michigan 48025
 
  I am looking forward to reading your work. I wish you great success with your writing and with all of your pursuits.
  Have a wonderful day!
 
Warm regards,
 
Michele Glance Rooney
Literary agent
--
From: roger@cowboylogic.net
To: simplynonfiction@aol.com
Sent: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 10:30 PM
Subject: RE: Hi Roger, I want to be your literary agent


Thanks for the consideration Michele,
My Bio can be found here: http://www.cowboylogic.net/writing/Author.htm
 
Since my only finished manuscript is being read at the moment, I must hold on sending it out for any other reviews, but in the mean time. Please tell me about you.
I would love to see some of your work, see how you work, hear about your contract and track record.
 
Being a diligent writer, I of course looked for you online and the findings are far from positive.
I hope you understand but I am not ready to jump in with a blindfold.
 
Roger Haller
425-299-8791
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: simplynonfiction@aol.com [mailto:simplynonfiction@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2006 10:45 AM
To: roger@cowboylogic.net
Subject: Re: Hi Roger, I want to be your literary agent
 
Hi Roger Haller,
  I loved the beginning of "Guardian of the One." I'm impressed with the immense amount of planning and creative energy you have invested in writing this brilliant trilogy. I would be delighted to be your agent for this important project.
  I'm happy to tell you more about myself and my literary agency.
  When I first started my literary agency, I intended to concentrate on non-fiction. I have since expanded and now also represent fiction, screenplays and poetry.
  Working as a literary agent is a dream come true for me. I firmly believe that writers are the most talented and creative people on the planet. I love interacting with editors and writers every day. I love great books. And I love the challenge and excitement of being a sales professional. Being a literary agent is a perfect fit for me because it allows me to combine all of my favorite things.
  Once I become your literary agent, I will be interested in representing all of your book-length projects. When you see your book proudly displayed in bookstores, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that you were represented by a literary agent who truly had your best interests at heart. You will have a written contract, clearly spelling out all the terms of representation.
  The best way to get started is for you to send me a book summary and sample chapters for a project that you feel showcases your talent. I would also love to read a writer's bio and learn a bit more about you as a writer and as a person. My submission address is:
 
Michele Glance Rooney, Literary Agent
32667 Haverford Road
Franklin, Michigan 48025
 
 I am looking forward to reading your book project. I wish you great success with your writing career and with all of your endeavors.
 I hope this marks the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial working relationship. Have a wonderful day.
 
 
Warm regards,
 
Michele Glance Rooney
Literary Agent
 

-----Original Message-----
From: roger@cowboylogic.net
To: simplynonfiction@aol.com
Sent: Sun, 29 Oct 2006 3:26 PM
Subject: RE: Hi Roger, I want to be your literary agent
Good morning Michele,
 
Good to hear from you.
 
At the moment I have “Guardian of the One” in the hands of SilverThought press with no word expected before Christmas because of their schedule. Right behind it I have a partially built novel to go with it called “Dreamer of the One” and on the drawing board awaits “Teacher of the One”. My purpose here is a trilogy.
 
The premise is an old Native American legend that believes a soul is actually a chain that is shared by many lives lived.
 
This series is going to be hard to categorize into any one genre because it spans so many of them. To give you a flavor, the story starts with a young man with a chip on his shoulder crashing his truck. In a state of shock with multiple injuries, he is guided through several changes of reality putting him square into the lives of those who share his soul chain.
 
The series is also based on historical facts beginning in the early-mid 1800’s and move slightly into the future.
 
I have struggled some with publishers having attention very quickly from Publish America, only to find out they bought the rites for 7 years for a dollar and did not extend a payment up front for these rights but for the aforementioned buck. To make it worse, I found they have a habit of publishing drivel and are shunned by most brick and mortar book stores.
 
Before I signed, I asked questions they could not answer so moved on. Rockway press read and enjoyed Guardian, but suggested plot changes that would have made the book very different than envisioned but did not follow up so again I moved on.
 
I would much rather my work be critically acclaimed than published so I don’t have the hot for paper urge that envelops so many new authors.
 
If I am still of interest, drop by my site at www.cowboylogic.net/writing/Projects.htm and read the beginning of Guardian, a few chapters of Dreamer and a few short stories I may or may not develop further. If still interested, please let me know some about you and your offer since I do not find you listed at “Predators and Editors to evaluate your services.
 
Thank you.
 
Roger Haller
425-299-8791
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Michele [mailto:simplynonfiction@aol.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 10:54 AM
To: roger@cowboylogic.net
Subject: Hi Roger, I want to be your literary agent
 
Hi Roger,
   I hope you are having a wonderful day! I saw your listing on Writers Net. I'm interested in the possibility of becoming your literary agent. Please email me at literarysage@yahoo.com and let me know what book-length projects you currently have in progress.
 I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
 
Michele Glance Rooney
Literary Agent

[CowboyLogic]

Note the AOL email address and I was able to find her website on a free space surrounded with ads.

[scott]

http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pealm.htm

About three-quarters of the way down the page.  And I quote:

Michele Rooney Literary Agency: Charges fees. Not recommended. Also a Top Twenty worst according to Writer Beware. 

(The red is part of the quote, BTW.)

[CowboyLogic]

Yes Scott, that was one of the results of my search. I also ran across the site that voted her one of the 20 worst.

One of the notes pointed out a diligent writer who asked her for a list of authors she had sold books for and she came up with three who could not be found.

http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pealm.htm
 
is normally my first stop.

[shronda]

I got a message from a guy named Kevin Fabiano about one of my stories. I searched him and he has a book published. He recommended me to a place where they publish short stories and they pay you for it. The thing is I don't see anything wrong with it but I have a weird feeling about sending them a story. Should I submit or not?

[scott]

My vote is no.  Here's why:

I googled the name and found his webpage.  He has one book that was published by PublishAmerica (red flag number one).  Under his For Authors Only page, he has a link set up to a "publishing" company called Author Identity.  This page looks remarkably similar to his own (red flag number two).  In addition, his personal website was constructed by a company called WebPagesForAuthors.  It should come as no surprise that the WebPagesForAuthors site, Author Identity site, and his personal site all mirror each other in design and layout (red flag number three, three strikes, you're out).

I then took a look for him on Preditors and Editors.  He's not listed, nor is Author Identity.  It may just be that no one has yet to report him.

All things being equal, my vote is no.  I think this is a guy who thinks he can throw up a couple of websites, throw out a couple of lines of bait, and pull in enough interested authors to make himself a little money with less effort than it really takes.

[shronda]

thanks, Scott!

[shronda]

I got a message from a guy named Kevin Fabiano about one of my stories. I searched him and he has a book published. He recommended me to a place where they publish short stories and they pay you for it. The thing is I don't see anything wrong with it but I have a weird feeling about sending them a story. Should I submit or not?

I go a message from Mr. Fabiano. He sent Scott a e-mail and a copy to me.

Hi Scott,

I’m very sorry my e-mail about your reader’s story bothered you. I know what it was like when I was first trying to get published and I promised myself if I was ever in the position to help other aspiring writers I would do my best. Now I know why no other writer is willing to help. Just so you know, I do not own Author Identity, (they have published my story, The Rising Star: The beginning in a anthology The Shortcut: 20 Stories To Get You From Here To There ISBN 978-1-4243-2797-3 and I knew they were looking for other stories.) About my website, I hired a webmaster who specializes in authors again I’m sorry I don’t know much about websites and decided it was best to hire someone to create it. I’m sorry it was a template they must use. It didn’t matter to me and I certainly don’t own the company. If you know of a company who can produce a better site for me I will look at it. Finally you have my sincere apology for offer your reader a lead on a publisher. It will never, ever happen again. I hope you are willing to accept my apology and will in the future refrain from accusing me of being dishonest until you have your facts straight.

Best of Luck,

Kevin A. Fabiano

I was just surprised that he found out I said something about him. I never corresponded with him.

[Andy Laughton]

If you know of a company who can produce a better site for me I will look at it.

Might I suggest *cough cough* Andy and Paul? Paul and Andy? Those two jerks.

[Justin Oldham]

I know this thread is old, but I'm hoping that we'll see more wisdom in it.

[CowboyLogic]

Our poster child agent to be aware of is getting a lot more press these days.

Here is a sample with added value.

http://www.messinprogress.com/?p=225

[Justin Oldham]

Yeah, well.  This writer thing isn't without its bumps.  We've all had our share.  Might be fun to do an anthology where the writers get some payback.  Ha.

[PSGifford]

That is an interesting blog you posted Roger-

Paul

[SirLawrence]

I will admit, I was scammed myself back in the day (2002...?) by a company called Xlibris.  You know, one of those POD houses that charge you money?  Vanity Press which claim they are not vanity press.  They outsourced all their workers to foreign countries and it was half-proved that they didn't pay up or report on all sales.  But because they moved to the Philippines, nobody could get together and file a class action lawsuit against them.  Or call their respective state's Attorney General's office (in this case, it would be PA).

I found out later my first two titles were available in some stores, in mystery/thriller/crime bookshops or small town bookstores in places such as London, Wisconsin, Nevada, Wyoming and I think a host of others.  I called these places by phone, they said they had one copy of each!

For a while, I was getting the usual 32 to 36 bucks a year in royalties on all titles (for Christ's sake, I make more on one shitty short story!)

Anyway, the latest thing I see now is these MySpace-advertised book publishers or companies.  They're a dime a dozen.  The majority of them open up a Lightning Source Acct. and also (or eventually) don't report sales, and they never edit the contents of the book or it's not up to par.  They last for about two to four years tops, I'd say, before their respective state's Attorney General's office comes in and seizes the computers. 

End of story. 

[PSGifford]

Would this be a good time to metion that the Gifford society of professional poets is about to begin their annual competition. Please send me your best poem, along with a reading fee of five dollars, directly to me. The Lucky winners will be able to purchase the book featuring their poem for just 50 bucks. In addition for a mere twenty dollars more i will add a one paragraph bio of you- to get the media interested. And for the really serious poet for the minimal fee of thirty dollars, your poem will be sent attached to a plague proclaiming you as a bard beyond compare. What a better way to impress your Friends than with a cheap plastic plague with your poem on it? And furthermore for a fee of fifty dollars I will have a professional voice actor record the winners poem on a CD. additional copies can be purchased at twenty bucks a piece...

So, what are you waiting for, send me your poem (and money...)today- they don't even have to rhyme.


Paul

[Justin Oldham]

I had an experience like that.  After filing complaints with the BBB and the State A.G., along with some two dozen other filings, I'm please to say that the offending company isn't doing so well.  Seems that I'm not their favorate person, for some reason....

Anybody who tells you that vindication doesn't satisfy is a liar.

[PSGifford]

I re-read this thread today.

[Mercedes]

Wow.  I know enough to stay away from vanity presses, but I hadn't really thought about agent scams yet.  It makes me want to roll my eyes.  Roll my eyes, shake my fist, and swing an axe.