Picking an agent #7—Bad agents
Randy Ingermanson wrote an excellent article about bad agents in his Advanced Fiction Writing Ezine:
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No agent is much better than having a bad agent. At best, a bad agent will not push your manuscripts promptly and will waste your time. At worst, a scammer will take your money and ruin your chances with publishers through reprehensible business practices.
Anyone can print up a business card and call themselves an agent, whether they have any experience or connections with editors and the industry or not.
Don’t go with any agent who charges a reading fee or sends you to a specific book doctor or editing company.
Check that the agent is a member of the AAR (Association of Authors' Representatives). Members are required to adhere to their Canon of Ethics, which prohibits scammers.
.PDF file
text file
No agent is much better than having a bad agent. At best, a bad agent will not push your manuscripts promptly and will waste your time. At worst, a scammer will take your money and ruin your chances with publishers through reprehensible business practices.
Anyone can print up a business card and call themselves an agent, whether they have any experience or connections with editors and the industry or not.
Don’t go with any agent who charges a reading fee or sends you to a specific book doctor or editing company.
Check that the agent is a member of the AAR (Association of Authors' Representatives). Members are required to adhere to their Canon of Ethics, which prohibits scammers.
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