When Victoria Strauss of Writers Beware and other known whistleblowers in the literary industry parrots the need to be beware of scammers masquerading as literary agents, some writers might think it is a hoax until they become victims. I used to read such updates, relates articles and testimonials by authors who became victims of the obnoxious move to enrich just to, for formality sake, be aware of such development.
I have been publishing books for over a decade. Yet, I still have a lot to learn about how this schemers go about using prominent literary agents to scam unsuspecting and naive authors. I am reporting this because it happened to me! Thankfully, I read in one of Victoria Strauss' posts, years ago, that "No legitimate literary agent would ask you for a fee". That really helped me a great deal. I also realized, in the cause of following the Writer's Beware website posts, genuine literary agents are occupied with overwhelming number of submissions. This, making it nearly impossible to reach out to authors. Authors reach out to them first, following provided guidelines peculiar to their submissions' policies
Below are two messages sent to me, about the same time. My suspicion is the two messages are from the same person. I stand corrected, though. Interestingly, they contacted me first.
"Dear Ihekuna,
I hope you're doing well.
My name is Jessica Alvarez, a Literary Agent with BookEnds Literary Agency. I recently came across your profile and was genuinely impressed by your accomplishments and professional background.
We are currently opening a submission window for authors, and I would love to learn more about the manuscript you may be working on. I believe your experience and unique perspective could make for a compelling publishing opportunity.
If this is of interest to you, please feel free to send me your manuscript for review. I would be happy to take a closer look and discuss the next steps if it is a good fit.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards--
Jessica Alvarez
Senior Literary agent
BookEnds Literary Agency
Dear,
I hope you're doing well
I don't often reach out to authors directly usually, it's the other way around. But after coming across your work, i felt compelled to introduce myself.
Your writing has a confident, authentic voice and a clear sense of purpose. it's the kind of storytelling that stays with a reader, and that's what caught my attention.
As a literary agent, I have always been drawn to writers with originally, strong narrative instincts, and long term potential. Your work suggest exactly that, which is why I wanted to connect.
if you don't mind, I have two quick questions:
1.Are you currently represented by a literary agent?
2.What project are you working on at the moment?
There's no need to send a manuscript or proposal just yet. I'd simply love to know where you are in your writing journey and what you're working on your next.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Taylor Haggerty
Literary agent
Taylor Haggerty
Literary Agent
Los Angeles, California
617 S. Olive St., Suite 1207, Los Angeles, CA 90014
, United States.
+ 213-425-3633
Root Literary combines a big agency business perspective with a boutique hands -on approach on literary representative. we are more than just literary agent, we are career builders.
The Root Literary"
I decided to look up their names on Google, after realizing the former asked for a fee on the cause of our conversation while the latter, being told I have no money and can't pay for any related fees, chose not to reply me! I discovered the agents were genuine but only responded to their set query forms online. Besides, there email addresses was peculiar to the agencies they work for, not the common Gmail.com email address. The both "agents" used gmail.com email addresses!
The so-addressed Jessica introduced me to an editor who would polish my book and carry out other necessary processes, which according to her, would make my work look worth the pursuit. I realized the editor is also charging a fee of over two thousand British Pounds! That's when I knew they were scammers, thinking they are literary agents
It was done on me what Victoria Strauss and the rest have been parroting about fake literary agents are nothing but undiluted facts.
To all authors, established or emerging, learn the lesson now or become a lesson to others when the time comes.
The ball is in your court!
The choice is yours!
Thanks!
"