How valid are the assessments on Predators and Editors? I sent out about a dozen query letters over the weekend to various agents in Ontario. Today I heard back from Authors' Marketing Services in Toronto. They sounded quite interested in my book but when I looked them up on P & E, they were not recommended. They also charge a reading fee of $395.

Does everyone here trust the P & E guidelines? Is it customary to pay a fee or is that something that I should avoid at all costs?

Thanks.
Sigrid

Sigrid
I can't vouch for the P&E guidelines, but I know a lot of writer's recommend them and use them so I would tend to be very cautious about getting involved with something that did not receive a recommendation from their site.

I don't have enough experience to tell you whether it's customary to pay a fee or not, so hopefully someone else can answer that for you.

Thanks, Evie. They seem to have a good reputation and I am inclined to trust them. That's so irritating because this agency expressed an interest in my novel.

Intuitively, I don't feel that we should be paying agents to read our stories. If the stories are good enough, they should stand on their own. Then the agents can take their fees from book sales.

It's just like book reviews. I don't want to pay anyone to review my book. Speaking of which, my book is being reviewed by three or four sources right now but they've had it for ever. What is a respectable amount of time for me to wait before I follow up with them?

Have a great week :-) Sigrid

P.S. Where is Nipigon?

Sigrid I have used P&E for years and know Victoria Strauss, the writer who maintains the database for them....she does extensive research and has based the info she posts on letters she receives from writers all over the world.

You of course need to follow your heart on your search for an agent but the rule of thumb (and I'm not just talking about on P&E) is not to pay a reading fee - and certainly that is one of the BIGGEST ones I've ever heard of!! Someone recently said that "time is money" for those reading all the query letters and I do believe that's true - but $395 is a LOT of money.

I wish you a LOT of luck though - and whatever you decide to do - make sure it's right for YOU - regardless what others may advise.

Sigrid,

I'd stay away from any agent or editor who charges a reading fee. I've heard this from several industry professional over the years. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of having someone love your work. Meanwhile think long and hard before dealing with this agent. Yes, I trust preditors and editors.

Diane

Pam, Thanks for the reassurance about P&E. I agree that the reading sum is outrageous. My better judgment tells me that agents shouldn't charge fees. I just got excited when the guy sounded interested in my book. I hate approaching one agent after another! So far, I haven't sent my book to anyone yet, but I will trust P&E.

Sigrid

Sigrid, they're not interested in your book, they're interested in your money. No reputable agent charges a reading fee.

Sigrid, are you looking for someone to edit or an agent? It is considered very unethical for an agent to charge any fee of any kind. They might ask you to send them so many copies of your manuscript, etc. but they don't charge...ever. They make their money when they sell your book. A good editor will read and help with your writing so of course, you pay but never an agent up front.

SIgrid, I agree. Everything I've read online and in books says you should not have to pay a reading fee. I have used P&E and trust her information.

Be sure to read writing magazines. Even if you do it at libraries, or book stores. They often have agents looking for new talent. That's how I found mine.