LET THE WRITER BEWARE/by Richard B. Harper
Do you need a book doctor? Is this agent on the up and up? You wouldn't buy a car without doing some research into the model's repair record; don't buy literary services without doing the same. Here's what you must know about these services.
Getting published can be a maze these days, with writers trying to steer clear of unscrupulous businesses while trying to reach agents and others who might legitimately help their careers.
Skepticism is still the best defense. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Look for references. If another published author feels well-served by a company, their experience may be to your advantage. Here are some tips to decide whether working with a particular type of literary business is right for you:
Agents
Agents earn a commission by selling your work. Some profit solely by charging reading or representation fees. The 300-member Association of Author's Representatives prohibits its members from charging reading fees, and the National Fraud Information Center, a service of the National consumers League, says, "Never pay up-front fees for services which normally operate on a commission basis." Find your potential agent through a published directory. Ask if he or she charges fees of any kind. Get a copy of his or her standard contract and ask for a list of books recently sold.
Book Doctors and Editing Services
Writers commonly rely on friends, writing groups or themselves to detect vital corrections or to gather comments for restructuring, but there are professional editors and book doctors-who offer the same services. Beware if an agent makes hiring a specific service a condition of representation. Ask for a list of doctored books that have been published; request author references.
Contests
Contests judge poetry, short stories, essays and more. Although many are legitimate, some offer preposterous rewards such as a waterfront estate or a cappuccino bar. Instead of automatically publishing winning entries, some contest now offer winners a publishing contract in addition to the prize money. Examine the stature of the organization or company sponsoring the contest. Know the rules, fees and purchasing requirements before submitting your manuscript.
Publishers
Some self-proclaimed publishers solicit your manuscript, urge you to engage an editing service they recommend, then expect you to pay other costs. Research the publisher in market guides and check the library or local bookstore for other titles they've published before you mail your manuscript.
Companies that help you self-publish can be a viable option for books with slim commercial potential. Although many books are personal treasures worth sharing, publishing houses can't sell World War II memoirs from little-known soldiers or histories of obscure families.
Before you sign anything, find out what your cost will be and do some research to find out whether the bill is reasonable. For example, one firm agreed to print a 32-page manuscript, furnish 50 "free" copies, and promised "marketing services." The cost to the writer was $6,450, far more than a good commercial printer charges for a run of finished books.
Conventional publishers absorb all editing, printing, distribution and marketing costs and pay the writer a royalty.
Writing Tests and Courses
Distance education courses (including traditional correspondence and online writing courses) are a popular alternative to college classes and critique groups. Before you sign up, make sure you can examine the materials for a period of time with no obligation. Correspondence schools should be able to provide graduates' success stories and the instructor's resume on request.
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