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New York Literary Agency

Author: T.E. Manthey (---.client.mchsi.com) Date: 07-13-05 10:32 I submitted a query to this agency online and straight away they sent a letter requesting a manuscript of which I sent almost immediately,does anyone have any dealings with them?

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Michelle L (---.dsl.akrnoh.ameritech.net) Date: 07-13-05 10:38 I've heard that they are part of ST Literary Agency, which is not anything you want to get in volved in. I advise you proceed with caution. Pray your manuscript gets lost in the mail.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: T.E. Manthey (---.client.mchsi.com) Date: 07-13-05 10:56 Thanks Michelle:) whats the ST literary agency? I'm not concerned with the manuscript it's not a make or break book to me, It's had so many rejection letters by reputable publishers if they accept it as face value then I'll run the other direction fast.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Marc Vinicky (63.200.185.---) Date: 07-13-05 10:58 T.E. There are numerous threads regarding the ST Lit Agency...run a search in the blue box above...quite illuminating. Good luck!

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Gary Kessler (---.va-ashburn0.sa.earthlink.net) Date: 07-13-05 10:59 Trace back. How did you come about querying them in the first place? Did you get the lead from a reputable source, do a complaint search on the Internet, check for membership in the professional agent’s association (AAR) at (http://www.aar-online.org), and check it out with Preditors & Editors (http://anotherealm.com/prededitors) and Writer Beware (http://www.sfwa.org/beware)? Or did you spend money and time shotgunning your queries to unknown addresses, many of whom are operated by scammers? If you need to start again from the beginning in catching reputable agents, check out the articles available in the "Agents" section of this Web site (clickable article titles running down the right side of the Agent page).

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Carol O (---.57.74.40.mpowercom.net) Date: 07-13-05 11:37 Good to see you, Gary! NYLA is indeed a "sister" agency of ST (now named Stylus). The other parts of the octopus are Children's Literary Agency and Christian Literary Agency, IIRC. All are part of The Literary Agency Group and are incestuous in the extreme when it comes to passing applicants around to wring editing, critique, and illustration fees out of them. AVOID!

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Michelle L (---.dsl.akrnoh.ameritech.net) Date: 07-13-05 11:41 Just for fun, I once emailed ST Literary Agency to see if they were interested in my manuscript. They said they were and asked me to send the first three chapters via email. I sent nothing, yet they still sent me a reply thanking me for submitting my work, and that they would get back to me ASAP. A few weeks later, I received an email claiming they'd like to represent me. Not surprisingly, this was (and still is) good dinner table fodder. Needing more laughs, I emailed them again (I almost feel guilty for harassing them... except I know I'm only 'harassing' a machine that bounces back replies). However, in this email, I asked them if they'd like to come over for curry that I made for dinner. They replied saying they were interested in my manuscript and could I send them the first three chapters via email. Needless to say, avoid these people. I don't even think they ARE people. Also, you should do a search on them. I think you'll find some interesting reading.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Mya Bell (---.hsd1.wa.comcast.net) Date: 07-13-05 11:51 John D. McDonald walked over to their Manhattan address and talked to the building person and it was determined that there is no office by that name at that address. It's apparently a mail drop. They will eventually refer you to an editor (who is affiliated with the company), for a price, of course. On Friday, a very astute writer (I didn't catch the name of the writer) asked a panel of fourteen agents and editors if they had ever heard of ST Literary. The answer was blank faces. The agents and editors all looked around like "Huh?" and two of them shook their heads. Not ONE of those top agents or publishers' editors (including Donald Maass, Jane Dystel, Jane Fleming, etc.) had heard of ST Literary. If they were serious contenders as agents, or if they had been submitting to editors, people in that room would have recognized the name. They did not. What does that tell you about their visibility and credibility on the publishing side of things? --- Mya Bell

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: TE Manthey (---.client.mchsi.com) Date: 07-13-05 23:29 Thank you all and as we sepak Im senidng query letters to all the publishers of my genre:) I knew I shouldnt try a shortcut//live and learn.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Phillip Stanley (---.242.216.162.Dial1.Seattle1.Level3.net) Date: 07-29-05 02:24 I have recieved emails from the NYLA exactly the same as those posted above. Since it was obviously automated, I figured pretty quickly that it was a scam. However when I recieved the emails saying something about an inexpensive 50 to 80 dollar 3rd party critique, that raised all the red flags for me. What disturbs me is that if you look at their actual website, they seems quite professonal, and even respectable. Anyway, my only regret is that I no longer have the moments of my life that it took me to fill out their online application...live and learn i guess. :)

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Kara Whitledge (---.aca.semo.edu) Date: 12-19-05 16:29 So are you saying that New York Lit Agency is just a bad agency in general or they actually steal manuscripts?

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Jennifer Killby (---.southernlightfiber.com) Date: 12-23-05 09:09 I just got accepted by the New York Literary Agency and they are a definite scam. I didn't give them any money, but I do appreciate all the previous discussion about them. I do know that if you wrote your book and have all revised copies, notes and etc. that you are protected by copyright laws. I always put the copyright insignia on my stuff with the little verbage to protect myself. I always keep all my notes, revisions and so forth to prove that it is all mine. I don't know if they steal manuscripts or not, but if they do then they will eventually have to answer to the federal government.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Jaacob Thomas (125.22.0.---) Date: 01-18-06 04:18 I too just got accepted by them.However after reading through all these extremely eye opening posts , I think I'll give them a very wide berth. Seems like this entire area is infested with shysters and tricksters.Wonder if there are any genuine outfits at all catering to unknown and untried first time writers.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Sherry Fine (---.mia.bellsouth.net) Date: 01-24-06 12:03 Dear Author: We are keenly aware of the negative material on a lot of writer's message boards and I thought I would take a minute and give you more background than what you are getting (which as best I can tell is stuff regurgitated from years ago). I know it is confusing to authors and I thank you for 'first seeking to understand". I hope that you will view the professionalism of this reply, where we try to present both sides of the situation, and contrast that against the furor that will arise after this post. Hey, maybe the message board people will agree to be your Agent! It is a fact that most authors (98%) can't get the time of day from an Agent. Why? Because invariably their work needs improvement and if an Agent takes the time to say, "I like the idea, but you need a little help" the Agent is blackballed by every writers blog on the net. Some writers say, "it's the agency's responsibility to help the writer".. Maybe in the old days, but not anymore. An Agent's core competency is selling work and finding buyers, not editing. Do you really think that an Agent should contribute their valuable selling time to assisting a writer with editing/grammar/ and other mechanics? Some writers do, but not those that understand the power and clarity of focus on core competency in business. Most agencies go out of business in a few years, not us. Why, because we concentrate on selling, and let the editors and writers do what they do best, writing, improving, writing, improving, etc. Furthermore, when a work doesn't sell, what typically happens is that the author adopts one of 3 postures, 1) you suck, you scammer you, 2) I'll improve, or 3) maybe I'll quit. Most of the material on the boards is from attitude 1. At it's core, that's the real issue. Always has been. So, there's a situation where potentially great work is 'waiting in the wings' so to speak, and can't get access to the market. And, if the Agent offers to help, to coach, and to mentor, well, you see the boards reply. What Do Buyers Think? That's what really matters. ========================================== Buyers (publishers) love our model. Why? because they know that we've forced the writer to jump through a series of hoops to prove their mettle. And the writers whine, whine, whine, and the publishers say, "whew, thanks for bringing us great work and for filtering out the crackpots." I use the word 'cluster' in the marketing segmentation definition. Look on most of those message boards, and you will see advertising, newsletters, and other capitalistic products and services based on traffic generated by controversy. So now you understand that the point of the boards is to generate traffic and advertising revenues based on their niche in the market. Anyway, that said, it actually does us a favor and we've come to thank these boards. They weed out two main categories of authors that we are actually glad to be rid of: 1) nervous authors that don't understand the nitty gritty of hard business and who can't make up their mind and who rely on others for their opinions, 2) the SFN's (writers that want Something for Nothing) who want it all, basically for free... I place 4 bullets under my signature. That's our promise. It's simple and it's understandable, and I really do think you'd be hard pressed to find one of our clients that won't, even grudgingly admit that we've delivered. Our Pledge To You: ================== * We respect what you have accomplished thus far as a writer. * We believe that great authors are made, not born. We are willing to develop talent. * We pledge straight talk in a confusing and old-school industry. * We can't promise a sale. We can promise a professional relationship. So, in conclusion, this is what I would do, if I were in your shoes, "I'd proceed with us, eyes wide open, and see if we meet or exceed our four business tenets, A) Respect, B) Building Talent, 3) Straight Talk, and a 4) Professional Relationship. Of course, if you'd rather us terminate our relationship now, no problem, fortunately for me, and unfortunately for you, there's 10 more to take your place, and you can go back to querying agents for the rest of your life, or you can just see what happens and see if maybe, just maybe, we are what we say we are. Best to you whatever your decision. Sherry Fine - VP Acquisitions Just for grins, and so that you know we provide a service of value to aspiring authors, I would like you to see some of the unprompted quotes that we receive on a daily basis. Our clients say it best. The quotes below are unedited and as you can see, quite from the heart. (We have lots more of these.) If you are really cynical, you will probably believe we made them up, but I promise you, we can prove every one of them. ======================= "Just a note to say, whatever the outcome of my submission, it's refreshing to engage an agent who will a) take an email submission, b) turn it round as quick you've committed to do and c) actively work with a writer. Submissions are daunting enough anyway without having to wait ten weeks for an impersonalised slip of paper. Here's to you." "It is refreshing to get an honest professional opinion of my work, it make me realise just how much I don't know about the written word and its presentation." Dear Georgina, I'd like you to know how highly and gratefully I regard the clarity with which you explain the process as well as your reliability. I have complete trust in both your abilities and ethical standards. Best wishes, Judith It's been a long time since I left school with considerable number of years passing before I became interested in writing again. I would like you to thank you for working with me and let it be known that I look at this as a new beginning and rebirth of my education. You don't know how nice it is to have such timely responses. I am sure I am not the only writer that puts a lot of heart into their work and I have to say, I have "kept mine tucked away in the closet" for many, many years. I just enjoy writing, but didn't know if I would ever try and submit it to anyone. Making the decision to do that has been somewhat of a nerve-wracking process. Your timely responses and professional, yet "down-to-earth" responses are making the process a lot easier. At this time, I am not submitting my work to anyone else, because you have impressed me the most up to this point. Even if we do not end up working together, I felt it was important to pass this along to you. Dear Georgina: Your professional zeal and resourcefulness cannot be overemphasized seeing the volatile-oceanic-wave called the American Hollywood with its impregnable sales frontiers.I hold you dearly to my heart in my every prayers towards our mutual success now and...very soon in sbsequent works.I doff my heart after your every professional spirit imagining the energy, sweat and travellings involved. Thanks for everything you stand for professionally. Thank you for your constructive feedback. I found your critique of my work very informative, and it concluded many things that I already knew. I really do need to improve on my punctuation skills, and that has been something I have struggled with for some time. I appreciate your suggestions on materials to improve this, and I plan on taking an advanced grammar and puctuation class at the college I am attending. Several other points you made were also very informative. I know I have a long way to go before I am a "professional" writer, but I am glad that you agreed that the potential is definitely there. I'd also like to thank you and your company for staying in contact with me through this process. I would, and will, come back to your company if I need further material critiqued. Thank you again for your time. I just want to say I have been rejected for years by Agents and Publishers. After awhile it all seems pointless. But I am in this for the long run and will never give up and never give in. Whether you accept me or not you have restored my faith and hope that someone out there is concerned and listening to what writings go through. I look forward to learning all that I can from you and your associates. "After having reread all the information sent to me, I must say that I am impressed by the way your agency has handled the science, or art of appreciating new sources of writing. If only all agencies displayed your model the world may be a better place. Your FAQ has answered all of my questions and i am eager to get to work." =========================== WE ARE CREATING THE MOST POWERFUL AGENCY GROUP IN THE UNITED STATES. Every author that we represent has been fully edited and we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that their work is good enough for publication. Unfortunately, the ones that 'wash out', tend to grouse and bitch. If you can make it through our process, then you will be in an elite group that buyers respect. We never promise a sale, but we can promise that if we present your work, it will get respect from our buyers. Best to you in your career.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: James Macdonald (---.man.east.verizon.net) Date: 01-27-06 08:16 "Sherry Fine" posted the exact same nonsense, the same day, over at Absolute Write too. See my reply to "her" there: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13517&page=2

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Janet Bellinger (---.sympatico.ca) Date: 01-31-06 10:37 Well, I too was sceptical, but signed a contract, neverthe less, with New york Literary. I first paid $*0. U.S. for an independent critique. I was a little surprised that the critique only commented on my synopsis, rather than the manuscript.Then, New York Literary asked me I was asked to get my manuscript edited, at an average price of $125. I became a little nervous about this, even though I had always planned to have my manuscript editied by a professional editor. But I began to wonder if the t alk about "working with the editor," really just meant repeated requests for paid "independent" editing. I asked a friend, who is an editor, to do the editing for me, and N Y Literary has agreed to this, so I hope they will accept my friend's editing. If not, I will cancel my contract with them. But,I cannot operate from a cynical position, and will, until proved otherwise, treat N Y Literary as though they are a scrupulous agency. If that makes me into a sucker, so be it. I believe in the saying that you should love as though you've never been hurt, dance as though noone is watching etc. The logical followup to that is to trust as though there are no shysters out there. I hope my lesson in life is not to be suspicion. Anyways, I'm going to wait it out, and hope that my faith proves to be well founded. Good luck to you all Janet

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Vickie Olmsted (---.ded.ameritech.net) Date: 02-08-06 23:11 I too have recently signed a contract with them, my WHOLE family and I were soooo exited and have been celebrating, but now after reading this page, I am getting a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach! My contract states that aside from the "independent critique" they will never ask me for money, ever, they only take 10% of the profits of the book. I don't know what to do now... I'm really scared, I have no other job or income, everything in my life is on the line hanging on this... Please someone tell me some good news! Janet??? Let me know how this is going with you as I seem to be in the same boat you are and moving forward, I've already signed the contract afterall... Vickie

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: James Macdonald (---.man.east.verizon.net) Date: 02-09-06 10:13 Vickie, don't send them any money. To the best of my knowledge they've never sold a book in their lives. 100% of their income comes from "independent critiques" (done by a company that they secretly own) and "editing" (done by a company that they secretly own), etc. Ask them, point blank: what books have you sold? When? To whom? Any real agent would be happy to tell you. You can't shut a real agent up about his or her sales. If they stonewall you -- and they will -- you'll know that these people aren't real agents. My best advice to you is to get a day job, to pay the bills. Money from publishing is small and slow. And find an honest agent. A worthwhile agent has sold books you've heard of.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Paul James (---.mia.bellsouth.net) Date: 02-13-06 00:11 I, too, fell for this scam. I got to the point of signing the contract, and, at their 'suggestion', paid $79 bucks or so, for an 'independent' 3rd party critique done by a ‘sister company’. As my initial euphoria subsided (and I celebrated my 'good fortune', as well) I began to do some more research. You can imagine my surprise- and disappointment- when I learned of the many bad experiences others had with these people. It was only then that I saw clearly all the little signs I had evidently chosen to ignore, like the duplicate emails requesting the manuscript- even after I had sent it; the fact that even after they received it they did not refer to my work by the title; the fact that they don't list a single book sold on their website; or the fact that the paypal address of the supposedly 'sister yet independent' company, was derivative of the agency- evidently they're one and the same. So, I played their own game and pretended that I was not wise to the scam, and sent the N.Y. Literary the following email. My goal was to get the refund, and still let them think that I was interested in their services: ///////////// Hi this is XXXX XXXXX, to give you an update on the critique. I found another company to do it, besides Writers Literary. Before I did so I had sent payment to Writers Literary (your sister company), but since I will not be needing their services anymore I requested a refund. I've written twice and have not received a response as of yet. If you have any type of communication with them please advise them I expect them to refund my payment in a prompt manner, the same way that I paid them initially. It's the least they can do, and an exercise in courtesy. As it is I must say that I am very disappointed with them due to their taking very long to reply to my emails. Although I know that they are probably busy, it only takes a minute to write a short reply to someone, at least acknowledging receipt of an email. NO services have been rendered by them, and they do not even have my manuscript. And by the way I explicitly prohibit you from sending the manuscript to them. If you do speak with them assure them that if do not receive my refund promptly I will most certainly take whatever action required to compel them to do so. I've already been in contact with Paypal and they are aware of the issue- they concur that my demand for a refund is valid- and the Better Business Bureau is another recourse I will turn to, should they not respond to my request. In any case, thanks for your assistance in this matter. As soon as the critique is done by the 3rd party I will make it available to you, and then we can get to the business of selling my book. In the meantime if there is anything you need from me do not hesitate to contact me. Thanks, and have a great day, ///////////////////////////// So sure enough, within a few days I got the refund, no emails, no explanations, no apologies nothing. The next step was to get out of the contract. Even though it was clear that these people (or this guy, apparently it's a one-scammer operation) had no intention of working in trying to sell the manuscript, the fact is that they had a signed contract, whatever it was worth. If I wanted to be completely free to pursue other agencies I had to get out of it. So I waited the stipulated 90 days of non-sale by the agency and sent them a certified letter, return receipt requested, that the contract was then null and void because they had not made a sale in 90 days. In return, they sent me a letter that stated that the contract was now void because I did not abide by the stipulation that I had to provide them a 3rd party critique (he actually makes you agree to that - that's how he makes his money- more on that later). You see, he couldn't stand the fact that I got out of the contract, he had to make it seem as if it was me who failed to fulfill the contract! Unbelievable, the ego...anyway, I'm out of the contract, if there ever really was one (a legal argument can be made that there was never a bona fide intent to prosecute it on his part, therefore it is invalid, according to my attorney), and I was able to get my $79 bucks back. Bottom line is that the guy is a scammer plain and simple. Maybe in his heart, a long time ago, he actually wanted to be literary agent, but it's evident that all he wants now is to make a living off of writer's hopes. And think of it, he receives probably dozens, or maybe even hundreds of manuscripts a week, who knows. Even if only a portion of them (us) pay the fee for the critique, then he's golden, and he has a free ride. Then all he has to do is say that he's trying to sell your story but that it's a tough business, and hasn't had any luck. Eventually you say the hell with it, break it off with him and go on your way, and he keeps the money you paid. Moral of the story? The eternal truth of the saying: "if it's too good to be true, it probably is." Or, "if it quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck, then it is a duck." Or “if it smell like...etc. etc...well you get the drift. And to the person who wrote earlier of celebrating the good fortune of finding an agent, no reason to feel bad, it happens...the important thing is to learn from it and keep your eyes open, and push on. We'll all get signed up sooner or later.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Janet Bellinger (---.sympatico.ca) Date: 02-15-06 14:34 Just letting you know that I cancelled my contract with New York Literary and they didn't give me any hassle at all, about it. I just explained that I couldn't meet the terms of the contract, via getting my work edited, and so they agreed readily to cancel it. You have to give them that. They could have turned the whole process into a nightmare for me, if they had chosen to do so. Janet

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Laura Smith (---.chrlmi.cablespeed.com) Date: 02-28-06 23:31 I Just joined this forum for the sole purpose of meeting you all and having a support group for what I have been going through. I could say ditto to all that Janet said, except I haven't cancelled anything yet. I just received my supposed critique back, and I am so discouraged! They -- whoever they are -- spent pages critiquing the paragraph I scribbled that was supposed to be my synopsis. Then I could just tell that it was all canned and the pages they forwarded to me were something they probably forwarded to everyone. The changes they suggested were minor and stylistic, and then they recommended that I not do the editing myself, but rather use one of their editors. I have been depressed all night thinking I suck. I have been prepared to have constructive criticism, and am well aware that I will need to make some changes. That is more than fine. But I was not prepared to have my $89 (yes, $89) thrown in the garbage while someone did not appear to really read my work to tell me if the story works or not. Anyway, I am not sure what to do. I went and googled New York Literary Agency to find their website and check it out at Better Business Bureau, and I found this instead. It makes me a little sick in my stomach, too. I wonder what will happen when and if I have someone independently edit my work -- not their editor. Will they then tell me I need to get it done again and again? I refuse to give them anymore money. Part of me wants to say maybe they are weeding out the people who are unwilling to take the steps to strengthen their own work, but I guess I would like to know now who they have actually published, and why they can't edit their own e-mails to make them grammatically correct? The end.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Cynthia Delker (65.245.102.---) Date: 03-01-06 10:08 They wished to see my manuscript and so I looked further into the company. Here is the e-mail correspondance I had with them... Before sending my manuscript, I would like to get more information about the company. Specifically you mention several books that have been handled/published by your company. I would just like the names of those novels so I have an idea of the books your able to get published and what sort of market your able to reach. You company currently has a bad reputation in the writing market, but I'm always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. -Cynthia Here are just a few sales, not all. One is Dario Castagno who wrote "Too Much Tuscan Sun" which is now in 3 languages and was nominated for a Ben Franklin award (published by Globe Pequot). Pastor Billy Crone is due to be published soon with his work, "A Marriage Built to Last" and Pete Parente has a book called "Peeper and Friends" that is now well above 5000 sold. We have one sale to a publisher in the UK and another sci-fi sale just occurred as well. We are very proud of our track record. Of course we wish it were more, but when you consider that most agencies only sell 1 deal, we feel that we're doing pretty well. Best regards, Sherry Fine - VP Acquisitions Upon further investigation I have learned that your company charges fees for 'adding my story to your database' and 'Manuscript printing fees'. I will only work with an agency that believes strongly enough in my work, that they are willing to take care of all initial costs. I will not be putting any money forward. If I'm incorrect about the 'fees' you are charging, please feel free to correct me. -Cynthia Ok, we call this something for nothing, good luck. Best regards, Sherry Fine - VP Acquisitions ----------------------- From the VP's most recent response which is HIGHLY unprofessional, I would not go with this company even if they paid me. What I call what they are doing is trying to get something out of nothing. (In other words, money out of a writer that will never get published). They have a claim to THREE books, that's all. Most companies I've seen/read about, have published upwards of FIVE books A YEAR. (shakes head). Avoid! Avoid! AVOID! this company.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Conor Tilden (---.164.81.109.Dial1.Denver1.Level3.net) Date: 03-05-06 17:46 I fell for this also. I went searching through MSN Search for Literary Agencies. I submitted a query and later sent them the manuscript. I guess I'm going to be okay since I'll BS my way through not signing the contract. I just can't believe that I fell for this agency. Now I have to hope that one of the agencies I snail-mailed will accept my manuscript. I liked the idea of emailing everything just to save on mailing and printing expenses and the quick turn around time. Guess I'll do more research before I send anything that sounds too good to be true.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Charles Baltzer (---.169.194.33.Dial1.Manchester1.Level3.net) Date: 03-13-06 19:00 My experience with N.Y.L.A. is almost a carbon copy of everything that's written above: 1) I found the web site by search engine 2) I didn't do any research on the "agency", just naively sent whole manuscript to them 3) I received the usual canned emails back saying that I needed to send money to one of their approved "critique specialists" 4) in the mean time I did the research and found this forum, realized that N.Y.L.A. is a complete scam, and then, 5) I panicked- because I realized that this bogus outfit had my hard earned manuscript to do with whatever they pleased, and that I had been scammed, which has never happened to me before in my life. At least in my case, I caught on to this scam before I sent any hard earned money out to the scammer(s). I sent a report to the New York Better Business Bureau, and a complaint to the New York office of The FBI, but as you can see, this con-job outfit is still going strong. Now, you know the saying- "If you were scammed once, shame on them for scamming you, but if you get scammed again- shame on you for not learning your lesson!" Well, I just sent another complete manuscript to another on-line publisher; "ePress Online". Right after I sent it I started to wonder- is "ePress Online" a reputable publisher of e-books, or are they another literary shark? There are similarities between The New York Literary Agency and ePress Online as to the appearance of their home pages and methods of acquiring new manuscripts. See their home page at http://www.epress-online.com Does anybody have any information as whether ePress Online is a reputable publisher, or should they be avoided, like The New York Literary Agency? Thanks for any replies. -Chuck

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Tonya Valdez (---.nyc.untd.com) Date: 03-22-06 19:02 I got the same interactions with this "Literary Agency" and sadly, I have sent them a copy of my Manuscript as well. However, I don't think it's their goal to steal manuscripts - just money.... please protect yourself!!!

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Randall J Rosatte (---.proxy.aol.com) Date: 03-23-06 08:19 Ditto, ditto, ditto. Thank God I found this forum before I sent them any money. I smelled a rat early on after emailing a few sample chapters, and I have to agree, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." Life goes on... Randy Rosatte

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Raff Ellis (---.dyn.sprint-hsd.net) Date: 03-31-06 09:55 What's really funny is that if you click on the Writer's Net thread for Agents, the first one on the list is--you guessed it! The New York Leterary Agency! It would be interesting to find someone who has been rejected by them. I doubt you can. Raff

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Author Yar (---.mia.bellsouth.net) Date: 04-09-06 11:59 I just wanted to let you know that I work with them and they have treated me honorably, and kept their word. They have insisted that I clean up my writing, but, that's a good thing! Hope that helps.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Author Yar (---.mia.bellsouth.net) Date: 04-09-06 12:01 I just wanted to let everyone know that this is a very one sided discussion. They have treated me right.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Charles Baltzer (---.169.194.183.Dial1.Manchester1.Level3.net) Date: 04-09-06 21:39 Are you sure that you're not just being lured into the same trap as all of the other people who posted before you? What exactly is your relationship with The New York Literary Agency? Are you trying to get a book published, or have you already done so, using The New York Literary Agency as your agent? If you have, then what is the title of the book, and what publisher is it published with? Please post the answers to these questions in this thread, and, if The New York Literary Agency is still helping you to get published, please keep us updated as to your progress with them. If you don't, then either you've realized that you've been scammed, or your reasons for siding with The New York Literary Agency are suspect, to say the least. In any case, everybody who has posted in this thread will be looking forward to your response.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Janet Bellinger (---.sympatico.ca) Date: 04-10-06 06:34 Of course they requested a manuscript. They will tell you that you need to get a literary critique done on your work, and offering the services of a "sister" agency, for $60-$80.(which is really New York Literary.) You will get a sketchy critique ( the one I got was only on my synopsis,) which will say that your work needs a lot of editing and that in the company's opinion, the author is not capable of making the revisions, himor herself. NY literary will then tell you that they will accept you as a client, "work with you," as long as you promise to enlist the services of an editor. Once again, they offer the services of an "independant" company (which again is NY Literary,) for around $125. They say you don't have to use this service, but if you go to somebody else, the changes will have to be approved by NY Literary. I signed a contract with them then cancelled it, because I believe that once you've paid the $125, (and this has been confirmed by other writers,) NY Literary will keep coming back to you to pay for more "editing," until they've bled you dry. I do not recommend them,.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Timothy Reilly (---.fv.dl.cox.net) Date: 04-10-06 07:16 I sent these people a copy of my manuscript without investigating them. I am a new autghor and apparently naive to the process. After reading these threads I don't have any faith that I will get anywhere. All I have recieved is the first letter wanting a manuscript. My question is; wil my manuscript be stolen?

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Janet Bellinger (---.sympatico.ca) Date: 04-10-06 07:29 I can't believe I was naive enough to believe in NY Literary. I don't think you have to worry about them stealing your manuscript though, because they don't actually submit them anywhere, from what I've been told. Janet

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Charles Baltzer (---.169.194.206.Dial1.Manchester1.Level3.net) Date: 04-10-06 11:19 On the subject of whether New York Literary will steal your manuscript- in a sense they already have. Any outfit that operates in this fashion, just trying to con money out of you for "literary critique", is not out to do you, or your manuscript, any good. (That stands to reason, doesn't it?) If they say, "We have removed your manuscript from our data banks at your request", do you think that they are going to go from con artist to honest businessman in one second? Of course not! They have your manuscript, and mine, and everybody else's that sent them one, to do with whatever they please. So, what is New York Literary likely to do with all these manuscripts? Probably nothing, as Janet Bellinger mentioned above. This is because they are not really in the business of getting things published, they are in the business of scamming people out of whatever money they can get them to send in. But the possibility exists they could sell your manuscript, or send it over seas, or give it away for free, or modify it slightly to avoid copyright infringement and then submit it elsewhere, etc. etc., IOW- nobody know what they MIGHT do. New York Literary may not do any of these things with your hard earned manuscript, but don't be so naive as to think that your manuscript is perfectly safe with them.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: jason roach (---.eastlink.ca) Date: 04-12-06 14:53 same. same. same. fortunately i found this forum moments after sending of payment. i sent of another email demanding a halt of payment also mentioning that i had made a cope of said email and would forward them to the appropriate authorities within an hour i had gotten a response emaill saying that they were not in fact the same company and that they had deleted my cc info from their records. wish me luck that this is the case. for if they do take the payment they have acknowledge that they are in fact theives

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: b b (149.39.250.---) Date: 04-12-06 15:22 I too received a cyber-response from NYLA. I sent them back a form letter, and attached it below for all those out there who would like to use it. I hope it helps. ---BEGIN HERE--- Dear Sherry, Thank you for your interest in my work. You have no idea how frustrating it is to find agencies out there with a real appreciation for new voices in writing! Before I send you my entire manuscript, I will first need a small deposit from your agency to insure a smooth transaction of materials. This fee, of course, will be fully refunded along with the generous commission you will receive when my book gets published. Please send a certified check for $1000 (one thousand) dollars, made out to (your name), and promptly mail it to: (your address) I look forward to our new partnership and can't wait to start making waves in the literary world, thanks to my new friends at NY Literary Agency! Regards, (your name)

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Jon Landle (---.174.22.53.Dial1.Orlando1.Level3.net) Date: 04-12-06 21:30 I would like to say thanks. Many people read these threads and are swayed in the right direction. Many of these people never post a reply to mention this. So on behalf of all that have been aided by this, and many other threads, I would like to say thank you to all who had posted on this, and all topics.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Timothy Wahl (---.lausd.net) Date: 04-12-06 22:08 Was it Rodney Dangerfield who said he was skeptical of any clug\\b that would have him as a member? That\'s how I was when I got a \"positive\" response from NYLA after one rejection after another. I checked out their website with a more critical eye. Despite their words of promise, one thing caught my attention. A red flag went up right away. Legitimate agents list their clients. It\'s like a brag sheet for their successes. NYLA had nothing of this sort. Yes, I guess I am skeptical of any agent that wants to rep me. At least one who sounds eager to do so, as NYLA was.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Michael Roy (---.proxy.aol.com) Date: 04-15-06 14:36 I hope I am not another sucker. I am unpublished and stumbled upon them while looking on Google. They quickly said sent the manuscript and then said it looks good and sent an email saying the contract and criique situation. I emailed back saying fine but got suspicious of the fee and began looking. Now this. I did write back a little bit later and said I would have to pass for personal reasons. I hope my manuscript isn't stolen or passed off, because I have worked long and hard on it. Does anyone know of any ways to stop them?

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Mary Kelly (---.hsd1.co.comcast.net) Date: 04-15-06 15:43 Timothy, it was Groucho. He said, "I sent the club a wire stating, PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT ME AS A MEMBER". Groucho Marx I, like many of you, have had the same experience with NYLA AKA NOT YOUR LITERARY ADVOCATE. It was telling and amusing about the story of the writer who tested their intentions by inviting them over for curry dinner and still got the same standard acceptance response. Lesson learned before I spent a dime or another minute of my time (with the exception of this post). Better to remember that according to Writer's Digest and Jeff Herman's guide that entering the publishing fray unagented is a daunting task--a 98-99% rejection rate. Thanks to all who have shared, with the exception of Sherry Fine, whom I suspect is neither.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Michael Roy (---.proxy.aol.com) Date: 04-18-06 16:03 I know they don't read their email. I had sent them an email after I said fine to their deal saying I would have to pass on it. And what do I get today in my email--the contract and a bunch of stuff about the critique. I wrote back saying again I would have to pass. Again thanks to this board for being there to offer support and good advice.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: sameer malik (---.server.ntli.net) Date: 04-19-06 21:00 Hey guys, as mentioned before my many, i have had the same experience. ofcourse i didnt realise till now (after reading this) that it was a scam. but i have already sent a signed copy of the contract and paid for the critique. now they are asking for editing fee. obviously im not going to do that, but how can i get out of the contract. someone mentioned the 90 days no sale clause, but i cant seem to find it. can anyone shed some light on this? thanks in advance

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Charles Baltzer (---.169.194.118.Dial1.Manchester1.Level3.net) Date: 04-19-06 23:44 This is just my two cents worth, because I have never read the so-called "contract" that New York Literary Agency offers to it's clients. In light of the fashion that NYLA does business, I think that it's unlikely that NYLA is going to try to enforce any kind of contract that anybody has signed with them. As has been mentioned before, NYLA is out to wring fees out of you with anything that they can trick or cajole you with. Bear in mind- we're dealing with a very smooth and slick con artist here. (That's why the word "artist" comes after the word "con", because these guys are artists in their own right). Whoever is behind this scheme well understands all of the internet facets and human nature necessary to lure vulnerable writers into their trap (and in some cases, keep them there for a while in order to bleed them for more money). But a scam artist is a scam artist, and they are VERY rarely out to take anybody to court for *real* (the LAST place a scam artist wants to be is in court in front of a judge!) The scammer's MO is to get whatever he can from you, and when he realizes that you're wise to him, and that you're not going to send him any more money, then he just boots you out of his way and starts working on the next poor guy or gal who was unfortunate enough to walk into his snare. So, as long as they don't have your credit card number, bank account number, SS number, or any other way to milk more money out of you, then you can probably just walk away, and forget about NYLA without any further fear of reprisal. This is my two cents worth, based on my own experiences with several con artists throughout my lifetime, (I never fell for one of them) who, I've found, all operate in the same way. I wish you the best of luck, Sameer Malik, and everybody else who has had dealings with NYLA, in getting away from these scammers with as little monetary loss as possible.

Re: New York Literary Agency

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Ande Francis (---.desm.qwest.net) Date: 04-20-06 12:09 I'm lucky,I was born a cynic. I was suspicious anyway when I got such a quick turnaround and acceptance. Then I read the letter from "Sherry" and thought a) they won't name any authors and b) they can't spell the word weird. It was incorrect three times. A literary agency! Please! When a literary agency can't spell you know you're in trouble. Run, run, run away, do not pass go, do not pay them 50 dollars!

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Eileen Spencer (---.vw.shawcable.net) Date: 04-24-06 21:36 I submitted a YA novel to the Children's Literary Agency and got as far as the critique. It has not been sent to me yet although I paid for it, but was forwarded to my "agent" to handle. I was simply sent an empty form. The agent then contacted me to say that I have considerable work to do on the manuscript and they could provide an editor at cost of more than 150 dollars. I immediately sent a letter withdrawing from the contract (right on the contract it gives you 90 days to do that). I have also asked for the critique to be sent to me. Here is the letter I sent to them DEAR Children’s Literary Agency, (which means an agency for children, and maybe that slip is intentional.) This is confirmation in writing that I wish to terminate the contract I sent to you recently. I understand that I have 90 days to do that and I am well within that period. I am disappointed in the way you deal with writers and feel that you represent yourselves dishonestly. The impression given is that there are no charges, other than the initial fee for the critique, until the book is sold and then you take ten percent of the total paid by the publisher. I now find that all the editing is to be paid for. It is not usual for agents to work this way and should have been stated up front. If my work is worth accepting it should be worth your while to do the editing and then take your percentage. I am disillusioned and feel that I will be lured into more and more charges that have not been stated up front. This is a dishonest approach and not worthy of a reputable organization. I will now find a company that is transparent and fair in its dealings with writers. If I have to pay then I wish to know before I sign a contract. Please send me the critique for which I have paid and then withdraw my work from your portfolio. Please delete the files I have sent to you and take note that all the work is copyrighted. Yours with integrity, EILEEN SPENCER

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Sherry Fine (---.mia.bellsouth.net) Date: 05-01-06 10:03 Dear Message Board Citizens: The company has asked me to tell you, in my own words, what I do and to let you know just one aspect of what they do to help writers sell their work. I work with Sherry Fine, our director of acquisitions, and I am using her login for speed and efficiency with this post. One caveat, I'm in phone sales, so if there are grammar or spelling errors in this post, please realize that you are the writer, and that's your job to write 100% correctly, not mine. My job is to constantly expand the company's relationship of buyers. As you know buyers in large companies change jobs and titles on a regular basis. I've found that about 25%, that's 1/4 names that you can find in Writers Market, or various public sources are INCORRECT. So, my job is to live on the phone and email. I am paid to call buyers for our authors and for our database of contacts. Basically what I do is take a manuscript and a potential list of 30 buyers, and get on the phone and qualify the list. I call, I make sure that we have the right buyer's name, I check spelling and address, and most importantly, I confirm what they are 'Looking For Now'. When I find a qualified buyer with a need, I immediately communicate that to the Agents, and they aggressively go into our roster of authors to find matches for the buyer. Our materials are very well received by the buyers. Our buyers have learned that we posess one of the most qualified groups of authors in the industry. They know that all of our authors have been formally critiqued and edited. Our buyers know that they can trust what we send them. Our buyers know that we have filtered out the hobbyists from the authors that will do what it takes to succeed. Yes, we tell our authors that they have to reach industry standards. Doesn't every agency do that in one way or another? I can tell you from personal experience how frustrating it is to hear from a buyer that the work we are trying to sell isn't as good a the competing works they are looking at. So, if anything, our agency is becoming MORE demanding that our authors take their work as far as they can from a quality perspective. So, I hope that I have helped you see one aspect of an Agents job. The company spends a lot of money paying me to do nothing but find buyers and qualify them. And when I read this ongoing thread with all these bad words, written by people that have only sour grapes to say, I just wanted to let you know that "it ain't so". Also, I can assure you that this company isn't a scam. I've known the principals for years and they do the best they can for their authors. They also pay their bills on a regular basis and they are beginning to acquire other companies in the industry. Here's a question.. if a literary agency buys a publishing company so that they can publish or partner books they believe in, is that a conflict of interest? ======================================== I can tell you right now that the company is participating in a new business model. We're promoting a joint venture where we have put up $2500 in partnership with the author and the publisher to get the book out the door. That's unique! And that's how much we believe in what we are doing. The ad is in the PMA newsletter and has been for 4 months. A copy of the ad can be seen using this link. http://www.theliteraryagencygroup.com/pma-literaryagencyad.pdf This really is important for you to think about. We think that we are the ONLY LITERARY AGENCY that has stepped up to put our own money behind certain authors that we represent. If you can find any other agency that has done this please let me know. This, to me, is brilliant, out of the box thinking, that shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that our company is behind our authors. ======================================= Furthermore, all this talk about who owns what is rubbish. This is business, and it's a lot like a Darwinian evolution. You either grow and prosper, or you go out of business and you die. If we can sell your work, we do. If we can't, then we will tell you why we think it isn't selling. Usually this means more work, and really, that's what most of the whining on these boards is about. So, in conclusion, the company is real, they've paid me a regular salary for years, and we're putting our heart and soul (and our money) behind our authors. Well, that's all the time I have for this post. Best to you and your writing career. I don't have the time to monitor this post so unfortunately, all the carping that will occur will be ignored. I have a real job to get back to. RKForever

Re: New York Literary Agency

Author: Sherry Fine (---.mia.bellsouth.net) Date: 05-01-06 10:04 Dear Message Board Citizens: The company has asked me to tell you, in my own words, what I do and to let you know just one aspect of what they do to help writers sell their work. I work with Sherry Fine, our director of acquisitions, and I am using her login for speed and efficiency with this post. One caveat, I'm in phone sales, so if there are grammar or spelling errors in this post, please realize that you are the writer, and that's your job to write 100% correctly, not mine. My job is to constantly expand the company's relationship of buyers. As you know buyers in large companies change jobs and titles on a regular basis. I've found that about 25%, that's 1/4 names that you can find in Writers Market, or various public sources are INCORRECT. So, my job is to live on the phone and email. I am paid to call buyers for our authors and for our database of contacts. Basically what I do is take a manuscript and a potential list of 30 buyers, and get on the phone and qualify the list. I call, I make sure that we have the right buyer's name, I check spelling and address, and most importantly, I confirm what they are 'Looking For Now'. When I find a qualified buyer with a need, I immediately communicate that to the Agents, and they aggressively go into our roster of