Children's Literary

[Stephanie Wilson]

I was going to sign a contract with them. Before I signed I did a search on the internet to learn more about them. The search led me here where I read warnings against them "scamming"people so I emailed the rep. asking what all of this was about and this was her response.

To: "Stephanie wilson"
Subject: RE: Children's Literary - Questions
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2005 10:32:09 -0400


The negative stuff is without substance. Haven't we answered every email personally? It's funny how people will believe something from people that they've never met, never interacted with, just because it is on a website. Ask yourself, what do they gain? Altruism - Doubtful, psychological benefits, probably. If you read that stuff really carefully, you won't find anything of substance, just rumor and innuendo.

But if it really bothers you, then withdraw from consideration.

I do exist and I am a real person. It's a free world out there and any one can say anything!

Here are some facts about us:

Our CEO, Dorothy has been around the industry for 20 years and her successes are noted on the website. we assisted Pete Parente, the author of Peeper and Friends, in making a bunch of money, and he's our best reference. You might email him if you want a reference (www.peeperandfriends.com) Other than that, we're now Agenting ourselves instead of other companies and the company is new, so we don't have a large referenceable history. We're not in the books or associations (yet) but we plan to be there.

Because we're new, we are willing to take on new authors such as yourself. As you noticed, the contract states that you can fire us at any time and we don't charge fees so really, your risk is minimal.

We'll take a chance on you if you take a chance on us is what it boils down to.

Some books we've sold are: The Worry Stone and Fiddlin' Sam, for Marianna Dengler. Gift of the Dove and a four-book series, Tales From the Bayou, for Betty Hager. Twin Pickle, for Ann Doro.

We work with all the biggies...and numerous mid-sized Publishers. Here's a partial list. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc., HarperCollins Children's Books, Harcourt Trade Publishers, Little Brown and Company Books for Young readers, Roaring Book Press, Greenwillow Books, Random House Children's Books, Scholastic, Inc., Innovative Kids, G.P. Putnam's Sons Children's Books, Pinkney Houghton Miffin Company, Candlewick Press.

We have applied to all the organizations and information venues. That's a very slow process and takes a while to be accepted and listed with them.

In addition to the above, as of the second quarter, Corporate-wide, we have at least 50 "open" discussions with publishers about certain manuscripts, 3 contract negotiations underway for books, and 3 options in various stages for movies. We feel very positive that we will meet or exceed our goals this year.

That's the best I can offer. Hope that helps.

Stephanie, you have to make the decision for what is best for you and your personal situation and I will respect your decision and wish you the best. But at the same time, I had to send you some facts about us. Yes we are not perfect, but we have a whole lot better service than most of the agencies out there and believe me our principals have worked with most of them at one time or another and know first hand how authors are treated!

I refuse to take time out of my days to read all the trash on the boards, instead, I try my best to answer emails in 24 hours and as you can see I didn't get to all of them yesterday and so this will be a very, very long day for me because we do answer everyones emails in record speed compared to other agencies.

Gotta go now, my inbox is overloaded. If you have a specific question, please let me know. I will be glad to answer you.

Chill out, have a beautiful day, and then make your decision for you.

Best regards,
*******

ps. you sent me 2 emails on 6/20 and this should answer both of them.



What do you think of this??

[Stephanie glen]

Stephanie,

Scammers will say ANYTHING to get you to part with your money. That's their job. They will seem articulate and genuine, you 'best friend'.

I bet you anything you like that the email you received is a standard response email, tailored slightly to you. It probably gets sent out to every client who questions their integrity.

S

[John Robinson]

"Working with" the biggies, and "selling to" them, are two completely different items. And the fact you're dealing with a "real person" in this case holds little water; scam agent Martha Ivery was "real", and she's now facing some "real" time in a federal pokey.

I would simply ask the agency in question, not only the names of those authors whose books have been sold, but sold to WHOM. It could be that those houses don't require agented submissions in the first place. You say it can't happen? It does, every day, with some "agencies".

In the end, it's your call.

John

[Carol O]

Yes, that's their form response, and the same one they use when people question any of their rat's nest of companies: Christian Literary, Sydra/ST/Stylus, New York Literary, etc.

Run away!!! (and research agencies BEFORE you query them!)

[John Robinson]

I Googled the above books. Why would a "new"agency list sales of some works that are nearly ten years old...? Hmmm.

[Stephanie Wilson]

Interesting , Thanks!

[Stephanie glen]

One of the primary reasons for getting an agent is that they open doors to the bigger publishing houses.

"Some books we've sold are: The Worry Stone and Fiddlin' Sam, for Marianna Dengler. Gift of the Dove and a four-book series, Tales From the Bayou, for Betty Hager. Twin Pickle, for Ann Doro...."

M Dengler sold to Northland, B Hager to Zonderland. A of these small publishers accept submissions directly from authors and their submission guidelines can be found on the web. Why pay an agent 15% to do something you can do yourself?

Ann Doro's book was published in 1996. Just goes to show how many sales children's has made if they are resorting to something that's ten years old.

My advice: run

[Stephanie Wilson]

Ok, don't get angry but I'm so confused.I relize they are probably "scammers" but I'm confused on how it is they scam you? They haven't asked for any money, so what is it that they do or don't do to scam you?

Thanks for helping.

[Jimmy Usher]

Do you know this for sure, from research or is this something you heard here. I'm new to this board but all I've heard hear is how this agent or that agent is a scammer. They all can't be. I read what this agent said and I think he sounded honest. New agents are more likely to take on new and untried authors. Sometimes all you have to do is kiss a frog to find a prince. Jim

[Stephanie Wilson]

I don't know this for sure , thats why I'm asking lol ;P I've just heard alot of warnings againts them and they aren't recomended on the Preditors and Editors web site?I just don't know why? They seemed to be legit when I was talking to them but with all of the bad responses I'm confused.