| Author |
Message |
    
Teena Haywood
Awareness Member
Post Number:
5
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 04:26 am: |   |
West Coast Literary Associates?
Richard VanDerBeets requested my complete manuscript on 2/16/04. However, P&E doesn't recommend his agency since it charges a fees. Out of concern, I asked Mr. VanDerBeets about his upfront fee.
PASTED BELOW IS HIS REPLY:
In a message dated 2/23/04 4:14:31 AM, TEENA1944 writes:
<<>>
The agency charges a one-time refundable marketing and materials fee of $95 to cover the cost of marketing, photocopying, postage, fax, telephone and other expenses related to submissions. There are no other fees or charges.
Agents who charge no fees to cover their expenses are often unwilling to assume the financial risk involved in presenting the work of an unpublished author to publishers. As a result, many first novels have significantly less chance of reaching the desk of publisher through an agent. By charging a marketing fee, I am able to undertake the presentation of these first novels to publishers.
I have sold four first novels to major trade publishers. These sales may be verified by contacting the contracts department of each of those publishers and asking for the name of the agent of record.
Richard VanDerBeets
WEST COAST LITERARY ASSOCIATES
********************************************************************************
NOTE: After finding negative feedback about Richard VanDerBeets on Absolute Write's Watchdog Report. I forwarded him a an email inquiry.
HIS REPLY IS PASTED BELOW}.
Dear Teena:
WATCHDOG as well as many writers group discussion sites are little more than playgrounds for disgruntled and usually unpublished writers nursing the Bruised Ego Syndrome ("it can't be my book, so it must be my agent") and often perpetuate factual misinformation. Those complaining that they were given no editors' responses were in fact told that no editors responded to request additional material after submission of samples. The one who complained about being tied up for a year is obviously exaggerating since the agency contract is for a term of six months.
If you are genuinely concerned about these matters, perhaps you should not send your manuscript and should seek representation elsewhere.
Richard VanDerBeets
WEST COAST LITERARY ASSOCIATES
********************************************************************************
My fellow authors your input will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Teena Haywood
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Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2763
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 04:45 am: | |
There are authors here far more informed than I am. But, I do have some experience along the lines mentioned.
On this board we consider Victoria Strauss and Preditors and Editors or Writer Beware to be a reliable source for such information.
I know that with most agents there is a fee for the expenses Mr. VanDerBeets mentioned, but most of them bill after the fact not up front.
A safe rule of thumb is to pay no up front fees. |
Perry Comer
Unity Member
Post Number:
1244
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 04:58 am: | |
Heed the advise
stay away
http://www.pacwriter.netfirms.com/ |
Todd Hunter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1319
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 05:24 am: | |
I concur...upfront fees are generally a good litmus test for scammers...
I'd be interested to see where those books he sold ended up, though...
(and equally interested WHEN those books were sold)
"Agents who charge no fees to cover their expenses are often unwilling to assume the financial risk involved in presenting the work of an unpublished author to publishers."
If they believe the work is good enough to sell to an agent, would they not be willing to do so? Additionally, an agent should make enough money through their other sales to cover the costs of taking those risks. Same holds for any business...you have to make enough money in other endeavours to fund R&D projects (which are a risk) so that you can find ways to make more money.
"As a result, many first novels have significantly less chance of reaching the desk of publisher through an agent."
This one didn't even begin to make sense to me...does he mean that you'd have a better chance of reaching a publisher WITHOUT an agent (with a first novel), or only established authors can get an agent, and thus make it to a publisher?
It sounds like he's trying to thrash your hopes in order to get you to sign...which is another good litmus test for a scam...(and sounds vaguely familiar)
"By charging a marketing fee, I am able to undertake the presentation of these first novels to publishers."
Again, if he's making enough money off those 'four sales', and honestly believes the work is sellable, then there should be no need for an upfront fee of any kind...
I'm no expert on these matters, but have learned a lot from following the aforementioned groups (which Laurel mentioned)... |
Steven Shrewsbury
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
633
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 05:31 am: | |
I'd be interested to know what his sales are.
www.stevenshrewsbury.com |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1012
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 10:12 am: | |
Something is niggling about that agency or the person. I don't remember what it is that I read about them or where, but somewhere, somthing is yelling at me about him.
Claudia |
Kevin P. Grover
Unity Member
Post Number:
1112
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 10:34 am: | |
I know what you mean Claudia. Had the same thing happen last night...but with a different agent. (And no, it wasn't the pizza nagging at me.)
I wrote to Victoria, who basically cemented that my thoughts were correct. Saved a potential author from getting ripped off.
www.winterwolfpublishing.com |
Tony (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 24.31.215.202
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 10:48 am: | |
I think you already know a real literary agent from someone simply calling themselves one. If they ask for money upfront and are calling it a fee, you don't have to run away immediately but at least be prepared to step into the starting gate.
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Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2769
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 11:06 am: | |
Someone I know was charged an upfront fee by an agent who explained that it was to cover the outrageous cost of copying and mailing manuscripts overseas to foreign publishers. The agent required an electronic and hard copy of each manuscript accepted. The writer discovered later that any manuscript sent anywhere was sent electronically, thus no copying and mailing fees.
Another agent charged an up front fee to put the manuscript into "book format" because no publisher would accept it until it was in a special format that we writers don't know about. Hours and hours of labor were billed to do this mysterious task. Most of us here understand that that task is accomplished by the publisher or printer. Kevin Grover can correct me if I'm wrong on that. |
mark dirschel
Hunger Member
Post Number:
86
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 11:16 am: | |
http://www.westcoastwritersagency.com/ - a Canadian literary agency. Editing conflict. Not recommended
- taken from the preditors and editors site.
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pealw.htm
- mark |
Nancy Mehl
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1584
Registered: 08-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 12:38 pm: | |
Check with "Agent Research & Evaluation." Not sure of their URL but shouldn't be hard to find. They will check on sales by agents for free. They will also do a more thorough investigation for a fee.
They should be able to tell you about these guys.
More and more agents are charging for copies and mailing - but I am more comfortable with receiving actual receipts for these things. Upfront fees make me uncomfortable also, but at least $95.00 is less than the hundreds of dollars some so-called agents try to get upfront.
Nancy |
Nancy Mehl
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1585
Registered: 08-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 12:39 pm: | |
Just found the link:
http://www.agentresearch.com/
Nancy |
Teena Haywood
Awareness Member
Post Number:
6
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 05:39 pm: | |
Hello everyone:
Thanks for all the great feedback. I truly appreciate it.
To Nancy: Thanks for directing me to agent research. I have not be able to find any positive input anywhere about Richard VanDerBeets except from one of his so-called clients. I contacted two of the publishers (via email) that he put clients with and ventured to ask who was "the agent of record"...no reply so far.
My 6th sense warned me to move on. That's exactly what I did and found a wonderful agent.
Teena
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Stacy Anderson
Awareness Member
Post Number:
9
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 04:49 pm: | |
Hi Teena,
An agent is NEVER, NEVER, NEVER supposed to charge an upfront fee. Even if it is ten dollars it's a sign. No reputable agent will ever charge a reading fee or upfront fee. A lot of agents have started charging clients for phone calls, and manuscript copies. Reputable agents only do this AFTER they've signed you on. They also make it clear they may charge you for these little things after accepting your work and they must provide you with written proof showing the amount of charges before having you pay. If you really want a reputable agent start with the agents from the AAR. They have to perform specific guidelines and these agents are your best bet against scammers. There are a lot of good agents who are not members of the AAR. Don't overlook these people! Sometimes they can be the agent you only dreamt of. A lot of good agents aren't members for their own reasons. But to be safe check with the AAR agents first. If you come across an agent that likes your work and they maybe new or not a member of the AAR check out as much as you can. If it smells like a rat it usually is. Trust your instinct. I am sure you're a smart lady and you can make the best decisions. I hope this helps. As for the man who is the topic of your post, I would avoid him. Just the fact that he says sites like Watchdog aren't helpful is a sign.
Stacy |
Teena Haywood
Awareness Member
Post Number:
7
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 03:12 am: | |
Well said Stacy, thank you so much. You guys are wonderful. 
To Steven:
Sorry it took me so long to get back to my posted message. I've started another book and my little gray matter is working overtime. Please check your website. I've forwarded you an email with Mr. VanDerBeets "so call" sales. Also, left my email address.
Teena |
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