Read books by AWers!

Welcome to the AbsoluteWrite Water Cooler! Please read The Newbie Guide To Absolute Write

editing for authors ad

A publisher or agency using Google ads to solicit your novel probably isn't anyone you want to write for.


Go Back   Absolute Write Water Cooler > Discussion > Bewares, Recommendations & Background Check
Reload this Page Prospero Films / Media Arts International / Avalon Associates (Robin Price)
Register FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-31-2007, 03:15 PM   #1
backinblighty
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Thumbs down Prospero Films / Media Arts International / Avalon Associates (Robin Price)
Robin Price (using company names Prospero Films, Media Arts International and Avalon) pretends to be a literary Agent but in fact he is a con man. He encourages writers to write scripts, magazines and novels in the belief that he has a market for them and then charges them for bogus legal fees and set up costs... but nothing ever comes of it. This man must be known about and stopped. Please visit www.robinprice.org.uk to find out more.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2007, 03:47 PM   #2
Plot Device
A woman said to write like a man.
 
Plot Device's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Next to the dirigible docking station
Posts: 11,059
Plot Device is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPlot Device is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPlot Device is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPlot Device is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPlot Device is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPlot Device is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPlot Device is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPlot Device is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPlot Device is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPlot Device is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsPlot Device is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Any other web sites like P&E have info on him? The web site you've linked seems to be a one-man vendetta against Mr. Price. And you're a one-time poster here at AW. So some credibility is wanting.

The testimonial of Ms. Smedley on your web site was impressive. And the link back to her own web site is also impressive.

But have you any more?
__________________
It's NOT the end of steam, it's the end of CHEAP steam.
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/show...&postcount=757

Be prepared. (Sandy said so.)
Plot Device is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2007, 09:01 PM   #3
victoriastrauss
Writer Beware Goddess
Absolute Sage
 
victoriastrauss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Far from the madding crowd
Posts: 6,314
victoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Quote:
Originally Posted by Plot Device View Post
Any other web sites like P&E have info on him? The web site you've linked seems to be a one-man vendetta against Mr. Price. And you're a one-time poster here at AW. So some credibility is wanting.
See the quote from Writer Beware on the front page of the site. This was provided by me. Quoting again here:

"We've received multiple complaints about Robin Price and his various operations (among them, Avalon Films and Media Arts International), dating back to 2001. Complaints include charging an annual or semi-annual 'representation' fee (£50-£150: reputable agents don't charge upfront fees), false promises of publisher/production company interest (for instance, publishers that never got manuscript submissions Price claimed to make), false claims of pending film productions/financing, and false claims of association with well-known writers."

BBC Watchdog did a segment on Price a couple of years ago, and came up with the same conclusions. Their report is no longer online, but I have a copy.

- Victoria
__________________



Victoria Strauss
www.victoriastrauss.com
Writer Beware: www.writerbeware.com
Writer Beware Blog: www.accrispin.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter

victoriastrauss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-04-2007, 10:25 PM   #4
Lorelei
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I am otherwise known as Jenny Smedley, and I can assure you everything said on www.robinprice.org.uk is sadly, true. I was caught up with this man for some time and was lucky to 'suss' him out just before it got too embarassing. It was also just at the point when he starts asking for money to 'progress' your project. So, yes I was very lucky. Other people have ended up losing their homes as well as their dignity.

Please, anyone who knows anything more, send it to the website so that they can put it on there. My congrats to the webmaster as the site comes up first try now on Google.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2007, 06:50 PM   #5
wez
figuring it all out
 
wez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Isle of Man
Posts: 50
wez is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lorelei View Post
I am otherwise known as Jenny Smedley, and I can assure you everything said on www.robinprice.org.uk is sadly, true. I was caught up with this man for some time and was lucky to 'suss' him out just before it got too embarassing. It was also just at the point when he starts asking for money to 'progress' your project. So, yes I was very lucky. Other people have ended up losing their homes as well as their dignity.

Please, anyone who knows anything more, send it to the website so that they can put it on there. My congrats to the webmaster as the site comes up first try now on Google.
I wholeheartedly endorse Jenny's comments. Like Jenny, I signed with RP, but little hairs on the back of my neck rose and warmed me off him before I got drawn into his web of deceit and cons - and before I parted with any money. Unfortunately, a friend did not and ended up parting with lots of dosh before realising he had been conned.. RP is an out and out conman. At the moment he is under police investigation, or so I am led to believe. The detective involved contacted me for my tale of woe, but I had nothing to give him other than the names of people I knew who had been dealt a blow, both in the pocket and to their dreams.

Stay well clear of the man is thebest advice I could give.
wez is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2007, 08:26 PM   #6
victoriastrauss
Writer Beware Goddess
Absolute Sage
 
victoriastrauss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Far from the madding crowd
Posts: 6,314
victoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsvictoriastrauss is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
If I could get confirmation of the police investigation, I could post an Alert on Writer Beware.

- Victoria
__________________



Victoria Strauss
www.victoriastrauss.com
Writer Beware: www.writerbeware.com
Writer Beware Blog: www.accrispin.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter

victoriastrauss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2007, 04:13 PM   #7
petec
Lurking
 
petec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 708
petec has a double-platinum reputationpetec has a double-platinum reputationpetec has a double-platinum reputationpetec has a double-platinum reputationpetec has a double-platinum reputationpetec has a double-platinum reputationpetec has a double-platinum reputation
And to Amolibros
http://www.amolibros.co.uk/
Last edited by petec; 07-31-2007 at 04:19 PM. Reason: add link
petec is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2007, 05:33 PM   #8
James D. Macdonald
Your Genial Uncle
Absolute Sage
 
James D. Macdonald's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 21,593
James D. Macdonald is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsJames D. Macdonald is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsJames D. Macdonald is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsJames D. Macdonald is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsJames D. Macdonald is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsJames D. Macdonald is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsJames D. Macdonald is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsJames D. Macdonald is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsJames D. Macdonald is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsJames D. Macdonald is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsJames D. Macdonald is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
What does Amolibros have to do with any of this?
James D. Macdonald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2007, 06:03 PM   #9
petec
Lurking
 
petec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 708
petec has a double-platinum reputationpetec has a double-platinum reputationpetec has a double-platinum reputationpetec has a double-platinum reputationpetec has a double-platinum reputationpetec has a double-platinum reputationpetec has a double-platinum reputation
Go to robinprice link above-what people say-Jenny Smedley-bottom of page-jennysmedly.com-writers advice/warnings
petec is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2007, 07:18 AM   #10
Carmy
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,651
Carmy is a shiny, shiny jewelCarmy is a shiny, shiny jewel
Listen to backinblighty, he's telling it as it is and giving you fair warning.

Just in case anyone thinks this is sour grapes -- no, I was never a 'client' of Robin's because I was warned about him.

Victoria, Dave, Moderators -- if you need more detail, please contact me. I'll give you what I know but I won't go into details on a public site.
Carmy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2007, 07:39 AM   #11
LittleGinaT
New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
LittleGinaT is on a distinguished road
MY INFO: OK is on the money. Avoid, avoid, avoid.
LittleGinaT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2007, 08:38 AM   #12
Mac H.
Board Visitor
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,751
Mac H. has a double-platinum reputationMac H. has a double-platinum reputationMac H. has a double-platinum reputationMac H. has a double-platinum reputationMac H. has a double-platinum reputationMac H. has a double-platinum reputationMac H. has a double-platinum reputation
Quote:
Originally Posted by backinblighty View Post
Robin Price (using company names Prospero Films, Media Arts International and Avalon) pretends to be a literary Agent ...
Just a quick note - this has nothing to do with Prospero films in Western Australia.

The proof that Prospero Films in WA is legit is that they had the good sense to reject my last film project.

Good luck,

Mac
Mac H. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2007, 10:09 PM   #13
Lorelei
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I'm sure we could get the policeman to email Victoria if she wanted him to
I'm glad you didn't loose any money Wez, too many people did.
I'm constantly staggered as we gradually learn of more and more of them.
I hope the police are able to contact your friends.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2007, 10:50 PM   #14
wez
figuring it all out
 
wez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Isle of Man
Posts: 50
wez is on a distinguished road
Unhappy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lorelei View Post
I'm sure we could get the policeman to email Victoria if she wanted him to
I'm glad you didn't loose any money Wez, too many people did.
I'm constantly staggered as we gradually learn of more and more of them.
I hope the police are able to contact your friends.
Hi L,

I think Victoria and the policeman will be in touch very soon.

At first, I got regular edits from RP's 'editor', which, to be fair, were very good - since found out he got ripped off by RP and never paid for his editing! Some 3000 GBP! - and then came the Watchdog programme so I did some research, told RP what I had found out, for which he had every plausible excuse under the sun, and then I told him he would not be getting any dosh from me. Guess what? No more contact, but I did find out who edited my stuff and have stayed in contact with him. Nice guy, and a fellow writer. Now published by MacMillan. The friend who initially put me in touch with RP was not so lucky, unfortunately. He did not believe me when I told him I thought RP was a conman, believing RP's lies. Now he knows the truth, and is a little miffed, to say the least.

Like you say, the more we learn of him and his schemes the more evil the man becomes and the more people that know about him the better.

Seen the Robin Price beware website? It is fantastic. Some of the scams are detailed by the scamees, and it makes horrific reading. I am sure if you google the name the link will be nmear the top!

All the best,

Wez
wez is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2008, 06:21 PM   #15
Lorelei
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Robin Price
If anyone is working with this man, the police would like to know. They believe they have shut him down, (and are building a criminal case against him) but are concerned that he may still be milking someone. If you are using him, or you know anyone who is, please email me and I will pass you onto the relevent police officer.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2010, 09:54 PM   #16
CaoPaux
Mostly Harmless
SuperModerator
 
CaoPaux's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Coastal Desert
Posts: 10,588
CaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Charges have been filed: http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2010/0...with-faux.html
__________________
ICAO
---------
Achievers strive for excellence. Perfectionists drive themselves to extinction. -- A Grapple A Day
I've never known any trouble that an hour's reading didn't assuage. -- Charles DeSecondat

2012: II2013:
CaoPaux is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2010, 10:36 PM   #17
wez
figuring it all out
 
wez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Isle of Man
Posts: 50
wez is on a distinguished road
Hurrah!
And about time!
wez is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2010, 06:03 PM   #18
waylander
Who's going for a beer?
 
waylander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,189
waylander has a double-platinum reputationwaylander has a double-platinum reputationwaylander has a double-platinum reputationwaylander has a double-platinum reputationwaylander has a double-platinum reputationwaylander has a double-platinum reputationwaylander has a double-platinum reputation
Robin Price appeared in court and pleaded not guilty. The case will go to trial possibly in January next year
http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/ne...l/article.html
waylander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2013, 09:41 PM   #19
CaoPaux
Mostly Harmless
SuperModerator
 
CaoPaux's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Coastal Desert
Posts: 10,588
CaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate complimentsCaoPaux is so great that we've run out of appropriate compliments
Came to trial in March '11, and was sentenced to six years in prison. (via WB)
__________________
ICAO
---------
Achievers strive for excellence. Perfectionists drive themselves to extinction. -- A Grapple A Day
I've never known any trouble that an hour's reading didn't assuage. -- Charles DeSecondat

2012: II2013:
CaoPaux is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Hybrid Mode Hybrid Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Custom Search

Buy Scrivener 2 for Mac OS X (Regular Licence)

If this site is helpful to you,
Please consider a voluntary subscription to defray ongoing expenses.


All times are GMT +4.5. The time now is 02:31 PM.

Contact Us - Absolute Write - Archive - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.