Strategic Book Group / Strategic Book Publishing / Eloquent Books / SBM

Bellecrivain

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A young Rumanian novelist who came to me for advice was all ready to sign with them today. I told her to wait while I checked them out. I was horrified! I felt I needed to check my misgivings out with you guys. Thanks for helping save another innocent "newbie" from distress and heartache!
 

BenPanced

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Thanks, folks. I'm wondering why Writers Market has them listed. They are usually very careful about these things.

DP
Writers Market has listings for Author House, iUniverse, X Libiris, and Publish America. It seems they'll list anybody who fills out their forms without doing any background checks.
 

SammyW

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Wow. They contacted my agent and she sent me an email about them. I was thinking of trying them out, then I did research and found this place.

Thank you. You guys saved me from a deal I would've greatly regreted later! :D
 

SammyW

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WL Literary Agency.

And yes, I've since learned they're not a good agent (both from others and from experience), and plan to break up with them as soon as possible.
 

James D. Macdonald

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Wow. They contacted my agent and she sent me an email about them.

Wow. Strategic Book Publishing and the WL Literary Agency are one and the same. Big surprise that one would recommend the other! That's been Bobby Fletcher's business model from day one: Send you around to "different" companies (that are all him), with each one getting part of your bank account.
 

SammyW

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Wow. Strategic Book Publishing and the WL Literary Agency are one and the same. Big surprise that one would recommend the other! That's been Bobby Fletcher's business model from day one: Send you around to "different" companies (that are all him), with each one getting part of your bank account.

Really? :Wha: I had no idea.

This is why I'm so glad I got a became a member of this place. I'm a
novice in the writing biz and have little or no idea of how to "play the game". And as I've found it out, there a lot of people out there trying to use and maniplate us. :(
So I'm happy I found this place! :D
 

SammyW

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Well, SBP was the first publisher they've bought up. But unfortunately, I've emailed them the manuscript of my book...twice. Apparently, they didn't get it the first time (I'd just found out about their reputation, and this futher tipped me off). I also sent some of it a literary service for critiquing purposes. It was supposed to be a "middleman", but now I'm not so sure. Can't remember it's name though...but it cost me 90 bucks.

Like I said, I'm going to break it off with them as soon as possible. :mad:
 

AC Crispin

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It's all owned and controlled by Robert Fletcher. The literary agency, the editing service, and Strategic Book Publishing.

All of it.

The WL contract allows a writer to stop being a client at willl. All the client has to do is write to WL and announce that as of X date, WL Agency no longer represents him/her or any of his/her works.

Fletcher knows he'll get fired as soon as the writer wises up. He doesn't try to hold onto his "clients" who have awakened and smelled the coffee.

-Ann C. Crispin
Chair, Writer Beware
www.writerbeware.com
 

k.san

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Well, SBP was the first publisher they've bought up. But unfortunately, I've emailed them the manuscript of my book...twice. Apparently, they didn't get it the first time (I'd just found out about their reputation, and this futher tipped me off). I also sent some of it a literary service for critiquing purposes. It was supposed to be a "middleman", but now I'm not so sure. Can't remember it's name though...but it cost me 90 bucks.

Like I said, I'm going to break it off with them as soon as possible. :mad:

How coincidental, my 1st ms sending failed too, hmmmm. Eloquent Books has generously offered to publish my children's book for $675. Don't worry, I'm going to pass. I plan on emailing my agent (CLA, who else?) right now and asking for the original rejections from the 7 (of 10) publishers they supposedly sent my ms to. Then I'm going to ask they send the returned mss (10) that I paid $175 for special binding, printing etc. Then I'm going to email them and say THANKS FOR RIPPING ME OFF YOU B*****D'S.
 

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How is it that he's still in business? Well, I can tell you that I've met a slew of writers who never heard of this forum or P & E, or any of the watchdog committees that help (save) them from the clutches of scammers.

Everyone in the world is writing a book, and many are desperate to be published. Fletcher is one of many who take advantage of that desperation. It's time for authors to put their egos aside and learn to take no for an answer from a legit agent or publisher.

DP
 

Gravity

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How is it that he's still in business?

That's easy. It starts when the little dears are in school. There it's "everyone's a winner, there are no losers, we're all winners in our own way, why wait to get better at tasks? you should have it NOW, you get a big ol' attaboy just for trying." It's all of a piece when they start down that road. They develop an "I deserve it" mentality, a mindset that's nurtured like mothers' milk until they're about twenty-five or so.

And that's when Life As We Know It is only too happy to plant the toe of its boot right up their butt.
 
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AC Crispin

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Writer Beware Alert Re: Strategic

There is, and has been, an ALERT up on Writer Beware for people who have had problems with Strategic Book Publishing.

Just go to www.writerbeware.com and it's right there on the front page

Gives contact info, etc.

If you have had problems, please check out this ALERT.

-Ann C. Crispin
Chair, Writer Beware
www.writerbeware.com
 

tico1177

Alot of info on the entire group for this company and the whole. What sux is that right now I think I am in the trap with their Literary Agency. But the bonus on that is two fold.
1. I'm not as stupid as they think I am and I copyrighted my material.
2. I'm a computer geek by trade and know how to research them!

So here it is folks. The truly official information on the Writer's Literary Agency/Strategic Book Publishing/any other name they came up with!

When you take their domain name "strategicbookpublishing.com" and "wlwritersagency.com" and plug them into my favorite site: WHOIS.net, you will get the below:

(Please notice the bolded areas!!!!)
WHOIS information for: wlwritersagency.com:
[whois.schlund.info]

% The data in the WHOIS database of 1&1 Internet AG is provided by
% 1&1 for information purposes, and to assist persons in obtaining
% information about or related to a domain name registration record.
% 1&1 does not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a WHOIS query,
% you agree that you will use this data only for lawful purposes and that,
% under no circumstances, you will use this data to
% (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission by e-mail,
% telephone, or facsimile of mass, unsolicited, commercial advertising or
% solicitations to entities other than the data recipient's own existing
% customers; or
% (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that send queries or
% data to the systems of any Registry Operator or ICANN-Accredited registrar,
% except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or modify existing
% registrations.
% 1&1 reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
% By submitting this query, you agree to abide by this policy.

domain: wlwritersagency.com
created: 08-Feb-2007
last-changed: 24-Sep-2008
registration-expiration: 08-Feb-2010

nserver: ns57.1and1.com 74.208.2.9
nserver: ns58.1and1.com 74.208.3.8

status: CLIENT-TRANSFER-PROHIBITED

registrant-firstname: Oneandone
registrant-lastname: Private Registration
registrant-organization: 1&1 Internet, Inc. - http://1and1.com/contact
registrant-street1: 701 Lee Road, Suite 300
registrant-street2: ATTN: wlwritersagency.com
registrant-pcode: 19087
registrant-state: PA
registrant-city: Chesterbrook
registrant-ccode: US
registrant-phone: +1.8772064254
registrant-email: [email protected]

admin-c-firstname: Oneandone
admin-c-lastname: Private Registration
admin-c-organization: 1&1 Internet, Inc. - http://1and1.com/contact
admin-c-street1: 701 Lee Road, Suite 300
admin-c-street2: ATTN: wlwritersagency.com
admin-c-pcode: 19087
admin-c-state: PA
admin-c-city: Chesterbrook
admin-c-ccode: US
admin-c-phone: +1.8772064254
admin-c-email: [email protected]

tech-c-firstname: Oneandone
tech-c-lastname: Private Registration
tech-c-organization: 1&1 Internet, Inc. - http://1and1.com/contact
tech-c-street1: 701 Lee Road, Suite 300
tech-c-street2: ATTN: wlwritersagency.com
tech-c-pcode: 19087
tech-c-state: PA
tech-c-city: Chesterbrook
tech-c-ccode: US
tech-c-phone: +1.8772064254
tech-c-email: [email protected]

bill-c-firstname: Oneandone
bill-c-lastname: Private Registration
bill-c-organization: 1&1 Internet, Inc. - http://1and1.com/contact
bill-c-street1: 701 Lee Road, Suite 300
bill-c-street2: ATTN: wlwritersagency.com
bill-c-pcode: 19087
bill-c-state: PA
bill-c-city: Chesterbrook
bill-c-ccode: US
bill-c-phone: +1.8772064254
bill-c-email: [email protected]

% See http://registrar.1und1.info for information about 1&1 Internet AG


WHOIS information for: strategicbookpublishing.com:
[whois.schlund.info]

% The data in the WHOIS database of 1&1 Internet AG is provided by
% 1&1 for information purposes, and to assist persons in obtaining
% information about or related to a domain name registration record.
% 1&1 does not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a WHOIS query,
% you agree that you will use this data only for lawful purposes and that,
% under no circumstances, you will use this data to
% (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission by e-mail,
% telephone, or facsimile of mass, unsolicited, commercial advertising or
% solicitations to entities other than the data recipient's own existing
% customers; or
% (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that send queries or
% data to the systems of any Registry Operator or ICANN-Accredited registrar,
% except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or modify existing
% registrations.
% 1&1 reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
% By submitting this query, you agree to abide by this policy.

domain: strategicbookpublishing.com
created: 07-Jan-2008
last-changed: 09-Sep-2008
registration-expiration: 07-Jan-2010

nserver: ns57.1and1.com 74.208.2.9
nserver: ns58.1and1.com 74.208.3.8

status: CLIENT-TRANSFER-PROHIBITED

registrant-firstname: Oneandone
registrant-lastname: Private Registration
registrant-organization: 1&1 Internet, Inc. - http://1and1.com/contact
registrant-street1: 701 Lee Road, Suite 300
registrant-street2: ATTN: strategicbookpublishing.com
registrant-pcode: 19087
registrant-state: PA
registrant-city: Chesterbrook
registrant-ccode: US
registrant-phone: +1.8772064254
registrant-email: [email protected]

admin-c-firstname: Oneandone
admin-c-lastname: Private Registration
admin-c-organization: 1&1 Internet, Inc. - http://1and1.com/contact
admin-c-street1: 701 Lee Road, Suite 300
admin-c-street2: ATTN: strategicbookpublishing.com
admin-c-pcode: 19087
admin-c-state: PA
admin-c-city: Chesterbrook
admin-c-ccode: US
admin-c-phone: +1.8772064254
admin-c-email: [email protected]

tech-c-firstname: Oneandone
tech-c-lastname: Private Registration
tech-c-organization: 1&1 Internet, Inc. - http://1and1.com/contact
tech-c-street1: 701 Lee Road, Suite 300
tech-c-street2: ATTN: strategicbookpublishing.com
tech-c-pcode: 19087
tech-c-state: PA
tech-c-city: Chesterbrook
tech-c-ccode: US
tech-c-phone: +1.8772064254
tech-c-email: [email protected]

bill-c-firstname: Oneandone
bill-c-lastname: Private Registration
bill-c-organization: 1&1 Internet, Inc. - http://1and1.com/contact
bill-c-street1: 701 Lee Road, Suite 300
bill-c-street2: ATTN: strategicbookpublishing.com
bill-c-pcode: 19087
bill-c-state: PA
bill-c-city: Chesterbrook
bill-c-ccode: US
bill-c-phone: +1.8772064254
bill-c-email: [email protected]

% See http://registrar.1und1.info for information about 1&1 Internet AG

As you see, they are registered with the same exact address, therefore the agency tries to sell you their services!

So to further think about this revelation...
They publish your book and make money from the sales. They sell you their services and make money.
They charge a 10% agent fee and make money from you.

Well it won't work for me because I am going to push them for a real publisher.

Up until their contract is up.
 

AC Crispin

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Dear Tico:

Did you read the previous post in this thread? Did you check out the "Alert" on Writer Beware?

The link between Strategic Book Publishing and WLA has been positively established. This is mentioned in the official case investigation that has been opened regarding Robert Fletcher and his cohorts by the Florida Attorney General's Office.

See this URL for the listing:

http://myfloridalegal.com/lit_ec.nsf/investigations/31273A2F06893B9B852573760050A9EA

Why in the world are you staying with this literary agency now that you know they aren't legit? Why are you "in a trap" with them? You can get out at any time. Just write them a letter and tell them they no longer represent you or any of your works.

Then contact the Florida Attorney General's Office by going to the "Alert" posted on the first page of Writer Beware (www.writerbeware.com) and clicking on it. All the info you will need is there.

You really don't have to bother with all these "WhoIs" searches. Robert Fletcher has been exposed and discredited pretty thoroughly in the past few years. Any google search should turn up hordes of complaints about him and his companies.

I hope you read this message.

-Ann C. Crispin
Chair, Writer Beware
www.writerbeware.com

P.S. Why didn't you check them out before signing with them? Please remember that in the future, never sign with any publishing company or literary agent without thoroughly researching them.

PPS. Oh, and don't worry about "copyright" on your manuscript. Mr. Fletcher has no interest in stealing your manuscript and marketing it as his own work. All he wants is your money, and he's already gotten that. So you can put that fear to rest.
 

JulieB

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Those domains are registered privately through 1and1, which by itself is not a clue. That's the address and phone number that 1and1 uses to manage private registrations.

I have mixed feelings about private registration. It's good for personal domains or for people who worry about getting stalked. For most businesses that have a street address that they publicize anyway, private registration seems a little odd. OTOH, it does cut down on spam and unwanted phone calls and snail mail.

However, it's not a total shield. The registrar will forward important e-mail and snail mail such as legal notices, and some will drop private registration in cases of abuse (see the terms and conditions of individual registrars for details).

There are plenty of other clues upthread, though. (ETA: Ann Crispin beat me to part of this.)
 

tico1177

Thanks for replying and all the information. When I signed with them originally, I didn't realize how much thought goes into the process. Now that I know, I won't make that mistake again.

The question that is left, is if I can get out of the contract. I will just have to read up on the case and see what I can do. It doesn't matter too much since their year to serve me is almost up.

So basically I can keep holding out until it runs out and then fire them.
 

tico1177

Here is the email I just sent them:
Georgina and Andrea,

I am slamming the brakes on this venture as of this moment. All along, I have had this funny feeling that "something too good to be true" really is too good to be true.

After further research, I have found that your agency has repeatedly attempted to sell me on services that are 100% affiliated with you and all falling under the same umbrella of a company.

I now learn that a Robert Fletcher is under investigation by the Florida Attorney General as in this link: http://myfloridalegal.com/lit_ec.nsf/investigations/31273A2F06893B9B852573760050A9EA

Our contract, as of this moment, is terminated as you are seen unfit to represent my work to the publishing world.

Should you have any questions about any legalities, please contact me by email.

Sincerely
 

Robbski

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I submitted a synopsis to Dorrance Publishing who referred me to Strategic. The huge email explaining how good they are is what set the alarms off. I just want to thank you guys here to telling me what I suspected. ))
 

CaoPaux

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Dorrance referred you to Strategic?! Did you save the referral? If you're uncomfortable posting it, at least forward it to Victoria. Oh, please, please, please! :)