The New York Literary Agency: Warning

CaoPaux

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06-06-2006, 01:58 PM
Roger J Carlson
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06-21-2006, 12:44 PM
amboyle
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Shame on them.

I'm new to this website (to this whole industry, actually), and I just wanted to say thanks for the helpful information. I found NY Lit. Agency while running a search for another agency in NY. Their "come hither" website sounded so positive and encouraging that I knew something was amiss. Besides, I think they stated "absolutely no fees" once too often. It's shameful to see a company take advantage of new writers while they are in their vulnerable "rejection collection" stage. As a former attorney, I wonder how they manage to dodge the inevitable lawsuits their behavior would tend to encourage.
 

bloodsweatandink

New york literary agency

I've heard some stories about this company(the new york literary agency) and I was wondering if they are still crooked, or if they changed their ways.
 

Jennifer Robins

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Several months ago I found them to be a scam outfit. They ask you to have your MS critiqued and offer a list of readers who you will pay. Then they mention editing at a cost also.

Jennifer Robins
 

JennaGlatzer

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Still crooked. I've never heard of a crooked agency suddenly turning legitimate. Aside from that...

Please use the index before starting a new thread on this board. We've covered the Literary Agency Group extensively and do not need another thread about it. Here's the relevant part of the index:

The Literary Agency Group, Inc. AVOID
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13517
New York Literary Agency, The (Sherry Fine)
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=729
Stylus Literary Agency (formerly ST Literary Agency, formerly Sydra Techniques) (Robert Fletcher, Jill Mast, Mark Bredt)
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=929
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=529
Other companies to AVOID as affiliated with the above "agencies":

  • My Editor Is A Saint
  • The Writers Literary & Publishing Services Co.
  • RapidPublishing.com

Visit those threads to continue the discussion. I'm closing this one.
 

Sassenach

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bloodsweatandink said:
I've heard some stories about this company(the new york literary agency) and I was wondering if they are still crooked, or if they changed their ways.

Con men rarely changed their ways, only their addresses.
 

Robert Capstick

New York Literary Agency

It would appear from all I've read in your Forum on the above mentioned subject that some of you have escaped relatively lightly. (Regrettably as I was unaware that through the good offices of your organisation it was possible to check into the backgrounds and past malpractices of supposedly "reputable" literary agents such as NYLA, I have been taken to the proverbial literary cleaners.)

Briefly, having already written three novels, and done nothing about them, I was persuaded (by friends) to try and get them published. Therefore, at the end of December 2005, I made the cardinal error of electing to use NYLA. (This mainly because they supposedly 'specialise' in manuscripts sent electronically, and it is very difficult to send hard copy materials in and out of Indonesia.)

First I submitted a synopsis of what NYLA requested be my best work, and was assured that they would "come back to me" in no longer than two weeks. To my amazement, they replied within four days, positively gushed over what I had sent and requested that I send them at least five chapters. This I did, and some one week later was asked if I would be prepared for them to represent me. (A contract duly appeared and having signed the same I couriered back to NYLA.)

I was then contacted by someone claiming to be the Senior Agent along with another person who called herself NYLA's Customer Relations Director. They both gushed a little more and said how glad they were to be "looking after me". So far so good, and I felt not a little chuffed that things appeared to be going quite well. It was then that the wheels started to sieze up and things started to become a little odd.

Firstly it was suggested that it really would be a very good thing if I submitted my novel for an "independent critique". (Note. They didn't tell me that I had to submit my work for such a critique, but very strongly recommended that I should do so.) Vanity prevailing, I sent US$100.00 to somewhere in Las Vegas and, and sat back to await the result, - which was due in two weeks from the date of receipt of the money. Again to my amazement, ten days later back came a very fancy little critique, which didn't fault my spelling, grammar, and syntax, loved the dialogue and then concluded with the words, "This is a great novel, with loads of commercial potential." (Note: NYLA place great emphasis on their author's works having "loads of commercial potential".)

This was then followed by a further bout of electronic sucking of teeth, when it was suggested that just to make the whole matter totally watertight that I should have my novel "professionally edited". (Again, I didn't have to do this but was told that it would make it a great deal easier for NYLA to find a suitable publisher if it was known that my work had been edited by a "professional editor" well-known to, and recognised by the publishing trade.) I can't say that I was overjoyed by the prospect of someone I didn't know from Adam conducting a "slash and burn" programme throughout something which was somewhat dear to me, however in the end I agreed.

Enter the Managing Editor of Writer's Literary Services (part of American Enterprises Group LLC) who welcomed me to the wonderful world of "professional editing" and informed me that it was going to cost me the staggering sum of US$ 3,815.00 to edit my novel. (This, he was at great pains to ensure me, was actually "a bargain" as at 2 cents a word, which was well below the going market rate. (Incidentally I have deliberately not included any of the names of anyone from NYLA, however if required to do so I am quite willing to provide them.)


In the meantime my supposed Senior Agent was prodding away at me in a motherly fashion about how it "really would help" to have it edited and how much she was looking forward to marketing it. Consequently I succumbed.

On the 3rd of May, I sent some US $ 1,300 to a bank account in Las Vegas, receipt of which was made by The Administrator, along with a singularly curt reminder that I still owed some US$ 2,518.00. But as for editing there was nought save a stunned silence. Repeated e-mails to the Managing Editor went unanswered, - the excuse given was that they might have fallen foul of a "spam trap". Finally, on the 1st of June, the Senior Agent, - again in a mothering tone, - told me not to worry as everything was in hand and I would "hear something soon". (Editing was supposed to take between four to six weeks from the first payment being received.)

Consequently, on the 22nd of June, I sent a further US$1,000.00, which The Administrator promptly acknowledged, - again with a curt note that I still owed them some US$1,1,518.00, - which gave me rise to pause, because if the question of sending and acknowledging money was not "spam trapped" how come every other piece of normally expected correspondence else was?

At which point the snow clouds rolled in and a deathly silence prevailed, - and still does. I've sent e-mails to everyone I know of in NYLA requesting news about what is being done, - I've even threatened not to pay any more money until I hear something positive, - but all to no avail.

In a nutshell, I've been well and truly diddled, - apart from wasting a great deal of time whilst believing that there was a good chance that my novel (the first in a trilogy) was to be published. Whilst realising that quite possibly I have been unbelievably naive (ignorance is a very dangerous thing) however in my naivety I seriously wonder how it is that people are allowed to get away with premeditated, pre-planned, theft of this type?
 

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Robert Capstick said:
In a nutshell, I've been well and truly diddled, - apart from wasting a great deal of time whilst believing that there was a good chance that my novel (the first in a trilogy) was to be published. Whilst realising that quite possibly I have been unbelievably naive (ignorance is a very dangerous thing) however in my naivety I seriously wonder how it is that people are allowed to get away with premeditated, pre-planned, theft of this type?

Please, write to the Florida State Attorney General, the Nevada State Attorney General, and the New York State Attorney General, telling them exactly what you told us, but including the correspondence.

Since you are a foreign national, writing to your ambassador to the US might help. It certainly can't hurt.
 

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Robert Capstick said:
In a nutshell, I've been well and truly diddled, - apart from wasting a great deal of time whilst believing that there was a good chance that my novel (the first in a trilogy) was to be published. Whilst realising that quite possibly I have been unbelievably naive (ignorance is a very dangerous thing) however in my naivety I seriously wonder how it is that people are allowed to get away with premeditated, pre-planned, theft of this type?

Robert,

First, let me offer my sympathies to your plight; it just burns me up when people get taken like this.

Second, :welcome:. You'll find a lot of resources and helpful people here.

Third, what Uncle Jim said.

My advice, and I know this isn't much comfort, is to keep at those novels you have. Maybe go through 'em again to see if you can tighten them up any - and try to get a legit agent. Your coming here to AW is a good first step. Check the novel threads and whatever else you think will help you in getting an agent. You'll want to check out the "How Real Publishing Works" thread, too - very informative, esp. for us folks who've never worked in publishing before.

Again, I'm so sorry you got fleeced.

Good luck!

~Nancy
 

Roger J Carlson

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Thanks for sharing, Robert.

The more testimonials we have, the harder it is for (Sherry Fine / Georgina Orr / Robert West / Robert Fletcher) to hand-wave criticism away as aberations. Your experience is the rule, not the exception.
 

NancyMehl

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Robert Capstick said:
In a nutshell, I've been well and truly diddled, - apart from wasting a great deal of time whilst believing that there was a good chance that my novel (the first in a trilogy) was to be published. Whilst realising that quite possibly I have been unbelievably naive (ignorance is a very dangerous thing) however in my naivety I seriously wonder how it is that people are allowed to get away with premeditated, pre-planned, theft of this type?

I'm so sorry, Robert. A lot of us here have also been "diddled." I hope you won't let this discourage you. No matter how often you've been "diddled," success is just around the corner for those who don't give up.

(Why do I feel as if my mouth should be washed out with soap????)

Nancy
 

victoriastrauss

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Here's the contact info for the Florida State Attorney General. Writer Beware is suggesting that writers to make a complaint here, since Florida is the state in which NYLA and associated operations are based:

Office of the Attorney General Charlie Crist
Office of Citizen Services
PL-01
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050

There's also a toll-free telephone hotline number --(850) 414-3990. You may have to leave your name and number, but they will call you back.

You can also fax your complaint to (850) 410-1630.

You can also try posting a complaint on the Florida Attorney General's website.

Be sure to make it clear that your complaint involves monetary fraud and deliberately deceptive business practices, in order to differentiate it from ordinary consumer issues.

Other possible places to file a complaint (including the FBI) are listed on the Overview page of Writer Beware.

Some general tips on how to write to the authorities about literary fraud:

1. Organize your materials. Make copies of all correspondence you had with the agency--every email, snail mail, etc. If parts of the agency's website are germane to your complaint, cut and paste those parts into documents. Identify each document briefly at the top of the page, i.e., "Contract Received from XX Literary Agency." If you paid money to the agency, you may need to request copies of canceled checks from your bank, etc., to add to your documentation.

2. Go through your documentation and make notes, such as a brief chronology, so you have all relevant names, dates, and places handy. This will help with #3.

3. Write a cover letter addressed to the authority in question. Keep your cover letter concise (two pages or less), and to the point. It's okay to discuss your feelings about the experience, but don't rant. Start at the beginning, and write a complete summary of your experience. Describe how you encountered the agency, what was said or promised to you, how or if promises weren't fulfilled, how much money you were asked for, whether you paid, how much you paid, who your contact was, etc.

Explain briefly what attachments you're enclosing with your complaint. Remember, your letter is basically a guide to the documentation you're sending, which is the most important part of your evidence.

4. You might want to send your material via Priority Mail, which includes an envelope and isn't very expensive. You can track Priority mail by using the online postage system at www.usps.gov (ask for info about using that system at the post office). That way you'll know for sure when your document is received.

- Victoria
 
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Kasey Mackenzie

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Oh Robert, I'm so sorry to hear that this happened to you. :( Please don't beat yourself up--these people have made careers out of misleading and cheating people. Uncle Jim and Victoria have given you excellent advice. I wish you the best of luck in getting your money back and in your future publishing endeavors. Please don't let this bad experience turn you sour on the industry.
 

markcam

I am another victim

Hi all

I am another victim of the New York Literary Agency. I paid $90 for a critique and got the email suggesting getting an editor at up to $2000. I signed my contract on 26 July. Does that mean I have to wait until 26 October before I can cancel it? And what do I do in the meantime? Can I just not contact them until then and send no more writing to them until this date? This is such a sad day for me. I thought I was getting somewhere as a writer and this is a real low.

Mark
 

roach

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markcam said:
Hi all

I am another victim of the New York Literary Agency. I paid $90 for a critique and got the email suggesting getting an editor at up to $2000. I signed my contract on 26 July. Does that mean I have to wait until 26 October before I can cancel it? And what do I do in the meantime? Can I just not contact them until then and send no more writing to them until this date? This is such a sad day for me. I thought I was getting somewhere as a writer and this is a real low.

Mark

Welcome Mark. I'm sorry you were a victim of NYLA. The best revenge is to continue writing, submitting and getting your work published.

I believe you can just send a letter to NYLA breaking off your contract with them.
 

markcam

roach said:
Welcome Mark. I'm sorry you were a victim of NYLA. The best revenge is to continue writing, submitting and getting your work published.

I believe you can just send a letter to NYLA breaking off your contract with them.

Good advice! I've followed up my night of sadness with eight hours of reading and writing non-stop! Most of it was reading a real master: Stephen King. I have his On Writing book and read the section about improving your writing: illuminating reading! He sets the reader a task of writing a story based on a situation he sets. 13 pages later I felt much better. I'm sure Mr. King would be appalled that scammers such as NYLA exist. In my contract with them, they state I can cancel three months after the sigining of the contract. Do you think I can sent an email now to try and cancel it or does it have to be a letter (the contract was signed on 26 July)?

Thanks for your words of encouragement. Do you know of any reputable agents I could approach with my novel (it is a horror one).

cheers
Mark
 

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markcam said:
Good advice! I've followed up my night of sadness with eight hours of reading and writing non-stop! Most of it was reading a real master: Stephen King. I have his On Writing book and read the section about improving your writing: illuminating reading! He sets the reader a task of writing a story based on a situation he sets. 13 pages later I felt much better.

Good for you! That's the best way to get back at these creeps.

markcam said:
Thanks for your words of encouragement. Do you know of any reputable agents I could approach with my novel (it is a horror one).

The index to agents thread is here:

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=792

Good luck!

~Nancy
 

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markcam said:
Does that mean I have to wait until 26 October before I can cancel it?

Send them an email, backed up by a certified letter, saying "Effective immediately you do not represent me."

Send letters detailing your experiences with them (just the Joe Friday facts: dates, names, addresses, dollar amounts) to the Florida Attorney General and the New York Attorney General.

Then forget that they exist.
 

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Roger J Carlson said:
(Sherry Fine / Georgina Orr / Robert West / Robert Fletcher)
Gravity said:
Wouldn't it be weird to find out sometime those four people listed above are all the same guy? Might be a novel in that...
I wouldn't think it was weird at all. Have you ever tried to confirm the independent existence of any of Fletcher's affiliates? I can only think of a couple of people who've been associated with him who check out as real.
 

markcam

James D. Macdonald said:
Send them an email, backed up by a certified letter, saying "Effective immediately you do not represent me."

Send letters detailing your experiences with them (just the Joe Friday facts: dates, names, addresses, dollar amounts) to the Florida Attorney General and the New York Attorney General.

Then forget that they exist.

I sent them an email three days ago and they replied back today saying my contract has been cancelled. I have now sent off emails to two reputable agencies so I'll see how that goes. Thanks for the support.

Mark
 

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Strange. I have not had a bad experience with the NYLA - as of yet.

Indeed, I suspected a rat when they agreed to review my novel. And was equally suspicious when they suggested that they may want to take me on as a client.

My manuscript did need some polishing - and I had the critique done. But, when the critique came back, they suggested that I make some technical changes. There was no talk of further expense. It seemed reasonable to me that an independent critique was justified and I did pay $50.00 to have it done. Independent editors who do critiques and editing also charge – they don’t do that sort of service for free.

The agent sent me a contract, which I might ad is standard in the industry, and I signed it after reading it.

I have been published once - 2000 by Pulsar Publishing. True, it was E-publishing, but I got royalties and was never charged any fees. I have been trying to get an agent since 2000, having exhausted all the agents, for my genre included in the various writer's guides, I finally stumbled onto NYLA

So far, I've been with NYLA for two months and they do not seem to be bilking me for money - - - yet.

Could they be crooks? They could.
But, what I've read here on these posts leads me to believe that some of the writers who have submitted their works to this agency did need extensive rework. Seems that the agency only suggested that you work with their editors, critiques-ers, and at no time forced anyone to work with their subsidiaries. Further, the agency states clearly in their contract that they will take only 10% for commission on what they sell and no fees or other charges. Most other agencies charge 15% to 25% for commission.

I'm not saying that the NYLA is not crooked - they may be. But my experience so far - and it's only been two months - has not been out of the ordinary for the industry. I will keep a close monitor on this agency from here on out - and will let you all know what my outcome is.

Will they find a publisher for me? It remains to be seen – two months is a very short time in this industry – Agents typically take 4 to 6 weeks to review a submission. And it took six months for Baen publishing to review a manuscript that I submitted – and they lost the manuscript twice.

So, I’ve signed a year-long contract – if they fail to find a publisher in that time, I’ll find another agent. If they ask me for money or seem to be ill legitimate at any time, I’ll find another agent. I’m going to stay the course at present until I have personal reason to cancel my contract.
 

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law900 said:
Independent editors who do critiques and editing also charge – they don’t do that sort of service for free.
Agents who charge you for editing your work have a serious conflict of interest. It's highly unethical--nothing "standard" about it.

It's one thing if an editor charges you for editing. That's what editors do. Agents don't edit.

So far, I've been with NYLA for two months and they do not seem to be bilking me for money - - - yet.
Except for the bilking they've already done. What do you think has paid their bills for all of these years? What pays for their google adwords and banner ads? It isn't sales to publishers!

But, what I've read here on these posts leads me to believe that some of the writers who have submitted their works to this agency did need extensive rework.
Yes, by editors. Not by their agents or agents in disguise as editors.

Further, the agency states clearly in their contract that they will take only 10% for commission on what they sell and no fees or other charges.
Can I ask why you think your work is going to be the first one they've ever sold? With 8 (?) agencies operating under the same umbrella and the hundreds of people they've charged money, why will yours be the very first one they've sold?

Most other agencies charge 15% to 25% for commission.
Most agents charge 15%, and some charge higher for foreign-language rights. 25% for first rights is...well, I've never heard of it.

Will they find a publisher for me?
No, they absolutely will not. First, I'm not convinced that they actually send out submissions.
 

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*Cough*TenPercentofNothing*Cough*

Sorry, my throat is a little dry. :)
 

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Dear Lloyd,

Your assertions are very well founded. As you know this business is slow. I have no unreal expectations. Either NYLA produces or they don't. Am I expecting that NYLA is going to find a publisher for my manuscript over any other clients they may have? No. Again, I've been in the industry and it is a fickle industry indeed. It took me two years to write my current manuscript and another to edit it well. I shopped it around for another two years and only had two agencies who requested the entire manuscript to review. Rejection and hardship is the name of the game for struggling writers. It aint easy. So, you and most folks here hate NYLA. If you have any agency that you have worked with that is legitimate and is willing to review an un-represented writer - please let me know. I'd love to submit.
As I've said, I'm going to stay the course and let you all know if NYLA asks me for money, or produces a sale.