I had to post this because I never want to see someone scammed in publishing.
Recently, I have received submissions from an individual who is doing nothing more than sending out query letters to agents for authors. I am assuming this person is charging the authors for this service (not sure why they would be doing it for free). It is clear that this person has done nothing more than create a large mailing list and sends the query out to every agent on the list.
When the person wrote the first time with a non-fiction proposal, I rejected the author and sent the explanation I do with every author who submits explaining the reason. I further added, since this person was clearly providing a service that she needed to update her list and make sure the information was accurate.
Now, here is the kicker.
She wrote back and stated that she was juggling over 750+ emails of editors and agents and frankly, it was nearly impossible for her to even keep up with all of this for each of her clients. She further noted that trying to "jump through the impossible hoops and roadblocks the editors put in front of authors" made her work nearly impossible.
OK, I couldn't let this one go so I replied telling her that A) the information was very clear on our websites and; B) I hope she was not charging for this service because she was clearly ripping of authors.
AND YET...
She continues to send out these email query letters.
This is for all of you new authors. PLEASE, do not pay people to do this work. Even agents DO NOT charge authors for sending out query letters to editors. If you want to pay people to edit your work, then feel free to do so, but these other services are nothing but "services" that someone is taking from authors who do not know anything better.
As for this author, I will be submitting their name and contact information to authorities.
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