Preditors and Editors ™
A guide to publishers and publishing services for serious writers
News Flash!
7/3/08: More good news. P&E just learned that Brian Hill and Dee Power were dismissed as defendants in the Barbara Bauer vs. Jenna Glatzer et al. lawsuit.
7/3/08: Federal judge strikes down Indiana law that would require bookstores and other retailers to register with the state in order to sell sexually explicit materials.
7/2/08: New online copyright registration is now active at the US Copyright Office's website.
7/1/08: Wikimedia's Motion to Dismiss the plaintiff's complaint against them as one of the multiple defendants in the case brought by Barbara Bauer was granted by the court. Most of the complaints were dismissed with prejudice while one was simply dismissed.
7/1/08: DogEar Publishing shows how they're less expensive than PublishAmerica.
6/26/08: Online magazine, The View From Here, is featuring an interview with P&E's editor for those who'd like to know more about P&E.
6/16/08: Writer Beware is reporting a hoax contest has emerged claiming to be sponsored by the SFWA and Random House. Visit their site for more details about "Asimovs of the Future."
6/7/08: Writer Beware reveals more about Amazon's tactics toward publishers.
Help Defend P&E
Unfortunately, there are those who do not like P&E or its editor because we give out information that they would prefer remain hidden from writers. Usually, they slink away, but not this time. P&E is being sued and we are asking for donations to mount a legal defense in court. Please click on the link below and give if you can to help protect P&E so it can continue to defend writers as it has for the past eleven years.
Thank you.
Other sites are welcome to copy the code for our donation button and place it on their pages with an appeal on behalf of P&E.
Michele Lee's Road to Print blog is offering a choice of web buttons like the following example for those who would like to show their support for P&E against these lawsuits or have a more customized button in place of the standard donate button provided by PayPal.
I want to thank everyone who has donated. At present, I am not sending out individual thanks because I don't want your names learned by the plaintiffs, one of whom has amended her complaint to add new names to it. For the same reason, I advise the use of caution in posting any comments for the time being about either of the plaintiffs on your own sites or in forums. Nonetheless, your donations are deeply appreciated. Sincerely, Dave Kuzminski
2004 2005 2006 2007 January February March April May June's
Maryland Attorney General's Question
P&E wants to know why Maryland's Attorney General isn't taking action against a publisher based within its jurisdiction for fraud? After all, the December 2005 arbitration hearing between Phil Dolan and PublishAmerica (PA) established that PA maintains two sets of accounting books and has not been operating in good faith. Furthermore, P&E is posting more evidence to the fact that PA is not operating in good faith. Where is the integrity that should belong in the Maryland Attorney General's office?If you're a writer or publisher, please ask the same questions on your web page. Writers and legitimate publishers are entitled to answers.
Better yet, they're entitled to action on the Maryland Attorney General's part. Now wouldn't that be a good present for them to receive in December from the Maryland Attorney General? (Editor's note: we were hoping for Christmas 2004. Then again, this is the same state that's permitted Poetry.Com to prey upon child writers for decades.)
So, how about it, Maryland? Isn't it time to initiate a suit against PublishAmerica for deceptive trade practices?
Jones Harvest Publishing
Complaints are emerging that this publisher/promoter is failing to produce according to its promises and contracts. Furthermore, the cost to writers taken in by this company are in the thousands per writer. P&E strongly urges writers to avoid this publisher and to encourage other sites to list this information so that it receives the widest distribution possible.
2004 2005 2006 2007 January February March April May June's PA question is:
How many PA books are carried nationwide on the shelves or in the racks by any brick-and-mortar chain bookstores or other retailers? Does anyone find it strange that after over seven years of operation, PA has yet to place one of its over 10,000 books in any of those yet?
P&E really wants to know. If you have a bookstore in your area, contact the manager and ask how many PublishAmerica books are available right now on that store's shelves based on efforts by PA. If you find a bookstore that does have their books in stock, email P&E so we can post it here because writers have a right to know how good a publisher is at placing their books where those can be purchased. Remember, physical bookstores still account for most book sales.
- ?
- ??
- ???
- ???? Gosh, this is abysmal that PA can't get their books in four bookstores on their own efforts, let alone in just one.
Also, PublishAmerica claims, "PublishAmerica books have the same chance of making it onto a bookstore shelf as do the books of any publisher." So, why haven't any sightings of PA books stocked on the shelves of other bookstores been reported yet? Do you think PA needs to learn more about how to market its wares?
By the way, Miranda, how come you don't know how many PublishAmerica authors have a trade presence in bookstores around the country? Is it more than none? Really, I expect a company executive to know that kind of information or have a good estimate at hand.
Be sure to try this. Go to Google or some other search engine and enter in the following phrases: "Miranda Prather" "book will quickly resonate with an audience". Be sure to include the quotes. When the search engine brings up the results, count up how many times Miranda Prather uses the same phrase to describe different PublishAmerica books she was promoting. Do you think PA needs to learn more about how to market its wares?
Lest PA think we haven't noticed, P&E wants to know where their bestsellers are? Publishers whose books sell to the general reading public and who generally have published more than a thousand books in their corporate history, and PA claims more than 10,000, can usually point to one or more books that broke into the bestseller lists. So, where's PA's bestseller and how many did it sell through retail stores? Do you think PA needs to learn more about how to market its wares?
Gosh, if a company like PA doesn't know how to market its wares, should writers trust their work to them?
It's time to look at one of PublishAmerica's deceitful claims that most book sales aren't made in bookstores. What they fail to mention is that most books aren't meant to be sold in bookstores because they're government or corporate reports, textbooks, or other such publications.
So, where do most sales occur for novelists? Why, in bookstores, of course. And how many bookstores carry PA books even if the author had to approach the retailer?
Number of bookstores known:
To carry PA books by ordering them: 1
To carry PA books on consignment: 1
To not carry PA books: 12*
The names of these stores are on file at P&E, but will not be released upon request. P&E does not want those willing to help authors who stepped in PA to suffer as a consequence.
* One store stated they won't accept special orders for PA books.
Want to help? Tell us about the bookstores in your area. Ask them if they carry PA books. Then email P&E to let us know the results of your questions.
By the way, how come PublishAmerica has yet to achieve a bestselling book despite having published almost 30,000 books? Could it be that they're happy just making sales to their authors when real publishers target the reading market?
American Book Publishing Group's Contract
Did you know that American Book Publishing Group's contract contains a clause that penalizes their authors to the tune of $10,000 (yes, that's ten thousand US dollars) for stating or posting anything negative about American Book Publishing Group?
P&E urges authors not to accept the American Book Publishing Group contract so long as it contains that section. Writers have a right to a fair contract. 2/16/06: P&E has heard that their new contract does not have that clause any longer. However, we have no verification yet.
2004 2005 2006 2007 January February March April May June's ABPG question is:
How many brick-and-mortar bookstores regularly carry American Book Publishing Group's books on their shelves, aside from those placed on consignment by their authors?
P&E really wants to know. If you have a bookstore in your area, contact the manager and ask how many American Book Publishing Group's books are available right now on that store's shelves. If you find a bookstore that does have their books in stock, email P&E so we can post it here because writers have a right to know how good a publisher is at placing their books where those can be purchased. Remember, physical bookstores still account for most book sales.
- ???
- ???
- ???
- What, no reports here yet at all?
Michele Glance Rooney's Blazing Sales Achievements
In October 2007, Michele was listed in five top agent lists for different book categories. Since November 2007, Michele has sold the following books to legitimate commercial trade publishing houses:
Zero
Oh, come on, Michele. You must have some sales to report.
Barbara Bauer's Personal Literary Sales Tally
How many books has Bauer Literary Agency sold this month to legitimate royalty-paying publishers? Could the answer be Zero?
Gosh, gee willigers, how does she manage to stay in business then if she doesn't have any legitimate sales? Do you think that maybe she's charging her own clients? Gasp! Also a Top Twenty worst according to Writer Beware. Also believed a member of IILAA.
Aw, c'mon, Babs, it can't be that doggone difficult for you to post your sales on your site. You do have sales, don't you? Now don't take this wrong, but listing the publishers you claim you've worked with (you mean submitted to, right?) isn't the same as posting the book titles you've sold this year. After all, if you're really a good literary agent, you'll have plenty to brag about. Even Kristin Nelson posts her sales. By the way, she had 22 sales this year (2007). Pretty good for a single-agent office. See, P&E doesn't even expect you to compete against big agencies. Just do as well as one far out in Colorado...if you can. Otherwise, people will think and believe that you're nothing more than a scam.
A writer has performed some research on the books you claimed to have helped publish. Um, Babs, you do mean sold, don't you? Let us know, please. "Helped publish" are weasel words. That could mean you looked at the manuscripts and then someone else sold them. Anyway, the writer came up with exactly two for 2007. All the rest are from years ago. Since those two could have earned only a few thousand at most for you, provided you actually sold them, what income did your agency survive upon for the rest of the year?
Writers Book Publishing Agency
How many names will Sydra-Techniques Literary Agency/S.T. Literary Agency/Stylus Literary Agency/Children's Literary Agency/Christian Literary Agency/New York Literary Agency/The Poets Literary Agency/The Screenplay Agency and The Literary Agency Group go through before it settles on a name? The Writers Literary & Publishing Services Company (aka Writer's Literary Critique Division) and Rapid Publishing are also part of this group.
2/28/07: Let's add some more names to the mix and welcome the Writers' Literary Agency & Marketing Company which will house the brand new Writers Literary Childrens Agency, the Writers Literary Poet's Agency, and the Writers Literary Screenplay Agency et al, ad infinitum et nauseum.
Still a Top Twenty worst agency according to Writer Beware.
5/3/08: Yep, they're changing names again. It's now Writers Book Publishing Agency and includes Children's Book Publishing Agency. Keep in mind, folks, the names may change, but the smell of dead and dying manuscripts still lingers in the air around their agency.
- If you're a writer, why would you want an agency representing you that has such a poor track record as this multi-named agency for the years (since 2003) it has claimed to be in business?
- Why would a writer even consider going with an agency that threatens to sue its critics for telling the truth about its lack of sales as Stylus is currently threatening to do to Writer Beware?
- Why would a writer want to go with an agency that doesn't divulge its connections with the editing and illustrating services it recommends to those who believe it is legitimate?
- Why would an agency need to change its name so frequently or use multiple names at the same time? Could it be on account of its past reputation?
- Why would an agency need to use a mail drop in a state where it's not located? Could it be on account of a desire to fool writers into believing that the agency is in the heart of the publishing district when it's clearly not?
The Florida Attorney General recommends that any writers with complaints about any of the businesses comprising the Writers Book Publishing Agency, formerly the Writers' Literary Agency & Marketing Company, formerly known as the Literary Agency Group, (be sure you mention their former names) should be reported to:
Office of the Attorney General
PL 01, The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050 (850) 414-3990
Office of the Attorney General, New York
Department of Law
The Capitol, 2nd Floor
Albany, NY 12224 (518) 474-7330
Federal Trade Commission (877) 382-4357
www.ftc.gov
BBB of Southeast Florida (516) 712-1918
www.bbbsoutheastflorida.org
(P&E advises that reports to any BBB are unlikely to result in any significant action)
County Consumer Protection Offices
Palm Beach County, FL (561) 712-6600
www.pbcgov.com/pubsafety/comsumer/html/home.asp
Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act does provide individuals with a private remedy to bring an action for damages, attorney's fees and court costs. The Florida Bar offers a Lawyer Referral Service: 1-800-342-8060
Sales:
By the way, total known sales by all of the Writers' Literary Agency and Marketing Company's (aka Literary Agency Group) divisions for all of 2006 and 2007 add up to:
Zero.
So just how do they remain in business anyway?
And for anyone who's interested, the Literary Agency Group has yet to serve any papers on Writer Beware.
By the way:
So far, as of April 2008, P&E has not heard of any writers' work being rejected by any of the company names which the Writers' Literary Agency and Marketing Company uses to conduct business. Pretty selective, aren't they?
Despite a demand by "Sheriff" Sherry of Writers' Literary Agency & Marketing Company (WLA&MC) in July 2007, for a confrontation with its critics in the Absolute Write Water Cooler forum, nothing happened. The critics were on hand, but Sherry wasn't. So much for straight shootin' and straight talk from WLA&MC.
Evidently, P&E's information is not viewed favorably by Writers Literary Agency per this recent email conversation.
One last note: If you believe you have been scammed by WLA, please contact Ann Crispin at beware@sfwa.org.
Cris Robins/The Robins Agency
While we're at it, let's not forget this one. Why has the Robins Agency been in business for ten years with only three claimed sales, one written and sold by the principal agent and the other two to POD publishers in Russia? Could it be that the agency is supported by all the fees they collect, up to $4,200 per client each year per their own emails, and has no intention of actually making sales? Also a Top Twenty worst according to Writer Beware.
Sales:
By the way, total known sales for Cris Robins for all of 2006 and 2007 add up to:
Zero.
So just how does The Robins Agency remain in business anyway? By the way, keep in mind that Cris Robins has a judgment against her in "Washington Superior Court (King County) for $8,320 for breach of contract, fraudulent business practice and consumer protection violations." So, just how do they stay in business if they're not making any sales? Do you think the judgment explains what they are?
Don't buy into a scam. Remember, money flows to the author.
Sites of Distinction
Preditors & Editors is pleased to announce the most recent recipient of its Truly Useful Site Award:
No award for June
and the recipient of its Author's/Composer's/Artist's Site of Excellence:
Fran Cannon Slayton
Our visitors can view the nominated sites for the next award period and are welcome to email P&E with their opinions regarding those sites.
Please click on the heading and give these new authors a look. We also list some recommended books for writers.
New Listings
Preditors & Editors features thousands of listings within its pages. Some of our listings and information come from the following sources to whom we express our gratitude:
If your business or resource site isn't listed yet, just send P&E an email with the business or site name, address (mailing or URL), and a description of what you offer.
The following are our newest listings we've discovered or had reported to us. You can find these and other listings at the topic links:
Thousands of listings for agents, attorneys, and book packagers can be found in our main pages by clicking on the heading to this section. Below are the newest additions to those pages:
| For uniformity, P&E lists agents by first name just like businesses because businesses don't have last names.
$ - Indicates verified sales to legitimate royalty-paying publishers on record.
$ - Indicates verified negotiation by an agency when the sale was made by the author.
AAR, RWA - Indicates membership in organization or recognition. Lost membership or recognition is lined out. |
- 5 Jun 08 - Creative Convergence Inc.: Appears to cater primarily to screenwriters.
- 19 Jun 08 - The Fischer-Harbage Agency: A literary agency.
- 18 Jun 08 - Janet Goldstein Enterprises: $ Believed to be a literary agency. Contact info unavailable.
- 11 Jun 08 - Joel Kneedler: An agent with Alive Communications.
- 11 Jun 08 - Lee M. Hough: An agent with Alive Communications.
- 6 Jun 08 - Penny Stathonikos: An agent with P. Stathonikos Agency in Canada.
- 11 Jun 08 - S. Rickly "Rick" Christian: An agent with Alive Communications.
- 24 Jun 08 - Weed Literary: $ A literary agency.
Is the agent/agency you're interested in listed here? Click here to see more of the hundreds of agents we list.
Suggested Etiquette for Contacting Agents:
- Do not send attached files containing manuscripts to agents unless the agent's guidelines expressly state that those are acceptable within initial correspondence.
- Email messages should be kept to a length of one or two pages unless explicitly invited to send a manuscript or sample chapters.
- Authors should advise an agent where the agent was found listed. This helps them offer updates to any incorrect listings.
- Do not send synopses to screenplay
agents or movie production companies.
Some of P&E's listings offer legal services only:
- Do not send queries or submissions to legal services unless the agency specifically states it handles both literary and legal representation.
|
- 5 Jul 08 - America Library of Poetry: A vanity poetry publisher targeting school children.
- 9 Jun 08 - Capricorn Publishing: Poor contract. Not recommended. A small publisher.
- 10 Jun 08 - Capricorn Publishing Corporation: A small self-publisher.
- 24 Jun 08 - Graveside Tales: A small publisher.
- 14 Jun 08 - Lion & Lamb Publications: A small publisher of Christian works.
- 7 Jun 08 - Lobster Press: An award-winning Canadian publisher that specializes in books for children, tweens, teens, and families. For submission guidelines, visit: http://www.lobsterpress.com/index.php?page=31
- 21 Jun 08 - Pegasus Elliot MacKenzie Publishers Ltd.: A publisher.
- 22 Jun 08 - Regal Crest Enterprises, LLC: A publisher.
- 23 Jun 08 - Rio Norte Press: A vanity imprint of River's Bend Press.
- 23 Jun 08 - River's Bend Press: Not recommended. A publisher.
- 12 Jun 08 - Skyhorse Publishing: A small publisher.
- 8 Jun 08 - Smashwords: A digital self-publishing service.
- 19 Jun 08 - Solaris Books: An imprint of BL Publishing specializing in science fiction, fantasy, and dark fantasy. Agent required.
- 28 Jun 08 - Whiffyskunk.com: An ebook publisher. Also features covers and art production for ebooks and CDs.
- 19 Jun 08 - Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing: A self-publishing company.
| Publishers must have more than one book out by more than one author to be eligible for listing in P&E unless we spot other reasons warranting their inclusion. |
- 24 Jun 08 - Amazon Bookstore Cooperative, Inc.: "the oldest independent feminist bookstore in North America." Founded in 1970. Located in Minneapolis.
- 4 Jul 08 - BooksOnboard: An online bookseller.
- 25 Jun 08 - Hooray for Books: A cilldren's bookstore located in Washington, DC.
| P&E would like to hear from you if you know of a local bookstore in your area. Just send us their name and address (or the URL if they have a web site) and we'll list them on P&E. |
- 18 Jun 08 - Baen's Bar: Forum for writers and readers.
- 26 Jun 08 - Just About Write: Features a forum for the Authors', Poets', and Readers' Newsletter. A resource for Lesbian writers and readers.
- 11 Jun 08 - Nirvanas Gate: Features a forum, contests, and more for poets.
- 6 Jul 08 - NoteBored: An online forum.
- 16 Jun 08 - "Asimovs of the Future": Charges fee. Not recommended. A known scam contest currently being advertised on Craigslist and FLiXER.
- 21 Jun 08 - Political Humor: "Radioactive Liberty is proud to announce its monthly, right leaning, political humor writer's contest. Each month a new topic will be announced. Entrants may tender multiple submissions. The contest is absolutely free and prizes barely exceed the entry fee. You are vying for the honor of having your work posted at Political Humor by Radioactive Liberty for all to see. Hey, you get what you pay for."
| P&E does not recommend any contests with entry fees. |
- 16 Jun 08 - Mosiac: An art and literary magazine put out by the University of California at Riverside.
- 13 Jun 08 - Texas Family Magazine: Not recommended. A magazine.
- 27 Jun 08 - The View From Here: An online magazine.
- 29 Jun 08 - The Future of Publishing: Appears to be a blog about the future of putlishing.
- 30 Jun 08 - Helium: A diverse site featuring forums, critique areas, and more.
- 27 Jun 08 - Useful Niche Search Engines: Recommended. A listing of useful Internet search engines with specific purposes.
- 1 Jul 08 - MEET THE ARTIST JIM WARREN ~
At the following locations:
Wyland Galleries (Disney's Boardwalk)
Orlando, Florida
(With Walfrido and James Coleman)
July 3, 6-10 PM
July 5, 3-10 PM
July 6, 11-3 PM
Wyland Galleries
Lake Tahoe
August 2, 1-5 6-9 PM
August 3, 12-4 PM
Wyland Galleries
New York (Sayville, Long Island)
(withTracy Taylor)
August 15, 6-10 PM
August 16, 12-5 6-10 PM
August 17, 12-3 PM
Wyland Galleries
Las Vegas (Planet Hollywood)
August 23, 1-5 PM
August 24, 1-5 PM
| If you have any work published and are scheduled to do signings or readings, please let us know the date, time, place, and who you are so that readers in that area can find you. |
- 2 Jul 08 - Erotica Readers and Writers Association: Believed to feature an online writers workshop. Not for minors.
- 3 Jul 08 - Romance Writers Unlimited: A workshop for romance writers.
