Anyone Know ALA (literary agents?)

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Anyone Know ALA (literary agents?)

I just got an acceptance letter from American Literary Agents of Washington D.C, and their asking for 250$ to represent my work for a time period of 180 days, which will be returned to me if I get published, and then they'll charge me 15% on prepaid royalty, and 18% on the other stuff. The witnesseth had only a signature of the Agent, but no signature of witnesses or a legal entity. My friend who's had some dealings with law says it's as good as trash. They say they've represented quite a few writers, including a book called Trangressors. If anyone has had dealings with them please let me know. I hope really hope this is all authentic, cause after what happened with my friend regarding Poetry.com, i don't trust any company, and I believe many of u will agree with me.

MUZ
Anonymous's picture
Still haven't heard from her? Think my work scared her off? :)
Wayne Zillman
Anonymous's picture
I just got a contract form ala myself but have not mailed it back yet, and I'm not going to. It is really hard when somneone finally shows an intrest in your work and they are a acam artist Wayne
JOHN LAWSON
Anonymous's picture
Have written 6000 word story about a tug i call "TUGGY" all are true but written for children to enjoy,i was an engineer on a tug for many and used tell them to my son at bed time, he recently persueded me to put pen to paper for other children to enjoy.I have given them to freinds to try,and have had good feedback. I am hopeing you can put me in contact with someone to get me started.MUZ wrote: > I just got an acceptance letter from American Literary Agents > of Washington D.C, and their asking for 250$ to represent my > work for a time period of 180 days, which will be returned to > me if I get published, and then they'll charge me 15% on > prepaid royalty, and 18% on the other stuff. The witnesseth had > only a signature of the Agent, but no signature of witnesses or > a legal entity. My friend who's had some dealings with law says > it's as good as trash. They say they've represented quite a few > writers, including a book called Trangressors. If anyone has > had dealings with them please let me know. I hope really hope > this is all authentic, cause after what happened with my friend > regarding Poetry.com, i don't trust any company, and I believe > many of u will agree with me. [%sig%]
looeboy
Anonymous's picture
Simple rule - never, never go with an agent who asks for money up front. They're not agents. They're scammers.
MUZ
Anonymous's picture
It's hard to believe that people with play with someone's dreams and aspirations just like that for money
MIQUIA HUMPHREY
Anonymous's picture
IM LOOKING TO GET MY BOOK PUBLISHED ASAP
Ruy Câmara
Anonymous's picture
I submitted my romance "Cantos de Outono" for American Literary Agentes of Whashhington, inc. They sent a contract in white, but signed. I also received a letter. They ask for U $250,00 premature to cover the costs. They have a small site in the Internet, but I didn't see any reference that they have gotten to publish a book us USA. As I am Brazilian, I am distrusted them. Somebody can tell me that they already accomplished, concretely? Thanks. Ruy Câmara www.ruycamara.with.br
s . lecomte
Anonymous's picture
ABC, Just received two contracts for representation of my novel. Both agents are asking money for postage, xeroxing and 30$ for each submission. One asks for my credit card number for billing purposes. I have searched the Internet for more information about these agencies and can only find how to submit to them. One of them is Martin-McClean Literary Associates out of Palm Springs, CA. Do you have any infor on their sales records anbd reputation? The other is Jones Hutton Literary Associates out of Westport CT, which is run by Caroline DuBois Hutton. Please, let me know whether I should deal with either of them. Or are they boths scammers. Thanks.
ck
Anonymous's picture
I am looking into publishing a non-fiction book and am unsure of how to find a legit agent. Suggestions??? Thank you!
fatalky
Anonymous's picture
Hi does anyone out there know an agent who deals with comedy writers? I've had about 12 humorous letters published in The Guardian, I've been told by writing tutors that they are important, as they will have been chosen by the letters editor. I've been writing for about 20 years and have never had the confidence to try to find agents or publishers. [%sig%]
Harvey Karp
Anonymous's picture
Jones Hutton Literary Associates I'm very uncomfortable signing a contract to represent my 1st novel with someone who does not want to meet me first. Although the expesnses are to be billed monthly, I thought all expenses were deducted from the advance. Answers to my e-mail questions were not satisfying. No Publisher's Weekly link info, no google info except to Hutton Electronic Publishing. Help please!
emily yaffle
Anonymous's picture
It's really as simple as this :- any agent who asks you for money before they've sold the book is not a real agent, they are a con-artist. An agent will look at your book, and if they think it is good, they will take you on as a client and try to sell your book to a publisher - it is only when your book is published that the agent will earn any money. Oh, and by the way, most agents will actually also make some suggestions about the book, because very very very very very very very few books by a first-time novelist are ready to be published as submitted. They need work. If anyone asks you for money to help get you published, they are conning you. The money comes after you get published.
Marilyn Dixon P...
Anonymous's picture
Just received an agreement from ALA for my book entitled Women Emerging Courageous. I have never published before but all my materials are from authors who have submitted stories and poetry to my site www.emergingcourageous.com . The editor of Ky Press has been assisting me with sending out the proposals to publishers and agents and came across your message. Did you have any other succees with the other company you mentioned...and could you forward me any other additional info that might be helpful in gettting my book published. Ky Press editor says I may have to self publish since I am unknown and I will get my book published and I don't want to wait years to do it. So any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Marilyn Check out my web site and send me any stories you would like to share with my readers about everyday courage. MDP Please email me in person in case I do not see your post. Thanks.MP
Gretchen
Anonymous's picture
Does anyone out there have an ALA that works with publishers that take DIY books. I've got two books I wish to get published. Thank you.
shivanni
Anonymous's picture
Does anyone know of a good lit. agent who represents poetry. I have a collection which I have tested and gotten great reviews for and would like to make some money from it. Thanks
anna
Anonymous's picture
its a scam...go to google type in writers beware, run by victoria strauss (a freidn of mine and author of several famous sci fi and fantasy novels) and you will see that it is a scam.
Andrea
Anonymous's picture
Sounds like a scam to me - I'll check 'em out.
MUZ
Anonymous's picture
Thanks! Any News yet?
Spag
Anonymous's picture
Don't go with them. Mailed my Agent and she says that you should always have a solicitor as a witness. Mailed her what you said, Muz, and she went mad. But she'd like to know about your stuff, finders fee for me, and then she says that if she likes it she'll get you published in under three months. Basically, the witch doesn't get paid until you get paid. So I think that is a fair deal.
MUZ
Anonymous's picture
Dear Spag, Thanks for the info! I have written many short stories, essays, reviews, and especially poetry for many magazines and local newspapers, and have made lot's of contacts in the process. The only problem is that there are no English publishers in Saudi Arabia, the country I live in, and I have to look abroad to get my novel published. I have written a children's mystery/adventure story, which is about ten thousand words, and am looking for an agent to represent me. The good thing is that if I get published, I will most probably be the youngest mystery/adventure novelist, a fact which I believe will make big sales. The hard part is getting published! Besides all that, time is running out. I'm going to turn fifteen in June. I posted my manuscript, Deadly Donations, on ABCtales a long time ago. Since then, I've got a lot of feedback and have improved the story line a lot, adding more witty wisecracks and lots of cliches, which add to the story's atmosphere. As you can see, I'm pretty desperate for an agent, so if you can help me bag this one, I'll be your slave for life!!! I'm uploading the manuscript of Deadly Donations again as Deadly Donations 2, go over it, give me some feedback, if you have time, and ask the "witch" if she'd like to represent me. I'd dedicate my book to you, if it means anything :). Another thing I wanted to ask was what is the minimum number of poems you need to get your own poetry book out? Thanks for all your help. P.S. about the finder's fee, how about a percentage of my royalty? :)
Andrea
Anonymous's picture
Can't find anything about them except their own website. Very bare, pretty uninformative and amateurish. Looks like a new set-up touting for biz. Will investigate further...
MUZ
Anonymous's picture
Thanks Andrea. I've decided not to have any dealings with them, and try Spag's agent instead. But if you can prove they're swindlers, we can issue a warning about them, just like sites are warning poets about poetry.com
Spag
Anonymous's picture
Basically, I have mailed my agent what you just said. I told her that if she is interested i'll give her your email. No need for any of your royalties. You'll need those believe me. The finders fee is what i'll get from my agent. She'll have to pay me for once :-)
MUZ
Anonymous's picture
Thanks Spag!
Spag\'s Lawyer
Anonymous's picture
muz, have mailed her. Me agent should be contacting you very soon.
Samantha Smith
Anonymous's picture
I paid American Literary Agents of Washington D.C. $200.00, about 3 and 1/2 years ago to represent me on one of my childrens books, the contract was for a year though, not 180 days, maybe things have changed......I basically just gave my money away.
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