The Science Fiction Writers of America has posted a list of the twenty worst agents. These are the agents who have tallied the largest number of complaints from their members. One of those "agents" is Barbara Bauer, who has tried to have the list suppressed…only to have the whole thing backfire on her.
Well Lee, if you’ve got one handy, pick up your latest copy of Writers Digest and flip through it looking for those agencies’ ads. Mark Sullivan I think for sure and West Coast Literary Agency, usually a small ad in the back. Check it out. Wouldn’t be surprised to see others in there, too.
Connection or coincidence?
None of these, as far as I know, is an established literary agency. There is an accrediting group, AAR, which is useful:
http://www.aar-online.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=10179
Man, I hope Barbara Bauer doesn’t hear about this.
One minor correction to Mr Goldberg’s comment: Although Writer Beware is a SFWA committee, one need not be a member of SFWA (or write science fiction or fantasy) to provide documentation concerning literary scams to Writer Beware. Documented problems from all manner of writerseven poets, and the three “problem” agents in that area know who you areare welcome. It just happens that, unlike some authors’ groups, SFWA is less interested in drawing boundaries for this sort of thing than in getting some results.
Barbara Bauer reportedly had the site Absolute Write shut down on one hour’s notice because they published this list. More here if you’re interested:
http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/007577.html#007577
Miss Snark has been posting this and seems to have made a hobby out of baiting Barbara Bauer, apparently the Lori Prokop of literary agents.
The trick about the AW shutdown is best explained here.
http://shiveredsky.blogspot.com/2006/05/comic-adventure-of-barbara-bauer.html
Bauer apparently pissed off a few too many writers with that move.
Like Mr. Wheeler notes, none of these are real agents. Anyone can see that.
“Like Mr. Wheeler notes, none of these are real agents. Anyone can see that.”
No doubt the extensive publishing experience of those making such broad claims about people and their livlihoods informs the above quote. “Anyone can see that” must be just an expression meaning that the writer of the phrase engaged the individuals on the ‘list’ and discovered, having submitted a completed, polished manuscript, that they “are not real agents.”
My experience with several on the ‘list’ has been wonderful and productive. So far as certifying associations go, I have found many of them to be only so much propaganda.
Many qualified physicians do not belong to the AMA, many fine home design studios are not ‘certified’ by the Floorcovering Institute of America. Fact is, there are many more aspiring writiers than publishers and qualified agents, and so it won’t do to jettison out-of-hand those who are new, or unconventional, or even those who get complaints. Firing a lawyer does not make that lawyer a bad litigator.
How many novels could have been produced with the ink and energy (both human and electrical)that has gone into whining about Barbara Bauer’s stunt? It was pathetic, and so why give it any energy. The person who is actually sued successfully by her should write the next paragraph about her. Let it go for goodness sakes.
My experience with several on the ‘list’ has been wonderful and productive.
So you’ve had “several” wonderful and productive agents? One wasn’t enough? Or are you full of agricultural fertilizer?
Fact is, there are many more aspiring writiers than publishers and qualified agents, and so it won’t do to jettison out-of-hand those who are new, or unconventional, or even those who get complaints.
Really, is there anything we can do about this difficult situation? How can new writers succeed if there are more writers than publishers? We need some way to reverse this situation.
I searched the membership of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, looking for these twenty agencies that have evoked the most complaints. Only one, Harris Literary Agency, is a member of AAR, the society that sets ethical standards in the field.
I searched the membership of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, looking for these twenty agencies that have evoked the most complaints. Only one, Harris Literary Agency, is a member of AAR, the society that sets ethical standards in the field.
From what I understand, literary agents sell books.
If you would be so kind, Glen, would you mind providing some links to your books and mention which of those agents on the list sold them?
Thanks!
” the writer of the phrase engaged the individuals on the ‘list’ and discovered, having submitted a completed, polished manuscript, that they “are not real agents”
No Glenn I didn’t. I just know they’re bullshit artists just like you. Let’s be blunt: you paid the sons and daughters of bitches. See PT Barnum.
“No doubt the extensive publishing experience of those making such broad claims about people and their livlihoods informs the above quote. ”
Right. Perhaps you’ll also make snide little assertions about Teresa Neilsen Hayden’s experience?
Or perhaps not, eh?
“My experience with several on the ‘list’ has been wonderful and productive. ”
If you paid them, then I’m sure they feel the same way.
“Many qualified physicians do not belong to the AMA”
Physicians are not agents…
“many fine home design studios are not ‘certified’ by the Floorcovering Institute of America”
…and neither are builders.
Glenn Stewart: you’re either a sockpuppet or a cretin. Take your pick.
Hello, Glenn. You’ve worked with several agents on the list? Interesting – did any of them sell your books to a publisher that paid an advance on it?
The reason they are there is not because they are necessarily rude to their clients, although some are. The reason they’re there is that the whole lot of them couldn’t sell the world’s greatest book on building air conditioners to the publishers of Hell.
I noticed that you stated in your website (with a date of May 24, 2006) that the 20 worst agents list was accummulated, and I quote: “These are the agents who have tallied the largest number of complaints from their members”. This is completely FALSE! This is a list comprised by the members of SFWA/Writers Beware…not members of agents…unless you’re referring to the AAR. You might also like to note that every single agent/agency listed on this list is NOT affilliated with the AAR, but, instead, is an independent agent/agency. Hmmm, you think they might have an agenda? Why not list the 20 worst agents from THEIR membership. Another thing…they have no idea how many complaints or compliments the listed 20 worst agents actually have, other than those solicited and mentioned on the writers beware and other affilliated websites. Please correct your comments to read that these agents have “tallied the largest number of complaints by the Writers Beware/SFWA/AAR and other affilliated groups. At least then, you might have a truthful and accurate comment.
Members of the IILAA
It seems to me the complaints stem from clients of these faux agents and are recorded by Writer Beware and others. Perhaps you should check your facts a priori. These are scam artists. Perhaps they should have an organization?