I like to pass along warnings that are listed on the excellent Writer Beware blog and this time it's about someone calling themselves the "Best Solution Author Agency." Apparently they are sending an email to writers they find on various websites, offering a "no reading fee" service and promising they will take care of your agenting, critiquing, editorial and publicity needs. The writer, Dan Grogan, says he has "only a few openings on (his) client list."
Hmm, if he has only a few openings, what's he doing sending out mass mailings like this? Wouldn't he go after authors whose work he's seen in one of the many online showcases? Another tip-off is the spelling mistakes ("summery"--not referring to the weather). No specifics about any books or films they've sold. The warning signs go on and on, but may not be all that obvious to someone new to publishing.
Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting that Mr Grogan is a crook...just that this may not be your "best solutioni" if you are an author. Instead, go for an agent who spells out his or her experience with specifics, and who sticks to agenting (for a commission) instead of trying to sell you all kinds of separate services.
(What agents do and how to deal with them is the subject of a chapter in my book, "Your Writing Coach," published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon and other online and offline booksellers.)
