So, who wants to give me $5,000?

[Robb]

:eyes:

So I just got off the phone with this literary agent in New York. Sadly, I know he's the real deal; I think I'd be happier thinking I was getting scammed.

He spent six weeks with my fiction manuscript and likes the plot but thinks it needs to be longer (no surprise there) and needs some world-class editing (no surprise there either). He pointed me to this guy who has such credentials it makes me sick to my stomach -- again, the real deal. My stalking skills on the internet are second to none, and this guy's absolutely better than I could hope for.

The tragedy is he's pricey; the agent guessed (while insisting I'd have to negotiate with the editor guy myself) I'd spend five grand at this.

Such a drag; I hate to tell you all how long it takes me to put together that kind of money in this half-horse town. And again, if I could write it all off as a scam in progress, I'd be a happier Robb. No such luck. :(

Well, off to buy a lottery ticket!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. Venture Capital?

"Invest in Robb"? I'm only half-joking here.

[Robb]

2. I thought venture capitalists were hunted to extinction

in the late 90's. :D

[trof]

3. How many pages? I'll do it for $1000.

I'm a terrific edtur.

[Robb]

4. Yeah

...but you cant spel for shet. ;)

[trof]

5. who said anything about spellen?

I just edat. Spellen's extur.

[soleft]

6. I don't get it

A rewrite is a rewrite, why can't you do the rewrite yourself. Something doesn't sound right here.

[BigMcLargehuge]

7. is he sending you to a "book doctor"?

if so, it's a scam. What was the publishing company/editor. A reputable publisher/editor/agent WILL NOT charge you up front for service other than occasionally photocopying or faxing. Agents work on commission, standard 15%. Publishers expect to MAKE MONEY on your writing and do not charge for services like editing or camera prep.

[Robb]

8. "All money should flow towards the artist"

:)

At this point I'm thinking my best bet is to bypass the agent part and head straight for publishers. It worked on my last book on a small scale; I was frankly just hoping this guy could open a few locked doors for me. And I know he could, but I also understand he wants a more polished gem to shop around.

Since I borrow money from church mice, this ain't the route for me, no matter how legit I feel it is.

[BigMcLargehuge]

9. the rule of thumb is...

if he thought the gem was worth polishing, he'd do it himself. He wouldn't refer you to some third party that costs upwards of 5Gs.

There are two possible explanations:

1. He doesn't want to tell you he doesn't like you work and figures a high up front expense will dissuade you. In which case he isn't much of an agent.

2. He gets a kickback from the book doctor.

If he thought the book would make money, that is, he could sell it, he WOULD sell it.

Just keep shopping around. Join a writer's group for editing purposes. Hire someone local to look at your stuff on a per-page basis (low) or barter. That's what I do.