I have written several books, submitted them to agents, who want monies to submit. Is this usual and right?

Question

I have written several types of stories since retiring, more as a hobby because it is fun, and have shared them with family. I eventually wanted to become a published author, maybe even make enough to pay some bills. The agents I have sent the works seem to universally like what I have written but all, with one exception only, want money for some reason or other. This seems counter to my understanding of the process or perhaps I do not understand it well enough. I thought the money was supposed to flow in my direction and not the other way.

I expected suggestions and was ready to change, add, and re-qrite as necessary but did not expect the agents to themselves request monies. I admit that outside of a dissertation which is so called published by the school- after I pay for it, I have published buptkiss.

Answer 1

First of all, no reputable agent should charge you any money. Legitimate agents only get paid when your work sells. They receive a commission. Check out the preditors/editors link below for listings of good and bad agents.

Second: If you are planning to publish books and make money to pay bills, you're in for major disappointment. Most writers rarely make enough to cover writing costs (paper, printer ink, postage, envelopes, etc.) Luckier ones make a little bit more which, if they're smart and plan to keep writing, the put towards marketing - website, promotional materials. The rare few make big bucks - most writers have full-time day jobs.

Write because it gives you pleasure and because you are compelled to do so. Don't write if you are in it for the money.

Answer 2

Just because you wrote it doesn't make it good, and not saying that to be mean. Maybe you are sending to vanity press people which means all self published. They all want money and will publish anything you give them.

I did a self publish on my book "Happy Birthday Mr Sidney" because I was told it wasn't main stream. Its getting great reviews on amazon, but I have to promote it.

Make sure you don't edit your own book, have someone else do it. You will never do it justice if you edit alone. And be prepared for rejection from true agents. Buy a Writers Guild or Writers Marketplace and start there. Research online.

Good Luck

Answer 3

You are correct to be concerned. Any agent requesting for you to pay for publishing is a con artist. The agent makes money off of your earnings not the other way around. Tell the bum to get lost and get a real agent.

Answer 4

Have a good story outline in place, and a few sample pages to show your writing style. Then, look for an agent who knows what publishers to market to. Agents are far better than self-representation when you're dealing with anything that pertains to publishing.

Answer 5

I wouldn't trust these agents. A reputable agent should receive money only when the stories are published, and then they usually should only get ten percent of whatever the writer gets.

Answer 6

agents should not ask for money, any that does is a scam artist. A real agent, be it for writers, actors, or anything else only earn commision from getting you money. Any kind that asks for you to pay for things, from photos to manuscripts, is just trying to make money off of your ignorance. They work for you

Answer 7

have you asked why they want the money and if all the publishers have done this.