Persist and Publish

The "Do Not Recommend" List

P&P's Do Not Recommend list

P&P's Agents Who do Not Respond List

Dumbest of the 20 Worst Agents

Preditor's and Editor's Agents Listed by Alphabetical Order

Whispers and Warnings

http://www.writerbeware.com
has GREAT resource for agents, both obtaining one and check references.

http://www.sfwa.org/beware/agents.html#Top
This website provides information regarding some of the slippery practices writers need to look out for.

http://www.everyonewhosanyone.com/index.html
Carol found this website both hilarious and informative.

Agents to Avoid - 20 Worst Agents

 "Agents to Avoid," was posted on the Persist and Publish
<http://writersvillage.com/100/groups/139.cgi> by Carol on Saturday, 18
March 2006, at 7:34 p.m.

The message reads as follows:

                      -------------------------

This post appeared on Absolute Write, from Victoria Strauss and was reposted
at Backspace. Strauss and Ann Crispin run Writer Beware, one of the watchdog
sites that help authors navigate the shark-filled waters of agentdom

Writer Beware's 20 Worst Agents (There are more than 20 listed because
some come under the same agency umbrella.)

Below is a list of the 20 agents about which Writer Beware has received
the greatest number of advisories/complaints during the past several years.

None of these agents has a significant track record of sales to commercial
(advance-paying) publishers, and most have virtually no documented and
verified sales at all (many sales claimed by these agents turn out to be
vanity publishers). All charge clients before a sale is made, whether directly,
by charging fees such as reading or administrative fees, or indirectly,
for "editing services."

Writer Beware suggests that writers searching for agents avoid questionable
agents, and instead query agents who have actual track records of sales
to commercial publishing houses.

THE LIST:

The Abacus Group Literary Agency

Allred and Allred Literary Agents (refers clients to "book doctor" Victor
West of Pacific Literary Services)

Capital Literary Agency (formerly American Literary Agents of Washington,
Inc.
)
Barbara Bauer Literary Agency

Benedict & Associates (also d/b/a B.A. Literary Agency)

Sherwood Broome, Inc.

Desert Rose Literary Agency

Arthur Fleming Associates

Finesse Literary Agency (Karen Carr)

Brock Gannon Literary Agency

Harris Literary Agency

The Literary Agency Group, which includes the following:
Children's Literary Agency
Christian Literary Agency
New York Literary Agency
Poets Literary Agency
The Screenplay Agency

Stylus Literary Agency (formerly ST Literary Agency)

Writers Literary & Publishing Services Company (the editing arm of the
above-mentioned agencies)

Martin-McLean Literary Associates

Mocknick Productions Literary Agency, Inc.

B.K. Nelson, Inc.

The Robins Agency (Cris Robins)

Michelle Rooney Literary Agency (also d/b/a Creative Literary Agency and
Simply Nonfiction)

Southeast Literary Agency

Mark Sullivan Associates

West Coast Literary Associates (also d/b/a California Literary Services)

- Victoria

Helpful Agent Websites

Helpful websites and research to help you find an agent.

Name	Link	Research
AR&E Agent Search	http://www.agentresearch.com/	A great website all about Agents
Guide to Literary Agents	http://www.literaryagents.org/	Another great website with Agents, articles, great information.
Absolute Write	http://www.absolutewrite.com/	Get a listing of over 180+ agents delivered to your inbox!
Agents Actively Looking - various (thanks Syl!)	`http://www.literaryagents.org`	Agents_060704.htm
Writer's Free Reference List of Agents	http://www.writers-free-reference.com/agents/	This is a free list of e-mail addresses for non-fee literary agents in the U.S., Canada, England, Australia and other countries
Agents Handling First Novels		Agents handling first nov.htm
Site of independent mystery publishers	http://www.mysterypublishers.com	Various independent mystery publishers
Literary guides	Literary Agent Guides.htm	These are guides P&P members use and recommend
Shalla Agent List	http://shalladeguzman.com/ShallaAgentList.php	Great website, lots of agent information
Agent Query	http://www.agentquery.com/	Agent Query offers the largest most current searchable database of literary agents on the web—a treasure trove of reputable, established literary agents seeking writers just like you. And it's free (not because there's a catch, but simply because not enough things in this world are free).
101 Independent Publishers	http://www.bookmarket.com/101pub.html

P&P Agent Research

Agency	Represents	Research
Abrams Artists Agency	Mainstream/Contemporary Mystery/Suspense, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Drama	AGENT_Abrams Artists.htm
Ahearn, Pamela	Mystery, romance, thriller	AGENT_Ahearn.htm
Ann Rittenberg Literary Agency	A boutique firm specializing in literary fiction and high-quality narrative nonfiction. This agency says it doesn’t do genre, but Rittenberg attended the 2004 Bouchercon mystery conference and her list includes mystery/suspense, including Dennis Lehane and C.J. Box and Jim Fusilli, whose novel “Hard, Hard City” won the 4th Annual Gumshoe Awards for Best Mystery.	AGENT_Ann Rittenberg Lit.htm
Atria Books	Publishes a wide range of books	AGENT_Atria Books.htm
B.J. Robbins Literary Agency	Handles literary fiction, narrative and general non-fiction. No scripts, genre fiction, romance, horror, science fiction or children’s books.	B.J.Robbins_Literary_Agency.htm
Babson, Marian	Mystery	Mystery Agents_Evelyn.htm
Blythe, Rolph	Fiction	AGENT_Rolph Blythe.htm
Bookends - more info. from Maria	Fiction: Mainstream/Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense, Romance, Thriller, detective/police/crime/cozie	AGENT_Bookends.htm
BridgeWorks	Mystery, other	AGENT_BRIDGEWORKS.htm
Brown, Roberta	Romance	AGENT_Roberta Brown.htm
Burnes, Sarah -The Gernert Company	Fiction	AGENT_Sarah Burnes.htm
Castiglia, Julie	Fiction: Contemporary Issues, Ethnic, Literary, Mainstream, Contemporary/Mystery, Women’s Suspense (especially)	AGENT_Julie Castiglia.htm
Collins McCormick	Literary Fiction	Amy_Williams.htm
Creative Media	Commercial fiction, women's fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and romances	AGENT_Creative Media.htm
Creative Word Agency	Fiction: Commercial/mainstream, historical fiction, ethnic, crime/detective, suspense/thrillers, and character-driven sci-fi/horror novels.	AGENT_Creative Word.htm
David Black Literary Agency	Seeking literary, mainstream/contemporary, commercial	AGENT_David Black.htm
Dawson, Liza	Non-fiction books, novels, scholarly books . Considers these fictiona reas: ethnic, family saga, historical, literary, mystery/suspense, regional, thriller	AGENT_Liza Dawson.htm
DeFiore, Brian	General fiction, Mystery, Biography	AGENT_Brian DeFiore.htm
Denise Marcil Literary Agency	Interested in stories that capture women’s experiences today, chick lit, thrillers, suspense, women’s commercial fiction	AGENT_Denise Marcil.htm
Dystal & Goderich	Takes “just about everything”	AGENT_Dystal & Goderich.htm AGENT_Dystel and Goderich 2.htm
Ellenberg, Ethan	Biography; Children’s Books; Cookery; Current Affairs; Fantasy; Fiction; Factual; Health; Historical; Literary Fiction; Military; Romance; Science; Sci-Fi; Suspense / Thrillers; Theology; Women’s Interests	Agent_Ethan_Ellenberg.htm
Ferris, Monica	Mystery	Mystery Agents_Evelyn.htm
Fletcher and Parry LLC	General Fiction Juvenile Fiction Biography Business/investing/finance, History, Health, Travel, Lifestyle Sports, African-American Science, Narrative non-fiction, cultural history memoir, current affairs.	Agent_Fletcher and Parry.htm
Foiles, James S	"Agencies dealing with Fantasy."from 2005 Writer's Digest Guide to Literary Agents) "Appleseeds" specializes in mysteries with a detective who could be in a continuing series because readership of mysteries is expanding." 40 percent of clients new/unpublished. Handles 85 percent novels Considers detective, police.crime/mystery/suspense	S. James Foiles.htm
Garrick, Kate	Fiction and Non-Fiction	Kate_Garrick.htm
Geiger, Ellen	One of New York's finest, small boutique agencies specializing in upmarket fiction and nonfiction. Represents a number of award-winning thriller and mystery writers, (PJ Tracy, Donna Andrews, Earlene Fowler) and and is always looking for commercial and literary fiction of the highest quality.	AGENT_Ellen Geiger.htm
Ghahremani, Lilly	Fiction and nonfiction authors, with a focus on Middle Eastern/multicultural issues and timely nonfiction, women’s literature and commercial fiction.	Lilly Ghahremani.htm
Grossman & Holmes		AGENT_Grossman & Holmes.htm
Hartline Literary Agency	Fiction and non-fiction books to leading mainline and inspirational publishers. They specifically mention cozies.	Hartline Literary Agency.htm
Helen Heller Agency	Literary fiction and non-fiction	AGENT_Helen Heller.htm
Hoffman, Scott	Only accepts e-mail queries. Per Carol, he thinks all authors should assume some responsiblity for themselves.	AGENT_Scott Hoffman.htm
Insomnia Press	Canadian publisher - Mysteries	AGENT_Canadian publishers.htm
JABberwocky Literary Agency	science fiction, fantasy, mystery, horror, thrillers/suspense, mainstream/literature	AGENT_Jaberwocky.htm
Jackson, Jennifer	Detective/Police/Crime, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Literary, Mainstream/Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense, Cozy, Occult (Psychic, Supernatural), Romance (Historical, Paranormal, Time Travel), Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller/Espionage	Jennifer Jackson.htm
Jane Chelius Literary Agency	We are always actively seeking submissions from new and unpublished authors. We do not handle children’s books, poetry, stage plays or screenplays. We do not consider unsolicited sample chapters or manuscripts; they will be returned or destroyed if no postage is provided.	AGENT_Jane Chelius Literary.htm
Jane Rotrosen Agency	Mystery/thriller, romance	AGENT_Jane Rotrosen Agency.htm
JCA Literary Agency	Crime & suspense fiction, literary fiction, historical, family saga, action/adventure, mainstream/contemporary and serious non-fiction of all types. Does not represent science fiction, fantasy, juvenile, genre romance or screenplays.	AGENT_JCA Literary.htm
JCA Literary Agency (Con’t)	Handles memoirs in addition to novels. Specializes in crime & suspense fiction, literary fiction, historical, family saga, action/adventure, mainstream/contemporary and serious, non-fiction of all types. Does not represent science fiction, fantasy juvenile, genre romance or screenplays.	AGENT_JCA Literary.htm
John Hawkins & Associates, Inc.	Handles fiction, memoirs. Prefers established writers.	AGENT_JOHN HAWKINS.htm
The Joy Harris Literary Agency Inc.	Not specified. Member of Association of Authors' Representatives	AGENT_Joy Harris Literary.htm
Karen Solum – Spencerhill	Mostly commercial women’s fiction, romance, thrillers and mysteries.	AGENT_Karen Solem.htm
Kern, Natasha	a broad range of commercial fiction and nonfiction	AGENT_Natasha Kern.htm
Koster, Elaine	General fiction, Mystery including amateur sleuth, cozy, detective, thriller.	AGENT_Elaine Koster.htm
Kriss, Miriam	Specializes in commercial fiction: General fiction, mystery, romance, historical fiction, women’s fiction, thrillers, suspense	AGENT_Miriam Kriss.htm
Levin, Donna		AGENT DonnaLevin comments.htm
Lerner, Betsy	Literary, I think mystery	AGENT_Betsy Lerner.htm
Manus & Associates Literary Agency, Inc.	Fiction and dramatic/narrative nonfiction	Manus.htm
Manus, Jillian	“Books that empower women physically, psychologically, and spiritually. “Her fiction writers include thrillers and commercial literary fiction.	AGENT_Jillian Manus.htm
Marcia Amsterdam Agency	Action/Adventure, Detective/Police/Crime Horror, Mainstream/Contemporary Mystery/Suspense, Romance (contemporary, historical) Science Fiction, Thriller Young Adult	AGENT_MARCIA AMSTERDAM.htm
Marcy Posner Literary Agency	Fiction (general, action/adventure, historical, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller, women’s fiction) and nonfiction (biography, history, health, lifestyle, memoir).	Agent_Marcy Posner.htm
Maria Carvainis Agency, Inc.	Historical, Literary Mainstream/Contemporary Mystery/Suspense, Thriller Women's, middle grade and young adult	AGENT_MARIA CARVAINIS.htm
Marly Rusoff & Associates, Inc	I only see one thriller on the list on the web site, but this agent accepts e-mail queries and responds very quickly--for me, she responded on the same day.	AGENT_Marly Rusoff.htm
Mike and Susan Farris	Anything except children’s books or sci-fi	Mike_and_Susan_Farris.htm
Muse Literary Management	Literary novels and short story collections with popular appeal; mysteries/thrillers/suspense novels; espionage fiction/nonfiction; literary narrative nonfiction; nonfiction topics: music, writing, birds, gardening; children's fiction/nonfiction *Exclusions in all areas: romance, chick lit, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, vampire or serial killer stories, religion, spirituality, stories of victimhood or illness. Debbie Carter Literary Agent 189 Waverly Place, #4 New York, NY 10014-3135	www.museliterary.com
Nancy Love Literary Agency	Mystery/Suspense Thriller	AGENT_NANCY LOVE.htm
Nellis, Muriel	General fiction Mystery Juvenile fiction Reference Biography Business/investing/finance History Religious Mind/body/spirit Health Lifestyle Cookbooks African-American Science Philosophy Psychology Politics Narrative non-fiction Children's books: a select few	AGENT_Muriel Nellis.htm
Nelson Literary Agency, LLC	Literary (with a commercial bent) Commercial mainstream Science Fiction (think Dan Simmons rather than Piers Anthony) Fantasy, Women's fiction Chick lit, Historical & Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense Romantic Comedy, Paranormal/Time Travel Romance Science Fiction/Futuristic Romance Female-Oriented Fantasy (with romantic elements) Young Adult (must be high concept and have a commercial bent) Does NOT accept: Short story collections Mysteries (unless Chick Lit) Thrillers, Christian, Horror, Children's (picture books etc.)	AGENT_Nelson Lit.htm
Peter Lampack Agency	Commercial fiction, non-fiction by recognized experts. Actively seeking literary and commercial fiction, thrillers, mysteries, suspense, psychological thrillers. Does not want horror, western, romance, science fiction, academic materials.	Peter Lampack Agency Inc.htm
Peter Rubie Literary	We do not represent plays, short stories, and screenplays.	AGENT_Peter Rubie Literary.htm
Philip Spitzer Literary Agency, Inc.	General fiction and non-fiction; specialises in mystery/suspense, sports, politics, biography, social issues. member AAR	AGENT_Philip Spitzer.htm
Pine, Richard	InkWell Management LLC boasts a list of best-selling and award-winning writers in all areas of fiction and non-fiction.	AGENT_Richard Pine.htm
Poisoned Pen Press	Mystery	AGENT_Poisoned Pen Press.htm
Prospect Agency		AGENT_Prospect Agency.htm
Proulx, Elise	Literary fiction; quirky fiction, including women’s fiction; mysteries; memoir; travel; history; and books on health, medicine and dating. (Agency Scout)	Elise_Proulx.htm
Red Dress Ink	Chick Lit, may be expanding to represent more.	AGENT_Red Dress Ink.htm
Reece Halsey North literary agency	This agent specializes in mysteries and represents cozies, but appears to handle all genres	AGENT_REECE HALSEY NORTH.htm
Regal Literary	Nonfiction, novels, short story collections, novellas. Considers these fiction areas: comic books, crime, detective, police, mystery, suspense, literary, historical, thriller, contemporary. Does not want romance, science fiction, horror, screenplays or children’s books.	AGENT_Regal Literary.htm
Rendevous Crime	Canadian publisher - Mystery, Crime	AGENT_Canadian publishers.htm
Rennert, Laura	All categories of children’s books, picture books to young adult. She also specializes in literary fiction, women’s fiction, mysteries and thrillers, and narrative nonfiction. She also specializes in specific categories of adult fiction and nonfiction: literary fiction, women’s fiction, mysteries and thrillers (particularly those with a female perspective or angle), memoir, and narrative and popular nonfiction	AGENT_Laura Rennert.htm
Ruley, Meg	Carol's impression from Crimebake '05 - "She seemed approachable despite the fact that she is on Agent Research's major player list. She represents a lot of authors from New England. She said her tastes are varied. She represents a broad spectrum of mysteries, suspense and thrillers. Her advice: Scare me. Make me cry. Make it intense."	AGENT_Meg Ruley.htm
Scovill Chichak Literary	Our list is eclectic and chaotic, rich and diverse, and there is no type of book that doesn’t interest us if it is first-rate.	AGENT_Scovill Chichak Lit.htm
Seventh Avenue Literary Agency	Mainly non-fiction, but also fiction and travel mystery	Seventh_Avenue_Literary.htm
The Seymour Agency	The only fiction The SA handles is romance, Christian books, Westerns and literary novels.	AGENT_Seymour Agency.htm
Sherman, Wendy	Currently handles 50 percent fiction. 50 percent nonfiction Represents women's, literary, suspense.	AGENT_Wendy Sherman.htm
Spectrum Literary	Handles both fiction and nonfiction works, though the majority of our clients write commercial fiction such as science fiction, fantasy, mystery, suspense and romance.	AGENT_Spectrum Literary.htm
Strachan Literary	Primarily Literary Fiction, will consider Mystery/Suspense and Legal or Psychological thrillers if beautifully written. Also Children’s Literature.	AGENT_Strachan Literary.htm
Strickler, Pam	Romance, Women's fiction.....Do Not handle Children's or Nonfiction	AGENT_Pam Strickler.htm
Susan Schulman Agency	Books for, by and about women’s issues, including family, careers, health and spiritual development, business, sociology, history and economics. Emphasizing contemporary women’s fiction and nonfiction books of interest to women.	AGENT_ Susan Schulman.htm
Tabian, Bob	A wide range of both fiction and non-fiction titles with special interest in mainstream and literary fiction, contemporary women’s fiction, thrillers and mysteries.	Bob_Tabian.htm
Tabian, Bob (continued)	Mainstream fiction, mysteries, psychological suspense and thrillers, commercial women’s fiction, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism, biography, autobiography, popular culture, how-to, spirituality, cookbooks, science, health and child-care related topics, lifestyle, and illustrated books.	AGENT_Bob Tabian_cont.htm
Talcot Notch Literary	30% of their clients are new authors. They specialize in mystery/suspense/crime novels. Take email queries	AGENT_Talcot Notch.htm
The Doris S. Michaels Literary Agency	Represents	AGENT_Doris S Michaels.htm
The Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency	Narrative nonfiction and commercial fiction	AGENT_Stuart Krichevsky.htm
TriadaUS Literary Agency	Literary fiction and suspense	AGENT_TriadaUS Literary.htm
Victoria Sanders & Associates	Action/Adventure, Contemporary Issues, Ethnic, Family Saga, Feminist Gay/Lesbian, Literary, Thriller	AGENT_VICTORIA SANDERS.htm
The Vines Agency	Action/adventure, contemporary issues, , detective/police/crime, experimental, family saga, feminist, gay/lesbian, historical, horror, humor/satire, literary, mainstream/contemporary, mystery/suspense, occult, psychic/supernatural, regiona, romance, science fiction, western, frontier, women’s.	AGENT_The Vines Agency.htm
Webb, Irene	Fiction and Non-Fiction	Irene_Webb.htm
Wofford, Sally	Literary fiction, non-fiction	AGENT_Sally Wofford.htm
Writer's House	Literary and romance	AGENT_Writers House.htm
Zeckendorf, Susan	Actively seeking: Actively seeking mysteries, literary fiction, mainstream fiction, thrillers, social history, parenting, classical music, and biography. Does not want: Does not want to receive science fiction, romance, or children's books.	AGENT_Susan Zeckendorf.htm

SDSU Agent Research

Below are agents that will be at the San Diego conference that members have done research on.

Agent	Document
Randi Murray	Agent_Randi Murray.htm
Alicka Pistek	Agent_Alicka Pistek.htm
Elizabeth Pomada	Agent_Elizabeth Pomada.htm
Betsy Amster	Agent_Betsy Amster.htm
Amy Rennert	Agent_Amy Rennert Agency.htm
Loretta Barrett	Agent_Loretta Barrett.htm
Kathleen Anderson	Agent_Kathleen Anderson.htm
Katharine Sands	Agent_Katharine Sands.htm
Angela Rinaldi	Agent_Angela Rinaldi.htm

Breaking into the Publishing World letter by letter.

The "Do Not Recommend" List

Agents to Avoid - 20 Worst Agents

Helpful Agent Websites

P&P Agent Research

Agency

Tabian, Bob

SDSU Agent Research