hirikosaunders | Very Important Question

Okay here goes....I got somewhat good news today, but I am a bit wary and want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

I sent some stories to a submission service, they responded that they liked what I sent and felt they could market it *WOOT!* Now here comes the not so good news, they charge fees-so the question is...is this normal? And if so what might be the average range? Anyone who might know please chime in, and of yes if you are on any sort of community for writers please forward it there. Also if there is someplace I can contact for publishing practices you know like the Better Business for Businesses let me know that as well.

I must contact them by the 7th so I am taking at least a few days to process this so feedback would be appreciated. Also if you need to know their name that's no problem. Thanks in advance for anyone who can help.

In LJ news- I am still debating going to sponsored for this account since I can now make icons, at least pretty basically, I would like to put a few of mine on here...so yeah.

EDIT I continue to be dubious so I am pretty certain I won't go with these people, however I think I will spend the next week or two looking through as many magazines as possible to see if any take submissions and what the rules are for said submissions....I just can't shake this uncertainty so I think I shouldn't ignore it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Agents usually take their fees from the sale of stories. Perhaps google the name of the people you're dealing with - see if anyone else has posted that they might be sus?

Yeah, I plan on doing a lot of checking, because I very new to actually sending my stories out, and also I haven't talked to them yet, just recieved the letter today so there might be something I'm misunderstanding.

...That sounds pretty normal to me...

I read somewhere to be wary of any place that has fees that DO NOT come out of how much you sell. These people charge for you to send something to them, regardless of whether it sells. I am still checking into things and will probably continue to think about it over the next couple of days.

anyplace that asks for money from you up front is *not* legit. While agents may take a percent of your *earnings*, noplace that is on the level will ask for money up front, and that includes reading fees. Run the company names or agents' names through google and see if they turn up on absolute write or predators and editors. Having worked for a scam publishing operation, I know what these people are like. =/ It's dissapointing and it's frustrating, but remember, a legitimate place is someplace that offers *you* money for your stories, not the other way around.

Also, check out the lj community "specific markets" (I'm not sure of the link, sorry!) if you're not on it already. It has listings for editors and anthologies looking for submissions.

And avoid places like publish america, that claim to be real publishers! Trust me, they aren't! 0_0 It's harder to get your work out to real places, but you can do it! ^_^ Spec. markets asks for a lot of fantasy/erotic/gothy stuff, you probably could do well with their prompts. ^___^

*waves pompopms*

I hadn't heard of that community, but I'll certainly join. I've not actually seen that they're 'a scam' but they're more trouble than they're worth for what they give you, at least it seems that way. I haven't talked to them yet but I might, or not I really haven't decided to be honest.

Again thanks for the LJ community.

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