I'm almost afraid to ask... Question about Yog's Law

Steam&Ink · Oct 18, 2009

OK, OK, I've heard Yog's Law a bunch of times now, and I chant it in my sleep: Money flows toward the author.... Money flows toward the author...

But, I wanted to ask this (and I'm afraid to because I will probably just get hounded with five-word replies): An agent in my country, who is reputable and represents some successful authors, says on her website that she charges her clients ongoing office costs, such as for phone calls and postage.

Does this fit in with Yog's Law? I'm not querying her, I just read it on her website, and heard a mighty clash of cymbals as it collided in my head with the shiny knowledge I gleaned from Absolute Write.

Wayne K · Oct 18, 2009

I've seen this on a lot of agent sites. Including AAR members.

caromora · Oct 18, 2009

It's not necessarily a red flag. Most agents who do this include the charges with their cut of the author's advance--meaning they don't ask for the money until the book is sold. There's also, from my experience, typically a clause in the agency's contract that limits the amount of money the agent can charge for expenses.

Steam&Ink · Oct 19, 2009

OK. thanks guys. It does seem fairly reasonable, and you'd have an agreed framework on what the charges could be, I guess.

James D. Macdonald · Oct 23, 2009

The money should come out of the advance, not in the form of a monthly bill.

rugcat · Oct 23, 2009

That language is in my agent's agency contract as well.

She's never charged me a dime, however, nor taken it out of advances. It may just be a type of boilerplate that creeps into agency contracts but is not always adhered to.

Gillhoughly · Oct 28, 2009

My agent charges me copy costs & mailing if needed; I don't think I get charged for phone calls.

She itemizes and checks with me first on whether it's OK.

BUT--the costs come out of my advance check AFTER she sells a book.

ChristineR · Oct 29, 2009

This has always seemed to me to be kind of a holdover from the days of monopoly long distance and huge, expensive copying machines. Nowadays the costs shouldn't make that much difference either way.

I'm almost afraid to ask... Question about Yog's Law

Steam&Ink

sekrit superhero

Wayne K

caromora

Still alive. Kind of.

Steam&Ink

sekrit superhero

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

rugcat

Lost in the Fog

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

ChristineR

What happened?