Silver Screen Placements (William W. Levin)

[absolutewrite]

Anyone know anything about them? One of our readers just told me that he referred her to an editorial service. (Generally a very bad sign... remember the Edit Ink scandal?) I have this agency on our "Agents! Agents! Agents!" list, but will take them down if others have had bad experiences with them.

[Victoria]

I've gotten a number of complaints from writers to whom paid editing was recommended. One writer was quoted a cost of over $4,000. Another told me that Mr. Levin admitted to taking a percentage of the fee. I've been told the WGAe has also received complaints.

- Victoria
Writer Beware
www.sfwa.org/beware (http://www.sfwa.org/beware)

[bvasquez1]

I too sent my manuscript. I am emailing and asking for it back. I cannot afford to foot $4000 right now. Please let me know how you fare. I can be reached at
vas01@hotmail.com.

Bill Vasquez

[author40]

I just got a letter from SSP, also recommending that my ms get professional editing. I found this strange, since this same ms had been named a finalist for the 2001 ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award, which is judged on, among other things, editing quality. I'm so thankful I found these postings before I acted on his letter...

[silverscreen11yahoocom]

It is quite easy to condemn an agent when some disgruntled or rejected so-called author vents his spleen because he feels his work was above average and unrecognized as such.

I'd like to know the names of the complainers besides Bill Vargas so that I may give you my side of the dispute. As for Vargas: he had a good story that needed Major editing and WANTED to have it done. He wasn't coerced into anything. In order to accommodate him, we even made arrangements with the editor for payments. He later told us that his job with Allstate was in jeopardy and he was afraid to proceed. If you wish, I'll send you copies of his e-mails to prove this.

As far as the claim that I receive a commission on recommended editing jobs. That's false. Only one time did I intend to do it until The Writers' Guild said it's a no-no. I receive no commissions or kick backs from them.

The editors I suggest are all free-lancers and not in my employ. They work under the company name of The Editors' Group and are at: theeditorsgroup@yahoo.com. The man in charge is Mike Jeffries. They are exceptional editors who I suggest writers contact only after they have been unable to find someone suitable--provided they want editing done.

Now, here's a thought for you to ponder. The writers who have complained to you have suffered no loss. They have not hired an editor I reccommended nor been successful in obtaining an agent. Doesn't that sound like sour grapes? It would be different if they hired these people and were dissatisfied, wanted their money back and were rebuffed. Oddly, the authors who had their work done by these editors wrote glowing letters praising the quality of their work and happy they had the work done. Isn't it remarkable that the complainers are always the losers. Reminds me of the adage about poker playing: "The winners laugh and the losers say deal!"

I hope I have set the record straight. If you want any further clarification, let me know and I'll supply it. In the meanwhile I hope you"ll either eliminate your criticism of my agency or at least publish this rebuttal. Thank you.

William Levin

[Victoria]

Mr. Levin, it's my understanding that your agency was removed from the WGA agency list this past spring, due to frequent editorial referrals. According to documentation I've collected, WGA has been receiving complaints about Silver Screen Placements since 1999.

Since 2000, Writer Beware has received 11 reports from writers who say that your agency recommended they pay for editing, with amounts varying from $1,000 to $4,000.

- Victoria
Writer Beware
www.sfwa.org/beware/ (http://www.sfwa.org/beware/)

[Brian Fay]

Based on William Levin's recommendation, I engaged the Editors' Group to edit my novel (April 2004). My consumer research showed me they were priced on the high end, but still within market range. I can not vouch for the relationship between the two agencies (nor do I care), but I can validate that The Editors' Group is a top notch, legitimate agency. I was extremely pleased with the quality of work, timeliness, and follow up support I received. Not only is my novel well polished for further review, the learning experience to me as a writer was invaluable. Shop around, and if you can get good quality for a lower price, take it, but make no mistake, The Editor's Group is an outstanding agency. I would not hesitate to use them again.

[vstrauss]

And did Levin then accept your novel for representation, Brian? And has he sold it?

- Victoria

[Brian Fay]

I only resubmitted my edited novel to Mr. Levin last week. My point was regarding The Editors' Group. To anyone who is wondering if they are a legitimate agency, my experience found them to be extremely thorough and hight quality. They are priced at the higher end of market range, so do your consumer research, but I was extremely pleased with their services, would recommend them to others, and would not hesitate to use them again.
While I had my reservations entering into the engagement, based on the results I am nothing but satisfied. Whether or not Mr. Levin sells my novel, I have a better product to shop around and I have learned tremendously in the process.
Buyer beware. No one should put out money for an editor thinking they are buying an agent. Make your decisions based on the needs of the manuscript and the reputation of the editor.

[sunrisepro]

To: info@agentresearch.com
p17.ezboard.com/ (http://p17.ezboard.com/)
www.wga.org/ (http://www.wga.org/)
beware@sfwa.org

From: Barbara F. Seiden
sunrisepro@aol.com
Date: August 26, 2004
Re: Complaint against agent William W. Levin, President/Silver Screen Placement Agency


Dear Sirs:

For your registry, I would like to submit the following complaint and e-mail correspondence with the above writer's agent, William W. Levin, President, Silver Screen Placement Agency, 602 65th St., Downer's Grove, IL 60516. After sending him a query letter regarding representation of my script, he responded:

Received from Mr. Levin on 7/16/04:

"Thank you for your inquiry. Kindly send the following
via USPS: brief query letter, 1-page synopsis,
screenplay; signed copy of the attached release and a
SASE. We'll review your work and respond as soon as
possible. Thank you."

I sent the following e-mail to Mr. Levin on 8/13/04:

"Silver Screen Placements
602 65th. St.
Downers Grove, IL 60516"

To: William R. Levin, President
Silver Screen Placements Agency
Silverscreen11@yahoo.com
From: sunrisepro@aol.com
Subj: Complaints against your agency/APPOINTED ROUNDS submission
Date: August 13, 2004

Dear Mr. Levin,

The website www.agentresearch.com/ (http://www.agentresearch.com/) finds no match in their system under your name or your business. Also, there are three pages of complaints from writers listed against you and your company on the p197.ezboard.com/ (http://p197.ezboard.com/) site of which you are aware. It is noted on that site that your agency was removed from the WGA agency list in the spring of 2003 due to frequent editorial referrals. It appears WGA has received complaints about your company Silver Screen Placements since 1999. Are you currently a signatory of WGA?

Since recently submitting my screenplay, APPOINTED ROUNDS to you for consideration, I am rightfully concerned and I would appreciate your response to this matter.

Sincerely,

Barbara F. Seiden
sunrisepro@aol.com "


Received from Mr. Levin on 8/13/04:


"My dear Ms. Seiden:

First off, my middle initial is W, not R.

Second, I have NO IDEA of the complaints you mention
nor the webpage you refer to. Unfortunately many
writers are rejected by my office and others and those
malcontents seek revenge by writing nasty lies about
us. The websites further the slander by refusing to
print the accused's side.

But, that's okay, because those who read and believe
that tripe are not the clients we wish to take on. We
look for writers with imagination. Leaders, not
followers.

There are also reasons why I am not in the WGA's
agency lists to which you are not privy, nor is it
your business. But for the receord, I do remain a
signatory.

Finally, I have absolutely no record of you submitting
anything to our office in our logbook.

Thank you.

WWL"

Submitted 8/14/04 to Mr. Levin:

"Subj: Re: APPOINTED ROUNDS submission
Date: 8/14/2004
From: Barbara F. Seiden
sunrisepro@aol.com
To: William W. Levin
Silver Screen Placements
silverscreen11@yahoo.com

Dear Mr. Levin,

Apologies for the error of your middle initial. Sometimes, when writing e-mails fast, we often type errors, as in your typo "receord" to me. As a perfectionist, I proof everything but errors do happen, and again, I apologize.

To refresh your memory, I detail our correspondence below:

On 7/16/04, you e-mailed: "Thank you for your inquiry. Kindly send the following
via USPS: brief query letter, 1-page synopsis,
screenplay; signed copy of the attached release and a
SASE. We'll review your work and respond as soon as
possible. Thank you.

Silver Screen Placements
602 65th. St.
Downers Grove, IL 60516"

On 8/2/2004, I e-mailed the following response:

Subj: Re: Query/film script submission
Date: 8/2/2004
From: Barbara F. Seiden
sunrisepro@aol.com
To: Silverscreen11@yahoo.com

"Thank you for your response of 7/16/2004 requesting my screenplay, APPOINTED ROUNDS, a brief query letter, 1-page synopsis, the signed copy of your release and a SASE.

I have assembled the above and am sending it to you via USPS as requested.

Thank you again for your consideration.

Barbara F. Seiden"


"I sent the above by Priority Mail, Delivery Confirmation on 8/3/04 as advised. I am in receipt of the U.S. Postal Service track and confirmation print-out which notes my item was "delivered at 2:09 pm on August 05, 2004 in Downers Grove, IL 60516" to your address.

Why you have "absolutely no record" of my script, release form and requested paperwork in your logbook is of great concern to me, as I have been awaiting your reply. Please check your records further and advise as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Barbara F. Seiden
sunrisepro@aol.com"



Received 8/14/2004, from William Levin:

"Touche on my "receord" typo.

Regardless of whether or not you received a delivery
confirmation of your submission, we have once more
searched through every desk, shelf and floor where
submissions are kept and found nothing of yours. Why?
That's a real mystery. Possibly because I have one
associate on vacation and let one go at the beginning
of the month.

So, I repeat and avow that I have nothing from you in
my office, which seems to convey the idea that we were
not meant for each other. Good luck with another
agent."


To Mr. Levin, 8/15/04

"Mr. Levin,

I have proof that my script, APPOINTED ROUNDS, by Laura Lisa (my pseudonym) was delivered to you along with your release form, signed by me at your insistence, by priority mail and received by your office on August 5. Any sale of my script by you or your associates or former associates without my authorization, knowledge or consent constitutes theft and fraud. I request the return of my script and attached paperwork immediately If I do not receive the return of my material within the next seven days, I will be forced to report your unsavory, irresponsible and unprofessional actions to the WGA as well as other internet agent oversight groups, and take legal action, if necessary.

Sincerely,

Barbara F. Seiden"


Received 8/16/04, from Mr. Levin:

"Why don't you take that rod out of your ass. You must
be one bitch to be around.

You never told me your submitted it under the name
Laura Lisa and yes I found it under that name. It'll
go back to you in tomorrow's mail.

And if you wish to complain to anyone, be sure you
give them the whole story. Now, get lost and bug some
other poor schmuck!"


I received my manuscript from him on 8/24/04 in a used manilla envelope, the bottom and sides of which were ripped. The envelope was stamped Parcel Post and "Received in damaged condition" all over it. There was also postage due of $1.26 on the envelope. The original address was blocked out in heavy black marker and my name incorrectly printed as "B. S. Seiden" in bold black marker beneath the original address.

I originally sent my script to Mr. Levin in an expensive plastic blue protective cover box which was placed inside a postal Express mail box with a manilla envelope containing the items he requested. The script was bound by three gold round head fasteners with black leather covers on the front and back. My torn script was returned to me by him, stamped "Received August 5, 2004" on the white title page. The black leather covers were missing, as was one of the gold fasteners. My blue protective cover box was never returned to me.

Mr. Levin is a liar and a thief, unprofessional, rude, crude and vulgar. He has no right to call himself an "agent." I only hope he has not copied my script with intent to sell it and profit from the results.

Beware of this man and his company. Deal with him at your own risk!

Sincerely,
Barbara "F." Seiden
sunrisepro@aol.com

:ack

[ncq13]

When I read through here sometimes I just want to cry! This is such a cut throat business and so full of mean, disrespectful, down right mean people who are willing to lie, cheat and steal to make a buck. How do people sleep at night?
Shesh! I think I need to write a decent slasher novel and properly vent my anger!

[sunrisepro]

It's important to know about these disreputable poseurs. Don't get depressed. Get even. Get up the next day with renewed vigor to find a legitimate agent and show these @%#$@ ignoramuses that they won't stop you! Idiots like Levin fuel me like you wouldn't believe!

[Brian Fay]

Barbara,
I am currently pursuing representation from Mr. Levin and interested in your experience. I'm not following the issue, though. Mr. Levin asked you to submit material related to your screenplay on 7/16, which you did, then less than a month later you sent him a note challenging his character and credibility on 8/13. What prompted the 8/13 note?

[AnneMarble]

Shesh! I think I need to write a decent slasher novel and properly vent my anger!

I keep waiting for someone to write a murder mystery where someone kills off a fee-charging agent or a skanky vanity publisher. :grin

[Brian Fay]

It alls sounds like great copy, but I'm still not understanding what Mr. Levin did to Barbara, other than ask her to submit material, before she sent him a note of attack prompting the string of exchanges that followed. I'm not understanding why we've decided to "hate and kill" him yet. Please enlighten me.

[Nameless65]

I don’t see what she sent as a “note of attack” but rather a polite query into his credentials. Yes, I could see how having one’s reputation questioned might get one’s back up but…do you really want to deal with someone that responds to questions with “none of your business” and charming little invectives like “rod up your ass”?

[ncq13]

**I keep waiting for someone to write a murder mystery where someone kills off a fee-charging agent or a skanky vanity publisher. **

I think that this hasn't happened because editors are afraid they'll be next.

~Kate
katestamour.com (http://katestamour.com)
PS I love my editors, so they are safe from being the stars in any soon to be published murder mysteries written by me.

[Brian Fay]

I disagree. Why did she send him that note before he even had time to review her submission? And her note does not read to be polite to me, rather pointed and accusatory. I think it was very unprofessional on her part. That doesn't make Mr. Levin's comments appropriate either, but I'm trying to understand what he did to her to cause the initial note. Nothing, as far as I can see.

[Nameless65]

but I'm trying to understand what he did to her to cause the initial note. I don’t think he did anything. It appears that she discovered some potentially big negatives to going with Mr. Levin AFTER she had sent him her manuscript. Upon discovery, she gave him the opportunity to respond to the attacks on his character and professionalism. Unfortunately, he only seemed to reinforce them.

[vstrauss]

Interesting that Mr. Levin says this...

>>Second, I have NO IDEA of the complaints you mention
nor the webpage you refer to. Unfortunately many
writers are rejected by my office and others and those
malcontents seek revenge by writing nasty lies about
us. The websites further the slander by refusing to
print the accused's side.<<

...when just a few posts above Barbara's there's a post from him defending his agency.

- Victoria

[DaveKuzminski]

Brian, just the existence of his post just above Barbara's proves that he's lying in his response to her. Do you want an agent who would lie to you representing your work?

[priceless1]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>"Why don't you take that rod out of your ass. You must
be one bitch to be around.<hr></blockquote>
I don't really care if this guy is right or wrong. To talk to anyone in that manner is probably the most unprofessional thing I've ever seen. I've received my share of 'interesting emails' but if I ever talked like this to an author, I'd be out of business within a week. Or at least I should be. My God, life is too short to be that ugly. Shocking.

[Brian Fay]

From my perspective, it looks like Barbara picked a fight and got one. I want an agent that is strong, knows his business, and is ready to fight for his client. Is that Mr. Levin? I have know idea. At sites like this I have to filter through to the facts and try to discern what is fact and what is frustrated author. The only fact I know for sure is that Mr. Levin recommended an editor to me who I contracted with and I was extremely pleased with the results. In Barbara's case, Mr. Levin welcomed her material, which would be a good thing in my mind, and she in turn went after him before she even gave him the opportunity to respond to her work. Was his rebutle appropriate? Certainly not his language, but if you're an agent with hundreds of queries in your slush pile, why would you want to deal with Barbara's harassment. She didn't give him the right name to begin with. He returned the materials (which he had requested with interest to review prior to her turning on him). This is a business and when a potential client starts giving you attitude before you've even reviewed their material, any good agent would do just what Mr. Levin did. Send them on their way. Before I jump to conclusions about the legitimacy of Mr. Levin, who was, by the way, featured in the recent edition of Writer's Digest, I think I would question the emotional state of Barbara. Why not go for your next job interview and start the conversation with "I've heard you're a liar and a cheat." I don't think it will get you too far.

[lastr]

I find it interesting that the only postings Brian Fay has done on this site have been on this subject, and he began defending William Levin 6/23/04 on the first page of this thread.

[DaveKuzminski]

Glad to see that I'm not the only one who noticed that about Brian.

[Brian Fay]

And I am not trying to defend Mr. Levin. I don't know him or his practices, only my limited but positive experience with his agency so far. What I am trying to do is question Barbara's legitimacy. Rereading her 8/13 letter to Mr. Levin, I am again taken aback by her lack of professionalism. She tells him a website told her the WGA dropped him. Did she contact the WGA agency herself? What answer did she expect to get from Mr. Levin? "Gee you caught me. I really am a liar and cheat?" Use information you find on websites like this to make informed decisions and let them guide you to better fact finding, but if you make stupid decisions like confronting your potential agent to tell him what you've heard behind his back, don't be surprised when he is less than cordial. I don't know anything about Mr. Levin's business to defend him, but I go up in arms to hear a disgruntled writer try to blame the agent. It's a very tough industry to break into and it takes time, patience and persistence. I want to hear about other people's legitimate experiences with agents, not their self invoked tripe.

[DaveKuzminski]

Brian, that was a writer's legitimate experience.

As far as making stupid decisions like confronting an agent, well, you'll be in for a shock when you hear this. It's been my experience with a great many agents and editors that the scammers almost always go into attack mode while dodging the questions. Some of the legitimate agents can be rough in their responses, but they don't dodge the questions when asked. They provide facts and references.

Contrary to your feelings and beliefs about Mr. Levin, his responses show that he's lying.

Oh, it's not a lack of professionalism to ask for references and answers, either before or after the fact. I've done it and, guess what? They answered even in the instances where they had to admit that they'd done something wrong before.

[Brian Fay]

Yes, I was referred to this site by someone who wanted to know about my experience with The Editor's Group. I didn't realize it was only supposed to be a "Mr. Levin bashing site" and that people who've actually had positive experiences related to his organization were shunned. I thought the idea was to get all the facts, the good, bad and the ugly. If you don't care about the good than ignore my comments, paint Silver Screens black and move on. I doubt I'll see your name on a published book.

[lastr]

Dave has his name on more then one published book. He is also very respected by more then a few other authors, editors, publishers, reviewers, etc.

[Brian Fay]

Well that was actually flippent of me and I apologize. I'm just getting all of this negative energy talking about killing agents, etc. . . and it seems like you want to discount the positive experiences. I want to take it all in equally and make informed decisions and not just bash people. It is a tough industry no matter how you slice it. Best wishes to you all.

[lastr]

Thank you Brian - it is a very tough industry. I can see where your positive experiences are important to relay and appreciate the fact that you took the time to explain that. Welcome to the board by the way.

[Editrx]

As a freelance editor, I find it odd that "The Editors(') Group" (the apostrophe is in parentheses, as it seems to perhaps be a typo from Mr. Levin, but it's unclear how the group's name =is= spelled) and the name "Mike Jeffries" as an editor or with a group called "The Editors(') Group" only occurs in Mr. Levin's post here, on this board, if one Googles for that information.

I'm curious if anyone else has information about this editorial company. It appears to exist in a vacuum, working from an anonymous (and untraceable) free Yahoo! email account (which had me suspicious in the first place).

[DaveKuzminski]

Brian, you're more than welcome to post your positive experiences because this is not a Mr. Levin bashing site. Those also represent legitimate writer information. What I objected to was the fact that you didn't just post your experience, but attacked another writer for posting hers.

I would be interested in knowing who referred you to this site. After all, people who've had good experiences with a particular business do not typically go to sites featuring complaints. If it was either the agency or the editing service that referred you, that's fine. Just be honest enough to state that.

Another thing: the talk of killing agents is an over-simplification. What was suggested was a story idea in which someone offed scammers posing as agents and publishers. With all due respect, it would make an excellent mystery and I don't think it would necessarily upset or worry real agents and editors.

[maestrowork]

Brian, maybe you're blinded by the wonderful prospect of being represented by Levine, or maybe you're embarrassed now because you've enlisted their editing service...

(by the way, I also used a top notch editing service and the cost to me was under $1000)

But I agree with the others. The post BEFORE Barbara's clearly indicated that Levine lied about "not knowing anything about the complaints and AbsoluteWrite." Also, as Victoria pointed out, they have been receiving complaints since 1999.

Also, what kind of professional agent, angry or not, write back to call someone a "bitch" and "take the rod out of your ass"? Maybe Barbara was fiesty in her responses, but she was not "nasty" or unreasonable. All she asked for was some explanation. It seems to me that Levine was in the defensive and I wonder why, if he's all up and up. Combined with the lying, he lost.

Is he really someone you want to represent your work?

[vstrauss]

In June you posted that you'd resubmitted your edited ms. to Mr. Levin. Has he offered you representation yet? Have you heard back from him at all?

- Victoria

[DaveKuzminski]

I'm glad Victoria brought up that point. I glossed over it until now, but it appears that you have a conflict of interest. It could be stated that you're defending Mr. Levin and attacking his critics because you want to gain representation.

It would be very interesting to see a page of your manuscript both before and after editing by The Editors' Group along with information about how much they charged you to verify that you've actually used their services. By the way, showing only one page from a lengthy manuscript isn't going to compromise your copyright.

[JohannaJ7]

Rereading her 8/13 letter to Mr. Levin, I am again taken aback by her lack of professionalism.
As opposed to Mr. Levin's suave, polished: "Why don't you take that rod out of your ass. You must be one bitch to be around."

Let's hope he uses better language when representing your work.

[XThe NavigatorX]

This isn't exactly on subject, but has anyone else noticed that in the above correspondence the tone of Mr. Levin's reply is eerily familiar? Take any one of the random smack-down letters and statements from agents or publishers, be it Levin, Publish America, Sydra, Durban House, Crystal Dreams, etc. and I would swear they were all written by the same person.

You can take the names off half the people who post here, and I could still tell you who posted it. This need to prey on writers must be a genetic thing that causes them all to have the same voice in their correspondence. It's crazy, I tell ya.

[Brian Fay]

I have not and am not defending Mr. Levin. I do not know him and he may well be the scam agent you all think he is. And I've already concurred that his language was unprofessional and inappropriate. A writer who Mr. Levin referred to The Editors Group contacted me as a reference and told me about this site. As I stated in my first emails, I had used them, was very pleased with their services, and yes, I know they are priced high. I challenged Barbara's note because I am pursuing an agent and want to get as much information as I can to make informed decisions. Just as you might think my judgement is tainted by my desire to be published, I also read comments with the hesitation that they are tainted by rejection. That is probably true on both sides. Either way, we've exhausted our efforts here as this string (my comments included) are based on emotion and not facts. If I have further experience with Mr. Levin, good or bad, I will let you know.

[JohannaJ7]

Brian, I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean when you say "tainted by rejection". It seems to me as if Barbara sent her email, the one you seem to think of as an attack on Mr. Levin, before he had even told her if he wanted to represent her or not. Aside from that, the others who have posted here are, as far as I can tell, quite successful already. And they are all professionals who know how to handle rejection. Why would they just randomly bash some agent?

[Brian Fay]

I wasn't talking about her specifically, I was making a general statement. In Barbara's case I questioned her credibility because I did not think it made sense for her to send her letter when she did, so I wanted to understand it better. Somehow this got construed that I was defending Mr. Levin. It's just the opposite, though, I am trying to evaluate whether he is credible or not for my own interests. I was leary of him when he referred me to an editor, but having a very good experience with the editor I was less leary. This past string of notes sways me though, for his comments to Barbara were very unprofessional.

[Nameless65]

This past string of notes sways me though, for his comments to Barbara were very unprofessional.The general tone and crudeness (let’s say he was having a very bad day) aside, that Mr. Levin does not deny that his agency was removed from the WGA agency list says a lot.

[buckwalters12345]

I will clear up this matter once and for all. William Levin is not a legit agent. And he is absolutely not a WGA Signatory. Please see the link below and type in Illinois, he does not come up.

I know it's tempting to submit your script to someone who wants to read it, but DO NOT SUBMIT to Silver Screen Placements or any other company William Levin does business as. He is a complete and total fraud. End of Story. No self-respecting agent would be spending his time on chatboards for starters, let alone acting like a 2-year old who didn't get a cookie. I repeat, DO NOT SUBMIT to William Levin or Silver Screen Placements. Please see the link below and contact the WGA to inform them of any complaints against this man.

www.wga.org/agency/AgencyList.asp (http://www.wga.org/agency/AgencyList.asp)

[EPStanwyck]

Avoid this guy. Anyone who wants you to engage a "professional editor" is a scammer as far as I'm concerned. He told me that my work was excellent, but needed editing. When I told him that if he could find me an editor who would agree to take a percentage of the royalties if the book were sold, I was told to take a hike. I did, and am glad I did!

[sunrisepro]

Brian,

The answers to your questions about my e-mail of 8/13 lie in all the responses that came after my input, (see Nameless 65, 8/26/04, vstrauss, 8/26/04, DaveKuzminski, 8/26/04, priceless1, 8/26/04, maestrowork, 8/27/04, JohannaJ7, 8/27/04, XTheNavigatorX, 8/27/04, JohannaJ7, 8/27/04, etc.) They summed it up quite nicely.

In addition, my full name was sent to him along with the pseudonym and printed on my cover page.

Sorry you thought I was "picking a fight" with Mr. Levin. Actually, I was trying to "pick an agent" and my professionalism wouldn't allow me to be brought down to his level. I am glad the others got my drift. I was only trying to prevent other writers from going down that road where they get scammed.

If you want to go with him, after reading everyone else's feedback on this, good luck. Just go in with your eyes "wide open," not "wide shut." As Vstrauss comments, I'd really like to hear from you if and when he sells your manuscript. Bonne chance!

Barbara

[Willobee]

Back in the summer of '02, I queried to Mr. Levin re: my novel/proposed screenplay. He sent me a release form, and asked me to send the first three chapters. I received an email shortly thereafter that my work needed editing. New to this world of getting an agent for my writing, I thought it was a general thing. And it helped me to look back at my work and do some fixing, of which I've spent the last two years refining my work to where I'm pleased with it and hope an agent will be soon, as well. I checked into Silver Screen Placements on line, hoping to find out more about them. I am a cautious individual by nature, and my work is my life, very cherished, and I've heard numerous stories of people having their work 'stolen'. As to whether it happens as much as is said, I don't know. But the thought concerns me. Anyway, he gave me the name of The Editors Group, and I wrote to them, asking for pricing. They emailed me back, but the cost of three thousand dollars was too much for me to spend. I own a small farm and work part time to support it. I don't have that kind of cash. So I chose to go on my own and get help through people I know. I didn't reply back to them because I didn't think I needed to. They gave me the price list and didn't ask for my answer. However, approximately ten days later, I got a nasty email from them, asking what my answer was. I don't remember the exact phrasing, just that it was rude. So I replied that I was not interested. This put me off and part of me is afraid to try again for fear of running into more of these. I know there are reputable agents out there, but I'm wary of finding one. Also, does anyone know if Mr. Levin has ever used anyone's ideas for his own profits? I would hope not, and it's been awhile for me, but I don't want to see my work out there written by someone else.

[sqrrll]

Willobee,

I wished I saved the emails that I got from this agency. I went through the same thing. They sent me the release, asked for three chapters, then refered me to the same editor for a low, low price of $4k. Nice.

I told them I'd think about it and did some research of my own. I found this board and this thread. I emailed them back and told them thanks, but no thanks. They followed up with some emails, but I still passed.

It sucks that there are people out there like this who take advantage of new writers. Just goes to show you how important boards like these are.

[victoriastrauss]

dannypollock
New friend
Posts: 1
(2/12/05 7:36 pm)
| Del New Post This Company Can't Be Trusted In January 2005, I received a email from Mr. Levin, apologizing for being late in his reply with regards to 2 screenplays I sent him in October 2004, a short screenplay Phooey What's That Smell? and a feature American Vengeance. His email went on to state that my feature needs significant editorial changes/corrections, and for a fee of $300.00 they can send it on to a company that makes editorial changes on screenplays. They would then take another look at the screenplay and consider it at that time. I informed him the screenplays are currently being considered for option/purchase, and the screenplays have underwent professional editing prior to me sending them to his Company. I said no thank-you to him and sent him on his merry way. But before doing so I asked him about my second short screenplay that was sent to him and he denied receiving it. I have all my paperwork including documentation from Canada Post proving that I sent the material and that he received it. He denies it. I consider this theft. So be weary of Silver Screen Placements and Mr. Levin.

[Alphabeter]

I don't know if Danny came over with the move, but to anyone who has had their manuscripts "never received" by shady companies-make sure your work is legally copyrighted.

That might sound like an oxymoron, but considering he is in Canada, he could have a problem proving he wrote something first should an USA-based company put it out (publish, film, distribute in some form) first.

I'm in the States, so a Canuck would have to give specifics, but I believe Canada has something similar to the Library of Congress where things can be registered. And that registration is recognized almost globally (where the Berne thingie is accepted IIRC).
He could also register it with the WGA, but I believe that would be more expensive and the WGA is a private organization. Governments are not (I'll ask for side-stepping of any political landmines and to just go with me on this one).

Not to be paranoid, but a registered first draft will be your best bet should this company try to profit illegally off of it.

Andrea :)

[victoriastrauss]

Not to be paranoid, but a registered first draft will be your best bet should this company try to profit illegally off of it.
Writers don't need to worry about theft with companies like this. They're not interested in writers' manuscripts, only in their money. Also, if they were to steal something, they don't have the skills to sell it.

Theft of unpublished work is vanishingly rare. For one thing, very little unpublished work is worth stealing. For another, it's a whole lot less trouble just to work with the writer than to steal his manuscript and pretend it belongs to someone else.

For various reasons, WGA registration is standard for scripts, but in the USA it's not a legal substitute for registering copyright.

- Victoria

[Snoonie]

Has anyone had any experience with Silver Screen Placements in Downers Grove, Illinois? I sent a query yesterday, they replied right away that they want a synopsis, chapters, etc. but they also requested I sign a lengthy release form which makes me leery. Thanks.

[mdin]

Hi! They were discussed at length a while back. Here's the link:

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=614

[Snoonie]

Thank you SO much!!! It's a wonder that William Levin is still in business. I am so grateful that I registered with Absolute Write. You saved me not only editing money, but heartbreak.

[mdin]

That's why I wear a cape. :)

[CACTUSWENDY]

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: Cape...:Clap: worth the four banana award. :ROFL:

[Snoonie]

To XTheNavigatorX, God bless you!

[hspinelli]

Has anyone had any experience with Silver Screen Placements in Downers Grove, Illinois? I sent a query yesterday, they replied right away that they want a synopsis, chapters, etc. but they also requested I sign a lengthy release form which makes me leery. Thanks.

Snoonie,
Thank you so much for requesting information on Silver Screen Placements. I received the form you referred to and am very happy I saw your question and the reply. Thanks

[Snoonie]

You're welcome. Isn't this site wonderful?

[Maryn]

It is indeed wonderful. In no time, you'll be wearing a cape yourself!

[notscammed]

Hey you guys!

Thanks so much for letting me know about Silver Screen Placements. I, too, received a letter very much like you all received: likes the script, would like it sent for a polish, can recommend editors yada yada. I very politely asked some questions in my following email only to be put down like a battered wife by an abusive husband for breathing. I am very disappointed that the 2006 Guide to Literary Agents by Brogan even listed them and will not buy further editions of the book. Here is Silver Screen's reply to me after I asked him very politely and professionally to give me some history on the company:

Okay. As we said, we like your work and it has potential. However, it is not formatted correctly, regardless of what you think, and we will not represent anything that does not meet our standards or those of the industry.

Maybe another agency will accept your work as submitted, but we have been in the business since 1987 and think we know it pretty well.

We will recycle the script. Good luck elsewhere.

[JennaGlatzer]

Thanks for letting us know! Great username. :Hug2:

[CaoPaux]

Lost a four-post exchange wherein we learned: While Silver Screen is still a signatory, the WGA told the inquiring person that they will not list them publicly. (Presumably because of the fees Levin charges, and to be interpreted as Not A Good Sign.)

[CaoPaux]

Ha, found it! 06-13-2006, 03:12 PM
MagsnMads
Esteemed New Member

They tried to hit me up for $5200. Pretty sneaky, sis. Nice try...Not! But, the good news is they are how I found this site.
__________________
Mark 06-14-2006, 11:52 AM
rightwrite
Esteemed New Member

Is Silver Screen still a WGA signatory?

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

I looked at th WGAe site and couldn't find his name listed among the agents in Illinois... does that mean he isn't a WGA signatory anymore? 06-19-2006, 11:26 AM
CaoPaux
Mostly Harmless

Quote:
Originally Posted by rightwrite
I looked at th WGAe site and couldn't find his name listed among the agents in Illinois... does that mean he isn't a WGA signatory anymore? Likely. I'd given them a call and ask.

"If you believe an agency is a signatory and you do not see it listed here, please contact the Guild's Agency Department at (323) 782-4502."
__________________
CAO Yesterday, 08:13 PM
rightwrite
Esteemed New Member

I called the WGA east, and they said that Silverscreen Placements was still a signatory but that WGA would not advertise them because Silverscreen apparently charges some sort of fee. That's just what the woman on the line told me... but i thought you couldn't be a signatory if you charged a fee?... now i'm confused...

[sean martin]

My own odd experience with SSP...

After receiving an email from him indicating he was interested in my screenplay, I did some Googling and found the same troubling issues elsewhere as written about here. So I wrote him back, saying, in essence, "Look, I'm reading some problems. Can you give me some bakground on your agency, maybe some of your clients, and a few of your sales? No financial information, just some reassurances, that's all." Very succinct, very professional -- I had no reason to pick a fight with him.

His response? "I've been around for twenty years. You writers need us more than we need you. Take your business elsewhere."

Definitely a guy with anger management issues coupled with now a pretty much confirmed shady rep. I mean, if I were an agent that had these kind of problems, I'd want to detract from them by demonstrating the good work I'd done. He didnt seem at all interested in doing so, just telling me to buzz off because I asked a few questions.

[Mac H.]

Lost a four-post exchange wherein we learned: While Silver Screen is still a signatory, the WGA told the inquiring person that they will not list them publicly. (Presumably because of the fees Levin charges, and to be interpreted as Not A Good Sign.)This is something I really dislike about the WGA. (Not that my opinion will bother them!)

The WGA represents the best interests of their members, and so ensures that no signatory is allowed to charge fees, rip off, etc WGA members.

However, you can still be a signatory if you charge fees or rip off NON-MEMBERS ! They won't list them publicly, but they'll be legitimately 'signatories' of the WGA. This is why you can be a 100% scam 'agency', just trolling for fees for newbies and still be a 'WGA signatory'. The only requirement is that they refuse to scam anyone who tells them that they are a WGA member.

It's a little bizarre, and wouldn't have believed it myself if the WGA hadn't told me themselves.

What it boils down to is this: Being a WGA Signatory is irrelevant as to whether they are scam or not. Being a WGA Signatory is NOT a sign of being legitimate.

Good luck,

Mac

[1stime writer]

Today I received a email from William Levin, with an official looking contract included.

The first thing I did was research his company and his name on the Internet. One of the first links I found on Google was a link to your site.
Once I read the first three posting I was immediately convinced to reply to his email with the words, "Thanks, but no thanks!"

It's proactive people like all of you in this forum, that keep people like myself, first time writers, from losing money on scams like this.

Thanks to all of you! (now pat yourself on the back:) )

[Ramaja5]

I found SSP through the Guide to Literary Agents as well as a pp. Just last Friday I submitted my screenplay to them (The Keeper) and have not received any other word. Does anyone know if they have perhaps changed their practices over the years due to so many complaints? I ask because the release I signed was not very lengthy at all and nothing in it registered as a red flag. I am wondering why Brogan is continuing to keep SSP on the list of reputable agents if their practices have not changed. (keeping in mind that this thread was started in 2004 and it is now 2007).

Any NEW word you could give me would be great! And thank you in advance!

[Mac H.]

Does anyone know if they have perhaps changed their practices over the years due to so many complaints?How likely is it? Would you hand over a years of savings to an investment advisor who has a reputation for being a scammer? So why even consider handing over a year of work to him?

Not only that - how would he gain experience?

What has this guy done that would make you think he COULD do it?

Was it the Illinois address? The business run out of the free yahoo email account? (Or does he have at least improved that !?)

I ask because the release I signed was not very lengthy at all and nothing in it registered as a red flag.He would just use one of the standard releases .. why would a scammer try and make a release that is MORE complicated than a legit one !?

I am wondering why Brogan is continuing to keep SSP on the list of reputable agents if their practices have not changed.Is this the Writers Digest publication '2006 Guide to Literary Agents'?

Writers Digest have spent effort into ensuring that the contact details are up to date. They list only agents that do not charge fees.

However, that means that they DO list scam agents, as long as the aim of the scam agent is to suggest 'editing fees' from another party.

Brogans is not a 'list of reputable agents' .. even if it can still be a useful resource.

Good luck,

Mac

[Ramaja5]

I only asked because I just found this thread and so much time had passed...3 years or so since the last report.

Just wondering since I'm just now going through it. But thank you for the points you've made...not sure I have any more answers than I did.

Guess I'll find comfort in knowing that he at least doesn't steal scripts...but mine is registered with the LoC anyway. Frustrating to say the least!

[CaoPaux]

Any recent sightings? Seems like folks stopped asking about him back in '09.

[victoriastrauss]

I've heard nothing about him since 2007.

- Victoria