Benedict & Associates / B.A. Literary Agency / R. Castro Literary Agency

[RejectME]

I know they are fairly new and not listed on P&E. On Authorlink, they are listed as having a bunch of clients, but no sales yet. Is this a reason to stay away or might it be because they are new, they have yet to close the deal, so to speak.
I realize they charge for photocopying and postage, but no upfront fees or reading fees. The principle is a guy named Phil Raia and I can't find anything about him through a google search.
Victoria, have you heard anything?
BTW... I'm new to this forum. My name is Jay:party

Thanks folks!

Jay

[vstrauss]

I haven't heard anything about this agency. Their listing at Authorlink doesn't look encouraging (25 unpublished clients, no sales). Unless the agent(s) have some kind of previous professional experience in publishing or agenting, I'd say there's a good chance this is another one of those well-intentioned amateur operations that will probably never make a commercial sale.

- Victoria

[HapiSofi]

I'll second Victoria. If they're not honest, you don't want them. If they're honest, they're gormless, so they can't do you any good and you still don't want them.

[KIM060405]

anyone have experience using them?

[XThe NavigatorX]

They are "Not recommended" by P&E and a little background as to why can be found:

www.fictionaddiction.net/...=&offset=5 (http://www.fictionaddiction.net/watchdog/agentwatchdog1.html?category=&offset=5)

[RejectME]

I just thought I would chime in this topic. I found a listing for BA Literary on a site about 6 months ago and e-mailed a query for the hell of it. The agency was listed as being run by PHIL RAIA.
I got a response a couple of days later which asked for the whole manuscript. He said:

"I read your query with much interest. I would like to see the entire manuscript, but first a few things about our agency. WE DO NOT charge editing or reading fees, but in the event of representation WE DO EXPECT the author to absorb the postage and copying costs of submissions to publishers. Average cost per 100 page submission is $8.75, billed to the client as they are sent out. If this is acceptable, please reply before sending your manuscript to:
B A LITERARY
1062 MANILA DRIVE
BAREFOOT BAY, FL 32976
Sincerely,
Phil Raia"

I knew this was a scam so I e-mailed him back and asked for some additional information. I wrote:

"That seems like a resonable approach. I shall send you the manuscript as soon as I can get a copt printed.
Is your listing on Authorlink updated, or is their anything else you can tell me about the agency and your backgroundin the field? As well as perhaps some recent sales etc..."

He replied:

" There is one change, the address. I have repeatedly tried to have the change made to no avail. The address is as follows,
B A Literary Agency
1062 Manila Drive
Barefoot Bay, Florida 32976
Any other questions you feel are important, I would much rather answer them by phone. E-mail is too impersonal. I can be reached at 772-663-4255 9 AM to 4 PM, EST Mon. thru Fri.
I am looking forward to seeing your work.
Sincerely
Phil Raia"

HaHa! I knew this guy was screwing people and probably loved it when I told him I thought it was a reasonable approach. The fact of the matter is that it ISN'T and he seems to be garnering money from people and just pocketing it. Why else would he have an alias.
I think both P&E and WB might want to look into posting the name "Phil Raia" along with any other alias this dude might have.

Thanks,

JLG

[vstrauss]

I got a query about BA Literary recently that led me to the Phil Raia-Phil Benedict connection. The addresses for Benedict & Associates and BA Literary are the same, as are the fees and their description.

It's not the first time a fee-charging agency has attempted to escape negative online information by changing names. West Coast Literary Associates, for instance, which charges $95 upfront, has recently re-launched as California Literary Services. I know this not just because the literature for the two agencies is almost identical, but because the URL for California Literary is registered to the owner of West Coast Literary.

Note to fee-chargers: please, stop making it so easy for us watchdogs. We like a challenge.

- Victoria

[jreeswilliams]

you mentioned california literary services. my husband just received a letter from them asking for the entire manuscript after they read 30 pages. they stress they do not charge any fees. i know they are a new agency with james haversham as the agent. do you have anymore information on them or him?

thanks, deb

[Arecksilverhand]

hey everyone,

Tonight as I was searching the net for info on several agencies. Then I ran accross this board! As such, I am hoping to pick up some info on 7 agencies that have requested my manuscript.

B A Literary Agency (Phil Raia)
Nelson Literary Agency (Kristin Nelson)
Lawrence Kingman Agency (Lawrence Kingman)
Sedgeband Literary (David Duperre)
West Coast Literary (Richard Vanderbeets)
The McCarthy Agency (Shawna McCarthy)
Talcott Notch (Gina Panettieri) NO INFO NEEDED ON THIS ONE, READ ALL THE POSTS. :)

Any and all info would be appreciated. I am a new novelist just trying to learn all the ins and outs of this entire process.

One more thing, I would like clarification on something. West Coast charges $95 up front, for shipping/handling/mailing. All my research is contradicting itself. Some say NEVER pay fees...while others say 'many' agencies wil charge fees based upon mailing/shipping/handling/etc...that THESE fees are ok?

So please, can anyone tell me if, or when I should ever pay fees...and how the process truly works...AND what is acceptable for me to do.

Thank you so much

Eric

[HapiSofi]

Shawna McCarthy's real; the rest aren't. Aside from Shawna, the only names I recognize on that list are ones I know as baddies. You could probably look up the lot of them yourself at Preditors & Editors (http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubagent.htm).

[James D Macdonald]

A useful agent has sold books that you've heard of and can find on the shelves of your local bookstore.

[vstrauss]

Kristin Nelson is a newish agent who's still building a track record; before setting up her own agency she worked for another large, established agency.

Shawna McCarthy has been an agent for some years and has a solid track record.

BA Literary, Lawrence Kingman Agency, Sedgeband, and West Coast are all fee-chargers with no or minimal sales. Writer Beware has received multiple complaints about all of them.

- Victoria

[Arecksilverhand]

Thanks for all the great info guys.

Out of any of those, are there any people that are 'absolute' no?

And, should any submit a contract, what are things I should ask for?

I saw in one of these posts...to ask about the entire fee charging process should they NOT charge you up front. What I mean by this...is some ask for all paid expenses...to be taken after contract, but the key word is all (travel, motels, food, etc etc.)

I got way of topic...what are good questions for me to ask? sales? What is an average amount of sales for a reputable agent?

Contract length? Those are all I can think of...what else is there?

Thank you

Eric

[HapiSofi]

Areck, I have to know: how did you put together that list?

As for fees: Zero. None. You don't pay for anything -- not for copying, not for postage, not for travel expenses, not for phone bills, not for [fill in the blank]. I don't care what they say.

There are some rare and arcane circumstances in which a real agent might ask for limited reimbursement on certain one-time expenses. At the point that those come up, if they ever do, you won't be a newbie asking for agent recommendations.

[Arecksilverhand]

I submitted 20 queries to various agents...15 email...5 snail mail...checking to see if I would actually get a response.

I found all of these agents on a web site called "Fiction Addiction"

I tried to make sure everyone that I submitted too has a website...so I would at least know whether or not the agency accepted my genre of writing, which is fantasy.

After that, I waited...as it stands now I have heard back from 18/20 agencies...11 delcining...and the 7 that are mentioned asking for a manuscript submission.

PS All of these people who I submitted to are people who accept email queries. Those that responded, replied within 15 minutes-2 weeks of me sending the query out.

I hope that answers your question. I feel so newbish. This entire process has been a great leap forward. :)

Eric

[vstrauss]

Some suggestions for agent-hunting, Eric--

Don't use the Internet as your primary research source. The Internet can be invaluable for followup research on agents you're interested in querying (here's an article of mine that gives some tips on this: www.sff.net/people/Victor...ecord.html (http://www.sff.net/people/VictoriaStrauss/trackrecord.html) ). But agent lists you find online are often compiled by people who don't have the knowledge to vet the agents they include, or else are databases where anyone can enter information--either way, they're likely to be outdated or filled with questionables. A good print guide is a better place to start--I like Jeff Herman's Writer's Guide and also Literary Marketplace, but there are many others. (Note: print guides aren't perfect either--they all have a sprinkling of questionables, so do some extra research.)

The presence (or absence) of a website means nothing. Many top agencies don't have websites. Scads of questionable and scam agents do have websites. How to tell good from bad? A good agent's site will prominently include recent sales information (specific sales information--author, title, publisher--so it can be verified) and background info on the agents. A bad agent's website won't mention sales (since the bad agent probably has none) and may not even list the names of the agent(s) involved, much less their resumes (since they are unlikely to have any relevant expertise).

Don't confine yourself to agents who will accept e-mail queries. Reputable agents are more amenable to e-mail queries than they used to be, but paper is still the norm. One of the ways that questionables lure writers is by allowing e-mail queries, which they know that writers are eager to make. That's not to say that every agent who accepts e-mail queries is questionable--but if you rule out paper queries, you're automatically excluding most of the best agents.

Never take an agent listing--wherever you find it--at face value. Always do additional research to assure yourself that the agent is successful--and do it before you query, not after. It'll save you a ton of time and question in the long run.

Make an effort to find publications or writers' groups targeted to your genre. You can discover much agent/publisher/industry information that way. For SF/fantasy, there are a plethora of resources, including:

- Speculations (a market newsletter with discussion forums): www.speculations.com/ (http://www.speculations.com/)
- Locus Magazine (reports monthly on who's sold what to whom--a great way to find out about agents who sell fantasy and SF): www.locusmag.com (http://www.locusmag.com)
- Chronicle: (ditto): www.dnapublications.com/sfc/ (http://www.dnapublications.com/sfc/)

- Victoria

[spywriter]

Eric....once again, I am new to this, but I read something in your last response that alarmed even this newbie....

My contract does not have me paying for hotels, travel,etc...that's her dime. I personally would NEVER go with an agent that asks for that. Also, you wrote "after contract". Do you mean after the agent contract or a publishing contract? You shouldn't pay either way, but I would be even more alarmed if your agent is asking for that after signing a contract with her/him.

I know, I know....:head It's sooooo frustrating.

[spywriter]

Phil Raia
B A LITERARY AGENCY
BAREFOOT BAY, FL 32976

P and E does not reccomend him...wanted to know what you guys know.

[snarzler]

That P&E does not recommend them is a strong indicator to not consider them but I personally don't consider agents in Florida to be useful in trying to get a New York publisher.

Sometimes Dave has specific information about an agent/publisher/group, other times he gets it from Ann or Hapi or Jenna [etc] or the scammed themselves. Have you done any other searches on this person/agency?

[DaveKuzminski]

When you're looking for information on Phil Raia, include Benedict Associates Literary Agency in your search since the two are one and the same.

[vstrauss]

Under both his identities, this guy charges upfront for postage and copying. According to reports Writer Beware has received, He "blitz" submits (sending submissions scattershot to a laundry list of probably poorly-chosen publishers) and "bundles" submissions (stuffing several in a single envelope). He has no sales that I know of, for either agency.

- Victoria

[snarzler]

And Victoria! I knew I forgot someone important. :o

[Dhewco]

Ummm... I just want to say an agent doesn't have to live in NY or LA to be competent. With the era of Vid-phones, email, fax, and other such, agents can live where they want. Hoping on a plane to meet an editor who wants to talk isnt' that big a deal with the bargain fares you can get these days.



David

[spywriter]

Thanks to all of you...

Normally, this info might disappoint me, but not today! I spiced up my query and received five agents asking to read my stuff...and only one of them was a loser! Yeah for me!

Still waiting on Manus though....My kingdom for some news!

Anyway...thanks so much. I will stay away. Maybe Jeff Herman needs to reconsider that agent's entry into his book?

[snarzler]

David

I realize agents can be successful anywhere which is why I added the modifier. And those agents can help create successful authors who also can live anywhere.

I just Personally queried agents in CA or NY.

Andrea 0]

[writerboyfriend]

Hello,

I was offered to be represented by Phil Raia of B A Literary in Florida. Anyone have any recent info regarding this agency?? Thanks!

[Trapped in amber]

You might want to check out Preditors and Editors on this too:

http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pealb.htm

[writerboyfriend]

Thanks...he did indicate that he would charge for copying, etc. I considered this cost minimal and given that he was a relatively new, small agency that this is something that he was capable of asking. I am learning that the asking of any fee is NOT ok? Is this right?

[Trapped in amber]

The problem with upfront fees is that although a few good agents (as in they do actually sell things to publishers) charge them, most don't, and pretty much every agent who is a bad idea/scam agent does.

I personally might risk it if I had the money and the agent had an excellent track record of sales. From what I can gather, this agent may have no sales.

Taking money up front, even what seems moderate amounts, means that an agent can be making their money from fees and never send a book to a publisher.

Personally, I'd go for an agent who has a track record for making sales to publishers. And preferably one that makes all their money from the commissions this generates, rather than from up front fees fromwriters.

Hope that helps:Sun:

[writerboyfriend]

Thanks for all of your help!

[James D. Macdonald]

What's he sold? A useful agent has sold books you've heard of.

[kickballpro]

Phil Benedict or Raia, whatever he wants to be called is pretty good at what he does. He will send you a six month contract overnight. He will send you a list of publishers that he sends your manuscript to. He is nice to talk to on the phone. He will update you on the progress he has made and who he has talked to. He will honestly answer questions about his stable of authors and tell you that he is trying to break into the business just like you are.

In other words, he has a really nice scam going. It's all fake and he attempts to string you along so that he gets his copying fees for the entire six months. Most agents don't give you the time of day, but this guy has time to read and accept everyones manuscript and then has the audacity to say he has only 25-30 authors at a time.

He charged me $8.25 for each manuscript he 'sent out.' He sent out 10 the first month. I paid him the $82.50. Then I met a couple of other people whom he had signed. I never sent him another payment. However, he kept sending me letters and bills saying that no one was interested in my book. He didn't seem to care that I didn't send him any money. I thought for sure he would terminate the contract, but he never did. If he is getting $80-100 a month from about 100 hungry authors, he's doing just fine without having to sell a book.

Anyway, read my book, "The Last Good Person," you will love it, it is the greatest book ever written. Available at Amazon.com and at your local book store.

[CaoPaux]

FYI: This agency has been named one of Writer Beware's 20 Worst Agents/Agencies (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=525972#post525972).

ETA: and so has West Cost Literary Associates / California Literary Services. :box:

[Vikinglord]

Benedict and Associates Update:
Watch out, kiddies, he's got a new name, but still using the same old tactics. He wrote the following to me after asking for a synopsis and bio, including address and phone #.
Dear Mr. Gilbert:
I read your query with much interest. I would like to see the entire manuscript, but first a few things about our agency. WE DO NOT CHARGE editing or reading fees, but in the event of representation, WE DO EXPECT the author to absorb the postage and copying costs of submissions to publishers. Average cost per 100 page submission is $8.75, billed to the client as they are sent out. If this is acceptable, please reply BEFORE sending your manuscript to:
BENEDICT & ASSOCIATES
1062 MANILA DRIVE
BAREFOOT BAY, FL 32976
Sincerely,
Phil Benedict
He obviously operates under a few aliases. I'd say "BIG NO-NO!"

[Julie Worth]

Benedict and Associates Update:
Watch out, kiddies, he's got a new name, but still using the same old tactics. He wrote the following to me after asking for a synopsis and bio, including address and phone #.
Dear Mr. Gilbert:
I read your query with much interest. I would like to see the entire manuscript, but first a few things about our agency. WE DO NOT CHARGE editing or reading fees, but in the event of representation, WE DO EXPECT the author to absorb the postage and copying costs of submissions to publishers. Average cost per 100 page submission is $8.75, billed to the client as they are sent out. If this is acceptable, please reply BEFORE sending your manuscript to:
BENEDICT & ASSOCIATES
1062 MANILA DRIVE
BAREFOOT BAY, FL 32976
Sincerely,
Phil Benedict
He obviously operates under a few aliases. I'd say "BIG NO-NO!"

What he sent me, nearly four years ago:

I read your query and first chapter with much interest. I would like to see the entire manuscript, but first a few things about our agency. WE DO NOT charge editing or reading fees, but in the event of representation, WE DO expect the author to absorb the postage and copying costs of submissions to publishers. Average cost per 100 page submission is $8.75, billed to the client as they are sent out. If this is acceptable, please reply before sending your manuscript to:
BENEDICT & ASSOCIATES
1062 MANILA DRIVE
MICCO, FL 32976
Sincerely:
Phil Benedict

When you have something that works, stick with it!

BTW, appears he is moving: http://www.homesandland.com/Listing.cfm?ListingId=10202466&MagId=0421
Selling his trailer to start up somewhere else, probably to stay ahead of the bad publicity.

[Anjulee]

Any feedback on this agency? He is farily new.

[brianm]

Any feedback on this agency? He is farily new.

How did you find him/her? Link?

[Anjulee]

Brian, I found him through firstwriter.com. I'm not sure how to post links on here because I just registered.

Thanks

[victoriastrauss]

Be aware that Firstwriter.com doesn't vet the agents it lists, so it lists a lot of questionable agents. Many of the questionables who have been on the site for a while have garnered negative comments from site users, but newer ones often haven't, so there's no way to tell them from the more reputable listings.

A Google search turns up nothing whatever on "R. Castro Literary Agency" or variations thereof. A reputable agent, or someone with publishing industry experience, should be more researchable--on the other hand, it's difficult to do a useful search with only a first initial.

- Victoria

[Anjulee]

His first name is Richard. I knew that not all agents/publishers listed on firstwriter were respectable, but I sent Richard a query and he asked for a full. On firstwriter, it states in his information that he does not charge reading fees but asks for compensation for mailing manuscripts to publishers.

In his email he was honest and up-front about it also.

he states:

"I would like to see the entire manuscript, but first a few things about this agency. WE DO NOT charge any fees, including editing or reading fees. In the event of representation WE DO expect the author to absorb the postage and copying costs of sending your manuscript to publishers. The average cost per 100 page submission is $8.75, billed directly to the client as they are sent out. If this is acceptable, please reply by e-mail before sending your manuscript to:

RICHARD CASTRO LITERARY AGENCY
PO BOX 779-178
MICCO, FL 32976"

[brianm]

I forgot to welcome you to AW. :) Welcome to the cooler.

A google search comes up blank (except for this thread) when I use his first name.

If you have a web address, just type it into your next post.

[Popeyesays]

His first name is Richard. I knew that not all agents/publishers listed on firstwriter were respectable, but I sent Richard a query and he asked for a full. On firstwriter, it states in his information that he does not charge reading fees but asks for compensation for mailing manuscripts to publishers.

In his email he was honest and up-front about it also.

he states:

"I would like to see the entire manuscript, but first a few things about this agency. WE DO NOT charge any fees, including editing or reading fees. In the event of representation WE DO expect the author to absorb the postage and copying costs of sending your manuscript to publishers. The average cost per 100 page submission is $8.75, billed directly to the client as they are sent out. If this is acceptable, please reply by e-mail before sending your manuscript to:

RICHARD CASTRO LITERARY AGENCY
PO BOX 779-178
MICCO, FL 32976"

I'd balk at his billing for submissions to publishers. True, agents do make such charges, but the reputable ones bill it after they've SOLD the manuscript and usually deduct it from the author's share of the advance.

Regards.
Scott

[Anjulee]

He doesn't have a web address, just an email and a phone number.

[Anjulee]

on the firstwriters page it states:

"Actively seeking serious writers in most genres. 25 years in the publishing industry as an executive editor in two major publishers."

Do you think I should ask him which major publishers?

And if he makes them known, how would I know if it is the truth? I can't just call the publisers, can I?

[James D. Macdonald]

Does he have any recent sales?

[victoriastrauss]

Oh...my...god.

This is yet ANOTHER nom de whatever for Phil Benedict of Benedict & Associates, a.k.a. Phil Raia of BA Literary (see the discussion in the previous pages--I just merged the threads). I recognize the M.O. ($8.75 per 100 pages) and the address (Micco, FL--formerly Barefoot Bay, FL). He's on Writer Beware's Thumbs Down Agency List.

Here's Phil Benedict/Raia's pitch to writers who query him:
"I read your query with much interest. I would like to see the entire manuscript, but first a few things about our agency. WE DO NOT charge editing or reading fees, but in the event of representation WE DO EXPECT the author to absorb the postage and copying costs of submissions to publishers. Average cost per 100 page submission is $8.75, billed to the client as they are sent out. If this is acceptable, please reply before sending your manuscript to:
B A LITERARY
1062 MANILA DRIVE
BAREFOOT BAY, FL 32976
Sincerely,
Phil Raia
As you can see, it's practically identical.

To my knowledge, this guy has never sold a book under any of his names.

Time for another update.

- Victoria

[IceCreamEmpress]

on the firstwriters page it states:

"Actively seeking serious writers in most genres. 25 years in the publishing industry as an executive editor in two major publishers."

Do you think I should ask him which major publishers?

And if he makes them known, how would I know if it is the truth? I can't just call the publisers, can I?

I think you should run away from this scam artist as quickly as you can. Mr. Benedict/Raia/Castro, or whatever his name is going to be next week, is BAD NEWS.

I can't believe that he sends out the exact same letter as Richard Castro that he used to send out as Phil Benedict, and before that as Phil Raia. Outrageous (and genius catch by Victoria!)

[Anjulee]

Hey popeyesays,

Thanks for the quick research, and I'm glad I could add another name to his list to help other authors. I'm not upset over it, I have a great prospect elsewhere :)

[Anjulee]

Oh, and the "I read your query with much interest" was in my letter also; I left it out.

[Briank60]

I wanted to chime in on this topic because, as Phil Raia, he snagged me. I didn't do my homework and got too excited too quickly that I was finally getting representation. I signed a 6 month contract and was out between 6 and 7 hundred dollars in printing and postage fees. At the end of my contract when it all became clear I had been taken, I contacted most of those publishers to verify their receipt of my manuscript, but none had. At least that's what they told me, if they even could remember a solitary title among what they get. And it looks like this guy keeps changing his name, always staying one step ahead. Well, lesson learned: don't pay upfront, no matter how good it sounds. I'm reading through these posts and that is the EXACT email I got, going on 3 years ago.

[BarbJ]

Welcome, Briank60! :welcome: Don't feel bad; for many writers, getting scammed is part of the learning process. This is a good board to assist. Best of luck to you.

ETA: Really bad phrasing. I mean, of course, this is a good board to assist in the learning process. Yoicks. :D

[Atani]

I have been submitting to agents & publishers for about a year, and I have had a few bites, even getting to a final review panel at 1 publisher, but I always seem to find myself back at square 1... Unfortunately it seems I made a mistake recently in submitting to the R. Castro Literary Agency after getting an e-mail from firstwriter.com about their new listing... I have a contract in my hands, but I have just discovered all of this terrible stuff about them. I hate to just trash this cause I will be right back at the start again... but I don't want to get screwed either. Just how bad are they???? What should I do and how do I back out now (I haven't signed yet)???

[victoriastrauss]

Unfortunately it seems I made a mistake recently in submitting to the R. Castro Literary Agency after getting an e-mail from firstwriter.com about their new listing
Yet another demonstration of the problems with using sites like Firstwriter, which don't screen the agents they list.

If you read this thread from the beginning, it should answer your questions.

- Victoria

[Atani]

Wow, this really sucks. I'm so glad I found this forum. Should I even say anything else via e-mail or just shred the contract and forget all about it? For some reason I always try to be diplomatic...

[waylander]

Just shred the contract
Research your agents here www.agentquery.com (http://www.agentquery.com)

[victoriastrauss]

Send me the contract--it'll be a useful addition to my files. Address: Writer Beware, PO Box 1216, Amherst MA 01004. Thanks.

- Victoria

[Atani]

I'll send you a copy tomorrow :) Thanks for saving me from a major mistake.