Mocknick Productions Literary Agency

[scorpioforu]

Seems like I draw scammers like a magnet. I got a letter the other day from another agent I had queried back in January and sent the first three chapters of my novel manuscript to.

He says my writing was tight and the story flowed. Then he immediately gets down to business. Says they do not hcarge a reading fee, but IF they represent you, there's an annual contract fee of $450. :eek This convers submissions, phone calls, follow-ups, contract negotiations (in the event of a slae) and all other aspects of representation.

He says they inform people of this upfront so there are no games or surprises. (Gee, it sure would have been nice for it to be mentioned on his website so I didn't waste my time with them! Sure feels like a game and surprise to me now.):teeth

He says that after I return my author profile and the remainder of my manuscript, he'd be pleased to send me their contract for my review.

Needless to say, I wrote him back and declined.

Just wanted to give a heads up for those contemplating submitting to them.

Becki

[peteriv]

Does anybody know anything about this agency? I recieved a letter from this agency for my latest script and wish to know if they are on the up and up.

[James D Macdonald]

From their web page, I see:

<Blockquote>
The agency has the following memberships:

· The Better Business Bureau of Eastern Pa

· The Greater Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce

· National Register’s Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals

</BLockquote>

What's missing is membership in the Association of Authors' Representatives.

Information that I have is that while Mocknick doesn't charge a reading fee, they do charge a $450 "contract fee."

Your call.

[Stace001]

I have found a web site called www.agentresearch.com which i have found to be great for information on agencies. some of their services have charges, but the agent verification is free of charge.
might be helpful to you.

[vstrauss]

Writer Beware has gotten reports about Mr. Mocknick's $450 "marketing" fee. I'm not aware that he's made any book sales.

- Victoria

[Zakk Lable Society]

Hi everyone! Long-time lurker, first-time poster. OK, not really long-time lurker, I just found the site today. But I've always wanted to say that.

Anyhoo, I submitted some of my work to David L. Mocknick (http://www.mocknick.com) for review. He sent me a contract package saying he wanted to represent me to publishers. I've seen some not-so-positive things said about him and other literary agents on this message board. Does anyone have anything GOOD to say about him?

From the research I've done, he seems legit, but unfortunately not very productive. I'd appreciate any advice and comments y'all wish to offer. Thanks!

[victoriastrauss]

David Mocknick charges an upfront "marketing" fee of $450. Charging upfront for marketing isn't standard practice among successful agents. While most agents do charge some of the expense of submission back to their clients, they allow this to accrue and then reimburse themselves from the clients' income. They don't ask for money out-of-pocket as a condition of contract signing or prior to a sale. An upfront marketing fee is a sign either of a fraudulent agency, or of an agency that is so bad at selling manuscripts that it can't run its business without its clients' financial support. Either way, bad news for the client.

In keeping with this, I'm not aware of any sales Mr. Mocknick may have made.

- Victoria

[Zakk Lable Society]

Thank you, Victoria. That's basically what my research is turning up, too. And I've yet to find anything produced by his "agency." So....all bad news, I suppose. Much appreciated!

[kdnxdr]

No offense intended Mr. MockNick but when I saw the name.......red flag.

MockNick to me says:

Mock/Fake

Nick/Name

sorry, I couldn't resist.

kdnxdr

[Donna Pudick]

Unless an agency is in a huge highrise in a big city, the costs of doing business are minimal, maybe $2000-$3000 a year. Most individuals spend more than that on golf. Parkeast is run from our two home offices, as are many agencies, big and small. Our entire costs for 2005, including startup, were under $3000. That also includes mailing, copying, phone calls, lunches and trips. The average cost of mailing a MS to New York FedEx ground is between $5 and $6.

Granted our volume is tiny next to the big city agencies, but no agent should ever handle so many manuscripts that he/she has to charge a fee.

dp

[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).

[Nuoddo]

I wish I would have seen this forum a year ago! I signed on with David Mocknick last June. I've received quarterly reports, but nothing is really happening. He certainly hasn't done enough mailing, etc. to justify the $450 fee I paid up-front.

Also, Mocknick's query letter is terrible. It doesn't tell the publisher anything about the manuscript at all.

Everyone Mocknick has contacted on my behalf is listed on my quarterly reports--with addresses included. I'm wondering if I can/should follow up with these contacts on my own?

Any advice?

[Nangleator]

Also, Mocknick's query letter is terrible. It doesn't tell the publisher anything about the manuscript at all.
Does that suggest he hasn't read it himself? Maybe I'm just suspicious.

[victoriastrauss]

Nuoddo, could you contact me off list? I have a question for you. My email is beware@sfwa.org.

If Mocknick is like other agents on Writer Beware's 20 Worst List, the problem isn't just a bad query--it's that he isn't good at (or doesn't care about) targeting appropriate publishers. Agents who consistently submit inappropriate or substandard material are remembered by editors, and their submissions are ignored. I'd guess that no one read whatever it is that he sent out. So I don't think it would do you any good to follow up with the publishers.

Believe it or not, this is good news. It means you can look for a new agent without fearing that your previous agent squandered submissions opportunities for you (which could make you less attractive as a client). You might want to change the title of your manuscript, though, in case the publishers logged it in.

- Victoria

[Nuoddo]

Does that suggest he hasn't read it himself? Maybe I'm just suspicious.
I have wondered the same thing myself.

By the way, I'm not expecting to be hand held or anything, but is it strange that I've never actually spoken with Mocknick on the phone? I've sent him two emails, one which he responded to and one which he didn't...I'm not expecting to hear from him every day, but I DID give him my hard earned money. The only real correspondence I've gotten are my quarterly reports.

Any idea if this is typical of agents?

[Nuoddo]

Nuoddo, could you contact me off list? I have a question for you. My email is beware@sfwa.org.

If Mocknick is like other agents on Writer Beware's 20 Worst List, the problem isn't just a bad query--it's that he isn't good at (or doesn't care about) targeting appropriate publishers. Agents who consistently submit inappropriate or substandard material are remembered by editors, and their submissions are ignored. I'd guess that no one read whatever it is that he sent out. So I don't think it would do you any good to follow up with the publishers.

Believe it or not, this is good news. It means you can look for a new agent without fearing that your previous agent squandered submissions opportunities for you (which could make you less attractive as a client). You might want to change the title of your manuscript, though, in case the publishers logged it in.

- Victoria
Thanks, Victoria. I didn't think about it that way. You're right...if they never read it in the first place, at least I don't have to worry that he's smeared my "good" name. I may change the name of the manuscript. Right now it is copyrighted under two different names...if I change the title again, I believe I'll have to copyright again. Some of the content has changed anyway, so I guess I'll want to file an updated copy anyway...

[MartyKay]

Right now it is copyrighted under two different names...if I change the title again, I believe I'll have to copyright again.

Oh dear.

Nuoddo... err... you didn't need to do that.

edit: I went looking for the WHY you didn't need to, and the particular link I could find was in Uncle Jim's Writing thread: here (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=100381&postcount=2971)

The reasons are:

a) It's unnecessary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is fixed in tangible form
b) It's unnecessary. No one is going to steal an unpublished book. (Several reasons for this, the chiefest one being that anyone who thinks it's publishable not only wants this work but wants your next one too.) If it's good enough to steal it's good enough to buy.
c) It will tell folks that your manuscript has been in your desk drawer or in the slushpile for the last ten years.
d) The pros don't do it.
e) Who wants to waste thirty bucks on something that's going to get rejected anyway?

To go along with this -- only submit your manuscript to legitimate publishers. You and they have similar interests: You both want to sell books to readers. Legitimate publishers have the practical ability to do it; and they need you.

[Nuoddo]

Oh dear.

Nuoddo... err... you didn't need to do that.

edit: I went looking for the WHY you didn't need to, and the particular link I could find was in Uncle Jim's Writing thread: here (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=100381&postcount=2971)
I know I didn't need to copyright, but I was passing the manuscript around quite a bit at the time. It's a children's book, and I had copies of it going to all these school districts and they were having their classes do book reports and feedback for me so that I could determine my target audience. I felt like it was worth the small filing fee for my peace of mind. Also, the artist who did the illustrations was concerned about his drawings and wanted to make sure I had made an effort to "protect" the work. The copyright is not included on the manuscript itself because I had heard the same thing...that it smacks of inexperience. However, now that I've done it, I'm wondering the title change makes a difference? I wouldn't think so, but I'm not sure. At this point, I now own the rights to the drawings, so I wouldn't need to worry about the illustrator's preference. It would just be if I wanted to...

[erinbee]

The fact that he lists himself as a "writer, producer, director and actor" is enough to send me running in the other direction kicking and screaming. Not that there's anything wrong with those professions...but hello? Isn't he marketing himself as an agent?

[Nuoddo]

I actually thought these were of his more appealing attributes...I'd had some dealings with a few other agents, and I felt more like a number... like a piece of meat. I thought that Mocknick being in the trenches would make him a better agent. Of course, I've since reconsidered my views of him in the last year as one of his clients, so maybe you're on to something...

[BardSkye]

You're not alone...

Being someone who has worn a lot of seemingly-unrelated hats and done relatively well, I, too, saw that as an advantage, not a warning sign...

[jvyor]

I too recently received word from David Mocknick (in response to my query and having submitted my manuscript) that he would represent me, but for an annual $450 "contract fee." Realizing that such fees are typically the domai of scam artists, I was hesitant. And Mocknick's proud website boast that he tells writers about this fee upfront did little to quell my suspisions.

I e-mailed Mocknick to request lists of published books he has repped, and also publishers he has solid relationships with. He said he could not provide those. The only thing he would give out is contact info. for his local Better Business Bureau, of which he is apparently a member. But this really means nothing, I told myself. It is not a professional literary association, and there are no real punitive checks and balances associated with it.

I e-mailed Mocknick again to ask that he send me the "coverage" done on my script by whomever read it - either himself or a paid reader. I wanted to get a feel as to whether Mocknick had even read and evaluated my script, or just takes advantage of all new submissions and offers to rep any writer for a fee, regardless of the quality of the material.

His reply was something to the effect that my script was "tight" and met professional formatting standards - which meant he hadn't done anything more than glance at the format, if indeed he did that much. It was obvious that no evaluation/coverage was prepared by a reader of the script because no one read the script!

Being that my manuscript is a gay-themed novel, I asked Mocknick what connections he had with gay publishing houses. He simply echoed my words that indeed, that is a small and specialized field with limited publishing opportunities, but that he knew of publishers to submit to. (He provided no names or any insight.) His website (unlike other agents) is also very general, and does not list literary genres he specializes in representing to publishers.

Overall, Mocknick's comments seem evasive, with the upshot being, "If you are desperate for representation, pay my $450 fee and trust that I'm reputable." But I am not that desperate, and Mocknick does not inspire such trust. I won't be signing his contract or paying his fee. I just wish I hadn't wasted the $10 to mail him my manuscript. Wasted money. It's a shame that he must be making some sort of living off other vulnerable and ignorant writers out there.

- Justin (New York)

[triceretops]

Justin, ten bucks is a drop in the gin pail compared to what you might have been facing with the total contract amount. This guy's a scamster, plain and simple.

tri

[jvyor]

David Mocknick finally gave me a semi-lengthy and meaningful response...but only after I wrote to say that I would have to decline his contract offer because he was not providing the information I requested.

Below is his most recent message to me, plus my reply:




Dave Mocknick <davemocknick@yahoo.com> wrote:Hi, Justin.
I know...I've seen all the stuff on the net. It seems that they attack agencies that will not join the AAR or Writer's Guild and accuse us of being scammers. The reason many of us refuse to join is because they have rules where they practically tell you how to run your business. And outsiders have no idea what expenses agents incur. If you break it down Justin.....$450. divided by 365....is $1.23 a day.


As far as coverage, I'm not sure what you mean. We review each manuscript and decide whether it's on a high enough professional level to be pitched to the publishers and if we have the contacts in that area. If we didn't know this, we would not offer a contract.


It's your call, Justin. All I can advise is that if you don't feel completely comfortable with us, then we aren't the agency for you. If a potential client has reservations or is leary of our integrity, we advise them to keep looking for representation. I wish you the very best in whatever you decide.


Dave




Hi Mr. Mocknick,

Thanks for the recent message - it was by far the longest and most detailed of all your correspondences.

Wanting to give you the benefit of the doubt, it still bothers me that you don't seem to know what "coverage" is - an evaluation report from your reader on the merits of the script, its worthiness as a literary product, it's marketablily, comments on the quality of writing, etc.

You keep saying that you "review each manuscript to decide if it's on a professional level," but that vague phrase doesn't really mean anything specific. For all I know, you just flipped through a few pages to check if their were 1" margins.

Did you read my manuscript? What is it about? Who are the main characters? What is the storyline? You've had several messages now to provide this information and assurance to me, yet until this most recent message, you've kept me in the dark and given only brief, oblique messages. And that has left me to rely on comments from other writers on the website I found - comments which have been far more detailed than you have been, and have said that your quarterly reports were not only unhelpful, but were the only communication they ever received from you after they signed the contract.

$450 is a lot of money to me (even though you break it down to $1.23 per day). And this breakdown does not really explain to me why you don't operate in the manner of standard literary agents and charge only the customary 10% fee, rather than this "contract fee," which is anything but standard. You've also failed to provide me with a client list or list of the books you've repped into publication. You also haven't told me what (if any) contacts you have in the field of gay fiction publishing, per the content of my book. This is a niche field, and I'd find it amazing if you had contacts there.

Your message said you wouldn't offer me a contract if you didn't have these contacts (which you haven't named). But for all I know, you're offering the contract to make an easy $450. I have no way of knowing.

So, following your advice in the most recent message . . . unless you can provide me solid information and answer my questions, I will have to decline your contract offer. If you are as confident as you say you are in your publishing industry connections and skills as an agent, I might consider entering into a 1-year agreement with you, minus the $450 "contract fee." I think the standard 10% should be enough for you for a first year of our writer-agent relationship.

I've done my share of the work in writing the manuscript. I don't feel I or any writer should then have to pay an agent to do his share of the work. So it's up to you, whether you want to represent my book on its merits for 10%, or pass.

- Justin
(New York)

[Tilly]

Thanks for posting that. It's very illuminating.

Many less than reputable/successful agencies attack the AAR and the watchdog sites. Organisations helping writers make informed decisions are the biggest threat to fee charging agencies.

Good luck in your search Justin, and welcome to Absolute Write.:welcome:

[Sassenach]

I too recently received word from David Mocknick (in response to my query and having submitted my manuscript)
I e-mailed Mocknick again to ask that he send me the "coverage" done on my script by whomever read it - either himself or a paid reader. I wanted to get a feel as to whether Mocknick had even read and evaluated my script, or just takes advantage of all new submissions and offers to rep any writer for a fee, regardless of the quality of the material.

His reply was something to the effect that my script was "tight" and met professional formatting standards - which meant he hadn't done anything more than glance at the format, if indeed he did that much. It was obvious that no evaluation/coverage was prepared by a reader of the script because no one read the script!

Being that my manuscript is a gay-themed novel, I asked Mocknick what connections he had with gay publishing houses. He simply echoed my words that indeed, that is a small and specialized field with limited publishing opportunities, but that he knew of publishers to submit to. (He provided no names or any insight.) His website (unlike other agents) is also very general, and does not list literary genres he specializes in representing to publishers.

Overall, Mocknick's comments seem evasive, with the upshot being, "If you are desperate for representation, pay my $450 fee and trust that I'm reputable." But I am not that desperate, and Mocknick does not inspire such trust. I won't be signing his contract or paying his fee. I just wish I hadn't wasted the $10 to mail him my manuscript. Wasted money. It's a shame that he must be making some sort of living off other vulnerable and ignorant writers out there.



Whether or not Mocknick's legit is one question, but I think you're confused about how the process works.You're referring to a novel, correct? Because novel manuscripts are always called 'manuscripts' or 'ms', but never 'scripts'. Not ever.

'Coverage' by readers and/or agents is done for screenplays [scripts], but not for fiction. No agents provide that.

[James D. Macdonald]

Mocknick Productions Literary Agency is listed on the IILAA / International Independent Literary Agents Association (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45020) site.

[jackstr952]

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES go with Mocknick. I was dumb enough not only to sign with them for one year, but two years, costing me $900.00. Shame on me for resigning. Their contract looked like something a 2nd grader would do and although they were timely in sending quarterly reports on status, it was clear they didn't take any time or pride in putting together a professional letter. Very unprofessional and I still kick myself for spending the money, but felt I didn't have many other options.

[SammyW]

I like the look of their site and there's something unique (though a little creepy) about a site whose home page features an AI woman. But I need some info on these people, if you guys don't mind.

Here's their website:

www.mocknick.com (http://www.mocknick.com/index.html)

Thanks! :)

[waylander]

They are on Writer Beware's 'Thumbs Down Agency List'

Walk on by

[victoriastrauss]

Wow. That new website really ups the bullshit factor. From the About Fees (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/There%27s%20a%20well%20known%20misconception%20in% 20the%20industry%20that%20agents%20should%20not%20 charge%20fees.%20The%20taboos%20are%20all%20over%2 0the%20net.%20%20The%20reality%20is%20that%20an%20 known%20author%20is%20a%20much%20harder%20sell%20t han%20a%20best%20selling%20one.%20%20Much%20more%2 0work%20for%20the%20agent.%20%20Since%20a%20sale%2 0is%20never%20guaranteed,%20to%20expect%20any%20ag ent%20to%20work%20for%20free%20on%20the%20possibil ity%20of%20a%20sale%20would%20be%20unfair%20and%20 impractical%20from%20a%20business%20standpoint.) page:

There's a well known misconception in the industry that agents should not charge fees. The taboos are all over the net. The reality is that an [sic] known author is a much harder sell than a best selling one. Much more work for the agent. Since a sale is never guaranteed, to expect any agent to work for free on the possibility of a sale would be unfair and impractical from a business standpoint.What's sad is that so many people will probably believe this, and hand over the $450 "contract" fee that Mocknick demands.

Try typing "What are your recent sales?" into the weird avatar lady's question box, and see what answer you get. (Hint: it's not an answer that a real literary agent would give.)

- Victoria

[JenWriter]

Just for fun, I asked what their commission rate was and she said she didn't want to talk about that now. Said she'd rather talk about me.

It's creepy.

[AC Crispin]

hahahah, I asked how many authors they'd ripped off and she replied "Around 100."

No lie!

ROFL!

-Ann C. Crispin

[Alexandra Little]

:crazy:

[SammyW]

And once again, Absolute Write saves me from making a horrible mistake.

Thanks everyone! :D

[brianm]

Since a sale is never guaranteed, to expect any agent to work for free on the possibility of a sale would be unfair and impractical from a business standpoint.

Well, hell... she better pick up the phone and call the National Association of Realtors and tell them they've been doing it all wrong. Those guys need to be paid before they earn their commissions because there's only a possibilty of a sale in their field, too.

I bet she revolutionizes the real estate industry, huh?

:crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy::crazy:

[Stlight]

Poo! I can't find AI lady :cry:

S

[poobunkadiddle]

It seems like the only response I get from Agents and Publishers, other than rejections, are from the scammers. So don't feel like you alone. These guys are simply playing on your vulnerability and hoping your ego gets in the way of your common sense.
These forums and the blogs are one of the key resources that we unpublished writers have to extract the truth of the business.
Good old Dave Mocknick contacted me about my picture books. Prior to replying I did a search here on Absolute Writer so I had information from the Writers Beware that Mocknick is one of the top 20 worst, never having anything sold or published.
I confronted "Dave" and his reply was immediate and defensive..."everyone is out to get him"!! When I replied to that e-mail I gave him information to find my posted work...and that I was a gambler and could see his bluff from way over here in Michigan...he never read my work, because the number of reads did not change over a 3 day period. have not heard back from "Good Old Dave"...so I guess he was bluffing and was just trying to get his $450 marketing fee.
Each positive response needs to be thoroughly researched...and do not get your hopes up...for every unpublished writer there is probably 5 scammers trying to take advantage of you. and they are all fighting to come up with the next big score and the next big scam.
Good Luck, don;t get discouraged and keep trying.

Mr. Poobunkadiddle

[Autumn28]

I too recieved a request from Dave recently. It hurts when you find that brief shining moment of happiness in getting a positive responce and then...whamm! They want money, they have never actually published a book, they need to be policed somehow!

[CaoPaux]

Which all goes to prove it's best to research before you query.

[Autumn28]

I speak only for myself when I say that I have only been submitting to agents for a short time and I didn't get the How To book in the mail the morning I woke up and decided I wanted to send out one of my manuscripts. I think most of us were surprised by the sheer number of frauds out there, and I at first trusted that they would be monitored better...but I guess its makes more sense to catch a 15 year old downloading music during study hall than to stop a man that has been doing this for at least three years. Like I said I didn't know when I started out, be careful when criticizing others you don't know the whole story.

[Stacia Kane]

I speak only for myself when I say that I have only been submitting to agents for a short time and I didn't get the How To book in the mail the morning I woke up and decided I wanted to send out one of my manuscripts. I think most of us were surprised by the sheer number of frauds out there, and I at first trusted that they would be monitored better...but I guess its makes more sense to catch a 15 year old downloading music during study hall than to stop a man that has been doing this for at least three years. Like I said I didn't know when I started out, be careful when criticizing others you don't know the whole story.


I don't think Cao meant to criticize, only to provide you with the first page of that How-To book you're looking for.

The rest of this site will give you the rest. Ask as many questions as you like. Read the stickied threads. Read the Writer Beware blog.

Good luck. :)

[CaoPaux]

Mmm hmm. Page two: Writing is a business.

Here's the How To (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100943) book. And some supplementary (http://www.sfwa.org/beware/) material (http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2005/01/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about.asp).

[ericsmithrocks]

I was getting ready to send this guy a query letter when I came across this post. Trying to find lit agents around Philly, and what-not.

Man, I am grateful I signed up for this wonderful board last week. :)

[seun]

I just found this on Mocknick's site and thought it might be worth checking out here.

There's a well known misconception in the industry that agents should not charge fees. The taboos are all over the net. The reality is that an unknown author is a much harder sell than a best selling one. Much more work for the agent. Since a sale is never guaranteed, to expect any agent to work for free on the possibility of a sale would be unfair and impractical from a business standpoint. This would be like asking your accountant to do your taxes for free...and only receive a percentage of your return. If you received nothing back, or owed on your taxes, the accountant would never get paid. For this reason, most agents must charge some type of fee. We do not charge a reading fee, but have a contract fee of $450 if we take you on as a client. This is due upon signing of the contract. It can be paid by check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, or PayPal. For the convenience of our clients, we also accept payments. This is an annual fee and covers all of aspects of representation for one year. There is never any additional charge.


Am I wrong or is this how legit companies work?

[Mac H.]

There's already a thread on this guy. In summary - bad news.

See: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=975

Mac

[Anna Magdalena]

I'm sure you already know the answer, seun.

What you quote here contains all the usual lies and misinformation. Not to mention the 'we take money via Visa, Mastercard and Paypal' stuff.

Any mention of recent sales?

Big red flags.

Avoid.

[scarletpeaches]

Yep. What everyone else said.

Why anyone would pay an 'agent' when there are plenty of others who work for free (that is, until you start making them money by...well, being published!) I don't know.

[seun]

It did sound like bollocks when I read it but thought I'd still ask. Wish I hadn't wasted the time, now. :D

[Anna Magdalena]

It's never a waste of time to make absolutely sure.

[M.R.J. Le Blanc]

Especially when it saves you money.

[JerseyGirl1962]

It did sound like bollocks when I read it but thought I'd still ask. Wish I hadn't wasted the time, now. :D

At least you didn't throw away any of your hard-earned money.

[batgirl]

The AI woman is really unnerving. I asked about recent sales, and she told me about how they used to give out that information but a 'lynch mob' of editors and clients came after them.
I said 'That sounds like a fabulation.'
She said 'It sounds like it to me, too.'
Then she blinked repeatedly. I hear that's a sign of shiftiness - nice of them to have programmed that in.
-Barbara

[BenPanced]

She might be flirting... :e2flowers

[Old Hack]

Only with you, Mr Panced.

[nicolesingslave]

LOL, at least they are up front about the fees. ...
http://www.mocknick.com/id16.html
We do not charge a reading fee, but have a contract fee of $450 if we take you on as a
client. This is due upon signing of the contract. It can be paid by check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, or PayPal.

[Donna Pudick]

A contract fee? $450? Guess what. It doesn't cost anywhere near $1.23 per day to rep a client. Maybe a few years ago, we spent money on mailing and copying, but now that the majority of publishers take material by email, the costs have gone down so much that Gloria and I are looking for tax write-offs, other than postage and printing.

Does this guy give his clients a printout of individual costs? Be interesting to see.

[GothicKnight]

Well, nearly five years after the last post on this thread, I can tell you Dave is still charging that $450 for expenses.

[victoriastrauss]

Mocknick's fees have gone up to $500.

Check out his website (http://tinyurl.com/24v2rg9)--it now features a series of homemade videos that appear to star a sex doll. (No, I am not making that up.)

- Victoria

[Giant Baby]

Arielle is the virtual hostess. Her job is to give us information on the agency and the literary business in general, or so it says in the first video. Then she cried, sat for two frames wearing sunglasses indoors, fell down, and had another sex doll pull a rifle on her.

Which part of that was my five hundred smackers for? Is it explained later? 'Cos I was done.

:Huh:

[brianm]

All is explained in this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPQfMJ01Mvk&feature=related). :evil

[Giant Baby]

:cry:

[victoriastrauss]

That is...disturbing.

- Victoria

[AlishaS]

I am utterly disturbed by this. I fear I may even have nightmares.

Not only does this "Lit Agency" charge fees but trying to promote their agency with the use of a sex doll... has bad news written all over it.

I almost wish other agents would comment on such tactics being used here, Curious what real professionals think lol

[Nya RAyne]

Because of the video alone I would avoid this agency like the plague.

[James D. Macdonald]

"...while pitching an unknown to a skiddish industry requires much more."

Do you suppose he meant "skittish"?

[Giant Baby]

"...while pitching an unknown to a skiddish industry ...

:cry:

[IceCreamEmpress]

"...while pitching an unknown to a skiddish industry requires much more."

Do you suppose he meant "skittish"?

Who knows? Maybe he was referring to the state of their underpants?

[Karen Duvall]

:roll:

[Old Hack]

That virtual hostess is creepy and extremely unattractive.

*Shudder*

[Mac H.]

If having a sex-doll (sorry... stunt doll) as your public face wasn't bad enough - this is a guy who is trying to sell his own script (starring the doll) via Inktip.

If that's his strategy as a literary agent then his clients are in real trouble.

Do people seriously fall for this kind of stuff ?

Mac

[lachrymal]

Thanks so much for the link to this guy's site. I had to double-check here because I totally thought it was a joke. I haven't laughed that hard in ages. Surely, surely those videos are enough to drive people AWAY from this dude?

[brianm]

He really should have named the doll Miranda.

[JerseyGirl1962]

He really should have named the doll Miranda.

:roll:

[JulieB]

Oh. Dear. Glad I'd finished my cup of tea. I may need something stronger now, though.