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Westphal Literary Agency (Richard Westphal)

otterauthor

Hello all! I have been lurking for quite some time and decided to jump in. I queried an agent from the Christian Guide to Literary Agents (2006). Richard Westphal, of the Westphal Literary Agency, requested a partial, and then my complete manuscript.

I have been unable to find any information about his agency, and of course I destroyed the contract he sent a few days ago. (fee charger). I was curious if any of you have had any dealing with this agency, and wanted to warn you about it, as there is nothing on P&E and he is listed in what I would have considered a reputable source.

I enjoy this community and look forward to getting to know you all!
 
Popeyesays

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Probably one of those folks that thinks "Christian" writers will be an easier scam if he says he's a 'pepper' too!

No offense intended, just a description of the scammer mentality.

Regards,
Scott
 
victoriastrauss

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The Christian Guide to Literary Agents--like nearly all print market guides--has some disreputable people in it. Sometimes they slip past the editors, even where the editors make a real effort to vet the people they include. It's never a good idea to take inclusion in a market guide--no matter how authoritative the guide is--as an indication of reputability.

Writer Beware has gotten a number of complaints of Westphal's fees (at last report, $125 for a 6-month contract). From what I can tell, he falls more in the amateur than the scammer camp.

I'm not aware that this agency has any commercial sales, though it has been around for several years.

- Victoria
 
CaoPaux

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The only web hit for Westphal is this thread.

Transparency is good. Invisibility is not. :cool:
 

Bridgewater

Any more recent info on Westphal Literary Agency?

Has anyone had any other dealings with Westphal since the last post? Thanks.
 
waylander

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Why would anyone want to have dealing with this guy?
Once a scammer, always a scammer.
 
CaoPaux

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