I think there could be a much more benign explanation for what Ms. Goering did here, in terms of rejecting the ms and then suggesting a publisher. It's definitely odd and unprofessional, but I can see situations in which something like this could happen and no malfeasance was involved.
However, I think that something important is being overlooked here--the publisher. I don't think I'm giving anything vital away by revealing that it's
Norlights Press (audio ambush alert if you click that link), a non-advance-paying publisher with wholesale distribution only that relies entirely on print-on-demand, does not accept returns, and has a problematic contract (I've seen the contract). There is nothing whatever wrong with using POD as your production method--however, it is a marker for no or very small print runs, and together with the lack of advance and nonreturnability, makes this a publisher that any successful agent should be very reluctant to recommend or work with--if at all.
There's also the conflict of interest issue posed by the co-existence of a literary agency. See
this AW discussion thread.
Although Ms. Goering has made some very solid sales, I've been concerned all along about her apparent willingness to work with questionable publishers--she sold a book to
Morgan James, which has a huge buyback clause in its contract and may charge for services such as editing--and non-advance-paying publishers (
Dailey Swan, O Books [which now
looks as if it's out of business]). Independent of the odd behavior here, this latest info just confirms my concern.
- Victoria
