I signed with Marisa last year after she accepted my manuscript for representation. Yes, I read the Predator and Editor comments about the L Perkins Agency, and I questioned Marisa about those issues. Her answer satisfied me, and I accepted the contract. I'm new at this game, so I can't compare my experience with anyone else's, but her business manner impressed me from the start.
After signing, she had my work read by two others under her literary group and gave me feedabck for both...no charge. Her own reading produced a number of detailed suggestions for improvements that she felt may help the story be more marketable...no charge. By the way, proprietary feelings about my story caused me to resist change, but I reluctantly considered each of her points, and had to admit, every recommendation did make the story better. I incorporated many of her suggestions and was very pleased with the result.
To date, Marisa has not charged me a dime for any literary agent service. Nor has she suggested any fee-based services. She also managed to get a NYT multiple-Bestselling novelist to read my story and he agreed to write a strong endorsement; again, no charge. Her pitch package on my story is going out to main-stream editors shortly after her new agency goes live on March first. (I am thrilled and hopeful!) She also gave me the choice to remain with the L Perkins Agency or to join her in her new literary firm. That is integrity. I terminated the first contract and remained with her, knowing that this would slightly delay pitching my book.
As I said, I am not a worldy, author-sucess like some of you profess to be. But, I'm not stupid either. I studied the issues associated with query letters, manuscript formatting, writing synopses, and, as a long time successful businessman, I know a bit about contracts. I read every word of her contract (both Perkins and the new Corvisiero contact) and even questioned her about a couple of issues. The point is, I did not engage her services haphazardly or without vetting, including discussions about conflict of interest issues.
When she told me about starting the Literary Powerhouse Consulting, I asked her, point blank, if that was a possible conflict of interest. She satisfied me that she would NEVER charge a client of her literary agency for any of her services. The purpose of that new business entity is to bring aspiring authors, literary agents, editors and small publishers together in a place where writers can develop their craft and move in the direction of legitimate publication. It's the internet equivalent of a writer's convention where people can 1) pitch their work to agents and publishers in pitch sessions, 2) develop their skill with advice from successful authors, and 3) build confidence in their ability craft a marketable story.
To the best of my knowledge, the basic Literary Powerhouse website is free. Inside the site, she incorporates a membership section that she calls the "Portal." This is where valuable contacts and content are offered; literary agents (not limited to Marisa) will participate in live chatrooms, workshops are offered, and other services like hosting blogs are provided to help an aspiring author build a platform. She charges a small monthly fee for access to this Portal. By the way, attending a writers convention for similar services usually costs $350+ for the event, as well as airfare and hotel costs. The total is often over $1,000. If an aspiring author can access similar services from the privacy of one's own home, then the small monthly fee seems like a bargain to me...and, if they don't like it, they can quit.
Nevertheless, I do understand the history of the publishing industry. Unscrupulous agents and "editors," mostly at vanity press houses, charged reading fees, editing fees, cover layout fees, etc. Those people are good reason for the conflict-of-issue sensivity and I asked Marisa about that long before the website evolved. She assured me that she would keep a clear distinction and separation between her work as a literary agent and the consulting website. To date, she has kept every promise she has made to me. I have no reason to distrust her. Obviously, you have the right to question her ethics, and challenge her professional integrity. I simply want to give my first-hand POV about her professionalism for others who might read this one-sided thread. Now, I just want her to sell my manuscript, so I can join the ranks of you "highly successful" authors.
Disclaimer: My comments are completly unsolicited. Marisa had no idea I was going to say anything...hell, I didn't even know it, until I read this thread.
After signing, she had my work read by two others under her literary group and gave me feedabck for both...no charge. Her own reading produced a number of detailed suggestions for improvements that she felt may help the story be more marketable...no charge. By the way, proprietary feelings about my story caused me to resist change, but I reluctantly considered each of her points, and had to admit, every recommendation did make the story better. I incorporated many of her suggestions and was very pleased with the result.
To date, Marisa has not charged me a dime for any literary agent service. Nor has she suggested any fee-based services. She also managed to get a NYT multiple-Bestselling novelist to read my story and he agreed to write a strong endorsement; again, no charge. Her pitch package on my story is going out to main-stream editors shortly after her new agency goes live on March first. (I am thrilled and hopeful!) She also gave me the choice to remain with the L Perkins Agency or to join her in her new literary firm. That is integrity. I terminated the first contract and remained with her, knowing that this would slightly delay pitching my book.
As I said, I am not a worldy, author-sucess like some of you profess to be. But, I'm not stupid either. I studied the issues associated with query letters, manuscript formatting, writing synopses, and, as a long time successful businessman, I know a bit about contracts. I read every word of her contract (both Perkins and the new Corvisiero contact) and even questioned her about a couple of issues. The point is, I did not engage her services haphazardly or without vetting, including discussions about conflict of interest issues.
When she told me about starting the Literary Powerhouse Consulting, I asked her, point blank, if that was a possible conflict of interest. She satisfied me that she would NEVER charge a client of her literary agency for any of her services. The purpose of that new business entity is to bring aspiring authors, literary agents, editors and small publishers together in a place where writers can develop their craft and move in the direction of legitimate publication. It's the internet equivalent of a writer's convention where people can 1) pitch their work to agents and publishers in pitch sessions, 2) develop their skill with advice from successful authors, and 3) build confidence in their ability craft a marketable story.
To the best of my knowledge, the basic Literary Powerhouse website is free. Inside the site, she incorporates a membership section that she calls the "Portal." This is where valuable contacts and content are offered; literary agents (not limited to Marisa) will participate in live chatrooms, workshops are offered, and other services like hosting blogs are provided to help an aspiring author build a platform. She charges a small monthly fee for access to this Portal. By the way, attending a writers convention for similar services usually costs $350+ for the event, as well as airfare and hotel costs. The total is often over $1,000. If an aspiring author can access similar services from the privacy of one's own home, then the small monthly fee seems like a bargain to me...and, if they don't like it, they can quit.
Nevertheless, I do understand the history of the publishing industry. Unscrupulous agents and "editors," mostly at vanity press houses, charged reading fees, editing fees, cover layout fees, etc. Those people are good reason for the conflict-of-issue sensivity and I asked Marisa about that long before the website evolved. She assured me that she would keep a clear distinction and separation between her work as a literary agent and the consulting website. To date, she has kept every promise she has made to me. I have no reason to distrust her. Obviously, you have the right to question her ethics, and challenge her professional integrity. I simply want to give my first-hand POV about her professionalism for others who might read this one-sided thread. Now, I just want her to sell my manuscript, so I can join the ranks of you "highly successful" authors.
Disclaimer: My comments are completly unsolicited. Marisa had no idea I was going to say anything...hell, I didn't even know it, until I read this thread.
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