here's the "interview" I was sent:
Thank you for requesting more information about all that information you
found on the web. Recently, we were interviewed by a very known web-writer
named DeleriousGirl, and this is the text of the interview. I think you will
find it interesting, to say the least.
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The Naked Truth Interview: Is WL and AEG a Scam?
Copyright 2008-2009. This interview may be reproduced only in its entirety.
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DeleriousGirl (DG) decides to see what is really going on with the merger
between one of most vocally discussed and denounced literary agency and
publisher companies on the internet, the WL Literary Agency Group, and AEG
Strategic & Eloquent Publishing.
The two companies have recently announced a merger and DG has decided to
"dig for dirt". What is really behind this company? Is it the scam everyone
says it is? Why all the flack? DG decides to see for herself what all the
commotion is about.
Note: For reference, The company press release is at
http://www.aegpublishinggroup.com/aeg_pressrelease.html .
But we didn't want to go with the 'party line", we wanted to get deeper, as
we suggest that most writers do.
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DG: OK, let's get right to the point, there's an elephant in the room and
I'm going to go ahead and shoot it: I have seen and read some very, very
derogatory online forums regarding your companies, both past and present.
As a writer and a voracious reader, my first knee-jerk reaction was to be
worried about the integrity of your publishing companies and how you treat
writers. "Where's the beef? What's the problem? Why are you so hated by so
many?
AEG: The short answer is that we don't fit anybody's mold. We're
different, and we're already bigger than the industry pundits know what to
do with. In the last 6 months, we've published over 250 authors and we're
selling 1500 books a week for them. We expect to sell over 150,000 books
for our authors next year, and a million books by 2010 if we keep growing at
this pace. We are also one of the few companies already doing joint
ventures into China and Australia for our authors.
We have venture capitalists approaching us and we are 'squeaky clean" from
and accounting and legal perspective as we are also considering going
public. Believe me, if there was anything to anyone's allegations it would
have been a deal killer by now. Any real business-person can look at those
numbers above and realize that our company must be legit, because you don't
grow that big as 'scammers'.
Also, we employ about 50 people now from all over the world, and those
employees certainly wouldn't work for a scam company either.
In short, those sites like Writers Beware and Preditors & Editors, are run
by 'minor league writers'. We're in the big leagues and frankly, we scare
the shit out of them. The people that run those sites don't have the time,
or the inclination to do an interview like this. They are like old, and
tired, and worn-out horses that have been around too long and like the old
'Mikie" they hate everything that is different But if anyone wants to
believe them, that's fine, we don't have time to waste as we are building a
very, very global business with real "writer-business-people" that are
committed to their careers. Our clients don't sit around reading whiner
sites, that's for sure.
DG: Do I detect a bit of frustration?
AEG: Of course, it's like the old kindergarten game, where you sit in a
circle, whisper into the person's ear next to yours, and the end result is
so far removed from the original statement, that it is very, very
frustrating. I will give our detractors a bit of credit though, they have
caused us to toughen up, and succeed in spite of their crap. As the old
saying goes, "that which does not kill me makes me stronger", and believe
me, we are so lean and mean right now, that we are approaching unstoppable,
and frankly their opinions no longer matter to our business. And don’t tell
them this, but they are actually helping us at this point . . . They are
free advertising, as most rational authors can't believe what they are now
saying, and the authors come to us to '”see for themselves".
We don't work with authors that won't spend the money it takes to improve
and that has served us well. The industry is realizing that the fastest way
to separate the good from the bad, is how much time and energy the author
has spent developing their craft. That's what we want. We won't stomach or
tolerate "something for nothing" people, and that attitude has perhaps
become misconstrued.
DG: That all sounds nice, but really, why all the negative press?
AEG: We have really tried to listen to the marketplace and we have made
certain adjustments to the way we do business, however, we are very clear
about one thing, we only want committed authors with edited, or reviewed
work. That means that we only want authors that have been edited, or are
willing to get help and assistance. So, what happens is this, we say, "your
work needs help", and immediately we are jumped on. Why authors think that
they get the world for free is beyond me. We can make EVERY author a better
author, and we do, it just costs some money, and this is a business, so
we're used to investing in our business, why wouldn't a writer invest in
theirs?
We have tried to dialog with P&E, Writers Beware, SFWA, etc. Unfortunately,
those people are so backward-minded and stuck, that they really didn't
listen, so we now ignore them and we just keep chugging. Frankly, and I
don't want to be mean about it, but we think some of our authors make more
in one month than that crowd has made in their in their entire writing
career. We suggest that authors make up their own mind, and not rely on
anyone else when forming their opinion, especially minor-leaguers.
DG: Ok, I can understand that you tell authors that they must improve, and I
agree with how important that is, but what about the fact that you refer
them to your own company?
R: That "own company" that you are referring to is now the second largest
editing and services company in the world, second only to Scribendi.
Frankly, the editing companies that we used to refer to were very 'mom and
pop" and couldn't do the work and handle our volume. So in order to keep
prices down, and turnaround quick, we built our own company. Also, the
press release about the two companies working together has been on the web
for years now. We don't hide the fact that the companies are working hand
in hand. They have to be to handle the kind of growth and volume that we
have created. In short, it's a big business, we're global, and it works well
for the author, and for us. Frankly, we can do editing faster and cheaper
than any editing company in the world. Hell, we might buy Scribendi next
year.
DG: Here's another issue . . . Why have you changed names so many times?
AEG: It's marketing my dear. Have you ever noticed how many domain names
the Children's Writing Institute uses? We spend a lot of time on Google
pay-per-click for our authors, and we've seen at least six names for them,
for sure, that go back to their site or a clone of their site. I'm sure
you are aware of search engine optimization. The simple truth is that as
Google has changed it's algorithms, we have changed our domain names so that
we get better positioning. It's that simple. Also, as partners and
principals have come and gone, new companies, with new stock allocations
have been formed. That's part and parcel of a small business.
And, we are very proud of this, we are starting the wheels in motion to
setup a stock ownership plan for our employees and even our authors. We'll
probably undergo another name change at that time . . . That's how it works
for rapidly growing businesses.
DG: C'mon . . . If there’s smoke, there has to be fire, what about all this
stuff about criminal backgrounds, investigations, etc.?
AEG: It's identity theft with a twist. Let's say that I decided to "get
you" for one reason or another. It's simple really. All I have to do is
google search "your name - criminal records" and I will get plenty of hits,
of your name, in all kinds of criminal situations. Then all I do is copy
and paste that info into 3-4 sites, anonymously, and you're screwed. I
guarantee it. You'll never live it down and never clean it up. Believe me,
we've tried. Also, we've been investigated up and down, and nothing had
ever come of it. The fact is that these days any disgruntled person can
file a complaint with a District Attorney.
We do what we say, we tell the author up front what to expect, we never
over-promise, and we deliver.
We have a real business that helps authors that are willing to help
themselves that's why all this stuff about investigations and backgrounds,
etc. is such misinformation.
DG: Here's another one, why do you even advertise? I thought agencies didn't
need to advertise?
AEG: We still have requests from publishers that we can't fill. We still
find great books to publish every day because of our advertising. Early on
we learned that more is better. Our business strategy since day one, is to
have 'depth off the bench'. And that strategy is paying off. Why do you
think the agency is so valuable to the publisher? Frankly, we think the
agency has provided over 100 authors "ready to go" to the publisher. Those
authors are now making money and receiving royalty checks. Those authors
will be part of the 100,000 - 1 MM books we'll be selling in the medium term
future.
AEG: Over 100 authors published? Prove it . . And did the agency take a
commission since you merged? Isn't that 'double dipping"?
R: No commission was taken by the agency. Period. Guaranteed. The authors
were told up front about the merger. And if you want to see the books we've
published, please visit
www.AEGauthorsEdge.com .
DG: Well, I admit to being glad that I dug a little deeper, I can see both
sides of the story, and it is tough to break into any industry. Is there
anything you wish to say in conclusion?
R: We truly feel sorry for the author that is trying to make a decision
about how to proceed with their writing career. Our best advice is to trust
yourself and dive in. Sometimes analysis = paralysis. You can't win if you
don't play, so we say, "get out there, get bloody, improve, take your lumps,
learn, learn, learn" and as Winston Churchill said, "never, never give up".
All of our contracts have 'easy out' clauses, so if we don't perform, you
can fire us. By the same token, if the author won't perform, we can, and
will fire them. This is a business and we are here to stay, and play, for
the long term, and make profits for our authors, our employees, and our
shareholders.
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DG: Ok writers out there, you have it. I am not endorsing anyone, but I do
think that everyone deserves a chance to be heard. Frankly, my personal
opinion is that those sites have gone too far, and are doing a dis-service
for writers and this company. Perhaps these guys made mistakes in the past,
but I have a hard time arguing with 250 published authors and 1500 books a
week being sold within 6 months of operations. (I looked at the royalty
reports).
At the end of the day, DG says: Make up your own mind. And yes, please feel
free to email me if you’d like:
[email protected]
PS--I tried to find "deliriousgirl" but only found a profile of her on a social networking site that hadn't been updated in a few years.
