Free Get a Literary Agent: The Complete Guide to Securing Representation for Your Work by Chuck Sambuchino

running into a scammer is virtually nil. Furthermore, now that you’ve read this chapter, you’ll recognize the warning signs should you come across the website of an unknown, untrusted agency. But there is one more thing that you should be aware of: editing service referrals . This problem is rare, but it happens.
    It works like this. An agent rejects your submission and says that the book needs more work or that it needs an editorial eye. She then suggests a specific editing service or individual who can help. The problem here is that the agent may be getting a kickback from the editor for each successful referral, and that’s bad. The only times I’ve ever felt comfortable with agents referring writers to editing services is when they suggest several to choose from and openly state that they receive no financial compensation in the matter. Sometimes, on their websites, agents will refer writers to editing services run by their clients. As long as the agent is forthright that (1) yes, these are her clients’ services, as she’s trying to help them, and (2) she gets no kickbacks whatsoever, it’s okay to check out her suggestions. If you’re leery, simply look for editing services elsewhere.

GETTING TO KNOW THE AAR
    Did you ever personally think about becoming an agent and representing writers? Well, guess what—all you have to do is snap your fingers, and it’s done. I’m not kidding. There is no exam or degree. All you or I or anyone has to do is simply print up some business cards, build a website, and put out a call for queries. That’s it.
    This may sound like a shaky proposition, but that’s where the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR) comes in. The AAR is the closest thing to an accreditation body for an agent, and it exists as a verification organization for representatives. The following statement can be found on the AAR website: “Authors can be confident that our agents pledge to follow the highest standards of professional conduct in serving the needs of their clients.”
    To be accepted into the AAR means meeting certain criteria set forth by the group: An agent “must have at least two years as a full-time working agent, with at least ten reportable sales over an eighteen-month period, and be primarily responsible for executing publishing agreements, translation or performance rights in these properties. Applications need to be accompanied by two letters of reference from current members.” The AAR also accepts representations at an “associate agent” level, which is a tier below established agents. To be in this second tier, an agent “must be currently employed at an agency and should demonstrate an increasing level of responsibility. Applications need to be accompanied by a letter of reference from a full member at your current agency.” The AAR has more than four hundred member agents—most are book agents, but some are dramatic agents dealing with theater.
    If you see the letters AAR by the name of an agent, you can feel secure that she’s a tried-and-true rep with a history of sales and is dedicated to treating clients with top professionalism.
    But what does this imply regarding non-AAR personnel? Can those agents be trusted? My answer is: In all likelihood, yes .
    The AAR has four hundred agents in the organization, but there are one thousand–plus agents nationwide. So taking a strict view of the matter (such as “I need an AAR agent or bust”) is not the wisest approach. I can speak from experience: My agent, Sorche Fairbank of Fairbank Literary Representation, was not part of the AAR when I signed with her in 2008, though she joined the organization years later. If I would have turned down her offer of representation simply because she lacked three initials after her name, we wouldn’t have sold any of our six books together.
    If you’re concerned about protecting yourself and your work during the query process, remember to research and look for key elements: