IT PAYS TO BE CAREFUL
This time last year, I was still in the process of sending out queries when I came across a reference on Wikipedia for a new literary agency in the UK. Without looking into their credentials, I sent off a query letter together with sample chapters. When I actually looked at their website in more detail, I couldn't find any reference to their names, postal address or phone number. Anyway, they didn't get back to me within the stated time frame of four weeks so I assumed that would be the end of the matter. About a month go, I received a request for the full manuscript. The email provided me with a name, and so I started looking into this person's background. In the process I discovered that she'd previously advertised herself as a literary agent under this name but given up. I also found out that she'd set up as a publisher back in 2010/11, but went out of business in 2012. Some of the authors whose work she published during this period are shown on Amazon as havin...