Perhaps for a well deserved proof-reading to edit out the numerous typos and grammar/punctuation errors (IILAA stands for "International Independent Literary Agents Association" - missing an apostrophe, maybe)?
Perhaps to update the "IILAA top 10 agents" list to a more accurate "top 9" (unless it's to add a 10th member)
Maybe they couldn't handle all the web traffic coming their way from people who read blogs like Writer Beware's AC Crispin and Victoria Strauss' blog, Miss Snark's, Agent Kristin, or folk who frequent Absolute Write or Preditors & Editors...
On the off chance that you, dear reader, aren't one of my usual 3 or 4 buddies from Absolute Write who already know this stuff and you are also novice writer who has been Googling along doing some research into the getting of an agent - PLEASE READ the info on these next links:
- SFWA's Writer Beware info on Agents and Agencies (and you don't have to write SF for this stuff to apply to you)
- Absolute Write Bewares and Background Checks forum - there are some general interest threads and then many, many specific inquiry threads. Oh, just because you see an agency or agent's name as a thread topic doesn't mean they're bad or scams - just that someone had a question - you need to read the thread and even then, go do more research!
- Preditors and Editors
- AAR
- Google (or your other fav. search engine) - and don't stop with the first page! Drill down and see what the real history of (or lack thereof) this agent/agency is.
According to Babs these things are wrong with publishing:
- Google (which they think is getting an "exemption" from just about every law "because they are an internet service provider")
- Anonymous people posting mis-information that "harm" a "number" of independent literary agents (whom Babs feels must be getting paid to do this by the benefactors of all the anonymous posting)
- Googlebombing - "done by experts paid to program and, er, write that blog" ("that" blog?)
- Disparagement on the internet - "some have called for Congressional hearings" but dear Thomas doesn't think anything will come of it
- "Bloody", "bloodsport sites" that have Google ads that people click on taking advantage of people's names being disparaged and the government should look into it!! I agree that the government should look into what's being said on these sites. The FBI should be looking into every agent and agency these sites are talking about. And maybe the IRS.
Well, I've had enough entertainment this evening. I'm sure there will be more to come.
Go "Digg" Victoria's Post on IILAA!
Dawno,
IILAA,
barbarabauer,
Absolute Write,
Writing,
Blogging,
Blogs
3 comments:
The babs podcast is absolutely hysterical. You can't make this stuff up.
Also, as much as I like seeing my last named dragged through the mud, I'm pretty sure it's Josh Dinnerman, not Josh Dinniman. Ha!
Sorry Matt! I'm so used to seeing your spelling :-) I fixed it in the blog.
Check out the "JDD Media" thread in AW for a look at one of BB's backup singers. It's hysterical.
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