I've noticed some ads and google ads for "The Screenplay Agency". They offer no fees and will read your script/manuscript with a view to representation. From the many screenwriting forums and pages I have read - I just want to inform you all that it's a scam and to not submit your work. What seems to happen is that they will accept your work regardless of the quality, then "suggest" a consultant to proofread and help critique the script (for $100). They'll then ask for a one time fee of $129 to setup a webpage profile for you. Oh and if you read the fine print, they ask for some re-imbursements for sending out scrpts (why? that's their job).

Anyways, in order to continue to exist, they keep changing their names. So if you have any contact with any agencies listed below, BEWARE!!

Sydra-Techniques Literary Agency
S.T. Literary Agency
Stylus Literary Agency
Children's Literary Agency
Christian Literary Agency
New York Literary Agency
The Poets Literary Agency
The Screenplay Agency
The Literary Agency Group


Stewart

Hey, thanks for the heads up.

Some of those names sound familiar from a 'Twenty Worst Agents' thread I saw posted at the Imdb Shop Talk Writers board.

EDIT: I removed the link because I just saw another post in that forum in which someone mentioned that another site had legal troubles with one of the agents mentioned in the list.

Great contribuition Z!

More than likely, if an agency contacts you without you sending them a query letter, they are not legit.  Real agencies don't have the time to search the web to find new clients.  It's the other way around. Writers have to search the agencies out.

Also, if you're not sure if an agency is on the up & up, ask them if they are WGA signatory.  If they are not, move on.

I looked into them a couple of months ago I think it was. I gave them half of one of my earlier scripts. I thought everything was going great until they asked for money for a consultant to proof read the script. I was given three choices. To either have a critique myself (I think they had to be qualified in something, can't remember), I also had the choice to of course give them loads of money for one. The other choice was to end all contact with them. So I did number three thankfully. I just hope they haven't messed with my script or sent it elsewhere for someone else to pick up .

Quoted from MacDuff Sydra-Techniques Literary Agency S.T. Literary Agency Stylus Literary Agency Children's Literary Agency Christian Literary Agency New York Literary Agency The Poets Literary Agency The Screenplay Agency The Literary Agency Group Stewart

Everyone, a long time ago I added whatever urls I have for these folks to my google adsense black list.  If you see anymore popping up, please do let me know the url via pm and I will continue to add them.   I also screen out gambling sites, too.

Thanks,

Don

I, unfortunately, have painted myself into a corner with this agency.  I received the contract from them with instructions saying that I need to include notes from a script doctor with the signed contract.  They did suggest their 'script doctor' but I already had 'The Burnout' evaluated by one.

I submitted the signed contract and doctor's notes, thinking I had the upper hand here.

In the end, I made a bad move.  For one year, this agency will receive ten percent of anything I make off The Burnout, even though they won't lift a finger to sell it.  I e-mailed the mythical Sherry Fine, saying that one production company was interested in my script but wouldn't let me submit it.  It had to be through an agent or lawyer.  

Sherry Fine wrote back, saying that the Screenplay Agency wouldn't do it; it was against company procedure to follow my leads.

The Screenplay Agency will not reject anyone.  You can write a query letter with the most ridiculous story idea and they will say it's good and it's interested.  It will ask a sample of the script and will love whatever you send them.  If you don't believe me, and want to have some fun, write to them.

And watch your ass.


Phil

If you google Sherry Fine, you'll find some interesting things.

One is a measse board discussion pointing out some of the ridiculous things they've sent and gotten positive response to.

I specifically remember one that was littered with horrible spelling, and another that told the tale of an ice cube that melted a little more the angrier it got.

Somebody send the logline for The Cabin.  I bet you get a postive response.

I think everyone should send a logline/story synopsis in.  I'll give anyone a dollar if they get rejected by them.  Come up with the worst story idea imagineable and see if they accept it or not.  Make it a game.


Phil

I heard from this company, too. I checked them out, and decided not to send them any of my scripts.

The game thing sounds like fun, the only thing that sucks is all the emails you'll get from them.

I actually went through the entire process, right to the point where I had to get the critique, and decided to do a little checking before deciding no.

My logline:

One Man........One Vegetable Peeler........A Whole Lot of Vegetables.


This summer.......prepare yourself for.........The Salad Killer!

Bert? Ever heard of a Mary Bluestone? She's my Agent for a place called The Screenplay Agency. Here is the link maybe you can tell me if they're legit?

http://www.thescreenplayagency.com/index.html

Get the hell away from them, Chad!  Get the hell away from them!

Please do not say you've signed a contract with them!


Phil

Considering he has an agent other than Sherry Fine and he's in the synopsis stage, that's not a very good sign.

Chad,  I think their contract allows you to bail on them within a day or two.  Do it!  The Screenplay Agency has one of the worst reputations on the net.  All they want is for you to pay their 'outside script doctor' a fee to look your script over.  That's how they make their money.  They've never sold a script.


Phil