WritersWeekly.com Warnings Report - Janet Kay and Associates / authorswanted.com

WritersWeekly Warnings Report

Date Filed: 07/10/02
Company: Janet Kay and Associates / authorswanted.com / JanGeo Ink Publishing Company

UPDATE - 04/23/03:

ANOTHER COMPLAINT:

I am attaching two items. One is my complaint and the other is my actual correspondence to Mrs. Janet Kay Titsworth.

I must share with you, Angela Hoy, I was lured in somewhat by her mention of Christianity. I am terribly disturbed by her representation of Christ. (I had to get that off of my chest). This is a wonderful outlet you all have. A blessed tool indeed. I would never had dealt with her had she properly advertised. I skipped other non-traditional agents for this very reason. This was just a waste of my time.

I mailed Janet Kay & Associates an entire manuscript around April 3, 2003. Her agency advertised that there is a 5-week response time for manuscripts. I marked my calendar (second week of May). I was quite surprised to receive a praise-filled letter from Janet Kay on April 15, 2003. I contacted the United States Postal Service and learned that there is a 1-5 day delivery time. Her response to me was written on April 10, postmarked on the 11th and in my hands on the 15th.

I struggled with the idea that she read my work, critiqued it and responded in a few days, but what makes it even more unbelievable is that she stated that her assistant read it first. Two people read my entire manuscript in a few days.

My husband reminded me that most people I shared with read it in a weekend and really enjoyed it. So, I counted it possible and stepped into excitement. You can't imagine the high I got from realizing my dream was about to become a reality. This morning my husband called and told me to check out this site (writersweekly.com). All the allegations were there. You can't imagine the low I felt.

I never would have selected Janet Kay and Associates had I known she was a non-traditional agent. I was seeking a traditional agent to put me in touch with a traditional publisher. The fraudulence is her representing herself as a traditional agent. She even signed my correspondence Janet Kay omitting her surname. Was there something to that?

I was scheduled to respond today, but fortunately I don't have to waste anymore of my time.

Patriece Williams

LETTER SENT TO PUBLISHER:

Janet Kay & Associates
133 West Concho, Suite 112
San Angelo, Texas 76903

Dear Mrs. Kay Titsworth:

I received your letter of praise and possible
representation. I want to thank you so very
much for your compliments and hope. I'm
writing only because I was unable to reach
you at the telephone numbers you provided in
your letter.

First off, I'd like to thank you and
apologize for my not including the requested
SASE. I am grateful that you generously used
your postage to contact me. As a
professional I am aware of the importance of
such an act. Thank you.

I am prepared to do whatever it takes to get
my work published. I am committed to my goal
and prayerful of my steps.

I, like you, am a Christian and prayed before
my initial mailing and in my haste omitted
the SASE. I was so pleased to receive your
response and the timeframe was mind-blowing. 
I immediately praised God for his blessing. I
could hardly wait for morning to contact your
office and share my decision to work with
you. Since you weren't there I prayed again
and was prompted to calm down and maintain my
professionalism. 

Speaking of professionalism I also researched
your agency and learned that there are fees
in your handling of my work. (You didn't
advertise that on your site). I also learned
that you have a bad habit of quick-response
letters full of the same praise that you so
graciously shared with me. I realized that
the SASE you used to contact me more than
likely is the last and only postage spent on
my blessed work.

I'm sure you will respect my decline to
continue our integrity-based, professional
and trusting relationship.   

Enclosed you find your SASE and a copy of the
investigation report for your reference.

God Bless,

Patriece Williams
Author

Summary:

This is a new URL for Helping Hand Literary Agency which is featured under WritersWeekly Warnings here: http://www.writersweekly.com/warnings/helping.html

They didn't even bother to change the html. The sites appear identical.

Response WritersWeekly received to its inquires into the matter:

We contacted Janet at Janet Kay and Associates / authorswanted.com about the unanswered complaints against their firm, Helping Hand Literary Agency. They did not respond to our inquiry.