I have recently sent off samples of my first manuscript to a few literary agents and have received communication with one called Olympia Publishers where they asked to view my complete manuscript. They have come back to me but have discussed terms of contribution-based offer. Is this vanity publishing? Has anyone ever used this publishing company
I accepted the invitation by Austin Macauley to have my first novel published. After paying over 5k Australian, 3 years and complete inaction on their part, despite the fact my book was #1 on their Sci-Fi list over that time, there was no action by them. Sales were few and cheques too inadequate for Australian banks to honour.
Communication was via cut and paste, no questions were answered, and I was compelled to conclude that they are con-artists.
Stay away. Publish via KDP - at least that's free.
Olympia and Austin Macauley, both offered me publishing contract. And asked for £2000 - £3500 payment in advance to publish my book. They're vanity publishers and in the same group. Stay away from them.
I add my vote to Wilhelmina's suggestion, qualifying it with Lorraine's later comment:
Check on those web-sites to see whether any of the agents to whom you sent your ms. are ALREADY on their blacklist. If they're only on a "grey" list, inform the web-site operators with your additional evidence. And if NONE of "your" agents are on any "suspicious" lists, send ALL their names and contact info to the web-site operators with your story re: Olympia. They'll have the experience and tools to investigate further.
And if you got any of these SUSPICIOUS agents' addresses from the WAYB, let THEM know, so that (if their shady practices are confirmed) they can be removed and barred ASAP.
SHARK ALERT! SHARK ALERT!