Business ProfileforSilver Ink Literary Agency, LLC

BBB files indicate that this business has a pattern of complaints concerning Contract, Customer Service, and Refund/Exchange Issues. Specifically, consumers allege they were asked to make upfront payments for services not rendered. Some claim despite being clear they could not invest in the process or were assured no upfront fees would be required, they were repeatedly asked for additional funds. Consumers allege emails promising a contract, purportedly from a well-known publishing company, were fake. Additionally, consumers report difficulty contacting the company and failure to provide promised refunds.

On November 17, 2021, BBB submitted a written request to the company encouraging them to address the pattern of complaints. While the business initially responded, as of January 10, 2022, they have failed to address BBB's concerns.

On November 16, 2021, Silver Ink Literary Agency, LLC came to the attention of BBB. At that time BBB had received multiple reports from consumers regarding the business's practices. One consumer reported via BBB Scam Tracker, "I paid $2,500 for editing, which was little more than a grammar correction, and $3,000 for "republishing" my title with Amazon. After 3 months, D** told me he had found a major publishing house, but would need $6,000 to get me a legal expert who would guarantee my rights during the signing of a new contract. Excited, I volunteered to fly to Reno to sign a Routledge (publisher) contract in person rather than electronically. This was the last communication between Silver Ink and myself."

Other consumers report similar experiences of being solicited by the business to pay fees upfront for which services are never rendered. Some allege receiving letters that supposedly came from well-known publishing companies, these were later found to be fake. One individual whose name was used by the business posted a statement. It reads, in part, "Two literary agencies that I'm aware of (Editors Press & Media and Silver (Ink) Literary) are impersonating me by email saying I'm offering a contract. They target self-published authors and ask for money upfront for contract/legal fees. This is a scam."

The Author's Guild, a New York-based organization that advocates for authors, published a web page titled "Let Us Know If You Have Been Scammed by Silver Ink Literary Agency". Click here to read their statement.

On November 16, 2021, BBB confirmed that this business claims to be located at an address that is known to provide virtual office space and Silver Ink Literary Agency, LLC is not located at this address.

On November 17, 2021, BBB sent an email to Silver Ink Literary Agency, LLC requesting clarifying information on the business's practices, associations, and physical location. On December 14, 2021, a representative of the business called to provide this information. They stated that due to outsourcing most work to subcontractors, they are all virtual. When asked if their location was a virtual office space, their representative said they "believe so". The representative went on to explain they recently got involved with another company named "Editor’s Press & Media" that had issues predating their affiliation. They stated there was a “mix-up” when they first got started and their name got out before the companies were divided. Finally, the representative stated an employee of a contractor was found doing fraudulent work and has since been fired. They said they think he is still out there, "trying to misrepresent himself as part of the company". As of January 13, 2021, the business has ceased corresponding with BBB.

Based on the information above, BBB cannot confirm the legitimacy of Silver Ink Literary Agency, LLC.

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