Unethical Literary Agents? What do you think?

I need your opinion on this. I just read something that really rubbed me the wrong way, and I would love it if you would tell me what you think. Am I wrong? Right? Confused?

I’ll explain.

I found a website for the Historical Novel Society North America. From everything I read there, it looks like a great group.

I also read that they hold a writer’s conference every two years and that the next one will be from June 26 to 28. Here is the link to register if you are interested: Conference Registration

I can’t make it to Las Vegas this year, but they are also offering virtual attendance too. They will run 48 sessions on topics such as Unlocking Paid Advertising for Authors, Strategizing and Organizing Research, Biographical Historical Fiction: Crafting Daring Stories of Daring Women, Breathing on Bones: Unearthing Inspirations for Historical Fiction, Tips for Writing Historical Fiction for Young Readers, and more.

Now all this sounds great, and I am considering registering to attend virtually.

It all sounds great to me, except for one thing. At the conference, several literary agents will be there.

The website mentions the agents will be taking in-person and virtual pitches from authors. The site even has suggestions about how to make your pitch a success. What a great opportunity, I thought.

That is, until I read this:

At the June 2025 conference, we will offer one-on-one pitches for both virtual and in-person registrants at the great price of $40 per pitch.

At the risk of sounding rude, What the hell?

Everythng I read about lierary agents is that they don’t ask for money, that their job is to get authors, and them, the best deals for publishers. Yet here they are, taking money for pitching them.

I wonder what percentage of writers who pay to picth these agents get deals. I wonder.

To me, this sounds unethical. It feels like some agents are charging authors in order to take them on. All I read is how busy agents are and how many queries they get each week, that they have touble keeping up with all their work. And now I find out that some are charging for the opportunity to picth them.

Something doesn’t smell right to me.

Please let me know what you think. Am I being ridiculous, or do you agree with me? Please share this with other writers, so we can get their perspectives too.

I do think self publishing is starting to feel like a better option everyday.

Thanks for reading.