Statement of Clarification

AALA Ethics and Membership Clarification

This statement clarifies Storyteller Talent Agency's position on the Association of American Literary Agents and literary agency ethics.

Storyteller Talent Agency respects the role of professional organizations in publishing, including the Association of American Literary Agents, also known as AALA. The agency also recognizes the value of clear ethical standards for literary agents and authors.

Storyteller Talent Agency is not currently an AALA member agency. That choice should not be read as opposition to AALA, its Canon of Ethics, or its members.

STA's Ethical Position

Storyteller Talent Agency voluntarily adheres to the core ethical principles authors expect from a professional literary agency: loyalty to represented clients, avoidance of conflicts of interest, transparent commission-based representation, no reading fees, no submission fees, no paid consideration fees, no upfront representation fees, and representation only through a written agency agreement.

Membership Is Voluntary

AALA membership is a voluntary professional-association decision. Storyteller Talent Agency does not believe ethical literary representation should depend on whether an agency or agent pays dues to a professional association. Ethical conduct is demonstrated through actual agency practices, client agreements, financial transparency, and how authors are treated.

Storyteller Talent Agency is not opposed to individual STA agents joining AALA. Individual agents may choose to apply for or maintain AALA membership if they believe it is professionally useful for them. AALA membership is not required by Storyteller Talent Agency as a condition of working with the agency.

What Authors Should Evaluate

  • Whether the agency charges reading, submission, application, or upfront representation fees.
  • Whether representation is governed by a written agency agreement.
  • Whether commission terms are clear.
  • Whether the agency separates representation consideration from any paid services or outside author-support offerings.
  • Whether the agent communicates professionally and acts in the client's interest.
  • Whether the agency has public, verifiable representation and deal activity.

By those standards, Storyteller Talent Agency is committed to ethical literary representation regardless of association membership status.