I love what you write. I've loved that from jump. You remember? I emailed something akin to "if you don't sign with me I'll be forced to kidnap you and hold you for pages." ... or something like that.
This was before I knew Barbara Poelle, so the phrase "monkey knife fight" had not entered my lexicon, but if it had, I would have offered that up too.
I love you cause when I took your book out on a round of submissions you never once yelled at me when editors didn't jump on it.
Then, when we gathered their responses, and realized something was missing, and I suggested revisions, you did them. You never complained. Not once. At least not to me.
And when we took the new, appreciably better, book out on a second round and editors still didn't jump, you didn't complain. You thanked me for all my hard work. That's all you did. I'm in awe of that self-control and gracious generosity of spirit.
And then, when I came up with one more crazy idea for a revision, you didn't scream at me. You didn't flounce off. You didn't heave a huge dramatic sigh.
No, what you did made me realize all over again how much I love you: you took my idea and you ramped it up three levels, set it on fire, ripped the phoenix of a brilliant idea from the ashes, emailed me back and said "what about this" and it was one of the most original and inspired ideas I've ever seen.
I am in awe of you. Personally, professionally. If I could clone you I wouldn't cause the one of the very best parts of this business is knowing I have the one and only you on my client list.
I'm so very glad to be on your team.
Happy Birthday! You rock.
21 comments:
We blog afficionados don't know the birthdays of your clients. To whom is thia valentine addressed?
The person to whom it is addressed knows.
For the recipient of this post, happy birthday. And I hope to be as gracious as you seem to be.
Awww!
Thank you.
But my birthday was in November.
{innocent blink}
Happy Birthday. But I respectfully request, on behalf of myself and Janet's other clients, that on your next book you please, please, please give her some grief. It would be awful were she to come to expect this sort of civilized behavior from all of us.
Janet, that was awesomeness! Thank you!
We all know that people can 'represent' best what they are passionate about. This person is one lucky writer to have you as an agent.
They sound like an utterly amazing writer and person. Happy birthday to them.
I know when your birthday is. I sent a cake!
Didn't you get it?
Wow Janet. Me thinks YOU rock!
Gee, I don't think Janet even knows my birthday.
(although of course I join in saying happy day to the person in question)
Happy birthday to the definition of "writer."
Happy birthday!
I'm pretty sure I know who this is, and she sounds exactly as cool as I thought she was, (hint, cool glasses, and sometimes tiara prone?)
And Janet-- wow, you both are lucky I'd say. What a lovely tribute.
Happy birthday, whoever! :-)
Aw, thank you. I love you, too.
Oh wait, not me. Damn it!
;-)
Bill E. Goat: Why don't I ever get a cake?
Me: Bad for your teeth, Bill.
Bill: Nonsense!
Me: No, it's not nonsense, Bill. Think about it. Why do you think goats only have teeth on the lower jaw? Evolutionary effect of too much cake!
Bill: You wouldn't lie to me? Would you?
Me: Of course not, Bill.
Bill: I'm moving in with Janet!
Monday morning-offices of FPLM
Amy to Janet: hey, J, there's a BIG fedex box here for you.
Janet to Amy: who's it from?
A: ummm..somewhere in Washington? Hard to read. The writing looks like it was scratched with a hoof or something.
J: uh oh. Does it smell a bit like...goat?
A: what does goat smell like?
J: you really don't want to know.
A: the box is moving!
J: Quick, get the net!
A: I never knew why you needed a net in your desk drawer before!
(sound of hooves, clattering, Amy shouting)
J: Amy! Are you ok?
A: It's a goat! With a manuscript. And he said I looked better than the French alpine. He said it and wiggled his eyebrows! And asked if we had cake!!!
J: Don't turn your back on him! That's Bill E. Goat, the memoirist! Take him to lunch! Get his hoof print on a contract and give that goat cake!
Dear Amy,
Don't give him cake; he'll think your engaged. Totally bad idea to feed a goat cake!
ahem ... you're .... i knew that ... Post 3,296 all with at least one spelling error! perfect record!
when I see things like this I smile. In the world of work, there are few people who really care or express any appreciation--this does NOT include most teachers since-from what I can see--they LIVE to build each other up-It's wild!
Anyway, I hope I get to work with an agent as honestly expressive and caring as you! It seems rare!
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