Monday, November 28, 2011

Mama said there'd be daze like this

Lit Agent Victoria Marini tweeted the link to a Gawker post about a clearly insane person claiming to be a lit agent (here) which made me reach for the bourbon, just as an incoming email  from Amazing Editor persuaded me to make it a double.  Here's what AE sent:


 So, the same person who sent me (and four other editors here simultaneously) the query on the [redacted] novel, sent me a query today for…something.  But what got my attention was the book’s “genre” as: Fiction, Fantasy, Literary, Historical, Romance, Suspense



It's SuperBook! It appeals to everyone! Except of course, anyone who actually knows what they're doing.

18 comments:

JS said...

Janet, would it be inappropriate for me to signal-boost for the "Magick4Terri" auction event here?

The distinguished writer and editor Terri Windling is facing some serious financial reversals, and her many friends in the fantasy writers' and artists' community are helping her out with a benefit auction featuring some amazing collectibles, signed editions, etc. Details here, and on Twitter @Magick4Terri and #Magick4Terri .

jesse said...

I love curling up by the fire with a good fiction novel. You should request pages.

Franklynn said...

This made me laugh out loud - I can't believe his audacity! The chutzpah is there, if nothing else

Anonymous said...

So THAT's how to get an agent's attention (and drunk)! And once they're drunk, they'll like my query even more.

In fact, I'll send a bottle of bourbon along with the query for my narrative nonfiction, fantasy, romance, chick lit graphic novel just to save the agent some time and increase my odds!

Mark Koopmans said...

Aloha Janet,

Put me down for two, signed copies!

P.S... did you choose a winner for your recent Photo Caption Contest starring Jeff, Evan & Sean (with a special guest appeance by Brooks?)

Kathryn Schipper said...

I think the query for the multi-genre book would make a great contest: 100-word story that actually fits into every genre referenced!

Ali Trotta said...

I read about the crazy person claiming to be an agent; I had an entirely colorful reaction, which can be summed up as: WTF?

Also, the phrase SuperBook nearly made me spit water.

Kristin Laughtin said...

Wait, wait, you mean this ISN'T how you get an agent? Man, I thought I was on fire. Guess all those psychotic emails from random strangers really were just that.

Gloriously entertaining.

Sheila JG said...

Isn't Fiction Fantasy Literary Historical Romance Suspense a new section at B&N? I'm glad (s)he specified that it's fiction. Those non-fiction fantasies are a tough sell.

Carolynnwith2Ns said...

And to think, I never knew you liked bourbon.

Oh wait,
Olde Kentucky Shark Bourbon.
It all makes sense now, hic-up.

Rebecca Christiansen said...

That Gawker article is freaking hilarious. I love the picture that goes with it.

Petrea Burchard said...

Wait. I love this. If I add some sex to my Fantasy/Literary/Historical/Suspense Fiction Novel, it just might work.

Feaky Snucker said...

Why, it's almost as versatile (and just as exciting) as the slap chop!

Bellamama said...

Well, that sounds like a marketable...something. This person may have shot themselves in the foot, but you have to give them props for making your life interesting, right? I mean, where would a Shark be without a little blood in the water?

JennaQuentin said...

Fiction and Fantasy, but no Science Fiction...yeah, I wouldn't read it either!

Stephsco said...

I'm guessing the superbook query also includes the line "every type of reader will enjoy this book" and "this is a highly entertaining story that is unique and a sure to be a best seller."

JS said...

Thanks, Janet, for letting me soapbox here on Terri Windling's behalf!

And thanks to the folks who clicked through---there are some really amazing things being auctioned off, to benefit a lovely and distinguished lady and her family.

Jo-Ann said...

At least that super-book isn't competing with mine, which is a paranormal, Western, detective, YA, inspirational, futuristic non-fiction novel - that I illustrated.

And if there's no such genre category in the book stores, they'll make one up just for mine, it's that good!