Saturday, July 07, 2018

Blog Hiatus, Day Seven, Question Seven/updated

I've been reading requested fulls for over a week now.
It's been a lot of fun, and I've had some lovely conversations with writers.

For today's question/s:

1. How many manuscripts did I read this week?
2. What was the most common phrase I used in emails to writers this week?

As a prize for the answers that are closest to the mark, how about a copy of Writing Without Rules by the Pantsless Phenom Jeff Somers!

Update:
I've had to turn off the comments so I can tally the results.
Sorry!!

48 comments:

AJ Blythe said...

1. 8 manuscripts
2. Regards, Janet Reid

Curt David said...

1. 20 manuscripts
2. Please forgive

Lisa Bodenheim said...

7 manuscripts.

First, the good news.

Cecilia Ortiz Luna said...


12 manuscripts

There is a lot to like about your novel, however

Adele said...

1. 22 manuscripts
2. Thank you for sending me your work, however ...

Sherry Howard said...

15 manuscripts
I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting so long ( ;

Justice said...

1. 22 manuscripts
2. "I regret to inform you..." (or is that too pessimistic?:) )

Donnaeve said...

Oooh.

1. 25 (I tried to rationalize at least two a day, plus a few more since you might have stopped WAY early on a few - but - let's hope not)

2. "What's the story about?"

Sharyn Ekbergh said...

9 manuscripts
some great writing here but

Melanie Sue Bowles said...

1. 9

2. This is a good first draft, but it needs some work.

Sam Mills said...

30
Good luck

RosannaM said...

1. 19 (because I love odd numbers and primes especially)
2. There is a lot ai like about your work, but....

#1texasgirl said...

1. 32

2. Your novel is really good; however, it doesn't work for me. I bet Barbara Poelle would just love it.

Craig F said...

1) 13

2) rewrite and resubmit

charlogo said...

1. 37
2. just one agent's opinion

Jeannette said...

1. 16
2. not quite right for me

C. D. Monson said...

1. 33
2. Best of luck...

Megan V said...

1. I'll say 27 (and not all of them to the end. I figure 2-6 hours spent per MS, depending on how far you read and length of MS, allowing for an average of 3 a day, adding some extras, and guessing you probably spent more than 9 hours working to play catchup and adding in client-related interruptions)
2."Thanks for..."
A."your patience"
B."writing to me about your work"
C."sending me your tears, they were delicious."

E.M. Goldsmith said...

1. 10
2. Hello, Chum

Jennifer R. Donohue said...

1. 48
2. "Dear [author's name], thank you very much for the opportunity to review your manuscript. Regretfully..."

Kristin Owens said...

1. 17

2. I strongly encourage you to query widely.

Jen said...

1- 26
2- "not what I'm looking for at this time..."

*crossing fingers and toes* I love reading books on the craft from other writers. I learn so much! :)

Beth Carpenter said...

13 manuscripts
"Best of luck"

Claire Bobrow said...

1. 17
2. If you have not yet found representation, I would be happy to discuss your project further. Would sometime next week be convenient for a telephone call?

Dena Pawling said...


1. 34
2. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to consider your work.

Joseph S. said...

1. 19
2. "I have to pass"

Steve Forti said...

6
They don't think it be like it is but it do.

Barbara Etlin said...

18 manuscripts (not all read completely)

"...not quite right for my list. However, writing is subjective and I'm sure another agent will feel differently."

Sherin Nicole said...

1. 11
2. I finished...

Brenda said...

1. 37
2. Have you any salt?

Colin Smith said...

By "manuscripts read" I'm not assuming you read them all to the end.

# of Manuscripts: 15
Most common phrase used: "Dear" ;) Oh, okay, that's cheating. How about "Not right for me"?

Heather said...

1) 25
2) my list is full

Amy Johnson said...

1. 104
2. Love, love, love it!

Carolynnwith2Ns said...

34
and
Continue to query, widely.


I really want to answer, too many
and
don't be such an asshat.
But I will go with my first answer.

John Davis Frain said...

1. 1
2. "This is how I define unputdownable. This is also how I define markupable..."


Background music--Green Day performing Boulevard of Broken Dreams ... but wait, what's happening... the music fades...

And it's the Eurythmics ... "Sweet dreams are made of this..."

Unknown said...

Can't recall if you're a fast, slow, medium-speed reader. I'll go for fast and say 30.

Don't give up....

April Mack said...

1. 23
2. "not a good fit"

BJ Muntain said...

1. How many manuscripts did I read this week? 15

2. What was the most common phrase I used in emails to writers this week? "Keep writing."

Elissa M said...

My WAGs:

1: 18

2: "...not right for me...another agent...keep querying..."

Timothy Lowe said...

32.
I love this!

lamandarin said...

1. 42
2. “Keep writing”

CynthiaMc said...

10
I can sell this book

Peggy said...

28, and "I'm sorry for the long delay in my response (but I'm sure you've enjoyed lots of exercise on your hamster wheel in the interim)"

KariV said...

I'm gonna say 19 manuscripts and guess (Debbie Downer, here) that the phrase is some derivative of, "This is great, but not for me. Best of luck."

RosannaM said...

Love the optimism of John Davis Frain and . And I hope for those writer's sake they win the contest/book!

Kate Larkindale said...

I'm going to say 22 manuscripts.

And the most used phrase... "While there is a lot to love about this manuscript, I'm afraid...."

Sam Hawke said...

1. 11 manuscripts
2. "Very best wishes to you"

:)

Karen McCoy said...

1. 9 manuscripts (for 9 days)
2. "While I enjoyed your writing, I didn't connect with this enough to offer representation."