tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post1447272654389563630..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Last word on #agentfail (I think!)Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80426618573123263092009-04-13T22:01:00.000-04:002009-04-13T22:01:00.000-04:00I live in Fresno, and was here during the time whe...I live in Fresno, and was here during the time when that story broke. Bravo, absolutely, bravo to the reporter. That man made me reconsider my position on the death penalty and that's saying a lot.<br /><br />Also, you wanted to sign this woman on the spot, different thing all together.<br /><br /><I>I have to admit that this was one complaint I didn't really understand.</I>So, lets say you are querying an agent. They reject you. You end up with the agent of your dreams. She/He calls you up and says, "You're book has already been shopped. No one wants to touch it."<br /><br />Um, I'd have a problem with that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38366713348898872432009-04-07T09:34:00.000-04:002009-04-07T09:34:00.000-04:00Oh, hell YES I want to read that. Gimme gimme!Oh, hell YES I want to read that. Gimme gimme!Joliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16854297753580066357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50997660875097017062009-04-07T08:34:00.000-04:002009-04-07T08:34:00.000-04:00I would gladly allow an agent to talk about my boo...I would gladly allow an agent to talk about my book if that she showed that type of love and enthusiasm for it!MeganRebekahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03285116194891827858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-82383142443764378672009-04-06T21:21:00.000-04:002009-04-06T21:21:00.000-04:00One can only wish for this awesome scenario!One can only wish for this awesome scenario!Stephanie J. Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997433466625207454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19339154015865260582009-04-06T15:08:00.000-04:002009-04-06T15:08:00.000-04:00Holy moly. Now I want to read that book.Holy moly. Now I want to read that book.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08504439129670380071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56024095739752867532009-04-06T12:29:00.000-04:002009-04-06T12:29:00.000-04:00Take Alysia Sofios...Sigh. The only time I snoozed...<B>Take Alysia Sofios...</B><BR/><BR/>Sigh. The only time I snoozed and lost...and even while sitting at the same damn table with you! If I had to lose Alysia, I'm glad I lost her to you. Now, let me turn around so you may kick my ass just one more time, eh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-61309839959296281102009-04-06T05:27:00.000-04:002009-04-06T05:27:00.000-04:00Dittoing Mags. The agent in question isn't just ta...Dittoing Mags. The agent in question isn't just talking up a book; he's submitting it without a signed agreement, thus either forcing the author to go with him or making it impossible for them to sign with another agent.Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07969399927758009095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34530639180664863552009-04-05T14:28:00.000-04:002009-04-05T14:28:00.000-04:00This is a classic example of the metaphysical trui...This is a classic example of the metaphysical truism: A is always wrong, except for when it is right; and B is always right, except for when it is wrong.<BR/><BR/>Paradox! It's what's for dinner!!<BR/><BR/>(likari)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15252029738635141382009-04-05T01:37:00.000-04:002009-04-05T01:37:00.000-04:00I actually don;t really understand why it's unethi...I actually don;t really understand why it's unethical to talk to other publishing ppl about a book before deciding to represent it..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39510883938338592282009-04-05T00:01:00.000-04:002009-04-05T00:01:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.RobinRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06029912041998824676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73857053325775852802009-04-04T17:34:00.000-04:002009-04-04T17:34:00.000-04:00I'm with Julie. I hope that agents don't stop twit...I'm with Julie. I hope that agents don't stop twittering and blogging. Too much good info.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03365582623380288038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28592101602240913952009-04-04T13:09:00.000-04:002009-04-04T13:09:00.000-04:00Thanks for this post!So is it acceptable protocol ...Thanks for this post!<BR/><BR/>So is it acceptable protocol to ask a prospective agent who has expressed interest in signing you if you can talk to his/her other clients? I've been wondering this in the abstract for a while and you seem to suggest it's okay!SarahMarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09164306815128620427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43853961470863607812009-04-04T13:07:00.000-04:002009-04-04T13:07:00.000-04:00Holy moly, did you do that? Holy moly.At least Ali...Holy moly, did you do that? Holy moly.<BR/><BR/>At least Alicia is in good hands.Steve Stubbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10051363877066768708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68659195477434859942009-04-04T12:54:00.000-04:002009-04-04T12:54:00.000-04:00What they (^^^) said- apples and oranges. You coul...What they (^^^) said- apples and oranges. You could do nothing but generate interest in Alysia Sofios's book by describing it to editors in such a manner, regardless of who she ended up signing with. Pre-submission-hype. Wow and awesome.<BR/><BR/>The agent that commenter was referring to (please let me believe there's only one of him) has a practice of sending full manuscripts to an editor for opinion of saleability before deciding whether or not to offer representation. Needless to say, his sales ratio is extrememly high because he never gambles--just "uses up" the book in question at that house if he passes.<BR/><BR/>The silly rabbit did it to Gerard Jones, so it's been documented for posterity. You know, ver batim and such.<BR/><BR/>No Holy Moly was involved. Holy Moly could never be anything but a good thing, right? Rock on!Magshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05350451902814461987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-82034981110331838552009-04-04T12:17:00.000-04:002009-04-04T12:17:00.000-04:00That story made me smile, because it was dipped in...That story made me smile, because it was dipped in <I>awesomesauce.</I>Lucas Darrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01405530729663443670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19158309877288597492009-04-04T11:56:00.000-04:002009-04-04T11:56:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Sookiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04309019627346019836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26775512680343415242009-04-04T11:34:00.000-04:002009-04-04T11:34:00.000-04:00Ah yes, the BEA in L.A. last year. I was there and...Ah yes, the BEA in L.A. last year. I was there and now I'm kicking myself for not pitching you. Who knew you were prone to moments of author hysteria? Honestly, that story blew me away.Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77552175577017216232009-04-04T11:13:00.000-04:002009-04-04T11:13:00.000-04:00..and you know why you are doing it when you do it.....and you know why you are doing it when you do it, and you have the chutzpah to admit it.<BR/><BR/>I'm still going to query you again when I'm done with my re-write (consider yourself forewarned).Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17816556370697626302009-04-04T10:52:00.000-04:002009-04-04T10:52:00.000-04:00Janet, I don't think your scenario qualifies as sh...Janet, I don't think your scenario qualifies as shopping it around. <BR/><BR/>I think the danger of these agentfail things is agents try too hard to remedy all these ills. Many of the complaints come from simply not knowing what the real world is like. Oddly enough, the ones complaining about agents blogging and twittering would have a clue if they listened.<BR/><BR/>What worries me is agents will now back off the blogging and twittering to satisfy the complainers. I learn a lot from both of these venues and would hate to miss my fix of publishing wisdom or even my publishing laugh.<BR/><BR/>Just keep doing what you're doing. <BR/><BR/>When I first went to work for Speedhorse, I couldn't imagine anyone ever getting tired of such an exciting job. Seventeen years later, I understood the reality of how exciting it was. You just don't know until you actually walk the road.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43927148989708800502009-04-04T09:45:00.000-04:002009-04-04T09:45:00.000-04:00I can feel the excitement you must have felt. Than...I can feel the excitement you must have felt. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharingStory and Logic Media Grouphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13317731231950753140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60510331297780069632009-04-04T09:35:00.000-04:002009-04-04T09:35:00.000-04:00I have to admit that this was one complaint I didn...I have to admit that this was one complaint I didn't really understand. On one hand, if I've gone through all the trouble of writing a book and researching you as an agent, why shouldn't you do a bit of research on my behalf before I agree to pay you 15%. Just like getting a pub agreement and then finding an agent, it's more likely to make me want to do business.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand - ouch, yes, if you've already shopped it and I don't know, and I get another agent... <BR/><BR/>Publishing is weird.Sarah J. MacManushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03430266551248332700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69207566299356316522009-04-04T09:19:00.000-04:002009-04-04T09:19:00.000-04:00Did you read AgentPass? Not everyone was complaini...Did you read AgentPass? Not everyone was complaining, there are some nice kudos and thank yous for agents there.Liana Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14587774916354749190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91728456013678522082009-04-04T09:03:00.000-04:002009-04-04T09:03:00.000-04:00But a great thing you did for me was that you sent...But a great thing you did for me was that you sent me a rejection letter for my query. I don't recall now if it was a form letter or had any personal comments, but you took the time to send it to me. I knew then that you had indeed received it and weren't interested, so I could close that entry in my submission log. It might seem like a small thing, but it's a pretty big thing for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9935842241337389392009-04-04T08:53:00.000-04:002009-04-04T08:53:00.000-04:00I guess I'm naive. I just assumed agents did this...I guess I'm naive. I just assumed agents did this with books they were thinking about representing. Sort of a conversational 'hey, what would you think of a book about x with a y kind of twist?'. And I've never had a problem with thinking agents did that. To me, seems like just part of doing business. *shrug*<BR/><BR/>Great story. Here's hoping someday I get an agent who's that excited about my work. =o)B.E. Sandersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04336115135400388268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5071763912871176112009-04-04T02:51:00.000-04:002009-04-04T02:51:00.000-04:00I think this is slightly different than what peopl...I think this is slightly different than what people were complaining about in the #agentfail thread. You were already wanting to represent this woman, and it sounds like even if she didn't sign with you, you'd still be hyping up her book. The complaints in the thread were about agents basically shopping a book to see if it was saleable in order to help them decide if they wanted to represent it. When you did it, it was for the client. When those agents did it, it was for themselves.Kristin Laughtinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01536556357622503501noreply@blogger.com