tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post2187318533834944848..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Rant: personalization is a waste timeJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62099407818058579142014-12-22T16:01:46.584-05:002014-12-22T16:01:46.584-05:00Thank you for posting this.Thank you for posting this.Ardenwolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14053900506482830292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39639403601665203122014-12-18T21:05:22.075-05:002014-12-18T21:05:22.075-05:00Wonderful! Personalization always seemed so fake t...Wonderful! Personalization always seemed so fake to me. I can now get to the reason the agent is reading. My story. Feeling refreshed.Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42004443492887331912014-12-17T09:51:38.185-05:002014-12-17T09:51:38.185-05:00This confirms that I have been wasting these last ...This confirms that I have been wasting these last two years "researching" agents and their presences only to get the heartbreaking, ultimate rejection. I think querying ranks right up there with dating as to the horrors of adult life.Laura Moehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827474421798014522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56044960290777697782014-12-17T08:14:16.327-05:002014-12-17T08:14:16.327-05:00I appreciate the sanity in this post. I wish I had...I appreciate the sanity in this post. I wish I had back the time I wasted year after year querying people with exactly what they were asking for, only to receive no response whatsoever. Lesleahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12911678595526238285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56755922111502212282014-12-16T23:33:50.917-05:002014-12-16T23:33:50.917-05:00Query Tracker and Agent Query are really good tool...Query Tracker and Agent Query are really good tools, but they don't tell the whole story.<br /><br />In my case, I write epic fantasy. So, if I just go by what is on either of the sites my pool is pretty large. It's only when you do a little closer research you find, "urban fantasy only, please", "MG fantasy only!", "No, high fantasy!", "No fantasy with ". There are a LOT of agents who will rep urban fantasy or children's fantasy and want nothing to do with epic.<br /><br />Querying those agents would waste both their time and mine. I understand rejections are part of the journey, but I kind of look at it like a horse race. I never entered my 870 horse in 330-yard races because he took a while to get going. I like improving my odds of success by putting my horse in the right race.<br /><br />I have agents color coded on my spreadsheet, but I make other notes also. I think there's a difference between researching agents to find the best fit for your work and obsessing to find something to personalize a query letter. That's me and everyone has their own preferences.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5301398817438375072014-12-16T22:17:10.815-05:002014-12-16T22:17:10.815-05:00I prefer a Liz and George marriage. That's a &...I prefer a Liz and George marriage. That's a "favourite".<br /><br />No author should have to develop an agent database. Querytracker and Agentquery do that for you.<br /><br />However, it never hurts to have a couple of notes on your ten favourite agents. <br /><br />If I come across a specific wishlist that fits my next project perfectly, I make a note of it, so I can include that agent in my initial batch of ten when I query.<br /><br />These are literal scribblings on the backs of envelopes. Anything more formal that that, as Janet says, is a waste of my time.<br /><br />(Speaking of marriages, nothing beats a Tish & Gomez.)Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9944660567003666102014-12-16T20:59:50.702-05:002014-12-16T20:59:50.702-05:00Thank you, thank you, thank you! This makes so muc...Thank you, thank you, thank you! This makes so much sense.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01296180176600448397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12539419232441832732014-12-16T19:37:56.533-05:002014-12-16T19:37:56.533-05:00I don't think it makes sense to spend, say, mo...I don't think it makes sense to spend, say, more than 10 minutes researching an agent to query. Read the agency's website carefully, check MSWL, and any easily-found interview, and that can give a good sense of fit. <br /><br />One of the problems with doing a ton of research BEFORE an agent expresses interest in you, is that you start convincing yourself that this is your "dream agent" because they seem to represent exactly the sort of book you wrote/ represented a book you loved/ also love Breaking Bad. Then you feel bad when they reject you, but why? It's like thinking some complete stranger is "the one" you're going to marry when they haven't even agreed to go on a date with you. It doesn't make sense to invest more than a good query letter at that stage. I have found absolutely no difference between rejections from agents that I personalized and those I didn't--and yes, I'm a nerd, I'm tracking the data.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02405767820293112035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16214133518478425462014-12-16T16:44:22.583-05:002014-12-16T16:44:22.583-05:00Janet,
Thank you. Praise all that is holy for thi...Janet,<br /><br />Thank you. Praise all that is holy for this post. I'm in the query process and I read submission guidelines very carefully. I read the agent blogs and twitter. I don't do this so I can mention they like Starbucks and I do, too. That would actually be a lie, since I'm not crazy about paying $5 for coffee, but I digress.<br /><br />I check the agent out on twitter because it gives me a more current idea of what they're looking for if they happen to mention something specific. Plus, it gives me an indication of whether we might be compatible. Honestly, I've gotten to the point to where the less I know the better off I am in many cases. That being said, I love being able to talk about baking and chess for kids with Michelle Wolfson and various other non-essentials with other agents, editors and writers. I usually save the chatty stuff for agents who can do nothing for me. I have an abiding fear of someone thinking I'm being friendly so I can get something out of them.<br /><br />At times, though, from the guidelines when it says to include why you're querying, I almost feel obligated to go out and buy the clients' books and read them so I can mention something about my work might appeal to you because .<br /><br />Now, if there's a genuine reason to mention something, I do, but I am not spending untold hours/days reading every thing I can about an agent to find that kernel of interest. If not, I just let the query speak for itself. I can worry about the why I'm querying, what's your market plan, who will read this book, what books have you read recently and what books compare to yours, at a later date.<br /><br />Carolynn, I hope you get to feeling better soon. Eat some honey, preferably raw.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71967279380169515262014-12-16T16:22:47.489-05:002014-12-16T16:22:47.489-05:00Another time-suck aspect of building databases: th...Another time-suck aspect of building databases: they age, like leftover fish in the fridge. People change jobs, they change employers, they change interests. Databases require constant maintenance. They also encourage horrible copywriting (e.g. queries) because of the temptation to use all that data somewhere in the marketing message. Wrong, wrong, wrong. That Quartz.com article gives a few great examples of the worst opening lines for a direct marketing message. Ten years out of the business and I still bang my head on the desk over those kind of fundamental mistakes. Why care? It's a disease.Deep Riverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03965323059416105131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-6410586743697083502014-12-16T16:09:08.424-05:002014-12-16T16:09:08.424-05:00Carolynn, I'll take a hit off of that DayQuil....Carolynn, I'll take a hit off of that DayQuil. At least this blog post will help my headache. What a relief!Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19020113942659913432014-12-16T15:37:08.106-05:002014-12-16T15:37:08.106-05:00Carolynn, hope you feel better very soon indeed.
...Carolynn, hope you feel better very soon indeed.<br /><br />There is a magnificence of scale with this advice. In the past, I've had nights where I got out as many as eight queries. Last night, I got out two. I researched three agents, decided against one, and hit up the other two wittily and personally. That was a night's work, after a full day's work, and a not too shabby showing, taking care of Gossamer and Penelope, AND making myself some tasty supper. I even bathed.<br /><br />If I'd been doing eight a night since this summer, I'd probably be agented by year end. (Just not by Jessica Faust!)<br /><br />The mind, she reels.<br /><br />Sheesh.DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8575682507768648742014-12-16T15:35:29.142-05:002014-12-16T15:35:29.142-05:00What liberating advice! Thanks.What liberating advice! Thanks.Sharon Kirk Cliftonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10218763567211993842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72464059330118490732014-12-16T12:44:41.998-05:002014-12-16T12:44:41.998-05:00NotaWarriorPrincess,
That was out and out FUNNY! ...NotaWarriorPrincess,<br /><br />That was out and out FUNNY! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23530649535790973382014-12-16T12:17:04.592-05:002014-12-16T12:17:04.592-05:00Dear Agent,
Based on the fact that you put two and...Dear Agent,<br />Based on the fact that you put two and a half sweeteners in your coffee thirteen minutes ago, combined with your ninth grade P.E. grade in the teamsports unit, I've determined that you're going to love this novel, and then put another restraining order on me.NotaWarriorPrincesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01754153935155853192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70595103344975964202014-12-16T11:34:35.740-05:002014-12-16T11:34:35.740-05:00Sometimes I get overwhelmingly tired of keeping up...Sometimes I get overwhelmingly tired of keeping up with what they say we have to do in order to impress an agent. Thank you for this clarification - I knew it in my gut, and needed the extra support. *sigh of relief*Christie Allredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894997046420629180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59064627707732279072014-12-16T11:03:26.105-05:002014-12-16T11:03:26.105-05:00Carolynn: Sorry you're sick. :( I've not h...Carolynn: Sorry you're sick. :( I've not had to take meds for any ailments this season yet which is good, I suppose, but also makes a part of me sad. I have a strange liking for liquid medications. I was the only child in the family that hoped the doctor would prescribe penicillin when I was sick. It's probably a good thing I don't get sick very often. :)<br /><br />On the topic for the day, I think we should distinguish between researching agents to make sure you're querying someone who might actually be interested in your genre, and researching agents to be sure you mention you have the same taste in socks. I think the broad research is appropriate, and probably appreciated by most agents. I think the point of today's "rant" (I agree, Donna, this wasn't really a "rant"--we've seen some Shark rants here, and this was a relatively friendly nip) was that while agents may say they want you to tell them why you queried them (you like an author they rep, you saw them at a conference and they seemed like a nice person, etc.), it really doesn't make that much difference. If the writing sucks, that ought to determine the agent's response.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-48840245537594126952014-12-16T10:52:00.769-05:002014-12-16T10:52:00.769-05:00Craig, I've noticed two Agent Camps: Those wh...Craig, I've noticed two Agent Camps: Those who want to plow right into the query, and those who like a little warm-up. But I bet they all want the same thing: a query that piques their interest followed by pages that don't disappoint.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020098449673207930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-11152220470503777272014-12-16T10:33:10.975-05:002014-12-16T10:33:10.975-05:00I was trying to stay away because I feel that I...I was trying to stay away because I feel that I'd worn out my welcome but couldn't stay quiet on this one.<br /><br />If you Google successful queries you come up with the Writers digest series by Chuck Sambuchino. Every one of those sounds more like someone sucking up than a well written query. Why would a successful agent post those if that was not what they were looking for?Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84185663413724798062014-12-16T10:32:48.013-05:002014-12-16T10:32:48.013-05:00This is incredibly refreshing, and for some reason...This is incredibly refreshing, and for some reason, it's never before occurred to me how much time I actually have spent in researching every interview I can find about every agent I've queried. I want to know they represent my genre(s), but apart from that, it never occurred to me what a colossal time-suck going further than that can be. <br /><br />The only thing that remains is why do a good handful of agents out there say their preference IS to hear a sentence or two about why a writer chose to query them? It does seem like busywork rather than focusing on the writing itself.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing this!Cheyennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17890805854685375778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66850362416857935332014-12-16T09:59:58.308-05:002014-12-16T09:59:58.308-05:00On the other hand...sites like Querytracker.net ha...On the other hand...sites like Querytracker.net have already done the legwork of building a database of agents. And it only took a few extra seconds when researching agents I thought would be a good match for me to make quick notes of my reasons for wanting to query them. Simple things like: represents an author I admire, interested in LGBTQ lit, likes Joss Whedon.<br /><br />I sort of feel like if a writer is taking the time to target agents that are suited to them and their work (which they really, really should be doing), then taking an extra few seconds to note why they chose that agent isn't a waste of time.Shaun Hutchinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01480241164653893038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39427492722879276082014-12-16T09:41:55.854-05:002014-12-16T09:41:55.854-05:00Carolynn, you're on a roll, but I'm sorry ...Carolynn, you're on a roll, but I'm sorry your sick. DayQuil makes me miserable. I'd rather suffer than take it. Which might be why you still feel like crap. Except. Maybe you can breathe a little easier while still acknowledging you feel like crap. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84278528969754698432014-12-16T09:21:10.930-05:002014-12-16T09:21:10.930-05:00
One thing I have learned, as a result of my adva...<br /><br />One thing I have learned, as a result of my advanced presence on this earth, is that the cliché, ‘everything old is new again’ is as cyclical as a Liz and Dick marriage. (If you’re too young to know what that means look it up). <br />I could write a book about the hours I have spent as my own personal private investigator researching agents. No longer. It’s Dear Whateveryournameis, here’s my stellar writing, sign me, I will make you rich. <br />Speaking of rich, that’s what this post is. Now I have more time to write and less time to poke around in other people’s business. I will miss peeking in their windows though.<br /><br />A few years from now, when we’re all e-published and e-reborn, neophytes will go back to personalization because disenfranchisement will be the emotional disconnect of the day. Wow, that was a hell of a sentence, the DayQuil must be doing its job. But I still feel like crap. <br />Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29051601225626853882014-12-16T09:03:07.940-05:002014-12-16T09:03:07.940-05:00Also, MB Owen, exactly.Also, MB Owen, exactly.Susan Bonifanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01140265430286280374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53982049995314924762014-12-16T09:01:09.510-05:002014-12-16T09:01:09.510-05:00"Thus, asking queriers to have individual det..."Thus, asking queriers to have individual details about individual agents to put in a query letter means we're asking you for months if not a year of work that will benefit you once, then not again."<br /><br />I could cry over the elegance of this reasoning.<br /><br />Producing a novel means putting your whole heart into the most honest expression possible of deep creative thought. It couldn't be a more sincere undertaking. <br /><br />Using pseudo-flattery to woo an agent, who, as another agent put it, is going to zip through that query like they're changing channels always felt insincere to me.<br /><br />I started querying this novel using the Janet Reid approach of getting straight to the point in the opening line. I fretted, because I thought it would be startling, but it feels efficient, professional and true.Susan Bonifanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01140265430286280374noreply@blogger.com