tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post2319606459554100567..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: A novel questionJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10590369371474634782017-03-10T19:44:50.807-05:002017-03-10T19:44:50.807-05:00Dena made the point i wanted to make.
"You ...Dena made the point i wanted to make. <br /><br />"You can't call it a novel. "<br /><br />Sure I can. It's over 60K words. Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51504322691634872732017-03-10T19:25:07.155-05:002017-03-10T19:25:07.155-05:00Theresa, say "manuscript" too often and ...Theresa, say "manuscript" too often and you'll summon John Frain.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34911709373954488042017-03-10T17:17:06.600-05:002017-03-10T17:17:06.600-05:00When the goal is to write 1000 words a day, and no...When the goal is to write 1000 words a day, and not just words but the right words, quibbling between "manuscript" and "novel" in a query seems nutty. Quibbling aside, I'll bet an agent would request a grilled cheese sandwich if it had the potential to sell for six figures at auction.<br /><br />(Said grilled cheese sandwich would need to contain some mighty good words, and in the right order, of course...)Timothy Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07514224628760035696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37285544908680507042017-03-10T15:09:12.922-05:002017-03-10T15:09:12.922-05:00I am the purveyor of fine fiction. I ain't jus...I am the purveyor of fine fiction. I ain't just some stinking writer. I am not the author of anything notable enough to claim to be the author of. At least to the general population. 20,000 of my closest friends have the BLUEBERRY PICKER now. I am an author to them but not to polite company.<br /><br />I always thought a manuscript was what your were still working on. A novel is a finished manuscript. Same with novellas and short stories. Revisions, seconds and all of that can have a proper name and not just be a manuscript.<br /><br />WIP is dependent upon who you talk to. Around here it means something I am writing, which is sci-fi that I need to find an ending for. For my regular way of making a living a work in progress is a fish of a different color.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-54339084469055590052017-03-10T14:13:01.125-05:002017-03-10T14:13:01.125-05:00You guys (and gals) are awesome. I think perhaps m...You guys (and gals) are awesome. I think perhaps my offense at the teen "Just a writer," comes from that silly "Just." Like it takes nothing to be a writer. <br /><br /><b>Melanie,</b> I nearly choked on my mac-n-cheese. Abnormalalien has been my moniker since my first AOL account. I'm strangely nostalgic enough to keep it. abnormalalienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08666555569560028852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17993684374645954942017-03-10T13:42:16.779-05:002017-03-10T13:42:16.779-05:00Roseanna: Thanks! One can hope! I tend to think of...<b>Roseanna: </b>Thanks! One can hope! I tend to think of it as my magnum opus--everything else I'm writing seems to be teaching me what I need to know to be able to do it justice. <br /><br />Author versus writer: Coming from a literary background wherein I studied Austen and the Brontes, I'd really liked to be called "authoress." If not, "Susan's" fine. <br /><br />=PSusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05332570278984058081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80890056091868825092017-03-10T12:52:11.090-05:002017-03-10T12:52:11.090-05:00BJ and Colin.
After mulling over Colins question...<br />BJ and Colin. <br /><br />After mulling over Colins question, I thought that an Author to me is an older phrase, like an attorney that has esquire after their name. I think, as a for instance an Artist is someone that makes their living in the Arts, however I would also consider myself an artist because I do oil painting. (On a canvas and on my renovations.) <br /><br />It took me the longest time to consider myself a writer as I had such respect for the written word. I don't think I would ever call myself an author after being published. To me it sounds a little to full of one's self. But that's just me. There are quite a few authors in this community, and they deserve the title, as the road there is long and arduous. <br /><br />My third and final? <br /><br />Colin, it was nice chatting with you, I missed it dearly.<br /><br />Cheers Hank.french sojournhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14262858704848580714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46552111430854882472017-03-10T12:40:30.438-05:002017-03-10T12:40:30.438-05:00From what I’ve seen, some people do make the disti...From what I’ve seen, some people do make the distinction between a manuscript, which may or may not be complete, and a book, which is complete, printed, bound and ready to be shipped. Both of course would be considered to be novels. Same ingredients in terms of content, but in a different form.<br />Similar to the distinction between dough and bread: same ingredients, different form.<br />To reinforce the idea of there being a difference between an ms and a book, agents usually ask for the name of the ms to be capped in a query: THE SHARK-BABES OF CARKOON. This versus the way published books are usually represented: Turning Over A New Leaf or “Turning Over A New Leaf”.<br />As for author vs. writer, a clue may be lie in the Latin origin auctor, which derives from the v. augere, one of whose meanings is ‘to originate’. In the modern sense, an author authorizes publication. (Thus, a plagiarist could never be an author of the material plagiarized, since he neither originates it nor does he have a right to authorize it.)<br />When Senator John F. Kennedy had his book “Profiles in Courage” published, there was a scandal when he was accused of not being the author. Leaving aside the fact that he was a Harvard graduate with a high IQ, he was the true author because he originated the concept and the plan for the book. He may or may not have had co-writers to help him refine it, but it’s irrelevant to his authorship. The same with his inaugural address: it was certainly crafted by Ted Sorensen, who had superior oratorical skills, but the president is regarded as the author because the speech represented his ideas.<br />John Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897307135297883690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85095998938202515812017-03-10T12:26:34.223-05:002017-03-10T12:26:34.223-05:00I don't understand why people think an 'au...I don't understand why people think an 'author' needs to be published. You are always the author of anything you write. That's the meaning of author. That makes you an author. I like to think that you need to have completed something to have 'authored' it, but that may be personal. I'm the author of several unpublished novels (only one of which is completed to the point that it can be queried.)BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32167391716143798712017-03-10T12:20:32.029-05:002017-03-10T12:20:32.029-05:00My bold daughter got a speeding ticket in Virginia...My bold daughter got a speeding ticket in Virginia. Lord, there are too many more states for her to cross on her way to New York. Of course, she is driving there like a bat out of HellE.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1371314386258827122017-03-10T12:17:26.003-05:002017-03-10T12:17:26.003-05:00I just jumped on after a morning of writing and a ...I just jumped on after a morning of writing and a nap. Skimmed comments...did somebody say briefs?<br />Is that as in boxer or briefs? <br />Wait a minute, I don't mean as in what is actually IN boxers or briefs, I mean, I don't know what I mean. I better go back and read.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9588875970101289322017-03-10T12:14:46.821-05:002017-03-10T12:14:46.821-05:00
Colin, I think published can be agented, self, p...<br /><br />Colin, I think published can be agented, self, periodicals, pterodactyls, and other paid avenues. <br /><br />But the resident expert could always shed her light on it, as well as your take obviously. Gotta run, Cheers Hankfrench sojournhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14262858704848580714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41961816569696707432017-03-10T12:13:28.170-05:002017-03-10T12:13:28.170-05:00Fun comment thread here today. Oh, the things we w...Fun comment thread here today. Oh, the things we worry about! I will throw one more out there. How about calling yourself a <b>novelist</b>? <br /><br />In general we are all writers. I tend to agree with the premise that you are the author of a particular body of work (be it legal brief, article, or unpublished mound of hair encrusted pages).<br /><br />And I'm not even going to google joint accounting! Those of you who did have reported back. I will trust you.<br /><br /><b>Susan</b>--Maybe TDN is the one that will sell for a gazillion dollars! I love the name, BTW.<br /><br /><b>EM</b> Best of luck to your bold and adventurous daughter. I'm sure she'll be fine, although understandably you will worry.RosannaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06399732751877180737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-74800258322331229382017-03-10T11:52:54.250-05:002017-03-10T11:52:54.250-05:00Colin, my current case of the flu inclines me to a...<b>Colin</b>, my current case of the flu inclines me to agree with you. However, there's an electronic pile of manuscripts here that I'd have a hard time selling if the IRS revokes my SSN.<br /><br />(Or would that be "pile of electronic manuscripts"?)<br /><br /><b>Dena</b>, if that's the typical size for MG novels, then I wouldn't have any problem using "novel" to describe it. At least until you decide to add a new character and subplot and market it as a Muddle Grade for those experiencing their second childhoods. At that point, you're either going to have to bump the word count or redefine it.Casey Karphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10592351859886981726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62407104013033034402017-03-10T11:17:37.350-05:002017-03-10T11:17:37.350-05:00Hank: Sandscript!! Excellent! :D
An author is som...<b>Hank</b>: Sandscript!! Excellent! :D<br /><br />An author is someone who is published? How do you define "published"? Or is that more than your 3 cents will buy? ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69801849264416363692017-03-10T11:10:59.759-05:002017-03-10T11:10:59.759-05:00
Colin: A house that sells in Malibu...Sandscript?...<br />Colin: A house that sells in Malibu...Sandscript?<br /><br />Writer / Author:<br />An Author I consider to be someone published. A writer is someone unpublished, but even after being published could still refer to he/r self as a writer. (see 1887 Manhattan Superior Court ruling for Scratch vs. Itch) <br /><br />my 3 cents worth?french sojournhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14262858704848580714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55906349223078814462017-03-10T10:44:43.516-05:002017-03-10T10:44:43.516-05:00I had to look up joint accounting. Yes, I'd ag...I had to look up joint accounting. Yes, I'd agree it must be a tool of the devil, used to torture starving authors and/or writers, as well as their agents.<br /><br />It's important for writers to use words precisely, but I've found the dictionary often defines certain words much more broadly than their usual context. For example, one never hears of a non-profit head who spent all the donations on nice offices and elaborate parties described as prodigal. Which is a long way of saying I don't know the difference between authors and writers, and the dictionary doesn't seem to offer much help. But I once had a job that included granting access to safe deposit boxes and I understand that all novels are works of fiction, so maybe I'll get by. Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46801609324160737552017-03-10T10:12:51.047-05:002017-03-10T10:12:51.047-05:00Casey: I believe the correct term to use on your t...<b>Casey</b>: I believe the correct term to use on your tax return is, "Deceased." ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28266614660597362582017-03-10T10:12:16.655-05:002017-03-10T10:12:16.655-05:00OMG. Help me... the hilarity here is killing me. I...OMG. Help me... the hilarity here is killing me. I completely missed <b>Jamie</b> using the blog name <b>abnormalalien</b>. As I'm reading a few of your comments referencing "abnormalalien" I'm thinking, "What the hell are they talking about?!" Is abnormalalien some newfangled word for an author of sci-fi? So I scroll back through the comments and find Jamie. Oh, my... Melanie Sue Bowleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11820711791019410116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5314292203598286342017-03-10T10:07:09.271-05:002017-03-10T10:07:09.271-05:00Dena: So, if that brief (and I contest the use of ...<b>Dena</b>: So, if that brief (and I contest the use of the term "brief" for something more than 12 pages long, but that's by-the-by) was a query, it was successful! Way to go!! :DColin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62977609264483769522017-03-10T10:05:39.144-05:002017-03-10T10:05:39.144-05:00Mister Furkles, thank you for the definition.
Her...<b>Mister Furkles</b>, thank you for the definition.<br /><br />Here I had been thinking joint accounting had something to do with counting the days until they let you out of the slammer.<br /><br />As for the writer/author thing, my take more or less parallels <b>Colin</b>'s. If somebody asks me what I do, I say I'm a writer. Three months from now, if someone asks, I'll feel entitled to say I'm an author.<br /><br />Though if receiving pecuniary recognition is the key distinction, I ought to be able to say "author" now. I mean, I've already received the first half of the advance. Heck, I've already <i>spent</i> the first half of the advance! So there's more to it than just pictures of dead presidents.<br /><br />Maybe I should wait until I have to decide which term to use on a tax return.Casey Karphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10592351859886981726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-65725885314634618362017-03-10T10:02:07.636-05:002017-03-10T10:02:07.636-05:00Hey again Colin! A long time ago in what feels li...<br />Hey again Colin! A long time ago in what feels like a galaxy far far away, I once wrote a complicated brief while I had the flu. A few weeks later I appeared at the formal hearing, and here's roughly how it went, after giving my opposing counsel time to argue his position:<br /><br />Judge, looking at me: Counsel, I advise you NOT to use this brief as a writing sample.<br /><br />Me: Yes, Your Honor.<br /><br />Judge: I did, however, find a few reasonably coherent paragraphs on page 12.<br /><br />Me: Thank you, Your Honor.<br /><br />Judge: And surprisingly, I actually agreed with the law as stated in those paragraphs.<br /><br />Me: Thank you, Your Honor.<br /><br />So I won that hearing with a brief that was so bad it merited a comment not to use it as a writing sample.<br /><br />At least I won. That's the bottom line most of the time.<br /><br />Dena Pawlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14444683810125395220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9201570107841910652017-03-10T09:50:21.298-05:002017-03-10T09:50:21.298-05:00"Gazillion Dollar Dust"
by Onewho Auths..."Gazillion Dollar Dust" <br />by Onewho Auths<br /><br />A typescript about an wanna-be author (aka writer) who blew him/herself up trying to find his fictional novel in the burps of the pit of Carkoon. <br /><br />(it's still early in the morning for me; I can't wait to see how this comment plot evolves throughout the day)<br />Kate Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09861373649696211491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-11491923054049231432017-03-10T09:41:11.180-05:002017-03-10T09:41:11.180-05:00Of course, since I'm not yet finished my first...Of course, since I'm not yet finished my first coffee, I'm going to elaborate a wee bit. I believe that 'author' is a term specific to a piece. I am the author of a science fiction series. I am the author of that website copy. I wrote that science fiction series. I wrote that website copy. Authors are the writers of whatever piece is being spoken about.<br /><br />Okay. Time to finish my coffee and see if I still think I'm making sense here...BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4080775347224871722017-03-10T09:37:27.280-05:002017-03-10T09:37:27.280-05:00This pile of papers is the manuscript of my novel....This pile of papers is the manuscript of my novel. This other pile is the manuscript of my non-fiction book. Manuscript is a format, generally an unpublished work. Preferably completed.<br /><br />I had to google joint accounting. I'd heard the term, but my memory isn't what it used to be. I was envisioning all kinds of double entry crap... then saw it was actually a publishing term. Oh right. *big sigh of relief* I tried to learn double entry accounting once. My sister and my mum both tried to teach me. I just couldn't get my head around it. I've written novels and computer programs. I've even taken calculus. Could I understand double entry accounting? No. I am a dunce.<br /><br />abnormalalien: A writer is someone who writes. An author is someone who writes specific things - books, articles, etc. I don't consider people who write copy for websites or catalogues to be authors (though I've written website and other copy.) Maybe the best way to explain it is: If your name appears on it, you're the author of that piece. If your name doesn't appear on it, then you're a writer. (Notice I don't say, "just" a writer. There's no "just" about it. You're still working at that writing thing.)BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.com