tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post245260483221100537..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Sweating out the on-sub processJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60922405191111301962018-10-23T02:28:17.631-04:002018-10-23T02:28:17.631-04:00Focus on the positive (you have an agent and are o...Focus on the positive (you have an agent and are on submission) and not on the pain (submission moves slower than my Barbarians doing their chores) and do what you are doing...keep writing. Good luck, OP.AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64774803722539271042018-10-23T02:18:53.026-04:002018-10-23T02:18:53.026-04:00Then again, maybe OP can drift out to "Si.&qu...Then again, maybe OP can drift out to "Si."Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-82306621298416958152018-10-22T18:18:55.730-04:002018-10-22T18:18:55.730-04:00I think it was Kristen Nelson who had a list of re...I think it was Kristen Nelson who had a list of reasons on her blog about why fantasy novels receivw highly complimentary but reluctant passes.<br /><br />Don't remember the whole list, but the common thread was, most fantass novelists copy a lot of worn out tropes from published stories, string them together, and think they have a new book.<br /><br />So, check your novel. Is there anything new in your fantasy? If not, then getting it published may be a fantasy.<br /><br />Writing anything is a very worthwhile exercise, whether it is ready for pub or not. Every time you do it, you get better. On the next go round, think creative. That's the difference between a writer and a typist.<br /><br />OP: "I don't know if her silence regarding my book is positive or not."<br /><br />Probably not. The silence follows four Nos and four NORMANs. One way to test the water is to pitch your new book. If you continue to get silence, that is not golden. In the business world they call that letting you drift out to sea.<br />Steve Stubbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13421775912951050610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66297568967885526902018-10-22T17:07:14.924-04:002018-10-22T17:07:14.924-04:00I'm glad publishers of academic books are rece...I'm glad publishers of academic books are receptive and supportive. <br /><br />The "traditional" publishing system is way too frustrating.<br /><br />Oh well, back to the trenches.<br /><br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88376679809265436702018-10-22T14:15:33.382-04:002018-10-22T14:15:33.382-04:00This is an add-on to the ask-your-agent replies.
...This is an add-on to the ask-your-agent replies. <br /><br />One of the things that I didn't realize when I first signed with my agent was that I would still be figuring out what I needed. You think you know what will make you feel secure, but you learn it on a gut level when you finally start submitting your ms. Or signing with an editor. Or getting your first revision letter. <br /><br />To me, it sounds like you're realizing that you do best if you can get a regular update from your agent, even if it's, "No news." (I'm the same way!) And it's totally fine to tell your agent that you're figuring out what keeps the crazy at bay and does s/he mind doing XYZ from now on? You're not being precious–you're being communicative so that your agent doesn't need to use a crystal ball. (They are highly overrated.)<br /><br />All that to say, don't feel badly about realizing what you need and letting your agent know! Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06909176210194176373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-21456352970681177212018-10-22T12:36:04.925-04:002018-10-22T12:36:04.925-04:00The first thing I wondered was whether you discuss...The first thing I wondered was whether you discussed this with your agent, <b>Opie</b>, before asking Janet. Not that there's anything wrong with asking a seasoned pro like our beloved Sharkiness. But it seems to me that part of a good author-agent relationship is being able to talk about these kinds of things. If you have concerns about the submission process, your agent should be able to set your mind at rest. If you're curious about your agent's submission strategy, you should be able to ask. Maybe <b>Opie</b> did ask and is merely getting another perspective. Anyway, that was my thought.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40636878956508448312018-10-22T12:33:41.543-04:002018-10-22T12:33:41.543-04:00It’s so hard to wait! Hang in there! And good luck...It’s so hard to wait! Hang in there! And good luck!Sherry Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04326605891373049617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42463421736560696882018-10-22T11:13:51.316-04:002018-10-22T11:13:51.316-04:00I know how hard it is, OP. I've had books on s...I know how hard it is, OP. I've had books on sub before, and an MIA agent who never answered my once-a-month emails politely asking questions as you are now. It sucked.<br /><br />But don't despair! You have an agent. You have a book on sub that seems to have a good shot at publication from everything you posted. Just keep your chin up and keep those connections with other writers. Also, single malt scotch helps. I prefer the Dalmore 15. Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02288010060936146108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15128313572619867732018-10-22T08:33:17.894-04:002018-10-22T08:33:17.894-04:00Getting the agent is only the first round of waiti...Getting the agent is only the first round of waiting. Being on sub is great, OP. Be patirnt. You must be close. E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70749626364606405502018-10-22T08:18:59.310-04:002018-10-22T08:18:59.310-04:00I'm in this boat but it's my third time no...I'm in this boat but it's my third time now so I know it can take a while. I think with #1 it took about 6 months and #2 about the same. My current has been out about three...I think? I see a pattern here...I tend to try to forget about it and am pleasantly surprised. Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11166776565191771729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-44594638504148058992018-10-22T07:29:55.487-04:002018-10-22T07:29:55.487-04:00Feel for you, O.P. There are hundreds of great res...Feel for you, O.P. There are hundreds of great resources out there for querying, not so many for surviving submissions.<br /><br />I'm sure you already googled a bunch of resources, but in case you missed it, there is a pretty detailed set of interviews at "Writer, Writer Pants on Fire" that addresses submission:<br /><br />http://writerwriterpantsonfire.blogspot.com/p/interview-series.html<br /><br />Janet's right. There's no norm. If you can find clear head space to keep writing, you're well off. A lot of people can't.<br /><br />Best of luck. Hope it sells, and soon!<br />Timothy Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07514224628760035696noreply@blogger.com