tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post2571983373915236690..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Query Question: so, what's your batting average?Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-54012430478955933642015-03-17T21:45:10.596-04:002015-03-17T21:45:10.596-04:00Wow, I think you're all looking at this the wr...Wow, I think you're all looking at this the wrong way.<br /><br />If you woke up tomorrow with your manuscript in hand and the publishing fairy appeared and said, "That book has a 50/50 chance of being published," wouldn't you all be ecstatic? I mean that's so much better than what feels like 1 in 10,000 chance when you don't have an agent and are relegated to sending out to slush piles or hunting down opportunities at conferences.<br /><br />I'll take 50/50 any day. <br /><br />And what it means is ... you are really really close. If this one didn't make it, you are almost there.karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17155514271366246860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18555447997617420712015-03-07T11:03:32.119-05:002015-03-07T11:03:32.119-05:00I've bred Aussies. Granted, mine were out of a...I've bred Aussies. Granted, mine were out of an American by a New Zealander, and I only got the two. But boy, do they make their Momma proud.--<br /><br />I laughed. Thanks for that, Duchess. And how impressive you know the correct terminology.<br /><br />"Took me five pregnancies to get two living children. When you pin your hopes on the first pregnancy, you can set yourself up for a lot of heartache should it fail."<br /><br />That is so horribly heartbreaking. I'm sorry you had to go through that. The first time, is when you realize it's real and it doesn't just happen to other people. congratulations on the two fine, young children. What a blessing.<br /><br />Thin mints. yum<br /><br />JulieAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05397201685135490220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-89761416077283409422015-03-07T08:36:08.096-05:002015-03-07T08:36:08.096-05:00I'm late to the convo on this one, but Dena, y...I'm late to the convo on this one, but Dena, your "conversations" with Janet are hilarious. Made my morning.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03365582623380288038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4053884299942039482015-03-05T22:30:23.790-05:002015-03-05T22:30:23.790-05:00But Colin, she said bacon. Not chicken. Everything...But Colin, she said bacon. Not chicken. Everything, especially blue cheese burgers, are better with bacon. Not everything is better with chicken.<br /><br />Besides, being a veggie really is hard work. Salads everyday don't cut the mustard.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69943356115011649842015-03-05T21:49:01.790-05:002015-03-05T21:49:01.790-05:00Her Grace: I thought I couldn't give up chicke...Her Grace: I thought I couldn't give up chicken. But I did--cold turkey (har har). One day I thought I could never go without that wonderful white meat. The next day, I did. And I haven't eaten a bite of chicken in nearly 25 years.<br /><br />Amazing what you can do when you're determined. Like getting a novel published. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37795456607609631392015-03-05T21:35:10.313-05:002015-03-05T21:35:10.313-05:00I've bred Aussies. Granted, mine were out of a...I've bred Aussies. Granted, mine were out of an American by a New Zealander, and I only got the two. But boy, do they make their Momma proud.<br /><br />A book is a big, complex thing, until you look at it in the scope of a career. It's like how a city is a big, complex thing, until you look at it from orbit.<br /><br />I can understand novice authors who've completed a book wanting the best for that book. However, the odds of selling it are a different story. <br /><br />But write twenty books (assuming you learn something about the craft along the way) and those odds go up significantly.<br /><br />Took me five pregnancies to get two living children. When you pin your hopes on the first pregnancy, you can set yourself up for a lot of heartache should it fail.<br /><br />My question would be, "What are the odds of one of my twenty books selling within the next five years?"<br /><br />I like metaphors.<br /><br />I like blue cheese. Heck, I like any cheese.<br /><br />I like cookies.<br /><br />I miss Girl Scout Cookies, especially Thin Mints.<br /><br />I tend towards a vegetarian lifestyle, but don't adhere strictly to it. Because bacon.<br /><br />I am hungry now.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73738273342851941462015-03-05T21:11:06.837-05:002015-03-05T21:11:06.837-05:00Christina, I'm hate "oddly-bean" sha...Christina, I'm hate "oddly-bean" shaped cookies.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19661015136830252212015-03-05T19:32:22.532-05:002015-03-05T19:32:22.532-05:00Boy, I'd better start preparing a guest room. ...Boy, I'd better start preparing a guest room. Make sure you all visit Duty Free on the way; I'll send you a list.Amy Schaeferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263719891092841767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10585109364598009962015-03-05T18:48:19.762-05:002015-03-05T18:48:19.762-05:00Nice one, DLM. :) I'll add to that by deferrin...Nice one, DLM. :) I'll add to that by deferring to the brilliant Amy Schaefer: <br /><br />"Yes, you can calculate what percentage of writers actually sell their first book, but don't expect it to be meaningful information. In the end, it is just another pointless thing to fret about. Go forth and write something fantastic." <br /><br />This context can be applied to word counts too--while it's good to have an idea of what they "should" be, let us not fret about it. Perhaps we should go to Amy's paradise instead.<br /><br />*eats second cookie and boards plane*Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34624298764764362922015-03-05T17:20:33.706-05:002015-03-05T17:20:33.706-05:00@ Colin: I salute you. Years ago I tried to go Veg...@ Colin: I salute you. Years ago I tried to go Vegan and it was just too much work trying to get a balanced diet. That was in the days before Methyl B-12 and whey proteins. Even trying really had I found myself losing muscle mass though I do go meatless a couple times a week.<br /><br />@Amy: Thanks.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-631396893736242642015-03-05T16:38:01.461-05:002015-03-05T16:38:01.461-05:00Karen McCoy said, "Janet's right; it'...Karen McCoy said, "Janet's right; it's better to focus on the writing itself, where quantification doesn't matter."<br /><br />I won't start the "what word count is 'right'?" conversation ... :)<br /><br />A nice piece of cheddar and a slice of excellent, warm apple pie.<br /><br />Hey, as long as everyone's on about food. :) (Actually, I am very likely to have pancakes for supper; mid ice storm, the idea has an alluring quality.)DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85683654979788578752015-03-05T16:34:09.047-05:002015-03-05T16:34:09.047-05:00Craig: I don't eat meat, or any other produce ...Craig: I don't eat meat, or any other produce from a dead animal (stock, gelatine, etc.). So I'm okay with eggs, cheese, and milk. I've never liked fish, but I would consider that "meat" anyway.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-21303521998512574982015-03-05T16:26:46.323-05:002015-03-05T16:26:46.323-05:00@Craig: The quickest sale I remember hearing was K...@Craig: The quickest sale I remember hearing was Kristin Nelson selling Sherry Thomas's first book. From query to sale was 25 days. http://nelsonagency.com/queries-an-inside-scoop-sherry-thomass-query/<br /><br />And I am with you on the bacon.Amy Schaeferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263719891092841767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84739889503075697452015-03-05T16:15:33.116-05:002015-03-05T16:15:33.116-05:00I think that I would rather know about the fastest...I think that I would rather know about the fastest sale of a new writer. If you could tell who it was or maybe just the genre it would be appreciated.<br /><br />@Colin: I thought you were a vegetarian. Are you one of those hybrid veggies? Like a Lacto-ovo or piscatorial? Or just one of those who doesn't eat meat?<br /><br />What good is blue cheese on a burger if it doesn't have bacon on it?Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45443346805205431842015-03-05T15:51:24.514-05:002015-03-05T15:51:24.514-05:00*Cleans up after REJourneys tosses cookies*--I'...*Cleans up after REJourneys tosses cookies*--I've cleaned up after 6 children... used to it. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35613686814318694812015-03-05T15:41:02.890-05:002015-03-05T15:41:02.890-05:00I'm sorry *tosses cookies*
Celery for you Ju...I'm sorry *tosses cookies* <br /><br />Celery for you Julie? Or fruit? Fruit is good.REJourneyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08636698355820425103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34610121640887853392015-03-05T15:36:23.576-05:002015-03-05T15:36:23.576-05:00Gads, you people. I'm trying to stay on this d...Gads, you people. I'm trying to stay on this diet. Oatmeal for supper tonight and now I'm craving pizza and cookies.<br /><br />That's it. You're on the ban list.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05397201685135490220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88057138494671716752015-03-05T15:06:39.943-05:002015-03-05T15:06:39.943-05:00Amy: mmmm... Roquefort blue cheese. MMMMMmm. Makes...Amy: mmmm... Roquefort blue cheese. MMMMMmm. Makes for wonderful salad dressing. :DColin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27732269594347973462015-03-05T14:49:55.062-05:002015-03-05T14:49:55.062-05:00*Opens a box of Girl Scout Cookies instead. Eats e...*Opens a box of Girl Scout Cookies instead. Eats entire box. Reaches for second box of Girl Scout Cookies*<br /><br />"Are you having doubts again?"<br />*hides box behind back*<br />"Nope. No doubts here. No cookies either."Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-82645504205332034712015-03-05T14:42:16.899-05:002015-03-05T14:42:16.899-05:00I think this falls under the heading of Bad Math. ...I think this falls under the heading of Bad Math. Selling books is not a random draw; we don't all have an equal chance of being published (or repped, for that matter). Whether a book sells or not depends on so many things: its quality, persistence on the part of the author to get it to agents, persistence on the part of the agent to get it to editors, publishing climate, subject matter, genre, current trends, and plain old good timing, to name a few. Yes, you can calculate what percentage of writers actually sell their first book, but don't expect it to be meaningful information. In the end, it is just another pointless thing to fret about. Go forth and write something fantastic.<br /><br />I just went and read the last few comments from yesterday, and I see that some of you have an issue with blue cheese. Even my beloved Roquefort was mentioned in a derogatory way. You poor misguided souls. As self-appointed captain of Team Blue, I assert there is nothing in this world better than Roquefort on thin Melba toast accompanied by a good Sauterne. Blue forever!<br /><br />And while we're on the subject, darn you all for making me think about it. My sole option at the moment is buying cheese in 1 kg blocks. The manufacturer doesn't even pretend it is a certain type of cheese - it is simply labelled "cheese", with a vaguely-embarrassed-looking cartoon cow staring off into the distance and avoiding your eyes. Decent for pizza and sandwiches, but not much good for a nibble in the afternoon.Amy Schaeferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263719891092841767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63672659394609124942015-03-05T14:26:38.810-05:002015-03-05T14:26:38.810-05:00*Notices that cookie is oddly bean-shaped, eats it...*Notices that cookie is oddly bean-shaped, eats it anyway*Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86865033721654399972015-03-05T14:13:08.161-05:002015-03-05T14:13:08.161-05:00*eats cookie**eats cookie*Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9569909932959482932015-03-05T13:30:12.212-05:002015-03-05T13:30:12.212-05:00Julie, you hit on the comment I wanted to make.
...Julie, you hit on the comment I wanted to make. <br /><br />We mentioned this week that writing is like having a small business and all of us looking for agents are basically in the start up phase (I would argue approaching the start up phase, but whatevs). <br /><br />I read an article on Business Insider yesterday about the number of businesses that failed in a year. They used an actual number, perhaps for 2013 or 2014, but the general percent I learned in school was 80% of businesses fail.<br /><br />Sad, right? But the article wasn't focused on them, it was focused on what the successful people did that helped them succeed. The number one thing? Persistence. They never gave up. The article talked about how talent, while important, isn't what helps businesses succeed. There are plenty of talented people who don't. It's the persistence that was the differentiating factor.<br /><br />Now, of course I'm not saying fly to New York (especially in this weather) and pound the payment in your best suit, looking for agents, editors, and publishers. I'm saying, don't give up. Just like an entrepreneur, you must be willing to tell yourself some lies that the world NEEDS your product.<br /><br />Note: Now I question if I meshed two articles together, one about succeeding businesses and the other about what successful people never say. Either way, the advice, as said, was what I read (and believe).<br /><br />*A cookie if you read all of my ramblings.REJourneyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08636698355820425103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16107943578373200832015-03-05T13:09:58.313-05:002015-03-05T13:09:58.313-05:00Janet: 9 years, 17 years, it still beats my former...Janet: 9 years, 17 years, it still beats my former agent's less than 1 year. Joan Kane Nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04802501163461996982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47594003175912527552015-03-05T13:00:30.729-05:002015-03-05T13:00:30.729-05:00Well, there are some things you can't do.
&qu...Well, there are some things you can't do.<br /><br />"much-needed workshops on feasible sex positions—too often Engler has given edit notes explaining that a woman cannot be bent over a horse unless her partner is very tall or the horse is very short."<br /><br />You can't bend your heroine over a horse easily to get romantic. Maybe with a step stool, or a Shetland. Fifty Shades of Neigh indeed. <br /><br />Amazon and Ellora are apparently fighting now. The things you learn when you try to keep up with the publishing industry.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05397201685135490220noreply@blogger.com