tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post2906642587044362010..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Agent's dead, what happens to my money!Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20442346547428680432017-06-14T10:34:05.978-04:002017-06-14T10:34:05.978-04:00Can I be a professional mourner for you? I love to...Can I be a professional mourner for you? I love to wail and rend my garments. Heck, I'll do it for free. (I hate when my comment publishes before I'm through commenting!)LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9625699043372894942017-06-14T10:30:17.578-04:002017-06-14T10:30:17.578-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59443516283111531262017-06-14T01:59:29.312-04:002017-06-14T01:59:29.312-04:00Donna,
Your conversation with your mom sure hit h...Donna,<br /><br />Your conversation with your mom sure hit home! My dad died two years ago, and his remains were cremated. My stepmother put some of the ashes in a little travel tin so he could go with her when she was out and about, but she hadn't told me that. One day about a year after his death, she mentioned that she had found a mess in her pockets when she was on a trip. "I spilled your father," she said. It took me a minute to figure out what the heck she meant.<br /><br />The last time she visited me, she brought me my own little travel tin of ashes. One of those tins with the see-through covers. I buried it very deep in my sock drawer. We all have our ways of dealing with grief.Gypmarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023108950501721303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29051527528746618922017-06-13T23:46:21.502-04:002017-06-13T23:46:21.502-04:00Had no idea about Lord Nelson. That's fascinat...Had no idea about Lord Nelson. That's fascinating. But <b>Julie</b>, thanks to that link I am now going to be singing about him for the rest of the afternoon. Gah!<br /><br />(I have laringytis, so the singing will only be in my head, for which everyone around me will be forever grateful)AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8107921445554256562017-06-13T22:37:40.629-04:002017-06-13T22:37:40.629-04:00AJ
Roll the Oak Chariot Along testifies about the...AJ<br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMwMOheLw60" rel="nofollow">Roll the Oak Chariot Along</a> testifies about the power of preservation in liquor. Lord Nelson's body was set in a barrel of brandy until they could make Gibraltar and find a lead coffin. The sailors felt a drop of Nelson's blood might not do them any harm, but since they'd also mixed camphor and myrrh with the brandy, I don't know how good it would have been let alone the drop of Nelson's blood.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47603327535316113192017-06-13T20:00:39.834-04:002017-06-13T20:00:39.834-04:00Remember Stieg Larsson died without a will and his...Remember Stieg Larsson died without a will and his wife he wasn't married to (not rare in Sweden, his "sambo." which means "same living", lost everything. His father and brother ended up with the rights to the books. They let her keep the apartment though, I believe.<br />Sharyn Ekberghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11987304898246173619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29587544240512909532017-06-13T19:55:05.713-04:002017-06-13T19:55:05.713-04:00AJ: That's a great post by Neil Gaiman. I put ...AJ: That's a great post by Neil Gaiman. I put it on my own blog, back when it Mr. Gaiman first posted it, and it was one of the most well-read blog posts I had. He has some great advice there.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46650397656500385922017-06-13T19:36:07.170-04:002017-06-13T19:36:07.170-04:00Isn't alcohol a preservative? So any agent wit...Isn't alcohol a preservative? So any agent with a well-stocked liquor cabinet should last forever =)<br /><br />On a more serious note, the topic makes it a good time to flag the need for writers to protect their interests as well. I remember reading this article years ago on <a href="http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2006/10/important-and-pass-it-on.html" rel="nofollow">what writers need to include in their will</a>. I know it's been discussed here before, but not for ages.AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-3519443008937274092017-06-13T18:47:57.713-04:002017-06-13T18:47:57.713-04:00Told my daughters to make my funeral as cheap as p...Told my daughters to make my funeral as cheap as possible; they don't need to make a show of money to prove their grief. "Bury me in a cardboard box if you have to."<br /><br />Turns out biodegradable cardboard coffins are more expensive than bog-standard pine boxes.<br /><br />Then my daughter found a burial capsule that grows a tree fertilised by your remains. "How about this, Mom?"<br /><br />Sure, as long as it's a fruit tree.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53616608503125783962017-06-13T17:34:55.887-04:002017-06-13T17:34:55.887-04:00Writers Beware on
Interminable Agency Clause
I&q...Writers Beware on<br /><br /><a href="http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2011/04/interminable-agency-clause.html" rel="nofollow">Interminable Agency Clause</a><br /><br />I"m not sure what context you're seeing heir of heirs but when I see it used it's talking about copyright law and extensions of copyright protection. Generally that is NOT part of the publishing contract.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23239242432069011572017-06-13T16:36:45.243-04:002017-06-13T16:36:45.243-04:00Thanks BJ and Colin
I mostly work in software and...Thanks <b>BJ</b> and <b>Colin</b><br /><br />I mostly work in software and intellectual property rights are signed away! I know in most other businesses (law firms, dr offices, software, massage therapy), taking clients with you is a huge faux-pas -- so much so an ex-chiropractor of mine was replaced without me knowing he was leaving to prevent such a migration of clients.<br /><br />I'm very relieved that my future-agent will get to keep me once I've made them fall in love with my manuscript(s)....Morgan Hazelwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17713547255894719134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-81432664993105736352017-06-13T15:35:57.874-04:002017-06-13T15:35:57.874-04:00Ha Dani! I should've said, "Cause you...Ha <b>Dani</b>! I should've said, "Cause you'd be...dead?" Not "B/c you're dead..."<br /><br />But. Y'all got the gist of it - and yes, Mom is alive, and a very worthy Scrabble player yet.<br /><br />Glad my little conversation with her resulted in some chuckles.<br /><br />:)Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39846340711349264732017-06-13T14:55:39.545-04:002017-06-13T14:55:39.545-04:00Joseph: I think, when Janet transcends the mortal ...<b>Joseph</b>: I think, when Janet transcends the mortal to chomp the celestial chum, this blog will go to the eternal archive. Who could take it over? Some other seasoned agent may do similar work, but there is only one Query Shark. And there will only ever be one jetreidliterary. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60535219912469977412017-06-13T14:38:11.681-04:002017-06-13T14:38:11.681-04:002nns and Steve
Old agents don’t die. They just tu...2nns and Steve<br /><br />Old agents don’t die. They just turn the page.<br /><br />By the way, who takes over this blog when Janet Reid turns the page?<br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7626215067413662702017-06-13T14:32:23.893-04:002017-06-13T14:32:23.893-04:00Melanie, that sounds very much like what would hav...<b>Melanie</b>, that sounds very much like what would have happened in my family!<br /><br />I think my biggest takeaway from the post is to ask, ask, ask. Including a good lawyer before I sign anything.roadkills-r-ushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029861300358380117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-89220626918887606602017-06-13T14:04:38.471-04:002017-06-13T14:04:38.471-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.julieweathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10198357981793324007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70233730596698315122017-06-13T13:58:43.483-04:002017-06-13T13:58:43.483-04:00Mama Melanie,
Fantastic story. I will see Nabisc...Mama Melanie, <br /><br />Fantastic story. I will see Nabisco saltines in a different way from now on:)Cecilia Ortiz Lunahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00336485056322219624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51985822323061763592017-06-13T13:48:08.128-04:002017-06-13T13:48:08.128-04:00On the death note - can someone explain "heir...On the death note - can someone explain "heirs of heirs" or "interminable agency" clause?lamandarinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13816210610621918740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40143281501345501572017-06-13T13:47:03.868-04:002017-06-13T13:47:03.868-04:00Donna - your mom conversation made me laugh!
Mela...<b>Donna</b> - your mom conversation made me laugh!<br /><br /><b>Melanie</b> - love the story of your mom and her saltines, so much! Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15614832219786871402017-06-13T13:35:25.035-04:002017-06-13T13:35:25.035-04:00Colin: Maybe Janet's clients are the 'thra...Colin: Maybe Janet's clients are the 'thralls' she'll take with her in her Viking funeral... :)BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35735224139625087962017-06-13T13:26:28.139-04:002017-06-13T13:26:28.139-04:00Morgan: I think BJ's right--unless clients obj...<b>Morgan</b>: I think BJ's right--unless clients object, the agent takes her list with her wherever she goes. Except when she dies. Unless... Hmmm... Now, there's an interesting premise for a murder-mystery... ;)<br /><br />Indeed, this post's title could be used in a story. The next writing contest perhaps? 150 words or fewer, and must contain the line: "Agent's dead, what happens to my money?" :)<br />Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-3097349397481051912017-06-13T13:22:05.768-04:002017-06-13T13:22:05.768-04:00Morgan: Agents usually take their clients with the...Morgan: Agents usually take their clients with them when they switch agencies, if their clients are willing. Though I can't see someone who is happy with their agent wanting to sever their relationship with that agent just because the agent has moved their office. Unless they REALLY don't like the agency their agent is moving to, for some reason.<br /><br />More likely, if the agent shifts the focus of their list - say, they've decided to move to adult books instead of YA, or concentrate on romance books instead of fantasy (yes, I've heard of that happening) - they may try to amicably break up with you. Then either they can help you get another agent, or you're agentless (which I've also heard happen). <br /><br />Which is why it's probably a good idea to talk about this sort of thing when you get The Call (TM). :)<br /><br />Melanie: That's wonderful! <br /><br />When my father died, my sisters spent the afternoon going through photographs, picking some out for a video display my sister's then-boyfriend was making, while my mum and I were choosing hymns for the full Catholic mass he'd said he wanted. There was a lot of laughter, there, as they came upon pictures of Dad doing something silly or something. Laughing at such a time is healing.<br />BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23643454964113073032017-06-13T13:01:48.978-04:002017-06-13T13:01:48.978-04:00Maybe Janet HAS been around for several hundred ye...Maybe Janet <i>HAS</i> been around for several hundred years. That's why she knows so much. I say we carbon date her...<br /><br />My mother was a young housewife back when Nabisco saltines came in a tin canister. She loved her canister and, odd as it sounds, it was a prominent fixture in the kitchen of my childhood. Once the crackers started coming in a box, she would transfer the packages to the tin.<br /><br />She passed in 1990. My five siblings and I gathered at our parent's home to grieve (mightily). The topic of what to do with Mama's ashes came up... what vessel shall we use? (I'm sure you see where this is going) All six of us were standing around in the kitchen, still reeling from the shock of being motherless. Our collective swollen, red-rimmed eyes fell on the Nabisco tin - and that's where we put her. The gesture made all of us laugh through our tears. We felt certain Mama would approve. Melanie Sue Bowleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11820711791019410116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58654284404558531792017-06-13T12:58:31.976-04:002017-06-13T12:58:31.976-04:00Wow! Things I hadn't even begun to contemplate...Wow! Things I hadn't even begun to contemplate.<br /><br />Although, now I'm wondering if agents ever take clients with them when they switch agencies or if that's against some sort of non-compete? I suppose it's whatever their contract says.<br /><br />And if so, are you randomly reassigned? Can you say 'no thank you' and then resubmit/query to your old agent at the new place?Morgan Hazelwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17713547255894719134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-81880774026125726792017-06-13T12:56:48.643-04:002017-06-13T12:56:48.643-04:00Donna, I loved your conversation with your mother!...Donna, I loved your conversation with your mother! I laughed out loud - pre-caffeinated, so that's a feat. :)<br /><br />Then there are people who have jewelry made with tiny amounts of the ashes of someone they loved (human or pet), so they can always have that person - or critter - near them. Maybe you can tell your mom you'll do that, Donna, and then put the piece of jewelry at the bottom of a drawer or something. At least mom might be satisfied... while she's alive.<br /><br />It sounds like she's afraid she'll be forgotten. Give her a hug from me. Tell her it's from a writing friend.<br /><br />Steve Stubbs: I don't want my agent to fade away, either. That's almost as bad as them dying. Maybe worse, because if they only disappear, then you legally still have an agent, but that agent isn't doing anything for you anymore... I suppose you could query new agents, saying, "My agent and I seem to have parted ways. She's faded away completely, and I need someone to help me!"<br /><br />Sleepy One: Yep. A former agent still makes money on the books that agent has sold. If you break up before the book sells, but an editor that agent has sent the book to picks up your book, they still get the 15%. If a new agent helps with the contract, etc., for that book, they also get 15%. You might be paying 30% to agents on a book, simply because you switched agents mid-stream. Which is why it's probably a good idea, if you and an agent are parting amicably - or if the agent drops you - to get that agent to sign away any rights to commission after that point. (That is not legal advice. That is my own, non-legal advice. It doesn't hurt to ask said agent, does it?)BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.com