tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post384522476842321318..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Friday Night (if you're in Auckland) at the Questiom EmporiumJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17217676624250014682013-07-29T03:27:57.354-04:002013-07-29T03:27:57.354-04:00Very well put. There's never any point in wast...Very well put. There's never any point in wasting your effort and resources on things you don't have any control over. Rather the same effort can be channelized towards more creative work.Ramakant Pradhanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982765739245702488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41504421875258216802013-03-15T12:37:43.678-04:002013-03-15T12:37:43.678-04:00Okay, I can only speak for myself here, but my &qu...Okay, I can only speak for myself here, but my "dystopian YA Romance" was one of approximately thirty that my big six publisher (Harper) put out last year. My "Jane Austen retelling" (same book), was one of at least a dozen I can think of off the top of my head. <br /><br />My "YA retelling of the Scarlet Pimpernel" out this fall is one of TWO that Harper Children's is putting out this year. Mine is a futuristic spy caper, and Aprilynne Pike's is a contemporary ghost story. I haven't read it, but that's the way she describes it on her website. <br /><br />How many YA romances will be out this year? How many YA high fantasies or YA paranormals or YA retellings or YA dystopians? How many regency romances where the hero is a Duke will be out this year? (hint: it's more than there actually WERE Dukes in the Regency period -- especially hot young rakish ones). <br /><br />So stop assuming that your book is like someone else's, or that a publisher is going to think that the book is too similar. All you can do is write your book. Diana Peterfreundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03681841474717604660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73028524352666693272012-09-13T09:32:38.018-04:002012-09-13T09:32:38.018-04:00And, don't forget just how many "similar&...And, don't forget just how many "similar" ideas can kick ass independently.<br /><br />Kid travels through magic portal. Are we talking about Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, Coraline?<br /><br />Girl falls in love with vampire. Buffy, Twilight, Sookie Stackhouse?<br /><br />Don't sweat it.<br /><br />http://heimbinasfiction.blogspot.com/2010/02/that-was-my-idea.htmlCKHBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741681893677604323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34368954790694012212012-09-10T16:23:38.114-04:002012-09-10T16:23:38.114-04:00Favourite Post. Ever.
Though I would argue "...Favourite Post. Ever. <br /><br />Though I would argue "(140 characters, no more!)"...Jodi R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06112711654628387634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-65859047567156427852012-09-08T05:39:37.158-04:002012-09-08T05:39:37.158-04:00LOVE this post! Great advice. Author Cleanpants sh...LOVE this post! Great advice. Author Cleanpants should always trump Author Crazypants.Judith Gondahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10660792353316408939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80189231764214628682012-09-07T09:53:49.783-04:002012-09-07T09:53:49.783-04:00I end up doing that. I thought I was the only para...I end up doing that. I thought I was the only paranoid person wasting time, glad I am not. And thank you for such a great lecture to stop wasting time,we need it. Often.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16661877104106146932012-09-07T00:45:35.968-04:002012-09-07T00:45:35.968-04:00A very much needed kick in the pants for me too. B...A very much needed kick in the pants for me too. Been fretting about that "missed opportunity" with "perfect agent." Not only does this post give me the motivation to keep writing, but also the courage to keep putting my work out there. <br /><br />Oh, and very well said, Mittens!The Writer Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05532839053876490957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24735676761839920262012-09-06T22:13:52.962-04:002012-09-06T22:13:52.962-04:00After many a post, I think, "Gosh, she's ...After many a post, I think, "Gosh, she's wonderful," but I figure if I keep saying it I'll come off as a creepy fangirl. But...gosh, you're wonderful.Augustina Peachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877972911614256133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42598066640476144942012-09-06T19:05:31.714-04:002012-09-06T19:05:31.714-04:00I really should know better than to be drinking my...I really should know better than to be drinking my tea when I read your posts! Thanks :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-78357261834110530962012-09-06T17:18:52.915-04:002012-09-06T17:18:52.915-04:00Star Wars is also a samurai movie in space. This ...Star Wars is also a samurai movie in space. This implies that samurai movies and cowboy movies can have similar elements. However, nobody would confuse them for being the same thing, and if anything, it shows how differently stories with the same core elements can turn out.<br /><br />And, dear writer, you know what? It's very possible that agent could reject you if she feels your story is too similar to the one she has in mind. But somebody else might love it, and a publishing house might want it as a competitive title in that market. Or it's possible that agent might know exactly where to sell it because she works with an editor who wants more of that type of thing, or it's a hot trend, or something else. There are too many variables. You can't get too attached to one.Kristin Laughtinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01536556357622503501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-2361980528366814982012-09-06T17:18:14.453-04:002012-09-06T17:18:14.453-04:00By the second line I choked on my late afternoon c...By the second line I choked on my late afternoon coffee. Thank you for that. Bukash/ Lyudmyla Mayorskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00670939346377184918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62120147565079101702012-09-06T16:32:04.638-04:002012-09-06T16:32:04.638-04:00sorry.... what's this about doing laundry? Sho...sorry.... what's this about doing laundry? Should I mention in my query letter that I do laundry? <br /><br />totally kidding. top notch blog topic, as alwaysJennifer McAndrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09128398402747993158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20387055933377014272012-09-06T14:58:38.177-04:002012-09-06T14:58:38.177-04:00This is why I keep reading your blog. Us crazy aut...This is why I keep reading your blog. Us crazy authors need a kick to realize how insane we can be. Thank you.J.A. Kazimerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10876584250229776810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-75049624456620118782012-09-06T11:13:44.403-04:002012-09-06T11:13:44.403-04:00Janet,
I am going to copy the final paragraph of ...Janet,<br /><br />I am going to copy the final paragraph of this post, print it out, and keep it by my computer. Most of the time I don't fret about things over which I have no control. But for those times when the negative thoughts start creeping up, this is a great kick in the pants.Elissa Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10727748060605823895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29163727689193187662012-09-06T10:19:13.808-04:002012-09-06T10:19:13.808-04:00First you need to be very different. Think of some...First you need to be very different. Think of something that never has been done before. I came up with an idea for my crime book I just finished, and I researched everywhere just to make sure what I was writing isn't out there. It's a beautiful story, and I've sent them to some agents, just have to be patient and wait. Keep faith, my quote "I can't draw, but I can paint beautiful pictures with words".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08131371570421089255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91552671638140203922012-09-06T09:27:16.660-04:002012-09-06T09:27:16.660-04:00We great unwashed ... er unpublished … writers hav...We great unwashed ... er unpublished … writers have a practical reason for keeping a dream agent in mind. It is a stand in we can plan with. <br /><br />When I was a teen taking dance lessons, our dance instructor told us to practice with a pillow. But you must pretend that the pillow is a real partner and that works best if you have a “dream” dance partner in mind. <br /><br />So it is with the dream agent. We need to learn the process without ever engaging in it. The dream agent is a useful mental image we can use for planning. <br /><br />Problems arises if we believe the fantasy. Then either the dream agent doesn't react like our fantasy – and we are discouraged – or we miss getting a real agent because she doesn't fit our image of the dream agent. <br />Mister Furkleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07156977719916770984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19598331105210502142012-09-06T08:51:18.657-04:002012-09-06T08:51:18.657-04:00O.k., I've got the clean underpants under cont...O.k., I've got the clean underpants under control...forging ahead...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11543685541225544175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-31878653789438311462012-09-06T08:45:29.179-04:002012-09-06T08:45:29.179-04:00Twitter is a strange thing. I follow a lot of agen...Twitter is a strange thing. I follow a lot of agents who put stars in my eyes. When I query one of them and am rejected, I move on. Just because I like someone's personality on twitter doesn't mean they're the perfect agent to represent me.<br /><br />I can still enjoy their online personalities and fantastic advice, and I can even see stars once in a while. I will, however, try my best not to be a Crazy Pants about it. Query WIDELY. The "Perfect Agent" for any author is the agent that loves you back.<br /><br />Thanks for another fantastic bit of advice, Janet. This is why we all follow you! :)Laura Hughes, MittensMorgulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934132671168843593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34847694055592760242012-09-06T08:44:20.522-04:002012-09-06T08:44:20.522-04:00I so agree with #3. Having a dream agent is like h...I so agree with #3. Having a dream agent is like having a jr. high crush on a guy you've never actually talked to... based on fantasy and very limited info.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46952704442620907752012-09-06T08:26:28.188-04:002012-09-06T08:26:28.188-04:00*applause**applause*Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16628119269790477447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-3771556242054245242012-09-06T08:18:21.861-04:002012-09-06T08:18:21.861-04:00Great post, Janet! I totally agree.
Inside every w...Great post, Janet! I totally agree.<br />Inside every writer is a voice telling him/her that everything he/she writes is crap and will never amount to anything. It's the author's duty to tell that voice to SHUT UP. It's not the voice of useful criticism; it's the voice of fear.David Jón Fullerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214464940911202724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34027995174592250442012-09-06T08:16:21.061-04:002012-09-06T08:16:21.061-04:00I can't help it. I really want to grow up to b...I can't help it. I really want to grow up to be you, if I ever become a grown up agent. Great advice and well-said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9951066317407574862012-09-06T08:15:16.953-04:002012-09-06T08:15:16.953-04:00You see, straight forward talk and honest is just ...You see, straight forward talk and honest is just one reason why I have so much respect for JR.RB Ripleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12547323293851263887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45880587037509410312012-09-06T08:05:17.008-04:002012-09-06T08:05:17.008-04:00Great, ass-kicking pep talk! Tough love in action....Great, ass-kicking pep talk! Tough love in action.<br /><br />Regarding the Dream Agent thing, you're right, we don't know who that person is until we get an offer, but we *think* we do. It's not necessarily bad to elevate one or two agents above the rest (it's like any other sort of goal setting); the research process is likely to turn up a few that just seem better for you than others, for various reasons. The key is to not hinge your entire query process on those one or two 'Dream Agents': don't hold off on all until you hear from them, and don't get utterly crushed if rejected.JeffOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07947660745120963286noreply@blogger.com