tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post4534055245410495563..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Wait...who looked at this?Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16690490081911214492017-04-16T00:20:04.204-04:002017-04-16T00:20:04.204-04:00I started querying for my first novel on the first...I started querying for my first novel on the first, and I can say wholeheartedly it is the most stressful thing I've ever done. I'm not worried about the quality of my work, but I come from very humble beginnings, and writing is all I have. I wrote most of it at the public library. A life, a career, years of planning, and crafting. Reduced to a yes, or no that stretches out for weeks at a time. I'm a patient person, but with my anxiety. This makes me shrill. I'd kill just for a answer. To know what i'm doing wrong, or right, but that's not how the industry works. So I take turns watching my work being rejected, waiting for just the one a'okay. I've only had three rejections, and that I don't mind. It's the time wasted, the not knowing, the stagnate drone of it all. It feels like a crawl. While I watch the world race around me, but I chose this cup that I drink from. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12831684397006913954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36897095758793965182017-04-15T16:50:39.506-04:002017-04-15T16:50:39.506-04:00Colin: I think you are being too rigid in your def...Colin: I think you are being too rigid in your definition. I can easily see where some people would call such a group an "editorial board". It's not like there's a legal definition as to what this means. Informally, it's a reasonable choice of words.<br /><br />BJ, Colin, etc.: WRT steamy YA, I agree with Colin. I forget whether it was Lauren Oliver's Delirium series or Heather Anastasiu's Glitch trilogy, but one of these had some pretty steamy scenes, although I'm pretty sure they never quite got to actual sex. There's a pretty broad spectrum within the genre.<br /><br />As for soft drinks, there was a geographically diverse group in my dorm who often hung out together. It was always entertaining when someone went to get a drink and offered to get drinks for others. "Hey, who wants a {soda, pop, Coke, soft drink, etc.}?" It could take 30 minutes of arguing before the originator could get away to get [drinks].<br />In the south (and Texas, which is sorta south, sorta west, and mainly Texas), it's best to just order by brand name. They'll correct you if they don't have it. Otherwise, you may or may not get asked, depending on where the server is from. So if you want an actual "Coke", order a Coca-Cola (or in Atlanta, a Co'Cola).roadkills-r-ushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029861300358380117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63307706612510657992017-04-15T13:16:45.543-04:002017-04-15T13:16:45.543-04:00Steve Stubbs, thank you. And yes, you've touch...<b>Steve Stubbs</b>, thank you. And yes, you've touched on a lot of great points. Commercial can also mean that the beginning can't resemble too much of what's already out there...<br /><br />I've found that each book has its own set of issues. I have to remember that it's about story first. Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77390541818953180662017-04-15T03:40:45.101-04:002017-04-15T03:40:45.101-04:00
Welcome to the reef, GillyB, no shallow end here,...<br />Welcome to the reef, GillyB, no shallow end here, just the deep dark shark tank. Enjoy.french sojournhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14262858704848580714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69674147583329705882017-04-15T01:53:26.163-04:002017-04-15T01:53:26.163-04:00Ha, AJ, one of my dogs hid from us all morning (in...Ha, AJ, one of my dogs hid from us all morning (including refusing to come over for her breakfast, just watching us from across the yard, tail wagging) yesterday because I stupidly mentioned 'we should give them a bath while the weather is still so nice'. I forgot she speaks perfectly good English. She had breakfast at 2pm when spouse had gone out with the kids and she obviously decided she wasn't at risk of being bathed with me home alone.<br /><br />GillyB, welcome!<br /><br />Robert, congrats on getting so close. I know it's no good telling you this, because we all do it, but don't try parsing out everything agents say in these letters. It just isn't worth it. Unless you're seeing the same thing over and over, I would just try to file it away under 'nice ole rejection, move along' and forget about it.Sam Hawkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549251130820223139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73026660857480312402017-04-14T23:49:24.434-04:002017-04-14T23:49:24.434-04:00I hadn't realised Janet's editorial board ...I hadn't realised Janet's editorial board were so adorable. My editorial (and really, just plain sounding) board is currently asleep at my feet where he always is when I'm at my computer. He's ignoring me at the moment because I accidently said the 'w' word (walk) out loud before and then didn't rush out the door with him in tow.AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90723642138459394482017-04-14T21:34:51.752-04:002017-04-14T21:34:51.752-04:00Welcome to the reef GillyB :)Welcome to the reef GillyB :)Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52980917122299399782017-04-14T21:27:40.760-04:002017-04-14T21:27:40.760-04:00Remoras is nice. It's better than a flamboyanc...Remoras is nice. It's better than a flamboyance of flamingoes. Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24431126422706628342017-04-14T20:10:02.834-04:002017-04-14T20:10:02.834-04:00GillyB Welcome to the Shark's group of Remoras...<b>GillyB</b> Welcome to the Shark's group of Remoras. Hope to see you around often. nightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70096147088998647562017-04-14T19:53:47.360-04:002017-04-14T19:53:47.360-04:00GillyB
Welcome to the reef.
Who knows what it t...<b>GillyB</b><br /><br />Welcome to the reef. <br /><br />Who knows what it takes to get published these days? I obviously haven't figured it out. I wish I could dash of some sweet little book and be done with it, but my brain apparently doesn't work that way.<br /><br />As you said, when a person reads something, they recognize it. I couldn't wait for the Hunger Games books to come out.<br /><br />I hope we see you around more.<br /><br />Now, back to doing whatever I'm doing. Killing someone I think or praying. I get confused.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59377306127637267232017-04-14T18:45:04.527-04:002017-04-14T18:45:04.527-04:00Karen McCoy said...
"I'm getting a lot o...Karen McCoy said...<br /><br />"I'm getting a lot of 'It's wellwritten, but...'"<br /><br />I have been struggling for some time to understand why this happens to obviously talented writers, and this is just a theory, but ...<br /><br />I am wondering if it is possible for a book to be well-written AND not commercial or commercial but not commercial enough for some reason. The agent wants to sell the thing, after all, and the publisher must sell it or disappear into the Sargasso Sea of publishing.<br /><br />It is not obvious, but if it is well-written but not commercial, improving the writing is not the solution. Commercial and well-written are two separate issues.<br /><br />There are numerous reasons why superb writing may not be commercial.<br /><br />I read this recently on Kristen Nelson's Pub Rants blog:<br /><br />"Your opening pages might be in trouble if Your novel opens with prose problems, such as flowery or overly descriptive verbiage."<br /><br />This one floored me because I read an opening page by an obviously talented unpublished writer very recently which has that very problem. I interpreted that to mean that literary and commercial fiction are different species.<br /><br />Sending it to a critter who tells you how great the writing is will not be the solution if quality is not the problem. I hate to give my secrets away, but the the solution may be to ask yourself every time you write a page and every time you proof a page: "Will thie grab a reader? Is this commercial writing?"<br /><br />If the answer is not just no but Tartarus no, revise the grab factor instead of the flowery factor.<br /><br />Books which sell well are commercial, but may be badly written. There are plenty of published examples of what works.<br />Steve Stubbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13421775912951050610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58107151295738170512017-04-14T18:13:09.742-04:002017-04-14T18:13:09.742-04:00Welcome to the Reef, GillyB. Wade on in, the water...Welcome to the Reef, <b>GillyB</b>. Wade on in, the water is fine. <b>Colin</b> is the key master. I'll be damned if I know who the gatekeeper is. And Janet is our Queen. As you probably have already surmised. <br /><br />This is a hospitable bunch with more than enough scars to share and outright brag about. Be wary of <b>John of the Manuscript Frain</b>. That one always has murder on his mind or crows on the brain (always get those confused). Anyhow, welcome, welcome.E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15101824880683543462017-04-14T17:59:29.362-04:002017-04-14T17:59:29.362-04:00Janet: "Comment pile"? Don't you mea...<b>Janet</b>: "Comment pile"? Don't you mean "Daily anthology of wit and wisdom from the finest corners of the literary universe"? No? Oh, okay... :)<br /><br />Welcome aboard, <b>GillyB</b>! I'm glad your long-time reading of the comments hasn't dissuaded you from joining in. :) Let me know if you want to be added to the <a href="http://www.colindsmith.com/cmw.html" rel="nofollow">List of Blog Readers and Their Blogs</a>, or if you have any published works you'd like me to add to our list of Reider's writings, or any other gems you think should go in the <a href="http://www.colindsmith.com/TreasureChest" rel="nofollow">Treasure Chest</a>. And, of course, if you have any questions about rules and decorum, feel free to ask <b>Donna</b>, <b>Elise</b>, <b>Julie</b> or one of the other classy people here. I don't know nuffin' 'bout rulez 'n' decorum. :DColin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24025281972377842382017-04-14T17:58:06.466-04:002017-04-14T17:58:06.466-04:00I don't have anything to add on topic, other t...I don't have anything to add on topic, other than to congratulate Robert for getting this far in the process. Requests for a full seems like a far off dream, some days. Good for you for being at that stage! Also, what everyone else said.<br /><br />But I want to thank Colin and GillyB (hello and welcome!) and The Sleepy One for the discussion about what YA is and isn't. Or what it includes or doesn't. Or whatever. I'm in the process of revising a story that's unlike anything I've ever written and it occurred to me it might be YA, sort of by mistake. I went through a period of being sort of stuck and wondering whether I should try to make it either more or less like that "genre" (category?) and pondering just how much reading of YA that was going to involve (not something I generally read) and felt overwhelmed. I ultimately decided to just tell the damn story and let someone else decide what it is. Or isn't. So this side discussion helped, especially the detail that profanity isn't prohibited. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-74302987112198298072017-04-14T17:24:55.666-04:002017-04-14T17:24:55.666-04:00One of the things I love about the YA is that it h...One of the things I love about the YA is that it has such a wide variety of subject matter. Like there will be a book in which a first kiss is a big deal. But then there are heavier books, like some of Ellen Hopkins' work--that deals with serious issues like drug abuse, incest, cutting, you name it. Her books aren't for every teen, but they're great for teens dealing with serious, heavy issues. It helps them know they're not alone. It might even give them a voice. Or there's something like Louise O’Neill's ASKING FOR IT, which deals with gang rape and the fallout of it. Or there's Courtney Summers' heartbreaking and gritty CRACKED UP TO BE.<br /><br />From my reading, I'd say that YA tends to fade to black in heavy moments, at least as far as sex. Rae Carson's GIRL OF FIRE AND THORN series (which is *amazing*) has some authentic early love (kissing) scenes. Once the character has matured over the trilogy, and has matured into a strong leader, and decides to moves beyond kissing with the man she's in love with, it doesn't describe the act itself but does talk about the emotions. Most of the YA I've read follows this pattern (focuses on the emotional impact of the decision versus describing the physical act).The Sleepy Onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17406738871201908077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34177461259982359992017-04-14T16:57:08.548-04:002017-04-14T16:57:08.548-04:00Crazy day and I am skimming comments on 5 pm lunch...Crazy day and I am skimming comments on 5 pm lunch break... only one thing to add, can I meet Janet's editorial board?? <br /><br />And Robert, don't go crazy. Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32158723675914751652017-04-14T16:55:25.554-04:002017-04-14T16:55:25.554-04:00Welcome to the comment pile GillyB! I'm always...Welcome to the comment pile GillyB! I'm always glad to see new voices popping up.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24462437923629266382017-04-14T15:50:59.233-04:002017-04-14T15:50:59.233-04:00Craig and Julie
RC Cola and a moonpie and a small...Craig and Julie<br /><br />RC Cola and a moonpie and a small bag of fritos were a typical lunch back in the day. Coca Cola was a standalone drink or a fountain drink at Dugan Drug's (Or better a vanilla Coke or Cherry coke or a coke float (which easily could be a root beer float).) <br /><br />Then suddenly and inexplicably, without warning or announcement, Pepsi came from nowhere and shoved RC Cola out of the picture. My little kid mind (and now my grownup mind) never quite understood how that happened. <br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38027686353424082402017-04-14T15:43:21.439-04:002017-04-14T15:43:21.439-04:00Julie, Semi-Interestingly (oops had to take a brea...Julie, Semi-Interestingly (oops had to take a break - Brigada jumped on my chest for a I want to be held and petted and to paw you sessions), Anyway, I think the only times I want a soft drink when i eat out it's at place with a multi-choice dispenser. If i have a waiter or waitress I order water or tea (or sometimes but not often a beer or margarita).<br /><br />I think Dr Pepper is taking over the South (Alabama anyway)<br /><br />When I was kid I pronounced orange "Nehi," grape "grape" and Strawberry "Strawberry."<br /><br /><br />If somebody at my table asks for a Coke and the waiter asks what kind I usually say "Coke Coke."Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40943661743963372442017-04-14T15:14:33.373-04:002017-04-14T15:14:33.373-04:00I'm from so far south that we ain't southe...I'm from so far south that we ain't southern no more. There are still places around with RC Colas and Moonpies though.<br /><br />Getting a response from a rejection only happens once in a very blue moon. It is always worth trying for it but don't really expect anything.<br /><br />On Editorial boards: Doesn't everyone have one. Mine is a 1944 Walking Liberty silver dollar. Heads for yep and tails for nope.<br /><br />Hats off to Big Bill Lister for that song RC Cola and a Moonpie go to the festival sometime. It is a blast.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29932704918452200562017-04-14T14:42:43.052-04:002017-04-14T14:42:43.052-04:00Joseph
As you know, many times in the south a per...<b>Joseph</b><br /><br />As you know, many times in the south a person will order a Coke and the waitress will say, "what kind?"<br /><br />"Oh, I think, orange."<br /><br />Or at least they used to. There are so many Yankees flooding down, waitresses might be more literal now. <br /><br />Then there's the, "What kind?"<br /><br />"Oh, give me one of those R O C Colas." Which is Royal Crown Cola.<br /><br />When Will got to Iraq he used to do a lot of the supply ordering for the base and convoys that went out. The focus shifted from Cokes and Pepsi to Dr. Pepper. The supplier asked him one day, "What's the deal with all the Dr. Pepper?"<br /><br />Will said, "These are all Texas units that got shipped in," as if that explained it all. Dr. Pepper used to be bottled only in Dublin, Texas before Snapple got so grumpy.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20807944539544064852017-04-14T14:28:31.869-04:002017-04-14T14:28:31.869-04:00Not long ago, I came across an agent who says she ...Not long ago, I came across an agent who says she sticks with a policy of not providing feedback when she passes on material. I have mixed feelings, but I think I can see where this could be a good policy, perhaps for both the agent and the writer.<br /><br />When an agent tries to be helpful by taking the time and thought to provide comments, a writer may respond by taking a very long run on the hamster wheel or might even get angry with the agent. I wonder if an agent might feel she's in a darned if you do, darned if you don't situation.<br /><br />Stiiiiilllll, it sure could be useful to get feedback from a professional in the field...Amy Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05324408700941398495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-82210637442660619902017-04-14T14:22:28.729-04:002017-04-14T14:22:28.729-04:00Lisa wrote “novels are a whole different beast fro...<b>Lisa</b> wrote “novels are a whole different beast from non-fiction.” <br />I say “Amen. Ain’t it the truth.”<br /><br /><br /><b>DLM</b>, Make my Coke a Diet Dr. Pepper (I’ll bring my own peanuts to drop in it).<br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62142371134258864512017-04-14T14:16:47.251-04:002017-04-14T14:16:47.251-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-828611031458845722017-04-14T14:14:47.598-04:002017-04-14T14:14:47.598-04:00Donnaeve's comment about a book being on submi...<b>Donnaeve</b>'s comment about a book being on submission reminded me of a true life incident. A colleague who was was great at self-promotion but shallow in substance wrote and submitted an article to many law reviews. He asked me to read his paper. It was – let’s be kind - weak. I was in his office talking about it when the University president made a rare visit to the law school and stopped to speak to us. We mentioned we were discussing my colleague’s article. <br /><br />“It’s being considered by UCLA Law Review,” said my colleague. Sounded good, but all he had done was mail it to them. Since they had not yet sent back a rejection card, in his mind they were “considering” it.<br /><br />P.S. Now that I’m thinking about it, I sent a query letter to a dozen agents for my novel in 2014. Six of them still must be “considering” it.<br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.com