tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post5614855458456069477..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Why you get form or "no response means no" rejections in 3 easy stepsJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34318181341384796312012-02-01T11:52:36.070-05:002012-02-01T11:52:36.070-05:00And still, my earlier refutations are not posted, ...And still, my earlier refutations are not posted, with no explanations from Ms. Reid about why she deems me unable to defend myself.<br /><br />Bess:<br />HOW does somebody who seems unwilling to even try to empathize with an emotional outburst come up with a book? That involves other people?<br /><br />Easier to judge others than empathize with them, huh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4504761801490175962012-02-01T09:56:24.329-05:002012-02-01T09:56:24.329-05:00I think "okeydokey" is really the only r...I think "okeydokey" is really the only response here: absolutely nothing else can be done, really.<br /><br />One question: HOW does somebody with an absolute inability to even try to understand someone else's stance ever come up with a book? That involves other people?Besshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16797372752669500683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60501871024589175422012-02-01T00:21:42.850-05:002012-02-01T00:21:42.850-05:00Seriously? This is the one you post? You don't...Seriously? This is the one you post? You don't post the other two? Just this one? <br /><br />With people like you acting as the gatekeepers to publishing, no wonder American letters are in their current state.<br /><br />A thoroughly shameful display on your part, Ms. Reid. Thoroughly shameful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58925843755055686082012-01-31T14:37:09.847-05:002012-01-31T14:37:09.847-05:00Your censorship is despicable.
Aeolus.Your censorship is despicable.<br /><br />Aeolus.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29123306205325366812012-01-31T13:02:15.940-05:002012-01-31T13:02:15.940-05:00My deepest sympathies. I can't believe anyone ...My deepest sympathies. I can't believe anyone could be that arrogant. To steal and paraphrase a line from the movie ANIMAL HOUSE: He can't be that arrogant.<br /><br />ONLY I CAN BE THAT ARROGANT.<br /><br />And today I am feeling humble and meek.Steve Stubbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13421775912951050610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56856661062265875402012-01-29T07:34:36.745-05:002012-01-29T07:34:36.745-05:00The writer, on the other hand, is blasted. The age...The writer, on the other hand, is blasted. The agent is "only venting" the writer is not. <br /><br />agentfail, the difference is, the writer approached the agent, for his/her own personal gain, and not the other way around. <br />The agent replied, form, no form, some info, no info, doesn't matter. A professional that any of us contacts, is under no obligation to even acknowledge they received an email or mailing. <br />If I google, then email a lawyer with a question, do you really think it's wrong if they do not respond to me? Publishers do not reply anymore to submissions.<br /><br />Perhaps, since the "writer" insists he/she was not asking about how to query but how to GET an Agent... Ms. Reid should have directed him to one of the many pay per rep agents out there on the internet. He/she seems more fixated on getting representation then learning about the business.Christine Tripphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058419743726981987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15302739858862266612012-01-28T17:32:59.143-05:002012-01-28T17:32:59.143-05:00We've all received form rejections at one poin...We've all received form rejections at one point or another -- if I'd received a personalized one, I'd be thankful for it rather than biting the agent's head off.<br /><br />If you're trying to land a job with a company, you can't blame the recruiter if your resume's terrible.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04505509308748676262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85453270843222399112012-01-26T14:57:53.170-05:002012-01-26T14:57:53.170-05:00comment moderation is engaged. Comments are approv...comment moderation is engaged. Comments are approved when I get to it. Thus several comments over a period of time may appear on the blog at the same time.<br /><br />Get a damn grip.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69334134677375706452012-01-26T10:57:38.330-05:002012-01-26T10:57:38.330-05:00From my perspective, the real problem are the writ...From my perspective, the real problem are the writers who don't present themselves professionally. Expecting an agent to take time to critique a query letter, when there's so much good information right at a writer's fingertips, smacks of Special Snowflake Syndrome. And that "writer" (a term we should probably use loosely here) suffered from an acute case of it.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03365582623380288038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24580964314737342632012-01-25T23:24:50.386-05:002012-01-25T23:24:50.386-05:00It was censored actually. It wasn't posted unt...It was censored actually. It wasn't posted until, 24 hours later, I sent the other message. Then both messages were posted at once. There is the chance that they were posted together deliberately in order to make me seem over-reactive. Though possible, I do doubt this. Nonetheless, the response was censored until I called her on it.<br /><br />It's dangerous to insist that nobody needs justification for their actions. Plus, once again, you're missing the point that the writer was met with universal scorn by you and the other commentors for being a jerk, when the resolution to suddenly swear off personal interactions because of THAT writer (and what's more, throw that into the face--sending the link--to anybody that asks her about personal interaction in the future) is the actions of a jerk. <br /><br />On top of that, the agent also uses that to *possibly* excuse a behavior she earlier wrote as bad practice--no responses. She even harangues other agents about how non-time consuming responses are. Thus, the only reason one is left with for her adopting (or excusing) this practice is spite. Again, the actions of a jerk.<br /><br />This post is nothing more than a little vent? Okay. Then why isn't the writer given the same benefit? He or she is not given the benefit of just venting. The writer were straight crucified on the comment board, and the agent offered that writer to the crucifixion.<br /><br />And here's where we're at. The agent (in your eyes) has done no wrong, and you've bent over backwards to relieve the agent of any overreaction or poor behavior. The writer, on the other hand, is blasted. The agent is "only venting" the writer is not. <br /><br />No, agents are not divas. In fact, I do wonder how hard it must be for them to be constantly fawned over and told how brilliant their words and advice are. I did not say agents have god-complexes (which is what you described), I said that agents are worshiped. Your complete refusal to acknowledge that the agent's reaction is as much an overreaction as the writer's. This is idolatry--couples have this same problem at the beginnings of relationships.<br /><br />Finally, read the comments and tell me there's "some". Anybody who reads even this thread, but especially if they read comment section after comment section will notice that this is an excellent example of groupthink. Let me be clear, this is not the agent's fault. <br /><br />Thank you for denigrating my contentions to simply looking for a fight. That's not what I'm doing. I do wish the agent would comment here and say that my first response was, indeed, withheld. But neither here nor there. <br /><br />Thanks for the exchange. Have a good time.<br /><br />P.S. #agentfail ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68272743245054837822012-01-25T19:33:29.594-05:002012-01-25T19:33:29.594-05:00@Aeolus, I appreciate your clarification, and see ...@Aeolus, I appreciate your clarification, and see the distinction you're making. (As you can see, your first response was NOT censored.)<br /><br />That said, my response remains the same. You say, "The fail is her willingness to use one bad encounter to retreat behind form rejections." I say it doesn't matter what an agent's reasons are for sending a form rejection - whether she overreacted to one bad experience, learned over time from a lot of bad experience, or would rather spend those accumulated minutes looking for something she can actually sell - she needs no justification.<br /><br />I gather, however, that what really offends you is a perceived power imbalance. "Many writers have bad encounters with agents. They are expected to shrug it off, and soldier on. An agent has a bad encounter with a dispirited writer and it's an affront deserving universal scorn. That's a severe disconnect." My scorn for the writer is my own, born of parallel experience in my own professional life. As for Janet, come on. Agents lose books they love to other agents, editors they carefully cultivate relationships with get laid off, and books they pour their hearts and souls into fail to sell. One dispirited writer is nothing. This post was nothing more than a little vent and a helpful warning.<br /><br />At this point, I think you're just trying to raise hackles, and I'm ashamed of myself for rising to the bait, but... <br /><br />"Agents are surrounded by what comes dangerously close to idolatry and find one reason, any reason, to shun personal contact with those not screened as worthy." Seriously? What would you have of them? Agents are not divas who surround themselves only with yes-men. But they do have hundreds of people asking for their attention every single day. Not hundreds of worshippers laying flowers at their feet, mind you, hundreds of people trying to get a piece of them. They have to prioritize and automate in order to stay sane and make a living.<br /><br />As for agent-worship and brown-nosing in comments (which another poster mentioned), I suppose there may be some, but I wouldn't presume that's any one commenters' motivation. I suspect very few here are actually seeking representation from Janet at any given moment (certainly I'm not), and fewer still clueless enough to imagine she would represent them as a reward for loyal comments. Besides, almost none of us post under our real names, and nowhere have I seen Janet suggest we start queries with, "hey I comment on your blog under the handle XandSuch." But it's true I haven't read every post.<br /><br />Anyway, I wish you luck. This has been fun.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16995806117529635229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24291567519940914932012-01-25T10:58:51.977-05:002012-01-25T10:58:51.977-05:00@Kate
There is a response to your post...somewher...@Kate<br /><br />There is a response to your post...somewhere. That response addressed your post in detail, but didn't make the cut. Suffice to say, your interpretation is too narrow and your response does not remotely address what I was talking about.<br /><br />My other response was better--more specific. That's the worst part about censored materials...<br /><br />So much for bravery and #agentfail. Just rhetoric.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4792535427704241282012-01-25T00:11:05.840-05:002012-01-25T00:11:05.840-05:00Kate, if you read this agent's post on the #ag...Kate, if you read this agent's post on the #agentfail, you'll find that the term does not, as you interpret, apply only to the agent not doing his or her job. It also refers to agent oversight or intentionally or unintentionally doing things that can be perceived as negatively by writers.<br /><br />So your interpretation is too narrow. Next, where do I defend the writer? Where do I condone his behavior? So my question is why do you harangue me as if I had defended him? The fail is her willingness to use one bad encounter to retreat behind form rejections or rationalize no-response rejections (a practice which this agent spoke out against, which was to her credit).<br /><br />Perhaps it is better stated this way. Many writers have bad encounters with agents. They are expected to shrug it off, and soldier on. An agent has a bad encounter with a dispirited writer and it's an affront deserving universal scorn. That's a severe disconnect. A fail, if you will.<br /><br />I'll say it one more way. Writers are surrounded by negativity and doubt and find one reason, any reason, to keep going. Agents are surrounded by what comes dangerously close to idolatry and find one reason, any reason, to shun personal contact with those not screened as worthy.<br /><br />And, I know, woe betide he who questioneth the oracle.<br /><br />#agentstillfailingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35892301413349979512012-01-24T22:45:59.556-05:002012-01-24T22:45:59.556-05:00@Aeolus
"Fail" implies that the agent w...@Aeolus<br /><br />"Fail" implies that the agent was not doing her job. The agent's job was done when she replied with a 'no'. She is under absolutely no professional or moral obligation to provide a professional critique or "advices", any more than a random doctor on the street would be obligated to treat you if you walked up to her and said, "hey, look at this mole." <br /><br />You might as well ask her for $50 from her pocket, because that's probably how much the time would cost her.<br /><br />The irony, lost on some, is that she DID go above and beyond the call of duty. The ungrateful querier was too ignorant and self-centered to notice.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16995806117529635229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-149707186862306012012-01-24T14:07:32.227-05:002012-01-24T14:07:32.227-05:00So, can I be brave and call #agentfail?
Yeah, tha...So, can I be brave and call #agentfail?<br /><br />Yeah, that person's a jerk. So what? We're constantly told to grow thick skin. Send me a link to something I didn't write and tell me that's why I'm getting blown off?<br /><br />To me, this is a fail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43834183220455301072012-01-24T09:34:12.772-05:002012-01-24T09:34:12.772-05:00"It would not have taken any skin off of your..."It would not have taken any skin off of your nose just to look."<br /><br />One can't be too careful about nose skin. What if looking did, in fact, take nose skin off? Very scary indeed.Robin Beckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02813200098317819473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26788728501812039572012-01-24T00:01:17.131-05:002012-01-24T00:01:17.131-05:00No good deed goes unpunished. It reminds me of Jo...No good deed goes unpunished. It reminds me of Josh Olson's <a href="http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2009/09/i_will_not_read.php" rel="nofollow">I Will Not Read Your ****ing Script</a>.<br /><br />Apparently it's just not enough that you're already recognized as the most generous agent alive. Who cares if you've produced volumes of sage advice available on demand, for free, to everyone? If you didn't personally spoon feed this one guy exactly what he wanted to hear, then clearly you're a selfish bitch.<br /><br />I'm tempted to start extrapolating about his relationship patterns, but that would just be mean.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16995806117529635229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40001810261427711562012-01-23T19:23:20.988-05:002012-01-23T19:23:20.988-05:00Sorry people suck :(Sorry people suck :(Lynn(e) Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13111991752818662608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86554594733655461842012-01-23T19:10:09.078-05:002012-01-23T19:10:09.078-05:00I'm with Ali and Tara. The nerve of this guy. ...I'm with Ali and Tara. The nerve of this guy. I hope he learned his lesson, at least.The Writer Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05532839053876490957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77518064462256679672012-01-23T18:34:23.189-05:002012-01-23T18:34:23.189-05:00who are these arrogant people?!who are these arrogant people?!Tara Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587802105993889515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55464779763231398662012-01-23T17:11:20.163-05:002012-01-23T17:11:20.163-05:00That guy...wow. Basically, that's someone who ...That guy...wow. Basically, that's someone who didn't want to put the time/effort to learn. *shakes head*Ali Trottahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08786367680085861585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-13437746978083573702012-01-23T16:41:11.254-05:002012-01-23T16:41:11.254-05:00One word...WowOne word...WowAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03335427276116292574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32497552707691301222012-01-23T16:40:05.764-05:002012-01-23T16:40:05.764-05:00That's a pretty sad letter in this day and age...That's a pretty sad letter in this day and age, when Googling "how to get an agent" will bring you loads of advice that's easier and more helpful than emailing an agent.Kristin Laughtinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01536556357622503501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-61085613874369163802012-01-23T16:36:21.555-05:002012-01-23T16:36:21.555-05:00Um . . . Janet was telling him how to get an agent...Um . . . Janet was telling him how to get an agent . . .<br /><br />Fix your #$%^ing query!<br /><br />With a passive-aggressive attitude like that, I'm sure he gets skin taken off his nose regularly.<br /><br />TerriTerri Coophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461583056862465783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56093913276019004202012-01-23T16:20:42.974-05:002012-01-23T16:20:42.974-05:00This reminds me of the people who audition for Ame...This reminds me of the people who audition for American Idol and then tell the professionals they don't know what they are talking about. Some people just don't understand...Tasha Seegmillerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11489911822054861132noreply@blogger.com