tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post5919621770804619047..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Query Question: who needs glaciers when you've got waiting time?Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-6239263135630045072015-06-26T00:49:49.565-04:002015-06-26T00:49:49.565-04:00The waiting game annoys me. It used to annoy me wa...The waiting game annoys me. It used to annoy me waiting for agents, but lately I've found another waiting game that's more annoying than the Agent Waiting Game.<br /><br />This year I've diverted all my energy into the High School Waiting Game. <br /><br />Here in Western Australia you don't <i>have</i> to go to the high school of your local intake area. There is a Gifted and Talented Entrance (GATE) program that can get you into the best public schools in the state. Also, many schools have their own Advanced Placement programs, and most schools will consider Out of Area enrolments.<br /><br />I live in a blue collar area where educational aspirations aren't terribly high. It's the expectation you stay in high school until Year 10, then you either get an apprenticeship (fr'ex, bricklaying or hairdressing) or you get some entry-level unskilled full-time job.<br /><br />University? Only if you're in the oddbunch 5% who wants to go to university.<br /><br />Then there's the social aspects. There is a big issue with lack of respect, substance abuse, fighting, bullying, etc. It's not a pleasant environment.<br /><br />The local high schools are a very scary place. Can you blame me for wanting to seek out a better education for Their Ladyships?<br /><br />Eldest got into one of the best schools in the state. She's thriving there in a culture that values mutual respect and education. Also, 80% go on to University. My daughter will be the fifth generation of women to have gone on to tertiary education.<br /><br />Youngest is in the process of application. Unlike the eldest who was successful with her GATE test, youngest's scores weren't quite as high (though still high enough for a shred of hope).<br /><br />Just In Case, I applied to a whole bunch of good schools (general student intake).<br /><br />Applying for high schools is very much like agent-hunting. You put in your application (query) and include school reports, tests, etc (sample pages of your best work) and you wait to see if you're the 2% who gets accepted. And it takes so long to hear back. Our school year doesn't start until next February, yet testing for these positions started last March.<br /><br />So far we've had one rejection and looks like we'll be getting three more by next week. That leaves about eight outstanding. <br /><br />All it takes is one yes.<br /><br />However, if this A student with 90% test scores gets rejected, she's going to have to go to the local high school. Frankly, the thought of that terrifies me. Not a single person I've spoken to (and I've spoken to lots) has had a good thing to say about the "School That Has To Take Her By Law."<br /><br />Why don't I simply move into an area with good schools? Because the Australian Housing Market is ridiculously high. The neighborhoods of the Really Good Schools don't offer family homes for any less than $1,000,000. Yep, a basic 3x1 house cannot be had for less than one million dollars.<br /><br />So yeah. The Query Train's a doddle compared to the High School Entrance flat-tyred rusty bicycle with no seat I'm riding. <br /><br />And no, I'm not considering indie publi-- er, I mean, homeschooling. That's far more effort that I have energy or patience.<br /><br />I so hope Second Ladyship can get into a good school so I can stop worrying about her educational aspirations (she wants to be a Vet) and get back to the languorous rhythm and relaxing effort of pitching to agents.<br /><br />Is it warm on Carkoon right now? Because it's cold in Australia and I don't like the cold. I'll bring my own cake.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-6956681363828943082015-06-25T06:17:23.127-04:002015-06-25T06:17:23.127-04:00BJ - Amazon definitely already track how much of t...BJ - Amazon definitely already track how much of the books you buy you read. Every now and again they put out a list of the most 'unfinished' books - ie books the most people have bought but not actually finished reading. Probably don't want to be on that list...<br /><br />And yeah, thanks guys! Rumours (if by rumours you mean me blabbing excitedly about it too much, haha) are indeed true - as of last week I am one step further on the way. Take heart, even woodland creatures can scurry out of the query trenches eventually. :)Sam Hawkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549251130820223139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17731682044102934802015-06-25T06:14:45.363-04:002015-06-25T06:14:45.363-04:00Once upon a time I was an editorial assistant (one...Once upon a time I was an editorial assistant (one of my favorite jobs). I was the only full time person. My boss worked from home and we would meet once a week or so to have her sign off on things. Our big boss was also the head of the Latin American imprint and was usually busy with that so I would meet with him every couple of weeks to have him sign off on his stuff. <br /><br />All that to say, don't be worried if you don't hear back in a minute. Sometimes you have to catch the editor when you can. Even editors go on vacation. <br /><br />I read the link on no reply. We always replied. <br /><br />I have a full time corporate job. I do theatre at night and on weekends. In between theatre projects, I write. I don't have time to wring my hands and wonder. <br /><br />Not replying sends me the message that 1) the agent is rude or 2) the agent is disorganized. Neither of those are traits I'm looking for in an agent. <br /><br />Cynthia McClendonCynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26613326637356393472015-06-25T02:46:04.046-04:002015-06-25T02:46:04.046-04:00Sorry - I meant to add: thanks for posting that li...Sorry - I meant to add: thanks for posting that link. It shows another side of what I'd already heard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38563506859591280392015-06-25T02:45:31.020-04:002015-06-25T02:45:31.020-04:00I heard about this. It's currently only being ...I heard about this. It's currently only being used for Kindle Unlimited and the Kindle Owners Lending Library - where ebooks are not actually being bought. Up to now, authors have been paid a percentage of a fund used by Amazon to pay all the authors. Now, rather than a percentage, they're paying for how many pages read beyond a certain point. I think the 'certain point' is to give a minimum payment for all authors involved, but to pay more to authors whose books actually get read.<br /><br />Amazon says they're listening to the authors involved with Kindle Unlimited and the lending library, and they're sure those authors will approve of the new payment scheme. There are authors who do think this is a good thing (probably those authors who honestly believe that people read their books all the way through).<br /><br />I think the Telegraph article is a bit over-dramatic. That said, I don't like this, either, for a number of reasons:<br /><br />1. If this works out for 'non-bought' ebooks, will Amazon push the scheme on all ebooks? Or only those published through their publishing service? Where will they draw the line? They've already shown that they have the power to make arbitrary changes without checking with the owners of books. How far will they go?<br /><br />2. They're paying on the number of pages read. Which means they *know* how many pages are read. If you read half a novel then set it aside because you got too busy to finish it, they will know. They're not only tracking your purchasing habits - they're tracking your reading habits.<br /><br />3. I don't know how Kindle Unlimited or the lending library work. Are you able to download any of those books to read off-line? If so, how will those pages be counted?<br /><br />So, my thoughts on the Telegraph article are: Their urgency is a little over-the-top. It's not panic-worthy. It is, however, thought-provoking, and something to be watched very carefully. <br /><br />If the authors involved want to fight this, now is the time to do so. Opt out of Unlimited and the Lending Library (yes, they can opt out of this if they want). If enough people opt out, Amazon may have to rethink their decision. But then the authors might lose the guaranteed percentage they'll still get (however small).<br /><br />Like I said, it's definitely something to think about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-48556386867301692342015-06-25T01:53:27.547-04:002015-06-25T01:53:27.547-04:00
Here is the link to the Amazon nonsense:
http:/...<br /><br />Here is the link to the Amazon nonsense:<br /><br />http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/amazon/11692026/Amazons-to-pay-Kindle-authors-only-for-pages-read.html<br /><br /><br /><br />angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-31750187531750186092015-06-25T01:51:11.075-04:002015-06-25T01:51:11.075-04:00I didn't have time to comment until this morni...I didn't have time to comment until this morning. This waiting game. Waiting for the CALL. Waiting for agents to read fulls, revisions, news about editors' responses. I think the real anguish must be after an agent takes on the writer. Because then you have no excuses, you have to produce. Before an agent it's all speculation<br /><br />Like Julie said, keep busy. Waiting for aligator pics or emails from military children must be way more anguishing than waiting for an agent's call.<br /><br />Before internet I used to print slides to send to galleries. Slides sent to image banks. Photography was a huge expense and a time suck from painting.<br /><br />Off topic has anyone seen that Amazon plans to pay royalties based on the number of pages actually read for each e-book. I guess their cookies can trace readers' clicks through the pages. This seems unfair to self published writers if Amazon obtains their entire share for the sale of the book. If anyone can self publish with Amazon, can they judge the value this way? The article I linked to has a quote from Donald Maas. He'd like to pay a restaurant for the amount of hamburger he eats. LOL! This will apply firstly to the self published. I speculate this means they plan to apply it to all e-books in the future. <br /><br />Here is the link Amazon to Pay Kindle Authors Only For Pages Read<br /><br />If Carkoon has a desert it should be popcycles made from icerbergs. angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40810475729546100442015-06-24T22:01:57.833-04:002015-06-24T22:01:57.833-04:00Well said, BJ.Well said, BJ.Lizzie https://www.blogger.com/profile/15598041241979147543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42620478207840097892015-06-24T21:13:34.044-04:002015-06-24T21:13:34.044-04:00Going back to permissions for a moment - I don'...Going back to permissions for a moment - I don't know how many people know that the song 'Happy Birthday to You' is owned by Warner Music Group. Not the words, but the words and music together. It can cost thousands of dollars to be able to use the song on a TV show or movie.<br /><br />But that might be changing. Someone has contested that Warner didn't buy the rights to the song itself, just to a certain piano arrangement. The case could be decided this summer. <br /><br />It's really an interesting bit of copyright law. Here's the article from Yahoo Finance:<br /><br /><a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-dont-sing-happy-birthday-165100642.html" rel="nofollow">Here’s why they don't sing the 'Happy Birthday' song in movies and TV shows</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-83203641778347360112015-06-24T20:35:42.799-04:002015-06-24T20:35:42.799-04:002Ns, when it comes to gators and crocs "Wuss&...2Ns, when it comes to gators and crocs "Wuss" is my middle name. Crocodile Dundee I am not!<br /><br />Lance, you've only heard the half of it. <br /><br />Now I'm off to bed and hopefully no nightmares.LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43904983675347114572015-06-24T19:28:46.543-04:002015-06-24T19:28:46.543-04:00There is no waiting. Query widely, write. Repeat.
...There is no waiting. Query widely, write. Repeat.<br /><br />I suspect Carkoon may be worse than the reports we receive lead us to believe. Wearing croc-skin clothing with necklaces of croc teeth.Lancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17335923263777449916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50003337727334799252015-06-24T19:26:51.921-04:002015-06-24T19:26:51.921-04:00Two Inn's, your description of Carkoon puts me...Two Inn's, your description of Carkoon puts me in mind of where Case is for a portion of time towards the end of <i>Neuromancer</i>. Which is pretty rad, really. <br /><br />(I may or may not intend that pun. Your choice.)<br />Jennifer R. Donohuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363886899308588391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34299711448821055162015-06-24T19:03:49.554-04:002015-06-24T19:03:49.554-04:00Why am I a writer?
I have auburn hair, freckles, ...Why am I a writer?<br /><br />I have auburn hair, freckles, and a writer's brain. It's just the way I was put together.<br /><br />*hangs head in shame and picks up the glass jar with the brain in it*<br /><br />"Yes, I hear you. I will return Mr. Poe's brain."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-89701982847495594702015-06-24T18:20:23.095-04:002015-06-24T18:20:23.095-04:00Julie - I love this: Rejection is part of the jour...Julie - I love this: <i>Rejection is part of the journey. Dejection is a choice.</i><br /><br />Colin - so Carkoon isn't that bad after all *snort*. AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7128459257810531182015-06-24T18:02:05.068-04:002015-06-24T18:02:05.068-04:00Crud, I forgot to say why I am a writer.
I am a w...Crud, I forgot to say why I am a writer.<br /><br />I am a writer because I let others read what I have written and some of them complimented me about it. Now all I need is money for it.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7853232843291153702015-06-24T17:16:58.458-04:002015-06-24T17:16:58.458-04:00And of course, that stray "your" should ...And of course, that stray "your" should be "you're". See, this is why agents say no! Kidding. Put up the angry white horse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37025671581518117492015-06-24T16:47:53.692-04:002015-06-24T16:47:53.692-04:00You guys are a bunch of wusses, especially LynnR -...You guys are a bunch of wusses, especially LynnR - not swimming in the turquois waters surrounding Carkoon. No crocs here, just rusted out skeletons of old WWII battle ships. Plus remnants of A-bomb testing in the fifties and half the worlds plastic bottles and six-pack rings. <br />The main cottage's lawn ornament, yes we have a lawn, is a Lockheed Electra with a few dents. We think is was Freddy and Amy's plane but no one knows for sure. Freddy and Amy were an odd pair, kept to themselves for years. We think they were famous and came here to hide out but not sure. Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57879658913195535312015-06-24T16:44:02.585-04:002015-06-24T16:44:02.585-04:00Brian: Tremendous post! Thank you!
Julie: Very tr...Brian: Tremendous post! Thank you!<br /><br />Julie: Very true. A paycheck doesn't mean a person has 'arrived' anywhere - not to everyone. But a paycheck is what my parents - and many people around here - value. So as long as there's a paycheck, you're gold. The bigger the better, of course. Everything else is 'wasting time'. *goes back to read Brian's post on forgiveness*<br /><br />The name 'swedishfish' just reminded me - when was the last we heard from JulieH? I wonder how she's doing...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-13993005319241881302015-06-24T16:25:08.924-04:002015-06-24T16:25:08.924-04:00Lynn,
Oldest and youngest sons are very laid back...Lynn,<br /><br />Oldest and youngest sons are very laid back. They tend not to get excited about much, kind of a Sam Elliott attitude. Fix what you can, don't worry about what you can't, and do your best at whatever you put your hand to. That's all you can do.<br /><br />I've said this before, but I got an email from Will in the middle of the night saying, "I'm ok. Talk soon."<br /><br />The next day I got pictures of two Mraps that had been blown up. No fatalities.<br /><br />Tony,<br /><br />Don't let them fool you. Once in a while it's something profound. Usually, it's something more confounding. Welcome to the shark tank.<br /><br />Now, since a morning appointment screwed my rhythm, back to writing in the afternoon.<br /><br />Unrelated to that incident he and the guys spent one morning picking up body parts. After that when I'd ask how he was, he'd say, "I didn't start out the day picking up body parts, so it's a pretty good day."<br /><br />That kind of puts everything in perspective.<br /><br />There's waiting and then <a href="http://www.theveteransmuseumintexas.org/online_files/sleep001.jpg" rel="nofollow">there's waiting.</a> <br /><br />I have several pictures of Will's unit sleeping on the ground as they wait holed up somewhere.<br /><br />One of the great truths of publishing is that you will wait. The secret to preserving your sanity is to stay so busy you don't realize your waiting.<br /><br />BJ<br /><br />"My parents always told me that you can't make money writing, so you have to get a 'career'. A boring one, at that. It wasn't until I started technical writing and making more money than my mother ever did in all her years working at a bank that they realized you *can* make money writing."<br /><br />My former editor at the magazine had a home on Malibu Beach and one in Palm Springs when she was the editor for an architectural magazine. Her father, a farmer, asked her for years when she was going to get a real job and teach go into real estate like her sister or something.<br /><br />Diana Gabaldon's father kept giving her job openings at various companies and colleges after she was a best selling author. You know, just in case this writing thing doesn't work out. <br /><br />My ex, to this day, thinks I sat at home doing nothing just because I wrote for the magazine from the house for twenty-three years.<br /><br />Paychecks don't always mean a person has arrived, unfortunately.<br /><br />Swedishfish (I'm picturing the Muppet chefs) <br /><br />"Two agents were interested enough to read the fulls, offer extensive comments, and then reread (one, a HUGE agent in the industry, read the full 3 times!!) and then ultimately say no."<br /><br />Been there, done that and it's hard, but you want someone who is going to be your battle buddy.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-92155879388422806922015-06-24T16:10:52.213-04:002015-06-24T16:10:52.213-04:00Oh snap.
What did I miss? Inspiration from all th...Oh snap.<br /><br />What did I miss? Inspiration from all the greats on this list, jeez!<br /><br />I agree with the above. So much so that I've been pondering a new blog post about it.<br /><br />I think the hardest part about being a writer isn't the writing, or the waiting, or the revising. It's the forgiving. Strangely, I think we need to forgive ourselves for more things than words we write. <br /><br />We need to forgive ourselves for... let's see... <br /><br />our bad attitudes. <br />missing our wordcounts.<br />getting into a rut.<br />hitting a wall.<br />envying another position.<br />wishing too much and writing too little.<br />not maintaining good habits.<br />losing focus.<br />chasing the meat wagon.<br />not staying true to our story.<br />getting caught up in research.<br />forgetting to live life.<br />putting writing above all else.<br />putting writing below all else.<br />getting stranded on Carkoon.<br />reading too many blogs. <br /><br />The list goes on and on and on. It's pretty easy, then, to see the OP struggle and to say the practical thing. Set aside hope. Keep querying, or editing, or writing. <br /><br />But personally I've gotta remind myself to do that every day as well, and that can really only happen if I let go of the fact that I haven't been doing it all along.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19026057682027006002015-06-24T13:50:12.162-04:002015-06-24T13:50:12.162-04:00Mucho congrats to Sam! I heard that agent-snagging...Mucho congrats to Sam! I heard that agent-snagging rumor too. Each step is a step closer. Just keep moving forward.<br /><br />At times like these, I always like to watch the last few minutes of Meet the Robinsons. The song, "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas is especially poignant. And be sure to read the quote at the end:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa7I01PevKs" rel="nofollow">Meet the Robinsons clip</a>Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43826853505328439222015-06-24T13:27:03.946-04:002015-06-24T13:27:03.946-04:00DLM, yes, please do! Thanks everyone, I think too ...DLM, yes, please do! Thanks everyone, I think too many people who aren't writers don't realize the work involved. They think of it as "playing around" or "not working" or worse "wasting time." Only when there's money involved do they think of it as work, or a job, or worthy of the time we spent.<br /><br />Congrats, Sam! I hope it's true and if it's not, well this may be a sign that it's coming soon.<br />LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-54580111954938251822015-06-24T13:10:39.460-04:002015-06-24T13:10:39.460-04:00Congratulations Sam Hawke!
Craig: by 'full pr...Congratulations Sam Hawke!<br /><br />Craig: by 'full proposal', they mean the entire proposal, unlike the query, which often includes a part of the proposal and maybe a chapter or two. Just as most agents don't have time to read a full right off the bat, they don't have time to read a full proposal until they ask for it. <br /><br />And I agree with Lizzie. Getting an agent isn't the end-all, be-all, but once you have an agent, you can tell all the non-writers who are wondering what's wrong with you that "I've got an agent." And the non-writers can smile and say, "Oh, yes. You really are a writer." Getting paid for writing will make it official. But knowing that someone in the industry has approved your writing means that it isn't junk.<br /><br />And that's to non-writers. Not to the folks here. Non-writers, non-industry-professionals, don't understand the industry. They don't want to understand, because they really don't care.<br /><br />My parents always told me that you can't make money writing, so you have to get a 'career'. A boring one, at that. It wasn't until I started technical writing and making more money than my mother ever did in all her years working at a bank that they realized you *can* make money writing. As for my fiction? They've stopped asking me how that's going. Because they just don't think it's that important. Because I'm not making money at it, and my status 'seeking an agent' never changes.<br /><br />Me, I've always been a writer. It's a part of my soul. But there's that 'prophet isn't honoured in his own village' mentality out there. "Well, you're just so-and-so. You can't possibly write well enough to be A Published Author." <br /><br />At least, once you have an agent, they'll back off, because you finally have your foot in the door.<br /><br />Why does ReCaptcha even give example pictures if the ones you have to choose look nothing like them? Seriously. It gave me ice cream. The examples was a group of ice cream cones. One of the chosen pics was of un-ice-creamed cones, upside down in piles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29088467636167349992015-06-24T12:58:49.084-04:002015-06-24T12:58:49.084-04:00Hey, congrats Sam, if rumors are true!
Once again...Hey, congrats Sam, if rumors are true!<br /><br />Once again, I take Mr. Tom Petty's lead here and agree that "waiting is the hardest part". <br /><br /><br />Still waiting on my full (no, I haven't nudged yet. I still don't know how I want to word it.) and I haven't sent any more out because this was towards the end of my "first batch", so I wanted to reassess and perhaps revise after this. AND, I just realized that somebody I queried was a "no reply means no" agency, and I thought I'd avoided those. But. That agent followed me back on Twitter. <i>what does it mean?!</i> (kidding! It means exactly that. A Twitter followback. No more, no less). Jennifer R. Donohuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363886899308588391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64242330992522329242015-06-24T12:44:19.123-04:002015-06-24T12:44:19.123-04:00I queried for two and a half years before securing...I queried for two and a half years before securing an agent. Two agents were interested enough to read the fulls, offer extensive comments, and then reread (one, a HUGE agent in the industry, read the full 3 times!!) and then ultimately say no. I signed with an agent last October, and she too has been guiding a rewrite (much lighter this time). I've sent her 3 rewrites this time, progressively more minor. It takes her about 2 months to get to them, and I'm a client. This time, which we have called "the last" (To God's Ear) it has been 3 months. She has had many, many things come up. But she's a great agent and she responds to my emails promptly and she has a great track record with other clients too, so I bide my time. I found the day job particularly useful with that, along with starting a new project. I'm still in the "something shiny!" phase with that one. :)swedishfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03795043673258252123noreply@blogger.com