tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post5933366530328094595..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: My query is "meh" but I got a response on itJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22525541672026385492016-04-07T23:47:19.559-04:002016-04-07T23:47:19.559-04:00"Bacon wrapped dates". YES!
Although mo..."Bacon wrapped dates". YES!<br /><br />Although most of my dates would not let me wrap them in bacon. When I found one who would, I married her. This woman recently tie-dyed all my underwear. Every. Last. Pair.<br /><br />Yes, you may be jealous.roadkills-r-ushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029861300358380117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4084834193697170162016-04-07T09:34:22.188-04:002016-04-07T09:34:22.188-04:00Rereading, I meant to say I thought my query was &...Rereading, I meant to say I thought my query was "a <i>bit</i> meh" not "a <i>big</i> meh". If it was a BIG meh, I wouldn't have been sending it out. Jennifer R. Donohuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363886899308588391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19826408524472396472016-04-07T04:45:44.905-04:002016-04-07T04:45:44.905-04:00This is an interesting lesson, I think I recognise...This is an interesting lesson, I think I recognise a , where an individual applies their craft, skill and possibly guile too, to a task without positive results; while a seemingly haphazard attempt, produces a successful outcome. It's a bit like angling for trout, there's a whole craft to creating flies to attract a take from fish and some anglers spend a lot of effort, time and money creating the perfect trout fly. When it comes to time on the bank though, is it time well spent when theirs a kid next to you, pulling out fish with something he made from a sweet wrapper?<br /><br />It's not that expending greater effort is a waste of time, it's how you focus that effort. concentrate on the techniques that produce results, or if you don't know what that might be, experiment to see what's successful. Obviously the analogy is a little crude, I don't think most literary agents have much in common with trout and angling is something you do for sport, not to feed and cloth the kids.DeadSpiderEyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07687178085803686186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5776849118481975322016-04-06T22:22:50.705-04:002016-04-06T22:22:50.705-04:00Avidreader, of course your opinion is welcome, as ...Avidreader, of course your opinion is welcome, as are you. I don't know if this was Jeff's initial query to Janet, but I can almost guarantee is was not the first communication between them. Just as a query from one of the un-agented commenters over here wouldn't be the first impression she had of us. I don't disagree with your perspective about how tough it can be for women in the workplace. It can be a real problem. However, having worked most of my life in a "man's" business world, I can say that the men who include you in the joke, rather than make you the brunt of it and laugh AT you, are the ones you want as friends and colleagues. And in fact, Janet's zero tolerance for BS is one of the reasons I'd love to have her as an agent. Or a friend.<br /><br />OP, you are such a woodland creature and I feel so much empathy for you fretting over something good that happened and worrying it might actually be something bad. I imagine we all see our lack of confidence in that question. Don't sabotage yourself like this. Clearly, your query did what it was supposed to do. It's okay to feel good about that and celebrate your success!<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-61285278839964168952016-04-06T21:19:47.052-04:002016-04-06T21:19:47.052-04:00Oh-ho, Lisa Bodenheim, you're a whisky aficion...Oh-ho, Lisa Bodenheim, you're a whisky aficionada for sure. Alas, I'm really a tyro. heheCharleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11539693892080322146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-82940622967751987652016-04-06T20:53:52.077-04:002016-04-06T20:53:52.077-04:00*streaks through post and steals all the bacon and...*streaks through post and steals all the bacon and booze*<br /><br />*leaves the Brussels sprouts*Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68804618197110260172016-04-06T19:29:38.660-04:002016-04-06T19:29:38.660-04:00Hi ho, off line, out of touch, busy as a pregnant ...Hi ho, off line, out of touch, busy as a pregnant robin without a nest. Missed the 7am wisdom for the day and am so exhausted I can't bring myself to read all the amazing comments -so- meh, I'm going to bed early WITH pants on, not that anyone cares.<br />Nighty night Reiders.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46616409930389977102016-04-06T19:25:25.882-04:002016-04-06T19:25:25.882-04:00Youze guyz crack me up!
Oh, and EM - I'll be o...Youze guyz crack me up!<br />Oh, and EM - I'll be on that intervention team, if you still need it. But I believe in you! :DKae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-92158100063764875832016-04-06T19:12:36.973-04:002016-04-06T19:12:36.973-04:00And, exceeding the post limit for the first time, ...And, exceeding the post limit for the first time, a response to Janice L. Grinyer. Nature is certainly winning here in New England this spring. Snow in April, come ON!!! And frostbite city, it is so cold here still and add that windchill factor! Yikes! Especially since I'm not wearing any pants! Kae Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17392544505852857299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60780518069268467582016-04-06T18:57:52.370-04:002016-04-06T18:57:52.370-04:00I'm not wearing pants while I write this comme...I'm not wearing pants while I write this comment.<br /><br />Does that equalize things here? <br /><br /><br />#BrusselSproutswithBACONYES!<br /><br /><br />Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10359670174034137742016-04-06T18:54:14.302-04:002016-04-06T18:54:14.302-04:00You know what is good wrapped in bacon? Dates. Ba...You know what is good wrapped in bacon? Dates. Bacon wrapped dates are heaven on earth. if you believe in that kind of thing.<br /><br />Pants might even be good in bacon. Bacon pants. Next on QVC.<br /><br />I am reminded today of a quotation:<br /><br />"Happiness is good health and a bad memory.” Sometimes attributed to Ingrid Bergman.Kae Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17392544505852857299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72579417325479930442016-04-06T18:41:48.361-04:002016-04-06T18:41:48.361-04:00Ordered Brussel sprouts with dinner. Granted they ...Ordered Brussel sprouts with dinner. Granted they are wrapped in bacon. But this is entirely the fault of the Reef. The effect this blog has on me is most unsettling. I don't even like Brussel sprouts. And tomorrow I am totally not wearing pants. <br /><br />#TeamBaconE.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51047526036165111002016-04-06T18:36:48.153-04:002016-04-06T18:36:48.153-04:00Good point, Joseph Snoe. And it doesn't hurt b...Good point, Joseph Snoe. And it doesn't hurt before querying to look up Agents on sites such as Writers Beware, Absolute Write, Preditors & Editors etc. Janice Grinyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363741660626407979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14922138776496709532016-04-06T18:21:22.734-04:002016-04-06T18:21:22.734-04:00I’m going back to the original question and probab...I’m going back to the original question and probably reinterpreting it. The poster may be concerned he queried a poor agent or one who might be out to rip him off. <br /><br />A person does not need a license or certification to be an agent. There’s no guarantee an agent is competent or moral. <br /><br />I‘d say if the poster has not already checked out the agent, do so. Janet Reid and others have written about traits of bad agents or rip off artists. Read those. Also, if the agent (and agency) is still in the running, Janet Reid has posted a list of questions you should consider asking a possible agent. Read those, too.<br /><br />Oh, and don’t send any money. <br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87982770475089823262016-04-06T18:08:12.418-04:002016-04-06T18:08:12.418-04:00"#BrusselSproutsMadeMeDoIt"
Haha Jason!..."#BrusselSproutsMadeMeDoIt"<br /><br />Haha Jason!<br /><br />Brussels sprouts that have been roasted to the point of being burnt/burned are super yummy and sublime. You can't have just one. <br /><br />Now I must return to my battle against the squirrels, which I am, for once, winning.<br /><br />Kae Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17392544505852857299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-79307550670651502372016-04-06T16:52:54.595-04:002016-04-06T16:52:54.595-04:00AJ just read it. How about that? That is awesome. ...AJ just read it. How about that? That is awesome. Just another reason to confirm Janet's awesomeness. <br /><br />She draws in the world, but then again, she is the queen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16552489726288903882016-04-06T16:45:28.545-04:002016-04-06T16:45:28.545-04:00
For those of you who read/commented on QOTKU post...<br />For those of you who read/commented on QOTKU post on book promo yestreday, Allen Eskens, the author of the book Janet discussed, commented at 12.51pm.AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30122010890062709432016-04-06T16:23:32.373-04:002016-04-06T16:23:32.373-04:00Craig: Class act, you rock socks!!Craig: Class act, you rock socks!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-81178608535930484662016-04-06T16:08:04.594-04:002016-04-06T16:08:04.594-04:00Reconciling to the fact that queries are feminine ...Reconciling to the fact that queries are feminine is hard. I am closer to that now and can at least finish my earlier and somewhat shocked response.<br /><br />There are two parts to enticing an Agent with a query. One is the four C's method of coherently showing your story.<br /><br />The other part is the actual writing. A query make look meh to someone who is trying hard to use the 4 C's method. The writing style might be enough to enrapture and Agent enough to see if it is for real. For someone whose has such a style as an innate part of themselves might not actually see it. At times you have to believe it when someone else points to something you didn't realize was a positive.<br /><br />Avidreader: I am sorry that you feel that way. The writing business is like most others in that there are many more applicants than positions for them The only way to stay sane in such an environment is to keep a firm grip on your humor. Sorry that you did not see it as such.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51015706913722981502016-04-06T15:50:43.984-04:002016-04-06T15:50:43.984-04:00Forgot to add - Opie, your query letter received r...Forgot to add - Opie, your query letter received responses, what it was intended for? <br /><br />I try to make it a point never to underestimate my work when I send it out - if I am doing this, I need to reexamine what my thought processes are in reaching that conclusion. If it's valid, I make it a point to correct it before sending; if it isn't valid, I try to figure out how not to mentally sabotage myself. <br /><br />This is not on the Agents who requested; this is your issue :) Good luck on your querying!Janice Grinyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363741660626407979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-6906577406935084102016-04-06T15:23:24.575-04:002016-04-06T15:23:24.575-04:00What a great example, once again Janet, that you p...What a great example, once again Janet, that you posted.<br /><br />It does go to show in the comments posted here that not all people have the same sense of humor. And that is exactly why you DONT write a query letter like that; your query shark reveals the successful way to write a query letter. Those that actually read your blog know this.<br /><br />i.e. Being disrespected is never the disrespected person's fault - that's the "dressing like a slut deserves rape" type of primitive thinking that people hide behind. Disrespecting someone because you think they "deserve it" is not called justice, it's called bullshit. <br /><br />Humans have evolved to be able to work with others who they don't agree with, but not all have caught up to be able to live among the civilized. That's why we work on having laws in the US based on discrimination, including racial and sexual. But we also choose to have freedom of speech for all sexes. ALL.<br /><br />And one last note - it's definitely not a man's world, that is a proven fallacy - you work outdoors long enough and you realize that nature will win, every time. Every single time. Nature knows no Gods, and follows no human, ever. <br />Janice Grinyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363741660626407979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27783716190748295102016-04-06T15:14:42.454-04:002016-04-06T15:14:42.454-04:00Back to the 'meh' query: Even if you got a...Back to the 'meh' query: Even if you got a good response or two, if you don't like your query, rewrite it and send the new one out.<br /><br />I don't know why you'd be worried if an agent responded favourably to your former query, though. It's your writing that's going to get the yay or nay from her. If your query doesn't match your novel well, she'll figure that out pretty quickly.<br /><br />There are more pressing things to worry about. Like meringue pies being thrown. And brussels sprouts. Both of which are making me hungry right now.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58824871031549125892016-04-06T14:43:14.146-04:002016-04-06T14:43:14.146-04:00ohoh. Charley. There's nothing "mere gene...ohoh. Charley. There's nothing "mere generic" about a pure malt whisky. <br /><br />Just as there are wine connoisseurs who sniff, swirl, and taste, so there are also with the various whisky malts. (And I'm sure I'm phrasing this all wrong.) <br /><br />I remember sitting in a pub in Scotland, listening to a couple of folks discuss the merits of the slight peach flavor in one compared with the smoky peat taste of the other. It was an enchanted evening. Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-81555381626088877002016-04-06T14:28:39.004-04:002016-04-06T14:28:39.004-04:00avid: Hmm. It is not my place, or is it my place. ...avid: Hmm. It is not my place, or is it my place. Define a friend. Hmm okay did that, I consider Janet a friend. So I will defend my friend by saying this:<br /><br />Interpretation belongs to the individual, not to someone else. You cannot interpret an offense, slight, or perspective for me. They are mine to do with as I wish, just as surely as my mistakes are my own, so are my interpretations. <br /><br />Do not pretend to assume that you own Janet's interpretations. Janet's interpretations are her own to do with as she wishes. To imply that her work ethic is tainted by her sense of humor, is another projection of your beliefs on her. Your belief's belong to you and are not a requisite of everyone else's interpretations. <br /><br />This is just a world. We are free to interpret it as we please. <br /><br />Sorry Janet, I couldn't help it.<br /><br />#BrusselSproutsMadeMeDoIt<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-2814739896445922332016-04-06T14:22:31.084-04:002016-04-06T14:22:31.084-04:00#TeamSproutsBroccoliCabbageKaleCheeseFruitChocolat...#TeamSproutsBroccoliCabbageKaleCheeseFruitChocolateIsItSupperTimeYetThisIsMakingMeHungryColin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.com