tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6519271204164069450..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: My book is late to the trendJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33388389147002939522017-04-26T10:51:41.898-04:002017-04-26T10:51:41.898-04:00The flip side of this is when you write a story th...The flip side of this is when you write a story that is "NOT there" and agents say your writing is terrific but they have no idea how to market something so different. Sigh.Tanis Mallowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13484913710634286195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26740309951298016462017-04-26T10:36:25.669-04:002017-04-26T10:36:25.669-04:00OP, I'm sorry to hear about your plight. I'...OP, I'm sorry to hear about your plight. I'm in a very similar boat in that I love writing dystopian-style stories (heck, a small press published my YA dystopian novel just a couple years ago). I'm also currently working on a sci-fi book with a "slightly" dystopian bent, and this post makes me wonder if that will also make that book difficult to market/get an agent with. If you don't mind my asking, what makes your latest story "slightly" dystopian? My book at its heart is a sci-fi time travel tale with a twist about 5/6 (so toward the end) that makes it straight-up dystopian. Now I am scared.Chris Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00628682876855958199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27682223139153707252017-04-25T19:50:52.806-04:002017-04-25T19:50:52.806-04:00Donnaeve, what!? You mean after you publish a book...<b>Donnaeve</b>, what!? You mean after you publish a book, life still goes on? Real life, like with flooding basements and stuff? No one told me that! ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03581361783795436259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12272144286327165922017-04-25T19:36:40.764-04:002017-04-25T19:36:40.764-04:00And I'm also reading my comment and thinking I...And I'm also reading my comment and thinking I should've taken the time to edit. Oh well. Basement flooded today, so it's been THAT kind of day.Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55887157589262133202017-04-25T19:35:22.133-04:002017-04-25T19:35:22.133-04:00Rosanna, That made me giggle. Thank you. I'...<b>Rosanna,</b> That made me giggle. Thank you. I've done the same thing. I've also MOVED my little book into the Best Sellers area. ;)<br /><br />Looking for what's not been done with regard to writing is key. Of course, there's great voice too. I'll read just about anything if the voice of the MC or characters in general stand out.<br /><br />Well. Maybe not EVERY thing, but I do love to read a book with a strong voice. Currently I'm reading I WILL SEND RAIN by Rae Meadows. It's written in 3rd person, but all I can say is wow, she's done a great job with all the characters. I'm so there with them.Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36683019449014208162017-04-25T18:39:13.719-04:002017-04-25T18:39:13.719-04:00Joseph
Her uncle isn't yet. The spirit walker...<b>Joseph</b><br /><br />Her uncle isn't yet. The spirit walkers are. That's why they can walk between the realms of the living and dead. They've been dead and have been brought back to life. The ceremony they try to perform in the catacombs was to reunite his spirit with his body, but he had bound his spirit in another place so he could tell someone what happened. So, the ceremony just shreds his spirit.<br /><br />Anyway, it's an odd type of zombie. They aren't really zombie-like unless the body has been left too long before the spirit is reunited. Then it gets interesting.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24959780249272138142017-04-25T17:53:36.505-04:002017-04-25T17:53:36.505-04:00If the agent cannot sell your book, she is not you...If the agent cannot sell your book, she is not your dream agent, or not for that property, anyway. She may be a dream agent for another book. If she declined to take it on in the belief she cannot sell it, she did you a favor.<br /><br />If she knew what the book was and requested it, then declined after seeing it, there may be a problem other than a flooded market. This may not be the case, but you might want to seek an opinion. You have a green light to submit more material. It might be worthwhile to be sure there is not a problem before sending anything else.<br /><br />Agents like to say it is "highly subjective" when something does or does not work. But the stuff I've seen that does not work does not work for highly non-subjective reasons that are easily fixed.<br /><br />One fellow read me something he wrote in which every fourth sentence was, "I don't want to bore you." I appreciated the courtesy, but after hearing "I don't want to bore you" four times, I was about ready to scream. Some may think this "highly subjective," but I urged him for crying out loud to take that out. I do not recommend apologizing for boring people periodically in your story.<br /><br />Another problem that is not that subjective is zero tension. I read a crime novel a good friend wrote in which there is no crime, or not until about two pages before the end. I think I can objectively assert that a crime novel should contain a crime. Or some tension, or something. This lady is a very talented writer, BTW. A crime novel without a crime is like a ham sandwich with no ham and no bread or mustard and no pickles or lettuce.<br /><br />More recently I read part of a work by another very talented writer that contains great descriptive writing but no tension, no hook, no hint of a plot, and tell but not show. As an editor once said to me, "No show, no dough." Meaning if you want to get paid, you have to show and not tell. Yes indeed, life is a bummer.<br /><br />These are all technical issues that have nothing to do with talent. It disheartens me that writers are left in the dark when these things are so easy to pinpoint.<br /><br />I will stop there. I don't want to bore you.<br />Steve Stubbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13421775912951050610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91365862729981746022017-04-25T17:44:51.643-04:002017-04-25T17:44:51.643-04:00I think Janet needs a spiderweb in the top corner ...I think Janet needs a spiderweb in the top corner of her blog that says SOME AGENT! <br />:-)<br />Claire Bobrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15666082441972111293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71669423191094023862017-04-25T17:24:40.511-04:002017-04-25T17:24:40.511-04:00Joseph: I would start at the beginning--but that&#...<b>Joseph</b>: I would start at the beginning--but that's me. Even if it's a series of stand-alone stories with repeating characters (like Corby's), I like to follow character progression from book to book, and be able to get the inevitable back-references in each subsequent story. Seriously, though, they're all great books in their own ways, so whichever you choose, you can't go wrong. :)<br /><br />Here's the reading order:<br />THE PERICLES COMMISSION<br />THE IONIA SANCTION<br />SACRED GAMES<br />THE MARATHON CONSPIRACY<br />DEATH EX MACHINA<br />THE SINGER FROM MEMPHIS<br />DEATH ON DELOS (coming July 11, available for pre-order)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-31028551221691121732017-04-25T17:06:52.992-04:002017-04-25T17:06:52.992-04:00Colin, That first sentence in THE PERICLES COMMISS...<br /><b>Colin</b>, That first sentence in <b>THE PERICLES COMMISSION</b> got to the point right off the bat, didn't it.<br /><br />I have on my wish list to buy one of Gary Corby's books when I catch up on the "must reads" already on my bookshelves. My current choice is <b>The Singer From Memphis</b> just because of the title unless you or someone else suggests a better one of his to start with.<br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43884202798576071352017-04-25T16:54:31.925-04:002017-04-25T16:54:31.925-04:00Julie
I didn't think of the dead uncle in &qu...Julie<br /><br />I didn't think of the dead uncle in "Far Rider" as a Zombie (with your neighborhood friendly zombie horse) but more like a ghost(s) in corporeal form or someone lingering in that limbo zone between life and death.<br /><br />I'm so naive.<br /><br />I did love that start.Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87364808512297875762017-04-25T16:39:55.259-04:002017-04-25T16:39:55.259-04:00Thanks all for weighing in on shelf position. I ha...Thanks all for weighing in on shelf position. I have even seen genres switched mid shelf, so there is no guarantee of great placement, unfortunately. <br /><br /><b>BJ</b> I have never done that (placed my hand where my book would be shelved) but I think that I will have to soon. What a great visual to hold onto and summon up when things seem daunting.RosannaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06399732751877180737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58874082041614015212017-04-25T15:55:13.146-04:002017-04-25T15:55:13.146-04:00*character ... accursed typos....
*character ... accursed typos....<br />ACFranklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18142026970098432631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-13685639641444692472017-04-25T15:54:36.436-04:002017-04-25T15:54:36.436-04:00Huzzah! My quest/travelling fantasy with standard ...Huzzah! My quest/travelling fantasy with standard charactr development arc may still be safe---it's all from the perspective of the snarky, realist mentor character!ACFranklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18142026970098432631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-11690420307966550862017-04-25T15:32:45.948-04:002017-04-25T15:32:45.948-04:00Julie W, I don't read your genre, but after re...Julie W, I don't read your genre, but after reading those opening lines ... I'm reading your genre. Tell the next agent there's already a line forming. We just need to know the pub date. <br /><br />Colin, I got a short story rejection yesterday too. Ruined vacation for about 2-1/2 minutes. Told one of my sons who said "Whaaaaaat? We'll get there." I'll say the same to you. Persistence. We'll get there. John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30163493521574598972017-04-25T15:29:10.082-04:002017-04-25T15:29:10.082-04:00No, Colin, I meant where people fight against what...No, Colin, I meant where people fight against what they think is an oppressive government only to realize the checks in place are what is keeping the whole community alive. As they remove those laws and government, the people/society sickens and begins to die and they have to fight to put the laws they removed back together. Funny story about how I thought of this. S.P. Bowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09746614009206426805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87712368949791891392017-04-25T13:30:32.547-04:002017-04-25T13:30:32.547-04:00RosannaM: Good question about the lower shelves. I...RosannaM: Good question about the lower shelves. I think the way to overcome that is to have your publisher pay extra money to have your book displayed on a nearby table. Of course, your book being on the bottom shelf is contingent with a) your name and b) what other names are publishing in your genre, and how many books they've sold (And, as others have noted, how many shelves the store has devoted to your genre). If you have a Z name, chances are you'll get missed... unless you write science fiction and Roger Zelazny's books have a resurgence in popularity (even though he's dead, it's not completely out of the question.) The M names aren't necessarily safe, either, since I've found my shelf anywhere from eye height to lower, depending on who's popular and who has written more books. At least I'm not far from other popular authors, so people will be looking for their books, no matter where they are, and might find mine. (Yes, as a bit of a hope-booster, I will often look for where my book will be in the book store and place my hand in that exact spot.)BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63153593153997187902017-04-25T13:19:47.276-04:002017-04-25T13:19:47.276-04:00Hold on:
Charlotte's Web introduced boatloads...Hold on:<br /><br /><b>Charlotte's Web</b> introduced boatloads of advertising jerk, secret agent types and conspiracy theorists to subliminal messaging. Tell me what isn't dystopian about that.<br /><br />That alien spider is also, most definitely, a character from sci-fi.<br /><br /><br />Every plot line has already been written. Find a way to stand out and make your beta readers just say wow. If you figure that out, tell me how.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1330837681919211412017-04-25T13:13:47.054-04:002017-04-25T13:13:47.054-04:00Hi Colin,
I'll look for the Gary Corby but it ...Hi Colin,<br />I'll look for the Gary Corby but it doesn't look like any of my library sources have it. My book buying budget is thin these days. I shop used on Amazon or use both libraries and the on line option.<br />I think it's the other way around. I hang out here because I like crime fiction!Sharyn Ekberghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11987304898246173619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16793733407930970622017-04-25T12:28:09.891-04:002017-04-25T12:28:09.891-04:00Rosanna & Casey: That depends if your category...<b>Rosanna & Casey</b>: That depends if your category section covers one bookcase or two--or more. Everhart may be on the bottom shelf of the first case in a large category, and Smith might be on the middle row of the last case. However, if your name is Zimmerman or Zwyzyzylzhon, you're screwed. ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90879841447411963082017-04-25T12:21:03.416-04:002017-04-25T12:21:03.416-04:002Ns, then y'all have a great advertising oppor...<b>2Ns</b>, then y'all have a great advertising opportunity here in the SF Bay Area.<br /><br /><b>Rosanna</b>, I think your best bet if you want to change your shelf placement is to change your name. I mean, sure, if you're already a best-selling author, B&N will do special displays and put your books at a convenient, eye-catching height. But the rest of us just have to recognize that names are a fungible resource.<br /><br />I'm lucky in having a middle-of-the-alphabet name, so I'll be at waist or chest level if there's only one rank of shelves for my genre (whatever the heck that may be). I'm in trouble, though, if there are two shelves. Ankle height, here I come!Casey Karphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10592351859886981726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-21341449606071046692017-04-25T12:18:34.570-04:002017-04-25T12:18:34.570-04:00Sharyn: Have you read any Gary Corby? If not, you&...<b>Sharyn</b>: Have you read any Gary Corby? If not, you'll love the first line of his first novel, THE PERICLES COMMISSION. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27719639211975041992017-04-25T12:16:51.199-04:002017-04-25T12:16:51.199-04:00I neither read nor write in the OP's genre so ...I neither read nor write in the OP's genre so I have no idea how to put a spin of any kind on something in that vein. I needed to say though that when I was young, I checked out Charlotte's Web from my school library so many times, they finally bought me my own copy. I cried like a baby every time I read Charlotte's death, but it also gave me hope. My family was older and they died off at the rate of two or three a year for several years. Charlotte's Web was a wonderful coping mechanism for a young child.<br /><br />Sorry, I know, OT.nightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45418695964201897142017-04-25T12:08:12.372-04:002017-04-25T12:08:12.372-04:00Sharyn: What does it say about me that my favorite...<b>Sharyn</b>: <i>What does it say about me that my favorite books now start with the discovery of a dead body?</i><br /><br />It says you've been hanging out here too long... ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87576400758277843252017-04-25T12:03:54.764-04:002017-04-25T12:03:54.764-04:00Jessica
Far Rider opens with my MC's dead unc...<b>Jessica</b><br /><br />Far Rider opens with my MC's dead uncle riding up on an equally dead horse.<br /><br /> They say bad news rides a fast horse.<br /> No one said anything about it riding a dead one, and the black destrier my uncle now rode toward me had died two years ago.<br /><br />Are the opening lines. <br /><br />I never thought about the book having zombies in it. My culture does a little bit different take on the dead, but technically, some could be considered zombies.<br /><br />Even when I was querying it, agents were saying they didn't want zombies, but I had one person say, "That's a cool twist on zombies." <br /><br />I have zombies? Oh, yes, I guess I do.<br /><br />I don't know what the answer to the OP's problem is. Vampire fiction was dead until sparkly vampires became the rage. <br /><br />If this is what you love, you have to find a twist that will knock their socks off.<br />Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.com