tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6617097975140352748..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: BEA for aspiring writersJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20541290622792585562015-04-29T11:10:09.370-04:002015-04-29T11:10:09.370-04:00THANK YOU!
I recently heard advice from a former ...THANK YOU! <br />I recently heard advice from a former agent to go to BEA and "give chocolates" or "stuffed animals" to the publishers and agents there. The idea is to make a good impression. But I didn't like the advice at all. I didn't think publishers were there to be schmoozed by "UN" writers. I thought they were there to sell books.JEN Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11223454346963493011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29048634542572019952015-04-28T21:08:14.802-04:002015-04-28T21:08:14.802-04:00Ahhhh.
I see.
Is there a writer saying for, &quo...Ahhhh.<br /><br />I see.<br /><br />Is there a writer saying for, "I let my muscle memory click 'Save As' instead of 'Open' on my new Manuscript file just now, and lost the last twenty four hours' worth of updates?"<br /><br />I think... I'm going to start reading my Louise Penny now, and forget, for the moment, that I ever started writing. Or try, anyway. Because tomorrow I have to rewrite today, and when I'm pissed off - er - annoyed, my characters end up arguing with one another.<br /><br />Not sure why that happens.<br /><br />Bruce<br />Cheers.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41716912407260210862015-04-28T20:56:45.403-04:002015-04-28T20:56:45.403-04:00The link I put up earlier for you. Compuserve Book...The link I put up earlier for you. Compuserve Books and Writers Lit Forum, familiarly known by me and a few others as B&W. Sorry.<br /><br />Deep seat. <br /><br />Cowboy saying for when you're getting ready to ride and the cowboy gets down in the chute. Once you get everything ready, stop screwing around on the horse. Just get a deep seat and a far away look, and nod for them to open the gate.<br /><br />Too many writers keep sitting on those horses in the chutes and never nod for the gate. Agents are nearly as scarey as big bad horses. <br /><br />You have a support system. You're ready to go. Time to nod for the gate. Try out a few agents and see what happens. All they can do is say no. If they do, those weren't the right ones for you. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46485300482764886862015-04-28T20:41:18.171-04:002015-04-28T20:41:18.171-04:00Okay.
Since this is a safe space ...
I didn't ...Okay.<br />Since this is a safe space ...<br />I didn't understand any of that.<br />You were speaking fish, right?<br />B&W people? Dalmatian owners? Best Western owners? Barnes and... Wobble? <br /><br />Deep seat? Is that like Deep Space Nine? Or that movie that my parents wouldn't let me see? Or a chaise longue?<br /><br />Far away look I understand. It's the one I get when I'm trying to name a new character.<br /><br />Nodding for the horse... Mm... I'm back on Chincoteague again, but guessing I left you behind. Seahorse? Probably not. I know the "horse walks into a bar" joke, but again, guessing you're not there either.<br /><br />Preeeetttty sure I'm sharkfood at this point. Eating Nemo. CHOMP!<br /><br />This is why I lurk, and why, also, I listened to that little voice that said, "go to WD in August.... pass on BEA..."<br /><br />Chicken of the SeaJuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-67017219152450222672015-04-28T20:25:52.856-04:002015-04-28T20:25:52.856-04:00Julie,
That danged synopsis ate my lunch. Thankfu...Julie,<br /><br />That danged synopsis ate my lunch. Thankfully, the B&W people were very kind and nursed me through that mess as well as the query, which still probably isn't perfect, but meh. It's there.<br /><br />Time to get a deep seat and a far away look and nod for the horse.<br /><br />JulieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10416184434629251542015-04-28T20:15:44.015-04:002015-04-28T20:15:44.015-04:00Julie -
LOL - my Agent list is alphabetized by fi...Julie -<br /><br />LOL - my Agent list is alphabetized by firm with Agents' individual specifications and preferences, websites, emails, and addresses.<br /><br />I haven't started the synopsis yet because there is no Synopsis Shark and I haven't stocked up on Depends.<br /><br />Rather than write it, I offered to resend my betas my novels with all the words in alphabetical order.<br /><br />I received a resounding, "GO WRITE THE DAMN LETTER!!!!"<br /><br />Or something that sounded very like it.<br /><br />CharlieJuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19491341079398644252015-04-28T20:08:06.017-04:002015-04-28T20:08:06.017-04:00Julie,
I know you want to prove yourself and I re...Julie,<br /><br />I know you want to prove yourself and I really do understand that. Truly. It's time to get your query letter polished up, think about a synopsis, get your agent list and check it twice and take the leap.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35154530554399975552015-04-28T19:11:03.527-04:002015-04-28T19:11:03.527-04:00Ginger,
Yep. I feel like an old war horse now. On...Ginger,<br /><br />Yep. I feel like an old war horse now. Once I get settled in my forever home, (please God, don't let it be the Autumn Daze Nursing Home) I'm going to wallpaper one wall of my office with rejection slips. I've been very blessed not to have any nasty ones and every phone call I've had from agents has been very pleasant. <br /><br />I've really been very fortunate. But, the rejections are a reminder not to ever give up on anything.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-74743511283403450772015-04-28T18:56:03.766-04:002015-04-28T18:56:03.766-04:00@ Jenny C - Great story; thanks for sharing. I too...@ Jenny C - Great story; thanks for sharing. I too once had a conversation with Oprah. Well, okay, not so much a conversation as yelling, in moment of quiet, from a seat in the nosebleed section of the theatre, "Hallelujah!" lol<br /><br />@ bjmuntan and REJourneys - A lifetime ago, I used to co-ordinate lingerie fashion shows at the Welcome Wagon bridal shows. <br /><br />@ JulieWeaters - lol re 'submit.' I used to always think this, too, but now I've submitted/queried to so many agents, I don't anymore...<br /><br />@ Julie - Tick, tick, tick - I agree with all Colin's remarks in his 4:35 post. You write, you're a writer. My humble opinion is that you need to take the leap, and submit to agents. It's a difficult path we've all chosen, nevertheless, we've chosen it. If you don't have any luck with agents, there is always self-publishing. Not my first choice, either (same reasons as Colin), but there have been many self-pubbed books on the NYTimes bestseller list. I wouldn't worry so much about what others think. There are a lot of haters in this world - it's just what they do, they do it without thought or logic, and also, mediocrity and misery love company. Listen to your gut, your intuition.Gingermollymarilynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15684318210445109786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60961742200665579902015-04-28T18:52:55.145-04:002015-04-28T18:52:55.145-04:00I'm coming very late to this party and I'm...I'm coming very late to this party and I'm leaving with Julie licking the calf. That's a new one. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020098449673207930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80922778717556772812015-04-28T18:38:00.281-04:002015-04-28T18:38:00.281-04:00*laughing at Mark G*
Whether you really did make...*laughing at Mark G* <br /><br />Whether you really did make that mistake or someone else did, it's a good example. We all make mistakes. As long as we come across as good people (and not snarly, self-absorbed nasties) our mistakes will most likely be forgiven - or, more likely, forgotten.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87798750780981248932015-04-28T17:51:15.195-04:002015-04-28T17:51:15.195-04:00Julia, you are a writer. Period. But I know what y...Julia, you are a writer. Period. But I know what you mean. We all want different things and sometimes those things change, but there's no right or wrong thing when it comes to dreams. Sounds like you have sheer determination and, honestly, that's probably the most important thing in pursuing a writing career. More so than talent or luck. Funny thing is, once you get your writing out there and start getting feedback, your focus shifts away from agents and publishers and the most important audience becomes the reader. As it should.<br /><br />I remember way back when I first joined twitter and was absolutely paralyzed by that "bio" section. I agonized over it. For days. I finally wrote some stupid kidding around stuff. I will never forget the day I decided it WAS stupid stuff and deleted it all and simply put: Writer. One of the hardest things I've ever done, putting it out there in the world that I am a writer. That bio has changed many times over the years, but that one word has remained, in every single iteration.<br /><br />You need to own it. No one will call you a fraud or come to your house and kick your dog/cat/hamster. In fact, other writers will nod and say, hey, she's one of us.<br /><br />Now go pick which of your mss is the very best and start querying, if that's the path you choose. The only way you're guaranteed to fail is by doing nothing.<br /><br />Now I really AM going back to lurking. Out of town company is coming and I need to clean ALL THE THINGS.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22237190043747523632015-04-28T17:40:22.090-04:002015-04-28T17:40:22.090-04:00'Every single person working a booth at BEA ha...'Every single person working a booth at BEA has a horror story of some deluded author trying to press a manuscript on them, or asking who to send the manuscript to. Don't be that author, please.'<br /><br />It seemed like a good idea at the time. Alright? Let's move onOne Thumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06565003342409642767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43931478346594977672015-04-28T17:13:34.787-04:002015-04-28T17:13:34.787-04:00Carolyn -
Thanks. You're kind.
As for "th...Carolyn -<br />Thanks. You're kind.<br />As for "the world" - I've certainly bombarded my FB world with them, LOL. Beyond that... ;)<br /><br />We shall see.<br /><br />Off to be a soccer mom.<br /><br />CoralJuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71606984936101802652015-04-28T17:07:30.569-04:002015-04-28T17:07:30.569-04:00Julia, your ARE a writer, you ARE an author. You h...Julia, your ARE a writer, you ARE an author. You have written books, which means, you have bombarded the world with many more words than those which fit between a title page and "the end".<br />Take a deep breath, step back, write your queries and send, send send. <br />Over the past twenty-five-plus years I've had hundreds and hundreds of pieces published and I have made hundreds and hundreds of dollars which if I added them all up might buy half a used car. <br />Stand tall, keep writing, keep querying but don't depend on it to pay your bills. If it eventually does you will be the exception, not the rule. <br />An MD who becomes a writer sounds like a hell of a back-story to a successful novel OR a memoir where you my dear get to write your own ending. Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88372392473053173102015-04-28T17:03:56.862-04:002015-04-28T17:03:56.862-04:00And on the vein of editing, the revision is done, ...And on the vein of editing, the revision is done, pretty much.<br /><br />I need to lick the calf again on one character to make sure the accent is consistent, but that revision is done. I got it under 152,000 words. No, helpful person, I didn't get it down to 75,000 words, but 152,000 is good for me, and it's danged sparse at that. <br /><br />Off to beta readers and back to agents. <br /><br />Snoopy happy dance.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-3056960634626970452015-04-28T17:03:35.797-04:002015-04-28T17:03:35.797-04:00And to get back to the original point, which *MIGH...And to get back to the original point, which *MIGHT* have been lost here as I have beaten the ponies on Chincoteague to death...<br /><br />I would NEVER have thrust a MS upon an Agent at that conference. I would more likely have tripped upon one and spilled my coffee on them or set the place on fire with a stripped computer wire or something. That's more how I work. Try to fly completely under the proverbial horizon and end up with ALL radar squarely upon me due to some random bizarre screwup. I once scratched my cornea with an apple. I broke off a pencil in the hollow in my funny bone. And bruised my eyelid on a donut box. And woke myself up screaming because I hit my head on the bedside table in my sleep. See? That's how I work my own personal magic.<br /><br />But I wouldn't have forced a MS on anyone.<br /><br />And I would totally have been overwhelmed by the books.<br /><br />EMS would have to have been called to rescue me from my catatonic state when it was over.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66442968587479324042015-04-28T16:57:15.706-04:002015-04-28T16:57:15.706-04:00Colin: I know it. My dysfunction is entirely my ow...Colin: I know it. My dysfunction is entirely my own. My betas are - well, a couple, anyway - are self-pubbed, awesome, authors. Do I question their legitimacy? Not a bit. Is there inconsistency and paradox there? Hypocrisy? Absolutely. Am I uncomfortable with that? Not really, because the one left exposed is me, not them.<br /><br />I know attitudes and realities are changing on indy/self/traditional publishing - that's one reason I'm (albeit awkwardly) entering the field.<br /><br />But I also know myself well enough that I don't want to manage myself. I don't want to deal with the contracts and the... non-writing dross... that the Agents (I started capitalizing this some time ago, and now it's habit. Hm.) deal with. I just want to write. I am willing to do my online platform and am great at doing pretty much what I'm told to do - but I would rather have someone who knows how to do that (which is what started this whole thing way back seven thousand entries ago) who can say "this is a good idea, go for it," or "this stinks, but if you really want to do it, it's your ship to sink...," or "no, really. I really think this is a bad idea." And I'm pretty happy to pay them to do it. <br /><br />As long as - at the end of the day - I get to write, and they can do the other stuff. I don't want to do the publishing, I am more than willing to rewrite as necessary - but don't want to be the final editor, and I don't want to be my own Agent.<br /><br /><br /><br />You see what I mean.<br /><br />And, yup, there's someone out there who matches.<br /><br />It's just a matter of swimming through the Great Blue Sea to find them.<br /><br />SquishyJuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62477689574590271092015-04-28T16:55:31.965-04:002015-04-28T16:55:31.965-04:00Julie: So, are you looking at your writing career ...Julie: So, are you looking at your writing career like you did your medical career? To practice medicine, you had to qualify, go through med school, residencies, etc., before you were "qualified" to fully practice medicine. Is that how you're looking at writing?<br /><br />If so, don't. It's a completely different beast in that regard. The same is true with any of the arts, including music and painting. Billy Joel had 10+ years of piano lessons. Does that make him more of a musician than Paul McCartney who had NONE? Or are they any more "legitimate" musicians than the people who play piano at my church (including me)? Not at all. We're all musicians doing different things with what talent we've been given. Some hone their talent through instrument tuition, others learn by experience, others do both. Writing's no different. If you have a passion to write, and you have written, and are writing, and desire to get better, then you're a writer. The fact you haven't published anything doesn't make you any less of a writer. I haven't released any records--that doesn't make me less of a musician. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34223287861333724592015-04-28T16:35:54.050-04:002015-04-28T16:35:54.050-04:00Julia: But, you know, if you write the most compel...Julia: But, you know, if you write the most compelling, knocking-socks-off novel about angels, you'll find agents willing to make an exception. :) Be true to your story. It is what it is. And if agents have a problem with that, then they're not the agents for your novel.<br /><br />You say you've written four novels? You're a writer. You're as legitimate a writer as Stephen King and J K Rowling. You can't be more of a writer than you are.<br /><br />If by "legitimacy" you mean, you want to be published the traditional route because you have to jump through more hoops to get there, I understand, but also appreciate the fact that not every traditionally-published book is good. I have read novels that have been through agents and editors that have made my eyes roll at the horrible writing! I've seriously wondered with some novels how an agent ever thought they were worth taking on. Frankly, that gives me hope. :)<br /><br />Conversely, there are many good writers going the self-pub route for all kinds of reasons. The difference between traditional and self publication is less about legitimacy and more about control. Public opinion is shifting on self-pubbed novels. And in all honesty, the wheat and the chaff tend to sort themselves out.<br /><br />I still want to go the traditional route, mostly because I don't want to have to take on all the work that goes into self-publishing. Life's too short and I'm not getting any younger. I'd sooner have an agent help polish my novel and negotiate the contracts, and a publisher get me a good cover design and do all the ISBN number stuff and get my book distributed... on top of all the other things agents and publishers do that I would otherwise have to do myself ASIDE from writing!<br /><br />It's certainly not so I can feel like a "real" writer. I've written 26 flash stories for my blog this month (or I will have by Thursday). I've also written a few novels and short stories. I don't need an agent to tell me I'm a writer. Neither do you! :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-74005180194527254302015-04-28T16:30:21.290-04:002015-04-28T16:30:21.290-04:00As for the quick buck thing - if I could rationali...As for the quick buck thing - if I could rationalize it, I'd likely write another five books in the series rather than jump in the pool, honestly.<br /><br />So here it is. (Now, I'm REALLY banking on said individual not reading this...)<br /><br />I left medicine - had to, got sick - and am now writing.<br /><br />But there are tons of people out there who knew me as MD.<br /><br />There are three possible outcomes at this point.<br /><br />1) Someone takes the MS. Yay. It gets published and people read it. I'm validated and can put the "You're a writer? Says who?" question to bed.<br /><br />2) No one takes the MS. But I did the best I could. The ABSOLUTE best. I went to conferences, read the sites, asked the questions, did the job right. But *MOST* important - the MS is the best I could make it. And then, if it doesn't happen... well, I still wrote it. And then, all right. I'll cope. But I didn't leave any stone unturned.<br /><br />3) I write until my fingers fall off and never try to send the bloody thing in - and that just won't work. But that's where I am now. :)<br /><br />So you see, the "lot" riding on this really has very little to do with money - it has to do with effort and ensuring that I put the same work into this that I put into seeing my patients - because this is my job now, and THAT is what's riding on this. Turning writing from "hobby" to "job." And that can't be done - not in my eyes, at least, just because I said so. Some people feel that it can. I don't happen to be one of them. (Hoping I'm not aggravating too many of you, but that's what's driving me at this point.)Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7074740414456078632015-04-28T16:14:04.363-04:002015-04-28T16:14:04.363-04:00Well, as you may guess, nothing will leave my comp...<br /><br />Well, as you may guess, nothing will leave my computer without my voice in it.<br /><br />Nothing.<br /><br />But what WILL happen is that we agree that:<br /><br />It's engaging.<br /><br />It's not too long.<br /><br />It's absolutely representative of what I actually wrote.<br /><br />And it's representative of me.<br /><br />And as for "A lot riding on it," it's not a tangible "it," but I CAN say that "it" can't be fulfilled by CreateSpace and Amazon self-pub. And "it" doesn't really have a dollar value. "It" has to do with a sense of legitimacy, and I suppose what I mean is that if I don't get traditionally published, I want it to be because I did everything within my power to do it properly - not because I did a crappy job and hurried it or irritated the wrong people by not paying attention to something obvious on their website like "if you mention the word 'Angel' to me in your Query, I'll send Mad Joe to you to break your knees." So to speak.<br /><br />Does that make sense?<br /><br />And that is not something that I felt I could get without face-to-face contact with someone that knew the business. It wasn't a hurried decision; it was a considered evaluation of everything - including my need to have a second set of eyes that I trusted.<br /><br />Honestly, as soon as I found the Shark's waters, I wished that I could yank the Angels out of my story (almost) and replace them with detectives... but that simply wouldn't work. I did try, though. :)Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15476469891512659342015-04-28T16:12:12.910-04:002015-04-28T16:12:12.910-04:00Julia: Again, what Julie said. If you're looki...Julia: Again, what Julie said. If you're looking at novel writing as a way to make money now, then think again. Even if you find an agent and get a publisher, in all likelihood your book won't see publication for another 12-18 months. And any advance you get will be paid out in 3 or more installments over those 18 months. Without a publishing contract in hand, looking to writing to save you from financial ruin is almost as foolhardy as relying on the Lottery or Publisher's Clearing House.<br /><br />I think (I hope) you know that--it's certainly been said here over that last 6 months, more than once no doubt.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18338560475531849602015-04-28T16:11:01.940-04:002015-04-28T16:11:01.940-04:00Julia, I agree with everything Julie just said abo...Julia, I agree with everything Julie just said about the query letter needing to be in your voice, your words. And also about the money. I hate like hell to disillusion you about that, but there are no guarantees about money. Never mind the kind of money that a person could count on to help with a situation where everything is riding on it. I hope your "everything" is something other than financial and wish you all the best luck. Deep breaths. You can do this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66794707104075696442015-04-28T15:59:20.013-04:002015-04-28T15:59:20.013-04:00Julia,
Ooooh, waiting for the shark.
In the arc...Julia,<br /><br />Ooooh, waiting for the shark. <br /><br />In the archives is a post about someone who had the perfect query. Agents requested right and left. Everyone loved it. Then they got the sample pages and the voice was all different. rejection rejection rejection.<br /><br />Oddly enough, Janet's master class I ditched, was query letter writing and that is the thing I need the worst.<br /><br />As tough as they are, you need to do them yourself. Your voice has to come through that letter, not someone's perfect voice.<br /><br />There are a couple of publishers on twitter who have been after me for a while about FAR RIDER. One tried to give me a lot of advice regarding agents and we finally had to have a come to Jesus meeting. He's since decided he doesn't want my story or me. I was heartbroken.<br /><br />What bothers me most is you've said a few times an awful lot riding on this novel. Since you've now written five, this urgency must be recent. I hope you're not depending on money. I read a break down from an author who is fairly successful and it took her five years to actually make money AFTER she was first published.<br /><br />If it's so you can hold a book in your hands, that's a bit different.<br /><br />For me, it's kind of like the old joke: How do you make a small fortune raising horses? Start with a large one.<br /><br />I'm going to be published someday if I live long enough. Whether I will make much money? Who knows? Most writers make enough to quit their day job.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com