tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6636744589971290928..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Query question: no website, no readJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60538814349100696532015-06-04T21:57:53.875-04:002015-06-04T21:57:53.875-04:00In 2010 I updated my website. I was debating at th...In 2010 I updated my website. I was debating at the time whether to get my own domain name or stick with hostname.com/~username, which was quickly going out of fashion. I decided to wait until my tax refund came in, then I'd splurge on heidikneale.com.<br /><br />A month before that an apocalypse happened and my life, including my writing career, was set back a good 3-4 years. <br /><br />Humanity picks itself up and dusts itself off after apocalypses and I got back on the writing horse. <br /><br />Much changes on the Internet at that time. Yet my old web site still lurks out there, very unprofessional and very much out of date. Last year I redesigned my web site for the purpose of supporting two novellas I had published. However, I never got around to uploading the pages. (Password issues I keep forgetting to sort out.) <br /><br />I do have a blog as my main Internet presence, but I want a web site for marketing reasons. That's what they're good for, I believe, a neat and tidy one-stop shop for getting as much info about an author's backlist (including buy links, of course), press kit, etc.<br /><br />Until I can upload my 2015 version of my website, I recommend you not take my current web site seriously. It's pretty bad.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18673494833521205022015-06-04T06:56:47.902-04:002015-06-04T06:56:47.902-04:00I agree, social media is important for non-fiction...I agree, social media is important for non-fiction, but the agent I was talking about signed two new clients for fiction which I found interesting. <br /><br />WR, let me know how the stickers works for you because I don't think it'll do it for me. Perhaps I need to think of some other incentive. Hmm, a frozen margarita might do the trick.<br /><br />I figured out the discrepancy for my stats. The lower number began a year and a half later so, of course, the numbers wouldn't be as high. Still, according to the OP's comment all that doesn't matter because my blog address does not include my name.<br /><br />Okay, Lynn, most vommenters have gone to bed and the rest have started their day hours ago, so you're sitting here talking to yourself. LOL!<br />LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-319860633274823902015-06-04T05:35:45.220-04:002015-06-04T05:35:45.220-04:00Julie-
Ooh, I wondered what the different colour...Julie- <br /><br />Ooh, I wondered what the different colours for some people were! I'll do the same. I have two different coloured stars, and then some tiny robots for when I finish a book, or a short story, so I feel more special :D<br /><br />Believe it or not, I'd never heard of this method. Everyone I know of who has used it, swears by it, though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32136676371003784472015-06-04T05:29:09.300-04:002015-06-04T05:29:09.300-04:00Thank God that when I was a teenager, blog was sim...Thank God that when I was a teenager, blog was simply a misspelled word which rhymed with a Steve McQueen sci fi movie. If I had a blog then, or used social media, which back then was 4 hour phones calls while sitting on the floor of the hall closet, door closed, my big mouth opinions and kid-stupidity would have had me either behind bars or exiled to an unnamed island which is now known as Carkoon. Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22675907069798915492015-06-04T00:18:42.606-04:002015-06-04T00:18:42.606-04:00W.R.
That's what I use. I use different color...W.R.<br /><br />That's what I use. I use different colors for different things. Writing, editing, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17864102974452910402015-06-03T23:25:43.111-04:002015-06-03T23:25:43.111-04:00When it comes to Facebook, the first thing I advis...When it comes to Facebook, the first thing I advise people is: know your privacy settings. Get in there, and make sure you know where every post is going to show up. You can actually change the settings for each particular post, as well. You can also choose to see pictures before someone can post them to your Facebook wall, you can stop people from tagging you in photos, and you can keep all your information private. I think just about the only things you can't keep private are your cover photo and your profile photo.<br /><br />You can also go through your posts and change the privacy setting on each post, all the way back to whenever.<br /><br />As for the people who bought their kids' names as domains: while it may not cost a lot to register a domain at first, you're paying for that registration every year. Maybe it might be useful when they're adults - although some folks on Twitter were wondering if domain names will still be used in 20 years, and whether they'll be used in the same way. The internet is young - anything could happen. Maybe .com will get all bought up, so .biz, or .org, or other extensions may become more popular. Then are you going to go out and buy mykidsname.biz, .org, .everything .... will extensions even still be used? So many, many possibilities...<br /><br />Matt: There are agents who put a lot of value on platform, even for fiction writers. Why? Because platform means sales. Do fiction writers *need* a platform? Maybe not. But those who have a platform can be more attractive than those who don't.<br /><br />It made me choose food again. I have a sore mouth (lost a filling or broke a tooth or something last night) and I can't eat much. But now I'm hungry...<br /><br />(I'm not complaining, though. Pancreatitis really sucks. I hope you feel much better very soon, Julia)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-78262182805552927442015-06-03T23:18:57.653-04:002015-06-03T23:18:57.653-04:00@ Colin, I have to agree with Lynn regarding the &...@ Colin, I have to agree with Lynn regarding the "too much about Janet..." I guess you're a masochist.<br /><br />@ Brianshwartz - Interesting DIY website. Right up my alley.<br /><br />@ Janet - your heading makes me think of "No woman, no cry."<br /><br />@ Julia - I hope the tide turns for you, you've had a rough go of it as of late. <br /><br />@ Julie W - I kinda agree with what Donald Maass says. All the time you spend writing in a blog could be spent better elsewhere, say, your masterpiece of a novel.Gingermollymarilynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15684318210445109786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88966868155229174392015-06-03T23:05:55.648-04:002015-06-03T23:05:55.648-04:00I do think there's a difference in fiction and...I do think there's a difference in fiction and non-fiction in regards to this platform thing. It just doesn't fit that agents would be asking for a MS on a non-fiction submission, when most of what I've heard about that is they want a proposal. <br /><br />The agent in question might be using non-fiction criteria (where you do need to establish some degree of expertise) to deal with fiction writers. I just don't see how any of the things she mentions would do a fictional book any good. For non fiction, having a place to click to read more4 is a solid advice, but in fiction ... what am I going to do, provide bios of all my characters? Maps of the University of Florida, Bahamas and Crawford Montana?<br /><br />I think there's a slight chance that the Opie's pal might be writing a non-fiction book, or asked an agent who specializes in non fiction and got a non fiction response. otherwise none of this makes sense. Matt Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10566969805157519527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4189577293065663962015-06-03T22:00:57.016-04:002015-06-03T22:00:57.016-04:00I started my blog just before I went Self-Pubbed. ...I started my blog just before I went Self-Pubbed. I got plenty of interest from publishers without having a website/blog my name (mostly amounting to 'loved the voice, loved the story, but don't know how to market it'). It didn't seem to matter then.<br />I was glad to have it when I started self-publishing, though. It gives me something to refer people back to, a one-stop-shop for my books, tidbits of my writing, and blog posts on writing and books I loved.<br />I have to say, too, it's not something that stops me writing, or takes away the 'itch' to write. In fact, it's helped me immensely; especially with structure and order in writing. It's also a discipline (writing once a week at least) and that is immeasurably helpful in terms of writing. It helps me develop good writing habits.<br /><br />Speaking of good writing habits, has anyone heard of <br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvDtCIA-_dk" rel="nofollow">this particular trick?</a><br />I'm going to try it as soon as I can find some stickers. I love stickers, so it should be very motivational for me :DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63267776219418601312015-06-03T22:00:41.138-04:002015-06-03T22:00:41.138-04:00I read just this week on an agent's blog that ...I read just this week on an agent's blog that she signed two new writers at a conference when she wasn't even thinking about signing anyone, As she said, requesting pages, yes - signing, no. One of the reasons she did (besides the writing, of course) was " the author was ready with current social media numbers, number of emails collected, and unique website visitors per month. The author was ready with an explanation of the strategy used to build the platform."<br /><br />So, I guess for some agents, an online presence is very important. I found the part about the number of emails collected interesting as well. I've collected over 2000 emails from people interested in knowing when/if my book is published.<br /><br />As far as stats go, I use to blog around four times a week when I first started, I'm lucky now if I write two posts a month. I have conflicting stats depending on which one I use. On one it says that my unique visitors is over 560,000 while another says I'm nearing 350,000. Whichever is true, they could have fooled me because I don't get very many comments anymore. As my posts have tapered off, so have my comments, but I suppose that's only natural.<br /><br />Like Colin's Graham Cracker crust, my most popular post is how to take the anti-reflective coating off of your eyeglasses. People still come daily to read that post although it was written in 2008.<br />LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45482769099577742632015-06-03T20:58:02.351-04:002015-06-03T20:58:02.351-04:00Julie, I puzzle at people who seem to think their ...Julie, I puzzle at people who seem to think their posts on the internet are private. There have been similar things in Australia (like this one: A call centre worker faked a sick day in order to get off work. He posted "Not going to work, f*** it i'm still trashed SICKIE WOO" only to find out that his supervisor saw the update on his Facebook status). My biggest worry is others taking photos of my 2 Barbarians when they're teenagers and posting them online. All teenagers do stupid stuff, but when I was growing up you could learn from your mistakes privately, not have them aired to the world forever. You can control your own uploads, but not the uploads of others.AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-89646083442192679652015-06-03T20:52:03.679-04:002015-06-03T20:52:03.679-04:00Julia,
Thoughts going out to you. Here's to a...Julia,<br /><br />Thoughts going out to you. Here's to a speedy recovery!<br /><br />As to the Original Post, I have nada to add. <br />You've all summed it right up tight. Any Buttonwheezer worth their buttons might get wheezy when the writer has zero platform, but wouldn't sneeze away the chance to represent said writer if the manuscript is something they really do want to represent.Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27623709785397535102015-06-03T20:23:40.447-04:002015-06-03T20:23:40.447-04:00AJ
I was reading an interesting story recently. A...AJ<br /><br />I was reading an interesting story recently. A woman who worked for a company who helps disabled people took a group of them on a field trip to Arlington Cemetery. She thought it would be funny to pose in front of the sign that says be silent and respectful in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier flipping the bird and acting like she was shouting. A friend took a picture of her.<br /><br />She posted it on her facebook page admittedly acting "like douchebags" on company time.<br /><br />Well, no surprise, it didn't take long to go viral. She lost her job. Now she has a public relations firm trying to scrub her image so she is employable.<br /><br />So, I guess this is something for us to keep in mind as authors. We may someday have someone searching our name and probably don't want something like that popping up. Though I doubt any of us would be quite that unaware.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52845409340248269642015-06-03T20:15:38.443-04:002015-06-03T20:15:38.443-04:00Kept reading through comments... Julia, I've n...Kept reading through comments... Julia, I've no idea what pancreatitis is but it sounds horrid. All the best for whatever nasties the hospital is about to throw your way and hoping for a speedy recovery.<br />AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66966198477157488812015-06-03T20:08:58.909-04:002015-06-03T20:08:58.909-04:00Sticking hand up as the OP (bowing to the QOTKU in...Sticking hand up as the OP (bowing to the QOTKU in thanks). The above comment from the agent was given during a pitch session to the writer (not me), so it wasn't information on their website. The writer is now frantically putting together a website before subbing the requested pages.<br /><br />I am relieved to know that the goal posts didn't change when I wasn't looking! I have bought a domain name - ever the optimist - which is sitting idle. <br /><br />Side-track though... I read that parents are buying domain's for their kids at birth to secure the names. I'm thinking the kids will probably post their whole teen years as selfies and by the time they are 21 have had to change their name so prospective employers don't find *that* <a href="http://i2.cdnds.net/13/45/618x435/movies-american-pie-jason-biggs.jpg" rel="nofollow">photo</a>.AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43278969246837488502015-06-03T19:06:33.264-04:002015-06-03T19:06:33.264-04:00Very valid point, Julie. I've tried to cut bac...Very valid point, Julie. I've tried to cut back on original blog content (just me going blah, blah, blah) for just that reason. <br /><br />But like bjmuntain says, there's nothing necessarily wrong with that either. And bjmuntain also makes very good points about Facebook too--thanks for those. <br /><br />I guess there's no right or wrong way to do anything. It's what works for you as a writer. Whatever that might be.Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87122474982109973642015-06-03T18:31:23.903-04:002015-06-03T18:31:23.903-04:00Colin,
Actually, I think you're writing the f...Colin,<br /><br />Actually, I think you're writing the first draft of your memoir right here, aren't you? ;)<br /><br />Caught me.<br /><br />QOTKU has logged enough miles to publish a few books I'm sure. A lot of very talented writers, Chuck Wendig, Chuck Sambuchino, Bob Mayer, among others have fantastic blogs. I just don't think as up and coming authors we need to feel pressured to produce on blogs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53169697350646772392015-06-03T18:30:08.412-04:002015-06-03T18:30:08.412-04:00To write or not to write about writing on the writ...To write or not to write about writing on the writing blogs?<br /><br />Hm. Welp. I do write about writing when I learn something that interests me and I want to share. Otherwise I write about crazy a** stuff going on like the circle jerk who tried to scam me using Harnett County Sheriff's department address and info. Or, about my new toys. I.e. I try to mix it up a little. <br /><br />I sure didn't know what I wanted to write about when I started it, and I still don't. I just write what strikes me in the moment. I'll do a book review now and then, show you a pot of something cooking on the stove, and for one of my future posts, I'm getting ready to share the secret to sweet tea. How's that for blog diversity? If something writing related slaps me upside the head in the meantime, I'll post about that. That's the way I roll. <br /><br />LOL! I just had to say that.I've had a beer. Can you tell? :)Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-2527565940056650192015-06-03T17:53:20.248-04:002015-06-03T17:53:20.248-04:00Hello from lipase-ten-times-normal-so-I'm-sorr...Hello from lipase-ten-times-normal-so-I'm-sorry-I-told-you-you-had-no-diagnosis-land.<br /><br />"Well, the hospital is full, and while I'm sure you know your own body, we can't admit you without proof."<br /><br />Five minutes later...<br /><br />"That lab we were waiting for is a little elevated."<br /><br />Doctor enters.<br /><br />"Lipase is 2500. Normal is less than 250. How do you feel about coming in?"<br /><br />(I feel like that's what I've been saying all along...) "I think that would be good."<br /><br />Anyway, re platform and geography snobbiness, I've heard the same: "They don't care if those 3500 likes are attached to a Vermont author. They don't care about Vermont likes."<br /><br />Um... What?Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91720507236277706382015-06-03T17:36:52.204-04:002015-06-03T17:36:52.204-04:00I'm finding "with their name in the addre...I'm finding "with their name in the address" difficult to understand. Does the agent mean that the email signature should include the author's name, address, and website? Or do they mean that the website's URL needs to include the author's name? If it's the latter, then this is a rather specific requirement. It would exclude something like blogger.com/awesomeauthor or amazingfantasywriter.blogspot.com. The whole requirement strikes me as strange.Beth H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14281003524857655329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24343503927193207702015-06-03T16:53:08.418-04:002015-06-03T16:53:08.418-04:00Compared to all y'all long-timers, I'm app...Compared to all y'all long-timers, I'm apparently a spring chicken in everything except chronological age. I've only been writing, and learning about writing, for about 3 years. <br /><br />On the other hand, I've been stumbling through courtrooms for over 20 years. Therefore, my blog has a teensy corner, viewable by magnifying glass, devoted to writing but is mostly about all the antics I endure (and cause) in various courtrooms. I like to think it makes the blog more fun and definitely more informative than anything I could ever write about writing. Although, if agents go to my site to rule out the crazy, they'll probably find confirmation instead........<br /><br />Julia, hope your hospital visit goes well and your ceiling is fixed. I know about ceiling problems, both personally and having represented a few slumlords in my day. <br />Dena Pawlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14444683810125395220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64750907287615840072015-06-03T15:50:18.835-04:002015-06-03T15:50:18.835-04:00*reads Susan's last comment*
*runs to website...*reads Susan's last comment*<br /><br />*runs to website to remove the crazy*<br /><br />Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63066539260736718472015-06-03T15:38:15.110-04:002015-06-03T15:38:15.110-04:00Julie, I truly love how you tie a point to a story...Julie, I truly love how you tie a point to a story. And Donald (hold on while I check the a's and s's...oh okay, both) Maass is right about the "itch" comment, I believe.<br /><br />Brian, that story was fantastic. Great outcome, loved it. Who was the band? Who? Who? <br /><br />I guess I don't wonder if I should have a writer blog (oh my God, I'd bore myself) as much as I wonder if agents really go to a personal blog to know a prospective client better or rule out the crazy. <br /><br />Susan Bonifanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01140265430286280374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30241030696720857682015-06-03T15:14:47.915-04:002015-06-03T15:14:47.915-04:00Julie: Indeed--and look at how much writerly skill...Julie: Indeed--and look at how much writerly skill goes into some of these comments! The stories you post on this blog could be copied into a manuscript. Actually, I think you're writing the first draft of your memoir right here, aren't you? ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23053312485603518822015-06-03T15:08:16.964-04:002015-06-03T15:08:16.964-04:00Colin, true and I probably misquoted him. He wasn&...Colin, true and I probably misquoted him. He wasn't overly fond of spending a lot of time on social media as it robs a lot of time and creativity away from where he felt the focus should be, and that was the novel.<br /><br />Don't hit me. Look at how much time we spend here.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com