tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6668454491400978862..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Shopping an offerJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72615668509275152352016-06-15T23:59:33.043-04:002016-06-15T23:59:33.043-04:00I had a legit small press offer to publish while 1...I had a legit small press offer to publish while 1st 20 pgs of manuscript were in hands of agent to critique for SCBWI conference. I waited for the conference. Was that bad form? I figured editor wouldn't read it until just before attending. I did sign with original Poisoned Pen imprint offer but person in charge of conference was irate that I wanted to sign with press before seeing the agent so I waited. Press was aware of my situation and waited it out with me for which I am eternally grateful! Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01806075459880162155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57081570969814592772016-06-15T23:36:22.765-04:002016-06-15T23:36:22.765-04:00Gosh, I praise your blog so often I look like a su...Gosh, I praise your blog so often I look like a suck-up. Nonetheless, I have to say, “terrific post.” And that is sincere praise.<br /><br />On behalf of asshats everywhere (and. yes, I excuse myself from that company) here is how it looks from out here in the fields: There are a lot of things New York superagents consider self-evident that may not be evident to the Asshat Community at all. One of them is of course that most asshats cannot write, but that is another program.<br /><br />Speaking for myself, I would never consider pitting agents or editors against each other. But I can see how somebody who lives in the Asshat World of Office Politics could think that is an OK thing to do. I can see how they could act out of genuine ignorance and not any desire to violate any rules. The last I noticed, someone painted over the sign that said, “This Way To The Blacklist” and wrote on it, “Publishing Wonderland Straight Ahead,” Any cautions you may care to post are therefore most appreciated.<br />Steve Stubbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13421775912951050610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64809478909900692782016-06-15T18:58:21.691-04:002016-06-15T18:58:21.691-04:00Rachel: I have to say, for all the anxiety and nai...Rachel: I have to say, for all the anxiety and nail biting that goes with querying, I kind of enjoy being in the trenches, and look forward to doing it again hopefully in the not-too-distant future. There's something about the excitement of waiting on replies, the thrill of seeing an agent response in your inbox, the disappointment of that rejection, the elation of a request. I guess it's the same reason people like to ride roller-coasters, or play Russian roulette...<br /><br />;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34870077976105259012016-06-15T18:25:23.023-04:002016-06-15T18:25:23.023-04:00Thanks, The Sleepy One, for your comment on my que...Thanks, The Sleepy One, for your comment on my question. If you read my whole comment, it explains. I didn't submit to the small press - it would be my second book with them, the first one published 2 years ago. Forgot to say before, that we didn't sign for the second book, so it's still up in the air.Kylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08627312129304745663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39626913532740126992016-06-15T17:11:12.691-04:002016-06-15T17:11:12.691-04:00I thought this was an implication from the post ab...I thought this was an implication from the post about the "Call" a while ago. You get the call and start your in depth background check on that Agent. If you decide to go with that offer you pull all of the other queries you have out there.<br /><br />You can always reject the offer and stay in the trenches for a while longer. It is easier if the Agent balks on giving up the names and contact info for their clients but you can still say "Thanks but no thanks" and walk away. It will burn a bridge but that might be advantageous in the long run.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55963826293055644232016-06-15T17:11:03.667-04:002016-06-15T17:11:03.667-04:00I know this might sound twisted, but I really want...I know this might sound twisted, but I really want to be in the query trenches with so many of you. I feel like a new recruit stuck in basic training who hasn't mastered the obstacle course. <br /><br />I am part of an unbelievable critique group now (I can't believe they let me in!) so there's hope for this little woodland creature to train into a Queen of the Jungle (I would rather like to be jaguar, though, not a lion). <br /><br />In a way I'm getting some training at work, too, because my boss is working with her old agent to develop a series of books. As the writer for the department I get to do a lot of work on the proposal, and will do a lot of writing for the books (of course the agent is guiding it all). <br /><br />The agent is amazing, btw, and thankfully I paid attention to Janet's advice on non-fiction even though I never thought I'd need it, so I didn't sound like a complete idiot on our first phone call...<br /><br />Trying to figure out why this comment feels on-topic to me, even though there is no textual evidence to the support that feeling. RachelErinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09510327163701754950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55873221113474910032016-06-15T16:47:26.935-04:002016-06-15T16:47:26.935-04:00Ooo! Donna, I do want to hear your " how I go...Ooo! Donna, I do want to hear your " how I got my agent" story someday. While I did get mine without exactly querying, well, not querying at all, i did spend some time in the query trenches on other projects, getting a variety of rejections all the way from NORMANS to form rejections to very encouraging ones.<br /><br />And I do love a good rant!Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19800660098324159912016-06-15T16:37:29.598-04:002016-06-15T16:37:29.598-04:00I nominate DLM's comment for the next subheade...I nominate DLM's comment for the next subheader: In publishing as in life, it's just too easy to pick the wrong hat. The one with a sphincter in it is not a winning look.<br /><br />Thanks for clearing up the difference between shopping an offer and letting recent queries and agents who have fulls get a chance before you accept an offer.Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64779188805957044552016-06-15T16:35:06.186-04:002016-06-15T16:35:06.186-04:00I'm confused too because hawking for the best ...I'm confused too because hawking for the best deal is bad form in the letter but it's hunky dunky when the prospect is in an agent's queue; as in, put the offer on hold for a fortnight and inform other agents. There might be a distinction there, if there is, it's a mighty fine one that's gonna be lost on most authors. Personally I've never been convinced, that and agent putting forward an offer is going to swallow being told to wait for a fortnight, so the author can try and trump the deal. I suppose though, that would depend on the author but... wouldn't that apply in this case too?DeadSpiderEyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07687178085803686186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10866662831059020152016-06-15T14:55:55.536-04:002016-06-15T14:55:55.536-04:00This is the best place ever! Metaphors- you are sp...This is the best place ever! Metaphors- you are speaking the language of my people :D <br /><br />Thank you for sound advice. I have three beta readers lined up, one who I would trust my checkbook with. One has a Degree in Literary Science. All prolific readers. I need to utilize them pronto, instead of fretting and trying to perfect on my own- <br /><br />*saying to myself, in a small stage whisper*<br /><br />They have asked where I am in the process last month. I haven't told them I am in the fretting stage. If I did, they would tell me to get over myself and get on with it. Thank you again, BJ, for the prompt. I need to trust my beta readers and send some emails out today...<br /><br /><br /><br />And now I feel compelled to go out and buy some shoes too for some reason.Janice Grinyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363741660626407979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15554902097760868302016-06-15T14:51:42.914-04:002016-06-15T14:51:42.914-04:00Late, late, late. Therefore skim, skim, skim.
Al...Late, late, late. Therefore skim, skim, skim.<br /><br />Although Colin's comment did POP out. You got it Colin - he's my "dream" agent for all the reasons you mention. Here's something to elicit groaning and WTF's from a LOT of you. I didn't query. Ever. How's that for a blog tease. (one day I'll write about it) <br /><br />I would have LOVED to query Ms. Janet all those years ago, but she doesn't rep what I write. Boo! I mean boohoo! <br /><br />I'll admit, at first I was confused by this "shopping an offer." As I read along and saw the emphasis on certain words, I had the bell ring in my head. (translates to - you ding dong!) Ooooh, she means query an agent you haven't queried yet - then saying you have an offer. <br /><br />I DID have the thought...but maybe they didn't know any better? I swear I heard the Jaws theme song in that brief second of thought. Yep, it fizzled like a raindrop hitting a sidewalk on a 95 degree day, because, if they knew her, they'd have read her blog. And they would have known better. Right?Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20745615552007809852016-06-15T14:04:10.386-04:002016-06-15T14:04:10.386-04:00Absolutely, BJ--good follow-up. :)Absolutely, BJ--good follow-up. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35869053286961250872016-06-15T13:58:38.243-04:002016-06-15T13:58:38.243-04:00But you did go out on that date, right? You didn&#...But you did go out on that date, right? You didn't spend the evening putting every hair in place. You put on your best suit and went out.<br /><br />Did you have someone helping you pick out that suit? That's what I suggested to Janice - if she's not sure, then get some outside help she can trust. And once it's as sharp as she can make it, it's time to go out and meet her future. There are bathrooms and mirrors everywhere, if she wants to put a hair back in place or touch up her makeup, but at some point you just have to put your dancing shoes on and brave the world.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63044283178600967392016-06-15T13:40:52.092-04:002016-06-15T13:40:52.092-04:00... here's an analogy to my point above: On my...... here's an analogy to my point above: On my first date, I wore the smartest suit I had. Now, my wife tells me what tie to wear, and makes sure I don't leave the house looking like a complete fashion disaster. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17092985283605426092016-06-15T13:38:03.850-04:002016-06-15T13:38:03.850-04:00What about a small press offer? I understand all o...<i>What about a small press offer? I understand all of today's post, but I thought it was possible (and polite) to seek an agent when you have an offer from a small press in hopes of finding something better. </i><br /><br />Once you have an offer in hand, you can try to get an agent. But that's separate from "trading up" publishers. You could sign with an agent and ultimately decide to decline the small press offer. But that why submit to a small press if you didn't want to work with them?The Sleepy Onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17406738871201908077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33888403440101906392016-06-15T13:29:59.295-04:002016-06-15T13:29:59.295-04:00BJ: I guess my point really speaks to the fact tha...BJ: I guess my point really speaks to the fact that writers tend to take years over that first novel, but subsequent novels don't seem to take as long. And I *think* that's because we need to be as sure we can that we're presenting our very best work to an agent. In other words, that novel needs to be as close to publishable when we submit as we can get it. You're right--we do have to stop editing at some point, and when we've finished, it will more than likely still need work. But that novel needs to be as presentable as possible.<br /><br />When it comes to writing novel #2 for that agent, a) you've already started it; b) you'll have deadlines; c) you'll have a ready-and-willing editing team that includes your agent, and the publisher. That, at least to me, explains why subsequent novels tend to take shorter time to write.<br /><br />Or I could be talking out of my sphincter. :)<br /><br />Guess the word of the day, folks... ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1174106683912211342016-06-15T13:17:51.280-04:002016-06-15T13:17:51.280-04:00The first 15 or so queries I sent out, I didn'...The first 15 or so queries I sent out, I didn't do it right. I was following a list I found online for YA fantasy reps. I started with the "A's" and queried any agent that actually did fit my genre and wasn't closed. Then I got a partial request and after the initial adrenaline and whooping, I re-researched her, and realized I wasn't entirely feeling the 'vibe' when I went to her website. I almost hoped she didn't express more interest. Well (luckily?) she didn't, but that taught me an important lesson: don't be a douche. <br /><br />I think there is a fine line here though. I still wouldn't contact all the agents you want most, first. I know you're supposed to have your mss and query in tip top shape by the time you start querying, but in reality I feel you learn a lot from the query process itself. I know I did and still am. <br /><br />Also, Lucie asked my 2 questions already. What to do with partials out and why only 30 days, when you get an offer? Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7818373969712664852016-06-15T13:04:06.595-04:002016-06-15T13:04:06.595-04:00Claudette: Getting interest from editors is a good...Claudette: Getting interest from editors is a good thing! And if an agent asks, you can say that Editor Best and Editor Great showed a keen interest in it, in case the agent wants to pitch to them. But if she doesn't, there's still no harm, because there wasn't an actual offer on the table.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-49054974821227744682016-06-15T13:00:29.658-04:002016-06-15T13:00:29.658-04:00Colin: Of course we sweat blood over it all. The p...Colin: Of course we sweat blood over it all. The problem is, we have to stop at some point or we'll bleed to death. And we may even revisit the novel once it's on submission. But if we just edit and edit and revise and edit and edit until we think it's great, then edit and edit some more... we may never get around to querying it. And that's what I was telling Janice - yes, make it the best you absolutely can. Then send it off. Kick that baby out of the nest and let it fly. But that doesn't mean you're saying goodbye to it forever.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42718960512694825312016-06-15T12:53:57.450-04:002016-06-15T12:53:57.450-04:00BJ - Thanks for clarifying.
What a thorny forest ...BJ - Thanks for clarifying. <br />What a thorny forest this is for the woodland creatures.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14226720665890665661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-25826963222643815402016-06-15T12:25:11.548-04:002016-06-15T12:25:11.548-04:00May I add something to BJ's point about editin...May I add something to BJ's point about editing? I want to because this is an important point Janet alluded to recently that I never considered before:<br /><br />Your first novel will probably be the most polished novel you submit to an agent. After you get an agent, sure s/he will want to see your best work in the draft you send, but s/he already knows you and what you're capable of, so s/he is more willing to work with you to whip that novel into shape. With that first novel, though, that's your introduction. That novel will tell the agent whether you're going to need way too much hand-holding, or whether edits are going to be easy. That's why we sweat blood over every last syllable of the novel that gets us an agent.<br /><br />Correct me if I've misunderstood, Most Noble and Highly Majestic QOTKU.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-6275017501626755142016-06-15T12:21:48.001-04:002016-06-15T12:21:48.001-04:00When I first started trying to get short stories p...When I first started trying to get short stories published, the literary magazines all said, "Start small first, then move up."<br /><br />I tried this - I really did - but literary magazines were not interested in my work, anyway. At that time, it was very rare to see anything genre in a literary magazine.<br /><br />Then I got better advice: Start at the top, because if you sell to the smaller markets, you'll never know if you could have sold that piece to a bigger market.<br /><br />When I started querying, I continued following that advice. If you start with 10 'practice' agents, what do you do if one of them offers representation? As we heard today, 'shopping the offer' is not good form. So there are probably ten (or more) 'dream' agents out there who will never get a chance at your novel. <br /><br />Unless you tell the 'practice agent', "I'm sorry. I didn't really want you in the first place. I was just practicing." I'm sure that's going to go over well, too.<br /><br />Get your query and submission into tip-top shape before you query anyone. <br /><br />Then query as if you KNOW that all the agents you're querying are going to offer representation.<br /><br />Janice: You need critique partners or beta readers. People you can trust to tell you that yes, it's ready. And remember: There will be more editing, even after you find an agent and publisher. There will be more chances at making it perfect. (Though it will never be perfect. Because writers are human.)<br /><br />Claudette: 'Interest' is only a submission if they ask for a partial or full. An offer will say 'offer'. And even then, get it in writing.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27015813554020145502016-06-15T12:17:14.132-04:002016-06-15T12:17:14.132-04:00Mr Furkles- I think the inside information you spe...Mr Furkles- I think the inside information you speak of is publisher's marketplace, lists of clients with work similar to yours that is published by a company you know and available where you can easily find it. Research won't tell you whether your relationship with an agent will be everything you ever wanted, but it will give you an indication of what that agent sells and whether that fits with your writing.<br /><br />I think by 'trading up' QOTKU means, querying the agent you presumably want more after getting an offer from an agent you want less.clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09720343347086961024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62822683410571041822016-06-15T11:22:27.200-04:002016-06-15T11:22:27.200-04:00No gauntlets thrown, and I hope 2Ns isn't sans...No gauntlets thrown, and I hope 2Ns isn't sans flip-flop. Good luck with the sinuses!Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50894858076691142432016-06-15T11:01:29.340-04:002016-06-15T11:01:29.340-04:00Woohoo! Very good, Karen!! Is that the sound of a ...Woohoo! Very good, Karen!! Is that the sound of a gauntlet being thrown, or is 2Ns looking for her flip-flop again?<br /><br />Can you tell the sinus meds are kicking in? Ahhh... Advil Cold and Sinus. Well, Equate brand actually. But a nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat, as they say... :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.com