tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6896630870358519543..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: "I intend to live forever, or die trying"--Groucho MarxJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80907215402201004882015-11-20T22:59:45.565-05:002015-11-20T22:59:45.565-05:00My youngest son Will James and I have a kind of un...My youngest son Will James and I have a kind of unique relationship. A longtime friend of mine says he is a male clone of me, which may explain why we get along so well.<br /><br />Will has encouraged me to write for years, but I used to write books for him when he was little. We had a wonderful collection of dinosaur books as well as some fun little adventure books. Basically, he's grown up with me writing and him cheering me on.<br /><br />He came back from Iraq with an idea for a fascinating story based on some things that happened there. Life blew to pieces. Neither one of us wrote down the story and now neither of us can remember what it was. Keep a notebook handy at all times, children.<br /><br />Anyway, he pretty much knows what I'm working on and what I'm doing, but would he be able to do anything with my books? Probably not. Only the children's books are stand alones.<br /><br />He came over one day when I was sorting through some boxes and I said, "You know, son, someday all this will be yours."<br /><br />"Stop threatening me, Mom or I'm not coming back to visit again."<br /><br />That's probably the way he would feel about my writing even as much of a cheerleader as he is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52531062024989557992015-11-20T06:01:13.253-05:002015-11-20T06:01:13.253-05:00My mentor had an agent die on her. It can be a mes...My mentor had an agent die on her. It can be a messy business.<br /><br />I was in negotiations Way Back When with a screenplay agent who had a heart attack. Her doctor told her to cut back on her work load. (That included me, and several other prospectives.)<br /><br />I am a woman whose life is governed by Plans. Everything that is important to me has a structured, written-out Plan. I got special project plans (ie a birth plan when I'm pregnant) and long-term plans: 5 year, 20 year, 50 year, thousand-year Plans.<br /><br />A legal will is also a plan. <br /><br />I've left detailed instructions regarding my creative works (books, music, etc), not so much what is to be done with them, but where everything is. (My heirs can do with it what they want, even ignore it if they so choose.) I explain everything from my personal filing system to my submissions tracker (Sonar by Spacejock Software). I have a password locker with all my online passwords and the key to that is included with the will.<br /><br />I believe in making things easier for those I've left behind. I'm okay with death (mine or someone else's) but dealing with the aftermath of that death can be onery.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53227609522694311642015-11-19T09:14:00.614-05:002015-11-19T09:14:00.614-05:00I know this is popping in late, but here's my ...I know this is popping in late, but here's my story.<br /><br />My father passed away 15 years go. In addition to being a real estate developer, he was a writer. Or he wanted to be. He wasn't very good -- tended toward long speeches and angry plotlessness. But he wrote three novels. He tried, but never got an agent and nothing ever happened with them. One of them was sort of lost, but a distant relative found a copy and forwarded it to me, so I have the complete collected works of my father. <br /><br />About two years ago, a friend was at a boat show, and she ran into friend of my dad's -- the guys is a charter-boat captain and the author of cruising guides to the Keys and that kind of thing. Anyway. this friend saw there was another book there -- self published, spiral bound, renamed, but it said it was written by this charter boat captain and my dad. The find picked it up and mailed it to me. It was one of my dad's books, trimmed a bit, but with my dad's picture on the back and a statement that he had died.<br /><br />At first I got furious -- really mad. it even had me check with my father's third wife to see if she'd given permission. She hadn't. And I thought about legal action and all that jazz, but in the end I decided just to not worry about it. My dad's book is out there -- available only to people who stop by a booth at a boat show -- but it's out there. So I guess that's something. <br /><br />But weird. Matt Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10566969805157519527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63495180278503736882015-11-19T08:46:42.152-05:002015-11-19T08:46:42.152-05:00I really appreciate all the kind words.
And Mega...I really appreciate all the kind words. <br /><br />And Megan--thanks for asking this question. It's a hard but necessary reality that all artists should be reminded of--if the work is important to you in this life, you want to make sure it's cared for after. I'm sure your writing group member's loved one will appreciate the responses.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05332570278984058081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42249087994243089402015-11-19T07:54:56.757-05:002015-11-19T07:54:56.757-05:00I agree with Donna on the sub-header nomination. S...I agree with Donna on the sub-header nomination. Susan, I hope you are with us for a good long while. Stay strong. It sounds like you have an important tale to tell.<br /><br />I too find writing to be cathartic and redeeming. I wrote my way right out of anorexia when I was young. My body never fully recovered (myopic heart, lots of missing organs) but I got my soul back. It was a lot like escaping Hell with the devil holding onto your heel. <br /><br />I loved Colin's story. Great for a laugh. Should I be querying dead agents too? As usual some great advice from BJ and others. What a great knowledge base we have here. Even though this is a difficult question, I am glad Megan asked it. E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32475750942001925402015-11-19T05:57:23.992-05:002015-11-19T05:57:23.992-05:00Interesting conversation.
I'd just add for an...Interesting conversation.<br /><br />I'd just add for anyone who considers a literary trust/creative property trust/etc for your published works, make sure you're talking to your attorney not just about the setup, but about the ongoing administration. It is good for your Trustee to know your wishes, and hopefully those are clearly reflected in the document. What your Trustee might not know is that trusts have to pay their own fiduciary taxes (often even if the income earned flows out to a beneficiary), and that's the kind of thing you want to make sure a loved one understands before the agree to take on a fiduciary role like Trustee.Lucie Witthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08521285162656949602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64773032272125729042015-11-18T20:05:29.149-05:002015-11-18T20:05:29.149-05:00Susan, as Panda said, I hope you'll be with us...Susan, as Panda said, I hope you'll be with us a long time. <br /><br />I'll have to echo Donnaeve. I want an edit button. I hate when I spell something in English when it should be in French and vice versa. The movement I was talking about is Je Suis En Terrasse and not Terrace. Sometimes I have to think twice when I spell apartment rather than appartement, etc. I'll blame it on not enough coffee this morning. <br />LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59730066515269783602015-11-18T19:58:34.459-05:002015-11-18T19:58:34.459-05:00Great and useful question, Megan. Thanks for askin...Great and useful question, Megan. Thanks for asking. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-11709359808410542192015-11-18T19:37:16.101-05:002015-11-18T19:37:16.101-05:00Opie here.
Thanks QOTKU for your insight. It'...Opie here. <br /><br />Thanks QOTKU for your insight. It's greatly appreciated. <br /><br />And thanks to everyone for sharing their stories. Susan I was very moved by your comment today.Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36497524887107318682015-11-18T18:43:28.041-05:002015-11-18T18:43:28.041-05:00What a heartbreaking situation. Very sad reading.
...What a heartbreaking situation. Very sad reading.<br /><br />And I, too, was startled by that last line! If anyone could tell the story from the other side (of the grave), I bet it would be Janet.<br /><br />I actually DID make a new Will and other assorted legal documents last spring, before my knee surgery. Not that I thought I was going to die, not then anyway, but you never know. Also, the old version provided for a situation I would have been deeply unhappy to leave behind. I used the language in Neil Gaiman's post (linked above). My attorney had never dealt with anyone who wanted a Creative Property Trust, so it was very helpful. I appointed my daughter as Trustee and have told her very specifically what my wishes are (which might not be the same as other writers' wishes). I do trust that she'll follow them. And then I sat down and made a very long list of passwords and access information. Oy. So much of life is online, from financial information to email to social media, it's staggering. None of this was easy. It's very difficult to talk to people who love you about how to handle your affairs after your death. I was surprised by how difficult and emotionally draining it was. But once it's done, it's a comfort. For all involved, I think.<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32603171424914438242015-11-18T13:24:02.277-05:002015-11-18T13:24:02.277-05:00Lol, Colin. ..but wait...can we be sure of what St...Lol, Colin. ..but wait...can we be sure of what Stephen meant?<br /><br />And I want that t shirt. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11543685541225544175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16390702849641809662015-11-18T13:03:38.022-05:002015-11-18T13:03:38.022-05:00Susan, love this: "Drugs can heal the body, ...Susan, love this: "Drugs can heal the body, but writing heals the soul."<br /><br />That ought to be our sub-header next week. Although there is a ton of them out here today.<br /><br />LynnRodz - so glad to hear that these attacks will no sway the lifestyle of the French! Je suis en terrace - perfect. Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63224022898106452312015-11-18T13:00:43.248-05:002015-11-18T13:00:43.248-05:00Sobering post but helpful. Like Colin, the last l...Sobering post but helpful. Like Colin, the last line made me do a double take. It made me imagine a ghost shark chuckling in front of her computer as she dropped the bombshell news.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16452613533552903695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7366797653562526542015-11-18T11:58:00.461-05:002015-11-18T11:58:00.461-05:00On break, not much time.
Colin, legacy is the reas...On break, not much time.<br />Colin, legacy is the reason why I have saved every column and article of mine published. There's hundreds now and I keep them so my granddaughter and future kids can read them and not only learn what a wingnut I am but get a handle on what life was like why back when.<br />I matted and framed a few for the little one to hang in her room. Someday she can point out to her friends how famous she is because SHE made the papers.<br /><br />As for my trunk novels and memoir, once I'm gone I'm gone. One daughter might cull through, but who knows, who cares.<br />Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57083121679382231772015-11-18T10:51:07.938-05:002015-11-18T10:51:07.938-05:00To Self: NO! Stephen didn't mean it like THAT!...<i>To Self</i>: NO! Stephen didn't mean it like THAT!! Stop laughing!!! :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34320742138290831072015-11-18T10:43:12.860-05:002015-11-18T10:43:12.860-05:00And one of these days I'll tell you the story ...<i>And one of these days I'll tell you the story from the other side: what happens when an agent kicks.</i><br /><br />One day soon, I hope.<br />Stephen Parrishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16883165490847664389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9778544806146615032015-11-18T10:42:06.719-05:002015-11-18T10:42:06.719-05:00I know that when Siobhan Dowd passed away after pu...I know that when Siobhan Dowd passed away after putting together only an outline and the bare bones of A Monster Calls, it was her publishers who contacted Patrick Ness and asked if he would write the story. <br />I think it would have been a very different story had Siobhan lived to write it, and it is certainly very different to the rest of Patrick Ness's work. It's an incredible book that manages to be both harrowing and healing at the same time. It should be given to every child dealing with the loss of a family member (and probably every adult too).<br />Laura Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604133412050870730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60244230267817403362015-11-18T10:36:25.374-05:002015-11-18T10:36:25.374-05:00BJ – Your story about the writer's family sayi...<br />BJ – Your story about the writer's family saying “it's not important” reminded me of my father-in-law, a big bear of a man who actually looked like a twin of Grizzly Adams. He was a general contractor until he was in his 50s, but his heart wasn't in it. As an example, one day after work, the freeway was closed for reasons I don't remember, and there was so much traffic I couldn't get home [this is life in SoCal, unfortunately]. I drove to his house to kill a few hours, and found him at his dining room table butchering a deer. He was an interesting man.<br /><br />He retired from contracting and for the last ten years of his life, he had his dream job running a ranch up in central CA, gold country. In fact, that property was right in the middle of the fire we had up there a few months ago. I learned from the current owner that he lost a bit of undeveloped land and one outbuilding, but the main ranch and all the animals survived. Anyway, when my FIL passed, I was the one who handled his estate. When I wrote the obituary, all of his family agreed to write that his occupation was rancher, because that's where his heart was.<br /><br />Be sure your family knows where your heart is.<br /><br />Dena Pawlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14444683810125395220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87426292102539796512015-11-18T10:32:34.244-05:002015-11-18T10:32:34.244-05:00Bruce pulled the Ouja board from the top shelf, wh...Bruce pulled the Ouja board from the top shelf, where it gathered dust out of the reach of the kids.<br /><br />"Looks serious," said Pru, watching from the kitchen. "What happened this time?"<br /><br />"I was halfway through the final battle scene when she starts with her 'what the f*** is this??' I wish she would rattle a glass or throw a book like normal dead agents. It takes twice as long to write when I have to keep deleting her comments. We need a proper talk."<br /><br />"You know, there's always Barbara Poelle," Pru said cautiously as she dried Bruce's favorite beer glass. "I mean, she did show interest in your first novel. And, well, she's still alive."<br /><br />Bruce sighed.<br /><br />"I wish, dear. But when Janet had me sign in blood, I had no clue. I thought it was just shark humor."<br /><br />:)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68142286681531683482015-11-18T10:27:45.047-05:002015-11-18T10:27:45.047-05:00Time to update my poor excuse for a will. Mine is ...Time to update my poor excuse for a will. Mine is complicated by all of my paintings, and the ones at galleries too. I haven't even thought about my writing/ cartoons. I need some one younger and trustworthy to leave in charge of them. What a muddle!<br />It is true, whether we are young or old, we have no idea how much time we have left. I don't even know how much Inhave to untangle should I suddenly depart this world.<br />Susan, I hope you will be with us for a long time. Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14503216028127983042015-11-18T10:13:53.326-05:002015-11-18T10:13:53.326-05:00Since I spelled "orphan" wrong, I couldn...Since I spelled "orphan" wrong, I couldn't resist looking up "ophan". Turns out that is the word for the wheels on God's chariot - something I was pondering just yesterday...<br /><br />Ezekial gives a vivid description of that chariot and the wheels full of eyes. Ezekial 1:15<br /><br />A sci-fi writer couldn't make up that stuff. Makes me glad I am on His side.S.D.Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05707682524268581476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7451138825429903112015-11-18T10:09:21.992-05:002015-11-18T10:09:21.992-05:00Colin, that's hilarious. (but I am still among...Colin, that's hilarious. (but I am still among the circulating volumes in the Library of Life)<br />Thanks for alerting me to the typo.<br /><br />Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19387637206915033282015-11-18T10:08:41.538-05:002015-11-18T10:08:41.538-05:00Just got news that a friend passed away unexpected...Just got news that a friend passed away unexpectedly, so this post finds me already shell-shocked.<br /><br />Having said that, I am clearly not as generous as some others here, because the idea that I would be called on to continue the query process on behalf of another author is enough to send me screaming into the woods - or possibly curl in a ball and whimper. Isn't the writing life painful enough to do it for yourself, let alone an acquaintance? <br /><br />And if an agent dies? I assume the manuscript becomes and "ophan" to be assigned to another agent who is already busy, didn't pick this novel, really doesn't care. That story probably doesn't have a happy ending.<br /><br />BTW - did I thank Colin for the spreadsheet?S.D.Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05707682524268581476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39327126676609587732015-11-18T09:59:58.903-05:002015-11-18T09:59:58.903-05:00Echo Lynn. So tired this morning I almost didn'...Echo Lynn. So tired this morning I almost didn't get up for some needed editing. Kick in the pants was welcome.<br /><br />To echo EM, I'm also thinking of Eoin Colfer's posthumous addition to Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. And The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz.<br /><br />Back to bed. So tired.Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-67161774680477667862015-11-18T09:52:17.193-05:002015-11-18T09:52:17.193-05:00I just re-read Janet's post (Typo Alert: Conun...I just re-read Janet's post (Typo Alert: Conundrum Part 2 and 3: "but it's not unheard <b>off</b>"), and after all this discussion of death, I read this line in a <i>very</i> different way:<br /><br />"And one of these days I'll tell you the story from the other side: what happens when an agent kicks."<br /><br />Now THAT would be an article worth reading...! :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.com