tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post836361566604963139..comments2024-03-29T07:29:32.276-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: the sublimely shortsighted neener neener emailJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-2610049691260543162019-06-14T02:22:35.442-04:002019-06-14T02:22:35.442-04:00Catching up on my backlog of blog reading...
Gobs...Catching up on my backlog of blog reading...<br /><br />Gobsmacked. Cannot believe writers neener neener. Have they not heard of burning bridges? And yes, bullet dodged.AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10416792298755777022019-05-18T22:50:14.509-04:002019-05-18T22:50:14.509-04:00geeze, with the neener neeners, but also all the s...geeze, with the neener neeners, but also all the shade on self publishing. Sure, lots of people self publish some extremely subpar stuff. Other self publish on an amazingly polished level and make wild fortunes from it. Of course, it's all in demeanor. "Successful" self publishers probably don't neener, I wouldn't think.<br /><br />I self published a novella, sort of experimentally I guess, but I'll continue to self publish more in the series. Novellas are a difficult length to <i>submit</i>, much less place (and I've never seen an agent whose submission guidelines says 'yes query me with your novellas', though I guess don't show me if you find one, I don't want to regret this!). I've sold. well. More than the 10 copies that my aunt bought for Family Christmas, anyway! Would I love them to be super successful and have a publisher come knocking with a deal that I bring to an agent? Oh yes. But my marketing budget is about zero and I've only got a few reviews so far between Amazon and GoodReads so it is what it is. I really like writing these characters, and remain unembarrassed by what I've released into this world, so I count that as a win!Jennifer R. Donohuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363886899308588391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16723552598989550442019-05-18T13:19:17.873-04:002019-05-18T13:19:17.873-04:00Or as Mema used to say, "Bless their pointy l...Or as Mema used to say, "Bless their pointy little heads."<br /><br />If I thought I had something to prove, the proof would be in the pudding and I'd eat it. No wait... The proof would be in sales numbers, and I'd let them speak for themselves.<br /><br /><b>Jennifer,</b> I agree on the time thing, but IME this sort of person has a lot of bitterness (h/t to <b>Claire</b> for her thoughts on that), and has let that eat away at them since the day they took a rejection letter as a personal rejection.<br /><br /><b>Brenda,</b> good points. The online writing community is a bizarre mishmash of helpful people, people trying to be helpful (but who aren't), people trying to learn, people who think they are trying to learn, and needy people. Twitter is both the best and worst of that.Miles O'Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15566986720292847069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85026664859183361422019-05-18T13:16:37.432-04:002019-05-18T13:16:37.432-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Miles O'Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15566986720292847069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37305376682664694292019-05-18T09:58:10.267-04:002019-05-18T09:58:10.267-04:00I'm late responding to this because I was trav...I'm late responding to this because I was traveling yesterday. For some reason, this topic stirred my frustration. I belong to a local writer group as well as an online group. One thing that gets my ire up is the refrain of "poor me, agents, publishers, editors have no idea what they are doing. They keep rejecting my work! My friends, family, workshop members love my work. It's the system that is wrong, not me." They send perhaps ten query letters, receive no offers and decide it's time to self-publish and "show those snooty agents." <br /><br />Yes, this is a frustrating profession and being rejected hurts. Unless you plan on a very brief, perhaps non-existent career in writing, learn to take rejection as a pro. Cry, curse and scream all you want in private, but always be polite and respectful in public, even online. Irene Troyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11839666907158210573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39242405499593640972019-05-18T02:57:47.905-04:002019-05-18T02:57:47.905-04:00Whoa, that's intense. Sorry you get emails lik...Whoa, that's intense. Sorry you get emails like that, Janet. The mind boggles at what they were thinking. Nope, actually - they probably weren't.<br /><br /><b>@MelSavransky</b> - thanks for the laugh! That visual of sticking the cat on 'worthy' people - ha!<br /><br />and <b>@KDJames</b> - yes! I'd like one of those keyboards too! Methinks you'd have a money-spinner on your hands with that one :)Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23747427118015347832019-05-17T23:09:21.299-04:002019-05-17T23:09:21.299-04:00Aw, come on, Janet. Tell us the name of this "...Aw, come on, Janet. Tell us the name of this "masterpiece." I want to buy a copy, just so I can post a review on Amazon saying how much it sucks.<br /><br />Just kidding.<br /><br />Kinda.Michael Seesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03694187657718931214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14610440190712934502019-05-17T22:45:46.186-04:002019-05-17T22:45:46.186-04:00Janet, I know you've got a thick skin, but tha...Janet, I know you've got a thick skin, but that kind of mean and vindictive has got to sting at least a little. I'm sorry these people subjected you to their ugly. Keyboards should come with an optional "DELETE WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE" button.<br /><br />It's funny, when I think about it, that a lot of my motivation and drive for various things (not just writing, but that especially) has come from people who said negative or discouraging or insulting things about my abilities. Positive encouragement is great, but sometimes it takes someone beating you down a bit to hone your determination. If those writers had an ounce of perspective or self-awareness, they'd be thanking you.<br /><br />KDJameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10534864045227102030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51958999448765238092019-05-17T22:15:15.411-04:002019-05-17T22:15:15.411-04:00Send me their names and addresses. I’ll sic Kirby ...Send me their names and addresses. I’ll sic Kirby on them.JD Hornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05538238148744690853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-78425828568073455892019-05-17T22:15:06.717-04:002019-05-17T22:15:06.717-04:00Well, I guess those emails made the senders feel b...Well, I guess those emails made the senders feel better? Otherwise, I can't think of any other reason they sent them.<br /><br />More and more often I've been running across folks who are complete neophytes at whatever, but who pooh-pooh <i>any</i> information or advice from experts. It's as if knowing your subject and/or working successfully in a particular field for decades doesn't count anymore. The phenomenon truly baffles me. Elissa Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10727748060605823895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32426659866539511602019-05-17T21:18:41.978-04:002019-05-17T21:18:41.978-04:00Off-topic - Katja, if anyone thought this was you,...Off-topic - <b>Katja</b>, if anyone thought this was you, they need to go back to Kindergarten. Also, I love your website. You should link it to your Blogger profile (the name/ link you use to comment here) so all us Reiders can find it easily :) Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24966402226108255372019-05-17T17:22:33.518-04:002019-05-17T17:22:33.518-04:00Ahem... 😬 Can I just quickly say that this wasn&#...Ahem... 😬 Can I just quickly say that this wasn't me who wrote that?! Just so you know, cause I'm also (almost) self-published and on Amazon and want to get rave reviews..<br /><br />Plus, I also queried Janet (a LONG time ago, but with another version of my stuff) and she rejected (no problem, Janet!).<br /><br />And since I've told some people that I'm self-publishing.. oops.. but this was NOT me. <br />Katjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06393775907417257099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40702449059692161622019-05-17T15:38:03.817-04:002019-05-17T15:38:03.817-04:00The crazy thing that nobody here seems to have men...The crazy thing that nobody here seems to have mentioned is that these neenites presumably sent those same emails to every other agent who passed on their work, too.DKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16718686831211419521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53342579978483255112019-05-17T15:11:12.937-04:002019-05-17T15:11:12.937-04:00One of the problems with the interweb is that it h...One of the problems with the interweb is that it has turned the whole world into something that looks like the retail world.<br /><br />Any of you who know the joys of working retail know where I come from. People are nasty when they think they have the upper hand.They don't even look sheepish when proven wrong.<br /><br />Lucky for me, the only retail I did was hardware. I could tell them that they would burn their house down is they did something as stoopid as they planned.<br /><br />I second the "bless you heart", but up it a "pea-picking". "Bless your pea picking heart" is closer to these idiots.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37780305630512307282019-05-17T14:50:56.145-04:002019-05-17T14:50:56.145-04:00Timothy, Timothy, Timothy. You went there.<b>Timothy, Timothy, Timothy</b>. You went there.Amy Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05324408700941398495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87808750051733683872019-05-17T14:37:00.449-04:002019-05-17T14:37:00.449-04:00I know this isn't the point or topic here, but...I know this isn't the point or topic here, but I notice how this post dives right into the 'good' stuff. Instead of explaining what happened, giving a little background, then including the emails, nope -- BANG! we were just right into them. <br /><br />Just how a query should be. Great example. <br /><br />To the OP, well, I guess, bless your little heart. Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85739241154899518962019-05-17T14:00:22.767-04:002019-05-17T14:00:22.767-04:00Sorry I sent you those emails, Janet. It was the A...Sorry I sent you those emails, Janet. It was the Ambien talking, I swear.Timothy Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07514224628760035696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42401869366235751422019-05-17T13:52:47.000-04:002019-05-17T13:52:47.000-04:00Morgan, that's exactly what I was going to say...<b>Morgan</b>, that's exactly what I was going to say! Those emails might even call for a "bless your little heart."* <br /><br />*Which is Southern for "You are a ****ing idiot, and I'm torn between pity and laughter. But my mom wouldn't let me say ****. Or even think it. So bless your heart."Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06909176210194176373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87686301410421408012019-05-17T13:05:27.235-04:002019-05-17T13:05:27.235-04:00These emails deserve a strong helping of "Oh,...These emails deserve a strong helping of "Oh, honey." With maybe a little, "bless your heart."Morgan Hazelwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17713547255894719134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8064493358084630332019-05-17T12:55:24.404-04:002019-05-17T12:55:24.404-04:00When I lived in Berkeley, our vet had a license fo...When I lived in Berkeley, our vet had a license for cat acupuncture (or 'catupuncture,' if you will). (You stick needles in the cat, not stick the cat on people. Unfortunately.) <br /><br />My response to 'neener neener' emails is the same as catupuncture: you COULD do it, but is it worth the energy?MelSavranskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03917897217765196343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87822240989126265572019-05-17T11:58:12.650-04:002019-05-17T11:58:12.650-04:00People should use the Abraham Lincoln approach. If...People should use the Abraham Lincoln approach. If you’re angry, put it all in a letter, then throw the letter in a drawer for at least a day. He apparently did this many times, letting his reason return, and typically not sending the letter. I know it’s harder now in a world where emails can be delivered instantly, but there’s nothing to stop folks from leaving it in the Draft folder for a day or two.<br /><br />And for the individual who still can’t restrain themself, crafting hate mail is less time spent refining their craft.C. Dan Castrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15648247329883078385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-21649526446402901652019-05-17T11:20:06.014-04:002019-05-17T11:20:06.014-04:00Claire
Exactly. You see these people on social me...<b>Claire</b><br /><br />Exactly. You see these people on social media a lot who blame agents, editors, publishers, the moon, for all their ills. I had to substitute an artist I had used in Rain Crow because his prints weren't widely available in the US in 1861 yet. So, off to research again. I doubt anyone would have noticed, but best to be safe. Anyway, I ran across a wonderful American artist who was remarkable. For whatever reason, his work never became that popular during his lifetime even though Washington collected him. He died very embittered and poor. <br /><br />Sometimes talent isn't enough to become successful. Often it isn't. However, we can't let bitterness overtake us. <br /><br />"I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars." ~ Og Mandinojulie.weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17681983281070593388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80107754854336306892019-05-17T11:13:17.926-04:002019-05-17T11:13:17.926-04:00My agent would only need wheelbarrows if the publi...My agent would only need wheelbarrows if the publisher paid in pennies; nevertheless, she works hard for her 15%. I have to think some of those neener-neener writers eventually find themselves in desparate want of an agent and query again, hoping you won't remember their flaming bridge episode. The urge to neener-neener them back must be overpowering. Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12405264655668170792019-05-17T11:10:39.752-04:002019-05-17T11:10:39.752-04:00Emails like that make me sad for everyone involved...Emails like that make me sad for everyone involved. No one should be on the receiving end of such hateful messages. And the senders are clearly eaten up on the inside, going nowhere fast.<br /><br />Here's hoping something more positive comes your way today, Janet.Claire Bobrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15666082441972111293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33243249421621879872019-05-17T10:58:32.083-04:002019-05-17T10:58:32.083-04:00My eyes are still gummed up with sleep, but I thou...My eyes are still gummed up with sleep, but I thought she said those were real emails.<br /><br />What in the world???<br /><br />This person will have no time to write anything, as I am sure he/she spends all his time sending neener neener emails to everyone who ever slighted him/her at any point, for any reason. <br /><br />So, uh, good luck with the book!<br /><br />Yeah, I'm trying to grab the brass ring, and I may not be tall enough, or athletic enough, or sitting on the best horse, but I am certainly not going to berate the carousel operator. I win or lose or get off the dang carousel and try another ride.RosannaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06399732751877180737noreply@blogger.com