So far, so good!
The first night we had 8.
Last Saturday: 59.
Yikes!
No one has written back to tell me I'm deranged or mean. They might think it but they've held off writing and sending it. That's REALLY nice.
Only one person kvetched at all and it was a writer who queried during the time window but NOT as part of the New Wrinkle experiment.
She thought I was rather terse telling her that she had a novella, not a novel.
Of course I wrote back and told her to use this form reply (with no helpful information at all) instead; it was much less terse.
And then I had another moment of respect and appreciation for all of you who got MUCH MUCH tougher replies and simply wrote back to thank me. That's what writers are made of!
I really REALLY like doing this so I hope we can keep going.
It beats the hell out of taking pitches at conferences (and you don't have to worry about throwing up on my shoes.)
It actually provides a chance to show rather than tell what works in a query.
And I think (I HOPE) it's helpful.
Let me know what you think of it so far ok?
I haven't participated (yet) but I think it's great that you're doing this. And I hope those who get shredded continue to see the value you're giving and will be thankful, not upset.
ReplyDeleteAwesome idea! Thanks for taking the time to do it.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me wish I was querying something in a genre you represented. I think this is a fantastic thing you're doing, and thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteAh. There's one in every crowd. I think it is so cool that you are doing this!
ReplyDeleteI think any time a writer gets a personal reply of any kind from a literary agent, considering the amount of trash they shift through every day, it's absolutely awesome.
ReplyDeleteSame sentiments for me too I wish I had a novel that you represent just to get the honor... er bite of your feedback=o)
ReplyDeleteI think it's amazing that you're willing to do this! That number is just going to keep getting bigger!
ReplyDeleteParticipated in the New Wrinkle experiment on the 28th, but didn’t receive a response, so trying a different email.
ReplyDeleteDale Larner, dalezu@bellsouth.net, VINCENT ALIAS JACK.
If don't receive, I'll try carrier pigeons next. Thanks.
You are my hero, Shark. Now if only we could get other agents for more genres doing this, too...
ReplyDeleteI loved it, appreciated it, and told you so. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it is fantastic! :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe that writer will grow a tougher skin, which is something we all need in this industry. I haven't had the chance to participate yet, but I think it's really awesome and kind that you're doing this!
ReplyDeleteI also participated on the 28th and didn't get a reply. However, I will try again this week from a different email address. I think I may know what went wrong with last Saturday's...
ReplyDeleteI think its a fabulous thing you're doing! :-)
I think this is an awesome idea. I just wish you repped what I'm querying. Thank you, Thank you. Even those of us just learning on the sidelines appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI just hope (selfishly) that you keep it up through August. I think I'll have something by the end of the month.
ReplyDeleteIt's coming, it's coming. Rewrite complete, reread almost complete. I'm so excited about this. Thank you, even if you shred it.
ReplyDeleteDale and CW, I'm sorry, I DID receive your queries and there is no little blue arrow indicating I sent a response.
ReplyDeleteI'm still working out some kinks on the email management program.
I'll make sure you get a reply this Saturday. If you want to polish and resend a new one, that's ok too.
Sorry!!
I participated and though I am sure I know everything about everything, it was very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI am full of everything too.
I hope you realize just how wonderful this is for us writers. I hope this starts a knew trend, one hour, just for us to find out how much we really suck or shine.
I hope.
Thick skin is a requirement for writers. My query is ready to go for Saturday night. It doesn't fit the genre you represent but I hope that's ok.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're enjoying this as well. I was really happy to get a personal reply. The whole process was quite exciting actually.
ReplyDeletePlease do continue this. It's really appreciated.
I've never seen anyone do this. You've put the "wow" into your business before and keep doing it. I'd have sent my query in if it hadn't been for that Saw guy kidnapping me. Why do I feel like a Munchkin bowling before Glinda? :-)
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome that you're doing this. I'd love to participate, but I don't think you rep my genre. Hope good things come of it, though!
ReplyDeleteDuh...
ReplyDeleteJust re-red my entry from this morning...really eye dew no the difference between nu, new and knew.
Thanks for the apology and consideration. Good luck finding the next big thing.
ReplyDeleteSo, um, just how quickly would you click DELETE if I resent the query I sent on 7/5 for this Wrinkle thing? I so wish I could've gotten in on this.
ReplyDeleteKay,probably not at all. Feel free.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure this is the best way to post another question, but if you ever need an idea for a post, would you mind discussing writers' conferences from agent's point of view? Why do you do it, how often do you do it, and what should a new writer know before attending their first conference.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Bukash,
ReplyDeleteYou can email questions to me with Question Emporium in the subject line.
Usual email address.
Is this Wrinkle experiment from 7-8 Eastern or central time zone?
ReplyDelete*Stares balefully at Stacey with one sharkly eyebrow upraised*
ReplyDeleteAs if there's ANY time zone but Eastern Shark Time??
Puhleeeeeze!
:)
Thank you for the comments on my queries. It's so nice to hear why something isn't right for you rather than the standard "it's not you it's me" form letter.
ReplyDelete