tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post1651643982160237407..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: More on waiting, cause really what else should we talk about while you're waiting!Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19756744922547851542017-07-06T18:00:37.656-04:002017-07-06T18:00:37.656-04:00What Beth Carpenter said is true, at least for me....What Beth Carpenter said is true, at least for me. In September my graphic novel will have been out on submission for a year. My agent has assured me that some editors are still reading and haven't said no yet. In the meantime (so I can keep from driving agent mad) I am working on the second book, and have it at a place where I can put it aside and start working on fleshing out ideas for book 3 and 4.Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86445134410048841232017-07-06T10:50:49.225-04:002017-07-06T10:50:49.225-04:00I haven't even nudged the agent with my full. ...I haven't even nudged the agent with my full. Since she asked for it in September.<br /><br />But I'm also 2 weeks out from finishing a full round of revisions. Right now, I'm contemplating if I give her a heads up, or wait til I'm done to offer the newer version.Morgan Hazelwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17713547255894719134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-79783535766578935442017-07-06T04:32:05.252-04:002017-07-06T04:32:05.252-04:00Ay ay ay, aïe, aïe, aïe, oy vey, and all the rest!...Ay ay ay, aïe, aïe, aïe, oy vey, and all the rest! Agents live in a parallel universe to ours. <br /><br />When we query, our manuscripts take a quantum leap. A few of the lucky ones go through a wormhole and make it to the other side in a nanosecond, but many of the unlucky ones end up in a black hole and are never heard from again. Still others are like OP's, they're keeping company with Schrödinger's cat. Is my manuscript alive or is it dead? We don't know because the agent hasn't looked yet. I feel for you Opie and I hope you've continued to query far and wide across the universe.<br /><br /> Congrats, Kathy!<br />LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-31039486570031130722017-07-05T22:36:28.903-04:002017-07-05T22:36:28.903-04:00BJ Muntain ...
Yes, you are right. The book is pr...BJ Muntain ...<br /><br />Yes, you are right. The book is probably good or it would not have got a full request. I have met lots of people in the business world who are extremely enthusiastic about doing deals, and nothing ever gets past lunch and a margarita. I could not maintain enthusiasm for something I got a year ago and never looked at after collecting numerous other fulls since. That is why in that situation I would (1) get an opinion, and (2) revise as advised, and (3) query others if still waiting.<br /><br />Very best wishes, OP!<br />Steve Stubbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13421775912951050610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34688969298970596762017-07-05T21:56:20.397-04:002017-07-05T21:56:20.397-04:00The encouragement to nudge (appropriately) is alwa...The encouragement to nudge (appropriately) is always a good reminder. It's so hard not to feel like a pain doing so. Guess we all have to be our own advocate & number one fan, though. Appropriately, of course. <br /><br />Congratulations, <b>Kathy!</b> Very well done!Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-54420852576676079032017-07-05T20:55:01.188-04:002017-07-05T20:55:01.188-04:00Congrats to Kathy.
Best wishes to OP.
And now, c...Congrats to Kathy.<br /><br />Best wishes to OP.<br /><br />And now, cake for me, because nobody should wait for cake.Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42177005315691897132017-07-05T18:40:41.976-04:002017-07-05T18:40:41.976-04:00Thanks all for the kind words. I feel motivated, a...Thanks all for the kind words. I feel motivated, and will share. <b>OP</b>, gale force winds of motivation coming your way! Anyone else, reach out and grab what you need.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03581361783795436259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4566956147358914752017-07-05T18:15:01.468-04:002017-07-05T18:15:01.468-04:00::Slinks in late, reads post and comments, crafts ...::Slinks in late, reads post and comments, crafts a reply, sees Janet's comment, looks at usual 100+ word monologue, erases all::<br /><br /><b>OP:</b> Keep persevering and don't give up! Especially if this is the path you foresee to your dream. As you can see, there are many reasons for publishing, and many successful paths in its pursuit. No matter what, patience is the ultimate virtue in this industry. Hang in there.<br /><br /><b>Kathy:</b> A hearty congrats! Three cheers to celebrate your story!<br /><br />And done.<br /><br />::slinks back out::Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05332570278984058081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28752252600273595072017-07-05T18:09:19.208-04:002017-07-05T18:09:19.208-04:00Busted.
(And this will help bring my average down...Busted.<br /><br />(And this will help bring my average down for the day.)John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60168899810080641952017-07-05T17:59:57.178-04:002017-07-05T17:59:57.178-04:00ok youse guyz....we're creeping WAY past the 1...ok youse guyz....we're creeping WAY past the 100 word limit here for some of you.<br /><br />If you find yourself posting long-ass comments every day, I suggest you write them out first and EDIT/REVISE/PRUNE.<br /><br />Also, you don't need to repeat what's been said by other commenters.<br /><br />And when I start hearing "the comment section is too long to read" I'm going to start making some executive choices here that no one really wants.<br /><br />Ok? Got it??<br /><br />Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-44617917169199348942017-07-05T16:56:55.416-04:002017-07-05T16:56:55.416-04:00BJ,
I wasn't referring to the letter writer. ...<b>BJ</b>,<br /><br />I wasn't referring to the letter writer. I admire anyone who can type THE END, and I admire them more if they have a pending full. But I won't look to them for advice on timing queries.<br /><br />I was referring to Janet's response--<br />"I will also tell you this: right now a lot of agents and editors are having a hard time reading incoming work. I don't know why that is. I myself have a backlog of 40+ requested manuscripts."<br /><br />Statistically speaking, there's a better time and a worse time to query. Without access to numbers, we can't create the proper statistics to identify those times. But anecdotally, Janet just gave us a hint. It's human nature that if you have a backlog of 40+ of anything, it's gonna take a mountain to move you to add to your backlog. So, right now, it strikes me that it'd be easier for an agent to say no to an incoming query. <br /><br />Just trying to come up with a way to align some horrible odds a wee bit more in my favor. <br />John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69932990106321001972017-07-05T16:24:35.875-04:002017-07-05T16:24:35.875-04:00OP, All the best to you.
2Ns, Add me to your lis...<b>OP</b>, All the best to you. <br /><br /><b>2Ns</b>, Add me to your list of fans who want a book from you. <br /><br /><b>Kathy</b>, Congratulations! First place - terrific!<br /><br />And <b>Janet</b>, Every time we're reminded of your incoming fulls, your reading list, and your overflowing inbox I am RE-blown away by all you give of yourself. Thank you. Melanie Sue Bowleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11820711791019410116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19900114024129047932017-07-05T15:03:48.175-04:002017-07-05T15:03:48.175-04:00Kathy, fantastic story. Congrats! Kathy, fantastic story. Congrats! Cecilia Ortiz Lunahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00336485056322219624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7940928713351383542017-07-05T14:56:57.968-04:002017-07-05T14:56:57.968-04:00Great story, Kathy! Bone chilling.Great story, <b>Kathy</b>! Bone chilling.Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55899727577386404882017-07-05T14:54:35.647-04:002017-07-05T14:54:35.647-04:002Ns, my goal is to be the next Helen Hoover Santmy...2Ns, my goal is to be the next Helen Hoover Santmyer.<br />Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18165072684559960801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30470320838332313272017-07-05T14:01:15.905-04:002017-07-05T14:01:15.905-04:00Kathy: Wow! That is a powerful story. Not sure I&#...Kathy: Wow! That is a powerful story. Not sure I'm glad I read it, but strong writing.Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62574538524895902582017-07-05T13:48:57.660-04:002017-07-05T13:48:57.660-04:00Kathy: CONGRATULATIONS! That's a story that gr...<b>Kathy</b>: CONGRATULATIONS! That's a story that grabbed me and dragged me along with it, wow.Jennifer R. Donohuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363886899308588391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56443008356708576702017-07-05T13:33:38.272-04:002017-07-05T13:33:38.272-04:00Thank you, BJ! I needed that. :)Thank you, <b>BJ!</b> I needed that. :)Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-89853932339467230112017-07-05T13:33:10.310-04:002017-07-05T13:33:10.310-04:00OP: Got nothing for ya, other than this is pretty ...OP: Got nothing for ya, other than this is pretty much the norm. Really makes you value the agents who have timely correspondence (if not reading times - the ones with fast turnarounds on manuscripts absolutely blow my mind).<br /><br />Kathy: Wonderful work. I LOVE "A fifth of dessert waited at home." Enjoyed the read!<br /><br />Take care everyone, and happy writing! Weather is almost too beautiful here. Almost.<br /><br /><br /><br />Timothy Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07514224628760035696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33682666375662029382017-07-05T13:31:45.712-04:002017-07-05T13:31:45.712-04:00I don't know if it's the same for everyone...I don't know if it's the same for everyone, but my publisher is even slower to respond to submissons than the agents were to queries. It's important to keep working on the next project so when you finally get that yes, you have something else to offer while enthusium is high.Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32221370297200048152017-07-05T13:28:15.902-04:002017-07-05T13:28:15.902-04:00Craig: Heavens, yes. The agent will tell you how t...<b>Craig</b>: Heavens, yes. The agent will tell you how to send the attachment (it may be to a different e-mail address, it may need to be a specific format) but no, I sincerely doubt a manuscript will be wanted in an e-mail text. E-mail servers (sender's and receiver's) do funny things to e-mails. Even if you have your e-mail formatted somehow, it still may look weird in her inbox. NO ONE wants to read through something like that for hundreds of pages.<br /><br /><b>John MS Frain</b> If an agent has had a manuscript for nearly a year, I don't think 'summer' is the wrong time. A lot of agents actually have more time in the summer, because editors take summer time off, meaning longer wait periods; because they take time off work, and often read during that time, whether at home or on vacation; because Fridays tend to be much slower in the summer, so they may use that time to do their reading... A lot of agents have to read submissions on their free time, and many actually have more of that in the summer. If an agent doesn't have that time, or wants to use that time to catch up on already-submitted items, then they close to queries for the summer. If they don't close to queries, then yes, query them in the summer, in the fall, around Christmas, around holidays, during spring break, etc. THERE IS NO WRONG TIME TO QUERY, as long as the agent is open to queries. After all, if you wait until September, then you'll be up against all the other people who have waited until September, thinking that will be a better time. If it takes an agent six months to read through her submissions, then sending that submission in January will probably get it read in June or July, Sending it in April will get it read in October, sending it in June will get it read in December, sending it in September will get it read in the spring. So it doesn't really matter when you send it in - it's still going to take six months. Queries *usually* take less time than that, though (there's a lot less to read, for starters). <br /><br />The agent will get to your query when the agent gets to it. No matter what time of year.<br /><br /><b>Mr. Stubbs</b>: The one-to-two pages is what gets sent in a query. A full request - which this is about - is an entirely different beast. The agent has already read the beginning, and likes it. The agent has committed to reading this novel, when she can. When she does read it, she'll find out about further plot stuff or other things that may or may not affect her ability to sell it as is.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9917202834782142882017-07-05T13:27:13.130-04:002017-07-05T13:27:13.130-04:00I'm not moving very quickly myself these days....I'm not moving very quickly myself these days. I'm not querying as much as I should be, but I'm querying as much as I can at this time. Still, I've decided that I want to be just like my great-great Aunt Pearl (RIP at age 112), so I still have another 60 years to go...<br /><br />For those bemoaning the speed of traditional publishing: While traditional publishing is slow, the best way to speed it up is to keep busy yourself. <br /><br />- Query lots and often. It's okay to be cautious at first, only sending out a few queries here and there, but once you're confident in your query, send that sucker out. Get it across many desks. If you run out of agents, set it aside and query the next novel. A year later, see if there are any new agents who may be interested in your first novel, and query them. Query agents who may not seem to be the best fit, genre-wise, because you never know. <br /><br />- Keep writing. And query that. If you're able, write short stories and try to sell those. <br /><br />Yes, this is lots of waiting, but waiting is a lot easier on a person when they're too busy to ruminate on it.<br /><br />The secret to getting published is getting the right manuscript across the right desk at the right time. First, you have to hit that sweet spot with an agent (usually), and then with a publisher. Luckily, the agent will have a better chance of doing that with a publisher than you will.<br /><br />Your chances of doing that increase with the number of desks the manuscript crosses.<br /><br />I'm not a spring chicken anymore, either, and I've been querying for a long time. So yes, I've been breaking a rule or two here and there. There are science fiction publishers who will look at unagented manuscripts. If I can't get an agent for this series, or I can't get a large traditional publisher to look at it, then I'll have to decide if I want to go with a smaller publisher (I've had a few request submissions/queries/partials) or self-publish it.<br /><br />I think I'd rather self-publish, myself, because then I'm in control of making it the best book I can (physically and electronically, as well as literarily). I'm in control of how fast the series gets published, and I'm in control of the content. I don't have to worry about a small publisher going out of business, not getting my books out, raising the prices on my books exceedingly high, or trying to control *how* I promote it.<br /><br />SELF-PUBLISHING IS A BUSINESS CHOICE. If you feel traditional publishing is moving far too slow, then it may be the business choice you want. You control the speed of self-publishing. Or, you can get a traditional deal for your first book, or a different book/series, and then self-publish other things on the side. Or if you go the traditional publishing route, and things don't work to your satisfaction there (publisher dumps you, publisher treats you badly, agent abandons you - I've heard of lots of these things), you can use the success you've built there to push into self-publishing then. <br /><br />Just be sure your traditional publishing contract reflects your goals - there's a fair termination clause; the publisher isn't tying up your characters, your future work, or your time; and you are free to use your work/characters/world any way you want to. MAKE SURE OF THIS BEFORE SIGNING ANY CONTRACT. An agent will help you with that. If you can't get an agent, then a publishing lawyer or someone else who knows publishing contracts very well can help you. Janet has said she can offer suggestions of people who are competent and willing to read contracts for writers for a one-time fee.<br /><br />Sorry for the essay. I just got passionate when people seemed to be losing hope. There is always hope, no matter which way you decide to go. And there are other ways into traditional publishing and into self-publishing. THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24226363093638816352017-07-05T13:11:57.568-04:002017-07-05T13:11:57.568-04:00It's impossible to know about timing on the ot...It's impossible to know about timing on the other end. I just queried one of my dream agents only to find she was out with a stomach bug on the exact day I sent the query! Time is on my side? Not quite! <br /><br />It's a bit discouraging to know that this is also a bad time for agents and editors to read new material. But I will continue querying anyway, in the hope of a chomp. I'm still very early in the process, but I think I've finally gotten my query to where I want it (with some very useful critique from a published author friend). <br /><br />All we can do is put our note in a bottle, and let the ocean do the rest. Good luck, Opie!Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7600240283542553782017-07-05T12:21:38.932-04:002017-07-05T12:21:38.932-04:00I'm close to being in the Query Trenches for t...I'm close to being in the Query Trenches for the first time, but still a few weeks away. Accordingly, I have nothing to offer OP except encouragement. I hope the advice provided by Janet and the Reef helps you out - good luck!<br /><br />As for the ongoing debate about the glacial pace of traditional publishing, I suppose every author reaches a tipping point. If it's more about the ride than the destination, no worries. However, if it's important for a particular person (or persons) to see your work in published form while you're both still walking the earth, then why not self-publish? My father did that. It gave him great pleasure to give his book to family and friends, and to sell a few at a local gift shop. Of course, you can be much more successful than that with a self-published book, as has been discussed many times in this blog. It comes back to personal goals. We all know that writing is not a get-rich-quick scheme - it's about the need to tell stories.<br /><br />Kathy Joyce: Congratulations! Great piece. It gave me chills.<br /><br /><br />Claire Bobrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15666082441972111293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23743322185036217162017-07-05T12:04:47.117-04:002017-07-05T12:04:47.117-04:00I think Ms. Reid is right. If she is selling books...I think Ms. Reid is right. If she is selling books by her clients, that is making her money. Activities that make her money are High Priority.<br /><br />Activities that cost time that she could be spending making money are Low Priority.<br /><br />She is not making money off you, or not yet, anyway.<br /><br />That makes you Low Priority.<br /><br />It is very kind of her to take time year after year to tell you she is excited about reading your book - some day. But based on the unpublished stuff I have seen, I suspect her excitement is more courtesy than sincerity. I would not read too much into that.<br /><br />You can be immensely talented and make technical errors. Technical errors are fixable. No talent is not.<br /><br />I suspect you will benefit if you get an honest (to the point of brutal) critique from a skilled critter.<br /><br />One thing I do not understand is, I can see after one or two pages if an MS is major league crapola or not. If the MC is not Wonder Woman and she does something no human being is capable of ("Confronted with an angry mob, she jumped into the air and dove over their heads") that does not bode well. Yes, I have seen that. If I were an agent I would not need to read the next 400 pages.<br /><br />If the author is obviously talented, but the MS is one revision away from being ready to submit (meaning it will require more editing than anyone could reasonably invest in something that is probably not going to sell anyway) that does not bode well.<br /><br />If the author spends three paragraphs telling me it was raining last night (if it is relevant the characters should discuss that with each other, rather than an omniscient voice discussing it with the reader) that does not bode well.<br /><br />If the sentences are so long and complicated I forget what the sentence is about long before (thankfully) getting to the period, that does not bode well.<br /><br />If the story does not open (and the reader is therefore not going to take it from the news stand or the book store and lay down some filthy lucre for it) that does not bode well. The story simply must open. No ifs, ands, or whats.<br /><br />If the writing is all tell and not show, meaning an editor is not going to pay for it (as the editors say, "No show, no dough") that does not bode well.<br /><br />That does not even begin to cover all the things I have seen. But if I were an agent I could figure out in a few pages whether or not to send a form e-mail that says, "Gee, pal, I am very excited about this and I am sure someone else, somewhere, somehow, will be excited to rep it, but I have temporarily taken leave of my senses and am going to have to pass. Man, am I dumb. Good luck and don't bother to reply." I would not say, "Gee, the damn thing doesn't open." I would say I was very excited and hope I did not go to hell for lying.<br />Steve Stubbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13421775912951050610noreply@blogger.com