tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post2021197162876644531..comments2024-03-29T07:29:32.276-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Two percentJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-3359446851041042072010-01-19T09:56:53.838-05:002010-01-19T09:56:53.838-05:00Heh, sorry if I sounded negative. I guess it was j...Heh, sorry if I sounded negative. I guess it was just a negative day for me. But since you niggled over a fraction of a percent, I'll say that "not this, but the next one" is still "failure". It's like second place. You're the first among losers. :LOL:<br /><br />And if I get someone else as an agent, I'm not going to come back to you, am I? Can I have two agents?<br /><br />(That's a serious question on a different topic. I'm a multi-interest kind of guy, and I can't imagine I'd find an agent who can handle science fiction, historical fiction, romance, children's books, thrillers, and self-help/motivational books all at once. Yeah, I know: until I get them written, it's counting chickens before they hatch.)<br /><br />And if my current book isn't good enough, am I going to have the guts to spend another year writing the next one? Am I going to take "not this, but the next one" as the encouragement it's meant as?Jaycee Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17643340016892988682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91959427528144260052010-01-04T12:28:25.891-05:002010-01-04T12:28:25.891-05:00Excellent post, especially since you went into det...Excellent post, especially since you went into detail about the other 122 manuscripts. I will be taking this advice (even more) to heart!Kristin Laughtinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01536556357622503501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-48542453913796112892010-01-04T07:31:42.945-05:002010-01-04T07:31:42.945-05:00Maureen, it's not hard to talk to Lee Child! I...Maureen, it's not hard to talk to Lee Child! I attend his readings! That's where I heard all this stuff. Honest!<br /><br />Same for Joe Finder. He mentioned all this in a speech at a writers conference.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-13640677455221103132010-01-04T05:00:13.587-05:002010-01-04T05:00:13.587-05:00Janet, did you say...kinda casually, just slipped ...Janet, did you say...kinda casually, just slipped it into your post...that you've talked to Lee Child??? And you spoke about the creation of Jack Reacher???<br />Oh, man!! I'm sooo jealous!! What I wouldn't give to pick his brain.MaureenHumehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05081634584483171524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58061421661261921172010-01-03T17:28:56.305-05:002010-01-03T17:28:56.305-05:00Thank you for this enlightening post. As writers w...Thank you for this enlightening post. As writers we spend a lot of time talking to each other (or to ourselves) but don't often get a good insider perspective.<br /><br />I have my ms out to several agents and will use your positive approach to interpret the responses I get. <br /><br />Since I started writing seriously, I've been reading a lot in my genre (middle-grade and up) which I enjoy so I must have chosen the right one. My idea of a great time is having two hours to browse through a Borders Bookstore.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66388622985443389202010-01-03T14:21:21.448-05:002010-01-03T14:21:21.448-05:00Great post! In December, I received one of the op...Great post! In December, I received one of the opportunities you mentioned--an invite to resubmit/submit another manuscript. When I shared the news with my husband, his words were, "oh, I'm so sorry." I told him not to be, that I wasn't! I thought it a fantastic turn of events. To have an agent see potential in my work--and in my writing--enough to point out some things and offer to do a second read is incredibly encouraging.<br /><br />I'm working with a freelance developmental editor to revise my manuscript before I resubmit--an investment I'm more than willing to make. The agent's comments did not discourage me at all--in fact, it did so much to ease some of the self-doubts....I couldn't thank her enough.<br /><br />Catherine M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-11306109796700180932010-01-03T09:26:32.101-05:002010-01-03T09:26:32.101-05:00Getting a yes is of course great (not that I know)...Getting a yes is of course great (not that I know) but feedback is great too.<br /><br />I think the best rejection I ever got was when the agent took the time to write a personal note (on nice stationary no less!). While she didn't choose to represent my project her suggestions showed me exactly what was missing from my work. If I hadn't gotten that rejection and feedback I would never have known that I needed a clearer hook.<br /><br />Now I have that hook and I can feel confident when it comes time to submit my work.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08342109839956458589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60681135781444104442010-01-03T09:22:01.575-05:002010-01-03T09:22:01.575-05:00Your perspective on "the other side" is ...Your perspective on "the other side" is always rewarding.<br /><br />I love the stats!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41341994963085630292010-01-03T06:13:35.178-05:002010-01-03T06:13:35.178-05:00rrrrrraaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrMcKoalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01457446171624585099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46130760628246505392010-01-03T01:52:22.696-05:002010-01-03T01:52:22.696-05:00... interesting and sensible way of coming up with...... interesting and sensible way of coming up with something fresh and new: by reading a lot in one's chosen genre. As it's worked for some it's got to be effective, though not necessarily for everyone. <br /><br />As with all things related to the craft, writers must feel out what way works best for them -- while lending an ear to solid and insightful guidance like that offered here.KENhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16342845481936562761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84573789727950125612010-01-02T23:42:37.508-05:002010-01-02T23:42:37.508-05:00Progress? All I know is, the Query Shark read my ...Progress? All I know is, the Query Shark read my query and asked for more. That's as far as it went, but it did not feel like a failure. <br /><br />It felt like a triumph, really. <br /><br />And I still feel thankful!<br /><br />(I want you to know that my resolution for 2010 is Be Ready!)Heidi Yantzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17030476894610426776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53990566547658455972010-01-02T22:51:08.087-05:002010-01-02T22:51:08.087-05:00I have to admit, I was actually encouraged by your...I have to admit, I was actually encouraged by your stats. (Although I figure if you ask for a full, the query probably increased the odds somewhat.)<br /><br />But "Get Fierce" - now that's a bit of advice. (I think it will be good for my characters as well as me.)The Daring Novelisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01676188266569869059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17158853172924722722010-01-02T22:09:34.840-05:002010-01-02T22:09:34.840-05:00Good. Now I know what my challenges are. Thanks.
...Good. Now I know what my challenges are. Thanks.<br /><br />I'm not much on scotch but an aged bourbon helps me when I'm licking my wounds.Ronda Laveenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902846545309643023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51892988615261894392010-01-02T21:57:10.392-05:002010-01-02T21:57:10.392-05:00Stats aren't something I can change. My writin...Stats aren't something I can change. My writing is. I move we focus on what we can do and not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself*.<br /><br />*with all due credit to Matthew 6:34._*rachel*_https://www.blogger.com/profile/03293167107180931700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-123807368917752492010-01-02T21:47:06.762-05:002010-01-02T21:47:06.762-05:00last Christmas break you sent me a very personaliz...last Christmas break you sent me a very personalized rejection in which you not only explained what didn't quite work for you but also what you thought I could do to make it stronger. And you said some nice things, too.<br /><br />I kept at it, and got a publishing contract this summer. <br /><br />Thanks for all you do. I always knew this probably wasn't the right book for you, but it seemed a right of passage to submit, and I was so glad I did.<br /><br />Happy New Year!Heidi Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18420802651029097379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73455592128604180962010-01-02T21:46:59.494-05:002010-01-02T21:46:59.494-05:00Mine was one that was not picked. And as much as I...Mine was one that was not picked. And as much as I wanted to throw a tantrum, I really think it will help in the long run. It made me think about how to restructure, get rid of stuff I was married to, and in the bitter end it is going to be awesome. (Couldn't have done it without Janet's constructive criticism). <br />MaryEllen<br /><br />http://mountainsskin.blogspot.comMaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11166776565191771729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20711383062697008402010-01-02T21:46:51.739-05:002010-01-02T21:46:51.739-05:00Definitely helpful, and a good way to look at it! ...Definitely helpful, and a good way to look at it! Get fierce, indeed. Thanks!Just Another Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07589166715361819941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86469513342645268552010-01-02T20:41:35.371-05:002010-01-02T20:41:35.371-05:00If you define failure as not achieving your goal, ...<i>If you define failure as not achieving your goal, even good progress is defined as failure, and that's just a recipe for total frigging insanity.</i><br /><br />I love this. Get fierce is good, too, but it reminds me too much of America's Next Top Model, so I think I'll stick this one up on my fridge instead. Thanks for the kick in the pants, Janet.Merry Monteleonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09435956005780500310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5986682603176567622010-01-02T20:34:26.514-05:002010-01-02T20:34:26.514-05:00I wonder how big the gulf between what you like an...I wonder how big the gulf between what you like and what people think you like actually is.<br /><br />In my case (one of those rejected after a little extra time to consider)another agent had suggested I query you with something he didn't know how to market. I didn't say that in the query (because that's just a weird thing to put in a query), but I wonder what made him think it was something you'd enjoy.<br /><br />Once I get my current WIP finished, I'm definitely going to query again, but this time with a better idea of how this all works thanks to this blog and others I've found.<br /><br />It shall be a very fierce query. :-PJosin L. McQueinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05751043333147850336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22715299550839187902010-01-02T19:53:05.420-05:002010-01-02T19:53:05.420-05:00yes, and just like the best screenwriter tip: grab...yes, and just like the best screenwriter tip: grab your viewer [reader] by the throat in the opening scene, and don't let go til 'fade to black' [the end]laughingwolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873675614347328116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88788551106509477062010-01-02T19:02:58.336-05:002010-01-02T19:02:58.336-05:00Get Fierce just added to my post-it with Choose Co...Get Fierce just added to my post-it with Choose Confidence and Play Your Game.Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27618593279590403242010-01-02T18:49:44.189-05:002010-01-02T18:49:44.189-05:00Great post! As an aspiring writer I desperately ne...Great post! As an aspiring writer I desperately need this insider info and encouragement. Thanks!<br /><br />Sarah Allen<br />(<a href="http://fromsarahwithjoy.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">my creative writing blog</a>)Sarah Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01185278849400551014noreply@blogger.com