tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post3163649596477311505..comments2024-03-29T07:29:32.276-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Year end statsJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64240046045770791272016-01-01T00:19:33.725-05:002016-01-01T00:19:33.725-05:00I'm launching boldly into 2016 armed with this...I'm launching boldly into 2016 armed with this advice. Thank you, Janet Reid. <br /><br />"Don't take rejection as anything other than your cue to send out another query to a new agent. You have NO idea why I didn't take on your project. Don't try to parse it out; don't think it's cause you're not a good writer."<br />Eve Messengerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00488394403456097686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39032843365628893642015-12-30T20:19:41.407-05:002015-12-30T20:19:41.407-05:00I've been going through my query spreadsheet a...I've been going through my query spreadsheet and checking agents against comments in QueryTracker. Queried 3/14, full requested 6/14, Closed no reply 6/15 is just depressing. I closed one partial request after seven months and a nudge with still no reply.<br /><br />That being said, something very perverse in me makes me want to send off a query today so I can say in a couple of days an agent has had my query a year. For those not familiar with Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds, all registered horses become a year older on January 1. If a foal is born on December 30, they are a yearling two days later. I don't think queries work quite the same way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84100379003597496682015-12-30T19:08:42.454-05:002015-12-30T19:08:42.454-05:00Yikes! The numbers burn my eyes!
What a busy yea...Yikes! The numbers burn my eyes! <br /><br />What a busy year. Amazed at the work you(and other agents do).<br /><br />As others have said, those numbers are daunting. And now please excuse me while I vanish into a writing cave filled with consolation chocolates. All fellow writers welcome.Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12409493247497209342015-12-30T18:58:46.610-05:002015-12-30T18:58:46.610-05:00Ah, but when do you know your ready for a contest?...Ah, but when do you know your ready for a contest? Some folks are really bad sore losers.<br />Is there a maximum number of clients that are manageable? Do you limit yourself?xnyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07891127549416357688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63683984189662508292015-12-30T18:39:43.344-05:002015-12-30T18:39:43.344-05:00@Steve: thanks! I was doing the "hover and pi...@Steve: thanks! I was doing the "hover and pick from the drop down", and so couldn't find it. <br /><br />I was close. Subbed 74, not 73. <br /><br /><br />And yeah, the numbers are daunting. But.....anything that anybody achieves is pretty much a confluence of "what are the odds" style events, n'est-ce pas? Even being in the right place at the right time is just as unlikely as persevering until you claw your way to success. And if you don't try, and don't keep trying, you can't succeed. Not "don't". Can't. Jennifer R. Donohuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363886899308588391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35518504812627543682015-12-30T17:03:46.802-05:002015-12-30T17:03:46.802-05:00Whoa, this is daunting as hell. Both in terms of t...Whoa, this is daunting as hell. Both in terms of the amount of work/reading you do and the statistical improbability of getting an offer of representation from you (or any agent, I guess). Good info to know, though.<br /><br />In the category of Things I Am NOT Obsessing Over (and might never need to know) But Just Find Interesting: I'm curious about what sorts of things cause you to turn down an offer. I mean, I can guess that it's money and terms or some combination of the two, but it would be interesting to hear any details you might be willing/able to share. <br /><br />And I'm looking at the sidebar of client names and can't quite narrow it down to four who are the new ones. I keep coming up with five, or maybe six, with unfamiliar names. It'd be interesting to know which four and what genres they write. HUGE congratulations to whoever they are.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41305252862610609922015-12-30T16:44:01.092-05:002015-12-30T16:44:01.092-05:00This business is fascinating. I'm in love. It&...This business is fascinating. I'm in love. It's nice to have something you're in love with, to complement all the people you've been lucky to love. Here's to 2016 and to everyone bettering all their stats, whatever that means to each involved.Timothy Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07514224628760035696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9034469373031023372015-12-30T16:33:08.268-05:002015-12-30T16:33:08.268-05:00Panda, I love your illustrations... I remember tha...<br />Panda, I love your illustrations... I remember that talk. In ten years only one of you will continue sculpting or whatever creative field you've chosen to waste your student loans on. Janet's stats are similar to what those professors said. How many people plan to write professionally, to make it their career? This explains also why an agent might not sign someone over forty. From forty to fifty is when most people are at their creative climax. Then there are those market trends we fret over. At least manuscripts don't take much shelf space, unless you print everything.angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27831593472221647852015-12-30T16:29:27.222-05:002015-12-30T16:29:27.222-05:00Those numbers are fascinating. I am in awe of the...Those numbers are fascinating. I am in awe of the work you do... How do you find time to keep up with this blog? Or are you super-human and don't require sleep like us mortals?<br /><br />Anyway, congratulations on a stellar year! More of the same for 2016!Kate Larkindalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06202347563426692610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68399096086011296672015-12-30T16:20:09.498-05:002015-12-30T16:20:09.498-05:00I'm rubbing my hands in delight at these numbe...I'm rubbing my hands in delight at these numbers. Such fun. I'm going to limit myself to one question, and I'm thankful others have asked so many already.<br /><br />How many clients do you represent that you have not sold (yet)?<br /><br />Also, I'm curious about the withdrawn manuscripts, and wondering how many of them eventually came back. But notice I'm not putting that in the form of a question, so I'm not breaking my self-imposed rule.<br /><br />Congratulations on what looks to my eyes like an outstanding year. Clearly, it's incredibly hard work and you put in the hours for it, but it sure sounds exhilarating at the same time. Looking forward to more fun with numbers since there's another day before the end of the year!<br />John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-54089767177159620902015-12-30T16:18:04.120-05:002015-12-30T16:18:04.120-05:00Ha, and I had my Ns taken away and up pop's a ...Ha, and I had my Ns taken away and up pop's a WIR regarding numbers and stuff. I'm taking my Ns back. Sticking tongue out, raspberries.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32432151833644687262015-12-30T16:05:41.656-05:002015-12-30T16:05:41.656-05:00I love that. I love that. CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59071690350075065882015-12-30T15:46:48.989-05:002015-12-30T15:46:48.989-05:00CynthiaMc, my husband and children took karate (Wa...<b>CynthiaMc</b>, my husband and children took karate (Washin-Ryu), and my husband wore a t-shirt with the Japanese proverb: <b>fall seven times, stand up eight</b>.Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09868642232827730189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45565602052388771962015-12-30T13:44:08.481-05:002015-12-30T13:44:08.481-05:00This was great information. It really reinforces t...This was great information. It really reinforces the idea that yes, your manuscript has to be in tip-top, spit-shined, perfectly polished shape, but also, PERSEVERE. If your book is good, the right agent is out there; you may just need to do a little work to find them. To me, that's just damn inspirational.Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-44734490033602540192015-12-30T12:58:07.975-05:002015-12-30T12:58:07.975-05:00Three new clients out of 5200 queries. And only on...Three new clients out of 5200 queries. And only one novelist. That's truly disheartening to fledgling novelists. At least it is to one. Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60994592254687030172015-12-30T12:08:40.344-05:002015-12-30T12:08:40.344-05:00Thank you for this, it gives a great perspective o...Thank you for this, it gives a great perspective on just how the queries thing works. I, like others, am amazed at how much you read through, a huge amount of time I'm sure.<br /><br />I was curious about the deals you turned down. What kinds of things are deal breakers? And did that book get a better deal? How do you decide? I'd be chewing my fingernails past the quick.:)Barb Cameronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11233747506520116932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-2156478574602219752015-12-30T11:29:07.022-05:002015-12-30T11:29:07.022-05:00@Jennifer - just click on "My Dashboard"...@Jennifer - just click on "My Dashboard" and it will show you your stats by year.Steve Fortihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06027977543853683231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87869722484056031932015-12-30T11:26:40.720-05:002015-12-30T11:26:40.720-05:00Great year, Janet, but you did know when you wrote...Great year, Janet, but you did know when you wrote this post that everyone was going to wonder who you signed from the FF contest. We are a curious bunch. <br /><br />I agree, you can sell a book a number of times besides to a publisher: foreign rights, film rights, TV rights, audio rights, etc.<br /><br />Cynthia, I like your son's T'ai Chi instructor's #11. I made a similar comment awhile back, the difference between published and unpublished writers is, the published ones didn't quit. It all comes back to not giving up.<br /><br />Lisa, I can think of a reasons why a project was withdrawn before a notice was given to other agents. Perhaps a writer received an offer from his/her dream agent and didn't hesitate to sign or give the others a heads up.<br />LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36366661466971912682015-12-30T11:23:16.333-05:002015-12-30T11:23:16.333-05:00Donnaeve - timelines for R&Rs have to be so wi...Donnaeve - timelines for R&Rs have to be so wildly different. Mine, for example, is basically rewriting 2/3 + of the book because at 20k mark my MC took one road and should have taken another (worth noting I only went ahead with RR because I completely agreed with said editor and it was a major light bulb moment). Mine is going to take significant time because soooooooo much new writing. I imagine many RR are way less intense and take less time. Lucie Witthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08521285162656949602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20405932405110865262015-12-30T11:21:22.040-05:002015-12-30T11:21:22.040-05:00Congratulations on your sales, and your new client...Congratulations on your sales, and your new clients! And I feel kind of sad when people talk about how intimidated they are about entering the contests here (And elsewhere, I assume). I wish they'd just go for it! The community here is great, and it's fairly low risk. I mean, as much "low risk" as putting any of your writing is. Sometimes it's like opening a vein, I guess. But nobody's going to write a snooty diatribe about how the other entries weren't worth the webspace, you just don't find that here (thankfully).<br /><br />(Julie, I'm pretty sure Janet'd recognize you, flash win or not!)<br /><br />Though the 2 part statistics class was the bane of my Psychology degree seeking self, I do like looking at/hearing about stats like these. It's another piece of this sprawling publishing puzzle that some of us are into, or getting into. I might have this corner figured out, and a single middle piece. <br /><br />I'll do a blog post on this topic, as it's interesting and relevant, ish. I'm not at my laptop, so I don't recall precisely how many queries I sent out. Not many, 18 or 20? 2 full requests. 2 personal rejections. 1 full I'm still waiting on, many queries still pending.<br /><br />And...damn, the Submission Grinder doesn't let me sort by year. If I just counted right, I sent out 73 short story submissions (many repeats, I don't have 73 "good enough" complete short stories). Of those, I've had 20 personal rejections, 6 stories still pending, 1 of which is in the "final round of considerations", as the editor-in-chief of the magazine informed me at the beginning of the month. <br /><br />No acceptances yet this year, but there's two days left, right?Jennifer R. Donohuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363886899308588391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24734416871655589962015-12-30T11:18:00.621-05:002015-12-30T11:18:00.621-05:00Excuse me, Julie M. Weathers...so Janet will recog...Excuse me, Julie M. Weathers...so Janet will recognize you when you submit a query? As if she (or any of us Reiders) wouldn't recognize your voice. Ha! Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87955362805829485802015-12-30T10:56:29.599-05:002015-12-30T10:56:29.599-05:00Thanks for this.
Re the people who withdrew:
The...Thanks for this.<br /><br />Re the people who withdrew:<br /><br />They got notes on a R&R and wanted to finish revising before any other agents read the old version.--Been there done that.<br /><br />They got an offer.--Been there done that.<br /><br />They said screw it and stopped writing, withdrawing all their work.--Been there done that. In my case, it was to the two agents who actually did rep me, though.<br /><br />The agent was taking forever and further research showed this and non-communication were very bad habits the agent had slipped into.--Been there done that.<br /><br />The agent said something on social media that let me know this wasn't a person I wanted to work with. IE the remark about trailer park trash and the agent who demanded anyone who belonged to a certain political party stop following them and never contact them. Me being trailer park trash, I saved said agent my presence.<br /><br />Some agents, according to their own words, get up to 500 queries a week. 50-100 seems to be what most agents say. That should drill home why it's so important to have the best query possible and follow all the instructions.<br /><br />One agent maintains a very low profile and sales announcements are almost non-existent although I know they've been made. You really need a road map to find the agent.<br /><br />"One of those four was familiar because he'd won one of the writing contests on the blog. Yes, I keep track of those writers."<br /><br />Now I just need to win a contest so Janet will recognize me when I query her!<br /><br />Look at the numbers of requests. That works out to 1.21153% requested. She signed .07692% of the people who queried her. If that doesn't say query widely, I don't know what does.<br /><br />I thought I had a healthy number of queries out in the wild blue until I checked my spreadsheet last night and realized many were past the expiration date. (Probably declined via the no response means no interest policy.)<br /><br />Time to query again. Yay!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72024653838853619432015-12-30T10:51:41.868-05:002015-12-30T10:51:41.868-05:00Panda, paint me impressed. And yes, kale is evil a...Panda, paint me impressed. And yes, kale is evil and one of the top causes of reeking noxious gases in the galaxy. Corpses stink less than kale fueled flatuence. I have been stuck on Carkoon for too long now.<br /><br />And Donna, I have daily panic about how long my R&R should take. I have considered simply withdrawing my work for the time being so the agent isn't stuck waiting for me. On the other hand, looking at Janet's list, I doubt there is any waiting going on. Just some kind of tick mark next to my name that an R&R was requested. The things we fret about...E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14230035989061566902015-12-30T10:50:44.367-05:002015-12-30T10:50:44.367-05:00See, y'all make me want to power through and g...See, y'all make me want to power through and get this "published author" thing done - if only so you'll feel like "Well, I kind of know her, so I have to buy her book." I will do it for you, of course! With great enthusiasm.<br /><br />Gossamer the Editor Cat will thank you all for the kibble, if you do buy my work. But he won't necessarily lurk over you to make sure you actually *read* it ...<br /><br />Just sayin'.DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58023855614827434742015-12-30T10:29:15.361-05:002015-12-30T10:29:15.361-05:004 new clients out of 5200 queries. Woof. This is a...4 new clients out of 5200 queries. Woof. This is a powerful reminder to keep querying. <br /><br />Thank you for this reminder:<br /><br />"Don't take rejection as anything other than your cue to send out another query to a new agent. You have NO idea why I didn't take on your project. Don't try to parse it out; don't think it's cause you're not a good writer."<br /><br />These words mean more to me today than you could know.<br /><br />I'll join the others in asking how you sold one project three times. I'm very curious about this!Beth H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14281003524857655329noreply@blogger.com