tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post3349903986157848611..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Agent contactJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39774714835967569052014-05-19T19:26:37.055-04:002014-05-19T19:26:37.055-04:00Thanks for posting this. I've been with an ag...Thanks for posting this. I've been with an agent who has told me a few times he'll send me a submission list, but hasn't and is vague on other points. It's a case of the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know. Really, the process of getting an agent is hell and I don't want to go through it again. But, alas, a bad marriage is a bad marriage.riparianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03072595912441066366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-54391356800224416572014-05-14T10:41:45.904-04:002014-05-14T10:41:45.904-04:00One loose cigarette. Probably not what you were im...One loose cigarette. Probably not what you were imagining. ;)Jenzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11652680551107638557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35125522980766452002014-05-13T23:47:03.183-04:002014-05-13T23:47:03.183-04:00What's a loosie? Sounds...interestingWhat's a loosie? Sounds...interestingFatboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13777120295384956611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45194301058675944462014-05-13T18:08:10.982-04:002014-05-13T18:08:10.982-04:00Sad puppies!? Noooooo, there is no withstanding t...Sad puppies!? Noooooo, there is no withstanding the sad puppy.<br /><br />I am so glad I am not an editor - who could possibly try to make a living ever saying no to Le Shark?<br /><br />https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCyM3hyCcAE0TzM.jpg (Aww)DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90638671027669769322014-05-13T15:44:25.021-04:002014-05-13T15:44:25.021-04:00I may be out in left field here, but it sounds to ...I may be out in left field here, but it sounds to me like there isn't a question for him to respond to. It may be more helpful for you to be more direct, as in, ask him what you want to know. I wouldn't be able to intuit from your email that you want to know how the current progress of book one is going. While you have him, it might also be wise to ask what the boundaries are. And let him know your expectations. If you want a timely response to an update email, you definitely should get one. If you want to know the status of a book he has, you should ask. You are working for and with each other. Dana Breannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12839776557304718622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29483298386755570802014-05-13T12:10:37.823-04:002014-05-13T12:10:37.823-04:00Very sound advice as always.Very sound advice as always.Ardenwolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14053900506482830292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36846639974163295132014-05-13T11:08:11.128-04:002014-05-13T11:08:11.128-04:00I too, am glad you posted this...b/c shame on me, ...I too, am glad you posted this...b/c shame on me, I fall into that area of being "afraid," to call my agent. I know for a fact he wouldn't mind, and would probably appreciate the occasional update - especially considering his enthusiasm for the latest WIP. I have no idea where that feeling of not being worthy enough (until he sells a book) comes from. It's certainly not from him. He's always supportive and complimentary about my work. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24082493944402970772014-05-13T10:43:36.417-04:002014-05-13T10:43:36.417-04:00So glad you posted this. I have several friends wh...So glad you posted this. I have several friends who are afraid to contact their agents. I've emphasized to them that the agent works for them, and it is perfectly reasonable to call or email their agents, but they're afraid. I struggled with this with my ex-agent. Once I realized that I shoudn't be afraid, I contacted her when I needed to, and ultimately, was able to see she wasn't the right fit for me. Agent/author relationships are about collaboration. If you don't feel collaborative, this might not be the right relationship for you.Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05487585514577667169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72329877271412466072014-05-13T09:01:31.425-04:002014-05-13T09:01:31.425-04:00It sounds like Janet's comment about writers ...It sounds like Janet's comment about writers not being the beggars at the publishing banquet applies here. As a writer about to enter the query trenches, I understand the feeling that my future is in the hands of others (agents, editors, etc), and I need to play nice and not make waves otherwise I could be shut out of a career.<br /><br />But years of reading this blog--I mean, studying the industry--have taught me that while we need to be professional and respectful, we need to remember that agents and publishers need us as much as we need them. This is a mutually beneficial relationship. A symbiosis. And the relationship works best when the professionalism and respect runs both ways.<br /><br />No-one's immune from feeling like this. J K Rowling has said that she only agreed to the US edition of book one being called THE SORCERER'S STONE because she was happy, naive, and not feeling in a position to push for keeping the UK title. In hindsight, she believes she should have insisted. I agree. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.com