tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post4086439988621903044..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: More on comp titles, because honestly you Live to Torment YourselvesJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-79906515263212875232016-09-13T22:40:57.660-04:002016-09-13T22:40:57.660-04:00Donna, so exciting! Congrats!Donna, so exciting! Congrats!Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23414862789340744992016-09-13T22:39:45.192-04:002016-09-13T22:39:45.192-04:00Donna: HOT DIGGETITY DAMN, BY GUM. Congratulations...Donna: HOT DIGGETITY DAMN, BY GUM. Congratulations.<br /><br />So is the Oprah interview this week too?Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57645728788290305732016-09-13T21:05:26.308-04:002016-09-13T21:05:26.308-04:00Julie: Since we're just making an offer, and t...<b>Julie</b>: Since we're just making an offer, and the internet's a big and searchable place, I'm going to hold off on the pictures until it's a signed-and-sealed done deal. There are plenty of places for bookcases, and the kids are making plans for their rooms.<br /><br />As for packrats, <b>Janice</b>, the only packrat I'm aware of is me. I've already thrown away stuff I've not cared about in 20 years that my wife would have chucked 19 years ago. It was hard. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46707545385046048832016-09-13T21:04:23.962-04:002016-09-13T21:04:23.962-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91634375326877107222016-09-13T20:37:46.316-04:002016-09-13T20:37:46.316-04:00Donna,
What crazy good news. Congratulations. I a...Donna,<br /><br />What crazy good news. Congratulations. I am so pleased for you.JulieWeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361549099072091350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-25074493929872938882016-09-13T20:36:44.800-04:002016-09-13T20:36:44.800-04:00Colin- But the question remains; did you check for...Colin- But the question remains; did you check for packrats? <br /><br />Seriously. We cannot find ours anymore, but know he is in there, somewhere, slightly misshapen (don't ask. never ask.) He now has to go to Colorado with us in one of the best smelling Ford truck engines ever (thanks Julie for the tips- we heard peppermint oil works too!).<br /><br />So I am just gonna uncork another Roederer round on behalf of DONNAEVE - Seriously, that really is the cat's meow, congratulations again!<br /><br />Janice Grinyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363741660626407979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-61835372323111640262016-09-13T20:36:16.573-04:002016-09-13T20:36:16.573-04:00Dena,
Your poor neighbors. Thank God no one was h...Dena,<br /><br />Your poor neighbors. Thank God no one was hurt. <br /><br />For those needing a pick me up today, here is Mike Rowe reading a letter from his mother. <a href="http://www.yahoo.com" rel="nofollow">It's well worth listening to.</a> I want to know his mother. <br /><br />I love Janet's names for books. I sort of want to read the Gunfight at the OK Bordello...or write it.<br /><br />I'm fairly well-read in fantasy, but I don't as a rule read it while I'm writing it. I don't want to take a chance that something another author uses will influence me even subconsciously.<br /><br />Obviously, I'm inhaling historical stuff now, but most of it is non-fiction. I don't really mind if that influences me because I want to pick up the speech and writing patterns. You can only get this from historical documents. I would trust another fiction writer to make my tea, and no offense to them, but the source documents and then cross referencing them is the only way.<br /><br />I read Abner Doubleday's book about the fall of Sumter (no he didn't invent baseball, but he was a captain in the Union army at Sumter.) He was very biased, but it gave some excellent details I couldn't have gotten elsewhere. Between the other diaries, memoirs, and documents, I could piece together what I think is a fairly accurate picture of what actually happened and put my character in the middle of it. It's like homing in on a target from different angles or a sniper and his spotter.<br /><br />JulieWeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361549099072091350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88567103799577482322016-09-13T20:01:56.026-04:002016-09-13T20:01:56.026-04:00Colin we need details and pictures. I agree, how m...Colin we need details and pictures. I agree, how many bookcases? That's the most important detail. I know your kids think bedrooms are important, but bookcases are actually the prime issue.JulieWeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361549099072091350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84989532718013104552016-09-13T19:57:54.148-04:002016-09-13T19:57:54.148-04:00Adib - 'Wagon Train to the Stars' is aweso...Adib - 'Wagon Train to the Stars' is awesome! Can't wait to tell my Trekkie buddies. I used to be a hard core fan but then life got in the way and I fell off the interstellar wagon!<br /><br />Donnaeve - such good news! Can't wait for my copy to arrive. <br />MA Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11055543285024785889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33850747808872273972016-09-13T19:00:02.235-04:002016-09-13T19:00:02.235-04:00Donna: Congrats!!! That is awesome news!
As far a...Donna: Congrats!!! That is awesome news!<br /><br />As far as comps: I would rather come up with 100 than a single synopsis. I think am<br />okay at coming up with comparable authors or stories. <br /><br />This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek, which Gene Roddenberry sold with a comp: Wagon Train to the Stars.<br /><br />But Star Trek would not have endured without great writing and enduring characters. Maybe more the latter than the former sometimes, but you get my point. <br /><br />I am stuck in PHL on my way to Cyprus, typing this on my iPhone, so I hope it makes sense. Adib Khorramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836332867898941638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57618964355930645412016-09-13T18:47:58.703-04:002016-09-13T18:47:58.703-04:00Thank you all!
Sort a crazy right now - might hav...Thank you <b>all!</b><br /><br />Sort a crazy right now - might have to have a low presence here till late weekend, but I so appreciate all the good wishes!<br /><br />Many thanks...<br /><br />(((((hugs for all))))Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80008801469862343072016-09-13T18:43:37.055-04:002016-09-13T18:43:37.055-04:00DONNA (stbnytba)!!!! That's so cool and brilli...<b>DONNA</b> (stbnytba)!!!! That's so cool and brilliant and OSSUM!!!! And, of course, totally not surprising. :D I'm so excited for you! And now I REALLY can't wait to read <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Education-Dixie-Dupree-Donna-Everhart/dp/1496705513/ref=sr_1_1" rel="nofollow">Dixie Dupree</a>. :D<br /><br /><b>All</b>: Thanks for the well-wishes about the house. Wifey and I have just got to digital sign the document that makes our offer official, then we'll just be waiting for a reply from the seller. Kind of like waiting for a query response... :-\<br /><br />We are first-timers at this house-buying thing, and I have to say, since we are not independently wealthy, it's pretty scary. Are we sure there are no hidden fees? Are we sure we've thought of everything? I pummeled our dear mortgage person at the bank with a bunch of questions today. How can we have homeowner's insurance before we own a home? What's this fee? How much is it? When's it due? When do we have to pay this? Do you want these documents digitally? In paper? In person? in triplicate? in blood?<br /><br />I'm sure most of it is me spinning on my woodland creature wheels. Thankfully, we're working with people who are nearly as generous with their time and assistance as our own dear Shark. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33352180392483761832016-09-13T17:48:30.999-04:002016-09-13T17:48:30.999-04:00Some agents ask for comps. I tend to move those ag...Some agents ask for comps. I tend to move those agents down the list.<br /><br />Cowgirls Wanted, I would simply say is a western League Of Their Own. But let's get real, if Janet hates it, what are the chances anyone else would want it? I mean nothing is set in stone and she could say, "Honest to Godiva, Julie. What were you thinking?", but other agents probably would also.<br /><br />Anyway, someone asked me about comps for Rain Crow. How do you describe a southern belle spy? Scarlett goes James Bond? Yeah, except I really don't care for Scarlett. I know, blasphemy. <br /><br />I'm not doing comps unless I have to.JulieWeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361549099072091350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29693792089894884862016-09-13T17:35:13.592-04:002016-09-13T17:35:13.592-04:00Congratulations, Donna!Congratulations, Donna!Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18165072684559960801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17376324425567578832016-09-13T17:32:43.736-04:002016-09-13T17:32:43.736-04:00Janice, put some pine boughs or moth balls in the ...Janice, put some pine boughs or moth balls in the engine compartment. Rats hate the smell of moth balls. Alternatively, you can mix cornmeal and baking soda and sprinkle it around where the rat is. It's non toxic, but it will kill them.JulieWeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361549099072091350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27137093803431714042016-09-13T16:55:42.388-04:002016-09-13T16:55:42.388-04:00Corks are flying in Ct for Donna.
WOWCorks are flying in Ct for Donna.<br />WOWCarolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-65854550057954146112016-09-13T16:51:52.124-04:002016-09-13T16:51:52.124-04:00Wow, that's awesome, Donna!!! congratulations!...Wow, that's awesome, <b>Donna</b>!!! congratulations!<br />Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17996142202280861322016-09-13T16:23:50.030-04:002016-09-13T16:23:50.030-04:00Donna, it could NOT happen to a more gracious soul...Donna, it could NOT happen to a more gracious soul - CONGRATULATIONS! Another beautiful step on your way toward success. "We knew you when."DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69704974347331502152016-09-13T14:44:44.468-04:002016-09-13T14:44:44.468-04:00Donna Wow! Amazing. You really are a stbnytbs.<b>Donna</b> Wow! Amazing. You really are a stbnytbs. E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-78225132213742914072016-09-13T14:43:08.982-04:002016-09-13T14:43:08.982-04:00Janice Thank you - am I dribbling champagne? Who...<b>Janice</b> Thank you - am I dribbling champagne? Whoops! Sorry. :)<br /><br />Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66411712550316462832016-09-13T14:34:58.925-04:002016-09-13T14:34:58.925-04:00I think some books lend themselves more to comps t...I think some books lend themselves more to comps than others. I've written queries with comps and I've written queries without them and I think my request rate was the same for both. <br /><br />Sometimes comps can be useful shorthand for explaining the tone or style of a book, even when the comps used are movies, not recent books. I describe one of my books as 'American Pie meets The Sessions' just because those two films perfectly capture the tone and subject matter of the story (about a 16-year-old amputee desperately trying to lose his virginity).Kate Larkindalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06202347563426692610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-82580511909957237532016-09-13T14:34:18.630-04:002016-09-13T14:34:18.630-04:00DONNAEVE!!!!! Congrats- that is FANTASTIC news!! ...DONNAEVE!!!!! Congrats- that is FANTASTIC news!! Pop them corks everyone; this is a cause for a celebration!Janice Grinyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363741660626407979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20339816798515524962016-09-13T14:31:58.093-04:002016-09-13T14:31:58.093-04:00Judging from Colin's continued efforts to land...Judging from Colin's continued efforts to land a spot back on Carkoon, my guess is <i>Lessons from the Kale Factory</i> will be a thin book. So a good comp might be <i>What Men Understand about Women</i>, which might actually be a collection of flash fiction stories.<br /><br />Agatha Crispie. Not gonna forget that one anytime soon. <i>And Then There was Bacon</i>.John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84793274650942161122016-09-13T14:29:30.646-04:002016-09-13T14:29:30.646-04:00On today's topic - I too, got nothing QOTKU an...On today's topic - I too, got nothing QOTKU and others haven't already pointed out. <br /><br />All I'll say is it's a toss up on anxiety created by comps and the synopsis. <br /><br /><b>Brigid</b> Thank you! (yep, a giveaway set up by Kensington - 25 copies!)<br /><br /><b>Colin</b> Congrats! 2N's has moving tips.<br /><br /><b>All</b> Dixie Dupree was selected by American Booksellers Association (ABA) as a November 2016 Indie Next Pick. I got the news last night. I've only just recovered enough to comment. :) Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-78956759397182041912016-09-13T14:19:01.849-04:002016-09-13T14:19:01.849-04:00Every time Janet throws out book titles, the follo...Every time Janet throws out book titles, the following thoughts go through my head:<br />1) I need to read that!<br />2) Wait, is that real? Oh.<br />3) Maybe someone here will write that.<br />4) If n one else writes it by the time I get to the end of this series, I should.<br /><br />Especially "Gunfight at the OK Bordello".<br /><br />But there are so many things on my list to write already...<br /><br /><br />Susan, I bet there's an intervention group to help that old man.<br /><br />Dena, thanks for the PSA. All good points.<br />roadkills-r-ushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14029861300358380117noreply@blogger.com