tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post4512756792279797614..comments2024-03-29T07:29:32.276-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Conference question: what to ask agents at pitch sessionsJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5462929201245476582015-07-22T08:47:20.307-04:002015-07-22T08:47:20.307-04:00Oh, and: Amanda, thank you! It's what I call t...Oh, and: Amanda, thank you! It's what I call this community when I mention "us" on my blog.<br /><br />Colin: GOOD BOY!<br /><br />(Yeah, man - nothing says Southern Gentleman like not peein' on the floor ...)DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-48594853382485348192015-07-22T08:46:45.133-04:002015-07-22T08:46:45.133-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84716470594041118942015-07-22T08:45:26.341-04:002015-07-22T08:45:26.341-04:00Carlis, as Julie says, you're not on deadline....Carlis, as Julie says, you're not on deadline. But to enthuse about your travels might just make interesting conversation, particularly if your journey in the States relates with your writing.<br /><br />Julie, my mom once described a remarkable, charming, and intelligent friend of mine as "interested and interesting." I've found that balancing these things in life is a pretty comfortable - and smart - way to get through it. You clearly have an instinct for this! And I suspect mamma would dig your chili; you and she have strong senses of humor and I have to believe your laugh is as good as hers is. My mamma can LAUGH.DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-6787219645324368822015-07-21T20:48:18.538-04:002015-07-21T20:48:18.538-04:00Oh, and I was using "talk about myself" ...Oh, and I was using "talk about myself" as an example of speaking on a subject that I know well. I don't mean to imply I'm self-absorbed. Hardly! :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-67019552511252543512015-07-21T20:46:43.759-04:002015-07-21T20:46:43.759-04:00Julie: And there you touch upon one of my most dis...Julie: And there you touch upon one of my most distressing personal dilemmas: I love people; I just can't talk to them--at least cold. One of the people on jury duty is English. I know because I heard him talk. (I'm a writer--I might not say much, but I'm listening and watching all the time!) You'd think I'd be all over him: "Where in the UK are you from? Oh I'm from..." etc. etc. No. I just sit and wonder. And yet, if I was asked to stand in front of all the jurors and talk about myself? Sure! No problem. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90779505157378189302015-07-21T19:52:59.724-04:002015-07-21T19:52:59.724-04:00Blogger Donnaeve said...
Christina, you've bee...<i>Blogger Donnaeve said...<br />Christina, you've been in Alaska too long. Macaroons don't grow on trees</i><br /><br />What? Not even in paradise? Well they should, then. Maybe Janet could take that up with the COTKU (Creator of the Known Universe) for us. Also, if macaroons are going to grow on trees, can they please be made nonfattening please?<br /><br />This is the best group. Writers are the only kind of crazy that makes any sense.<br /><br />Carlis! Bolivia is SO interesting! Let's find each other at the conference and hog all the macaroons and sit next to each other at Janet's workshop! Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20958351021570558072015-07-21T19:22:29.054-04:002015-07-21T19:22:29.054-04:00Christina,
"Which calls to mind Julie W'...Christina,<br /><br />"Which calls to mind Julie W's comment from not too long ago about the best parenting advice she ever got was to shut the heck up. (Julie, if you ever write a book called HOW TO GROW UP RIGHT - A BOOK FOR ADULTS, I swear I'll buy the first ten copies. You possess a wisdom rarely seen in this day and age.)"<br /><br />I've said that and do. Never miss a good opportunity to shut up was originally quoted by Will Rogers I think. Another of the minions here used it and it was a subheader though.<br /><br />Hate to take credit where it isn't due.<br /><br />Colin, I'm kind of like Kaylee on Firefly. I like people. They've all got interesting stories. I'm usually pretty good at getting people to talk because I am interested in them. <br /><br />A few owners refused to talk to me because they just started spilling their guts in interviews and were afraid I'd make them look foolish. I'd always say, "Now Mr. Smith, you know my job is to make you look good. You just stop worrying so much."<br /><br />I'd switch the conversation back to the last place they were happy and off we'd go again.<br /><br />One guy just wouldn't though. He stopped talking to me. Left orders with his trainer to do all the interviews. Said he couldn't help himself when he was talking to me and was afraid he'd make a fool of himself. <br /><br />People love it when someone really listens to them. It makes them feel important, like they matter. You should always make people feel like they matter. Unless they're rude. Then you should educate them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57515580419253106582015-07-21T19:11:50.242-04:002015-07-21T19:11:50.242-04:00
Carlis, lucky you going to the Writers Digest con...<br />Carlis, lucky you going to the Writers Digest conference. <br /><br />Meeting agents and industry professionals must bring on a strain of Stendhal Syndrome. <br /><br />Colin, your ideal conference sounds like a party on Lake Heron. angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5036925720821438852015-07-21T19:02:09.211-04:002015-07-21T19:02:09.211-04:00Carlis,
I'm sure the agent will find it fasci...Carlis,<br /><br />I'm sure the agent will find it fascinating you're from Bolivia. Also, there's no time line on submitting material. Well, six years might be a bit long.<br /><br />JulieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19001254046413320252015-07-21T18:53:20.387-04:002015-07-21T18:53:20.387-04:00Christina, you've been in Alaska too long. Ma...Christina, you've been in Alaska too long. Macaroons don't grow on trees. Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56964860802939413792015-07-21T18:33:12.606-04:002015-07-21T18:33:12.606-04:00I would, if they arrived in the form of macaroons....I would, if they arrived in the form of macaroons. ;)Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17488342025035489792015-07-21T17:50:42.146-04:002015-07-21T17:50:42.146-04:00Colin, you can pry Paradise out of my cold, dead z...Colin, you can pry Paradise out of my cold, dead zombie hands. And then I'll eat your brains and take it back.<br /><br />Christina, cupcake-based bribery is overrated. The goods are always stale by the time they reach their destination. Perhaps you would be interested in a selection of coconuts?Amy Schaeferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263719891092841767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-82180266319323132422015-07-21T17:31:00.769-04:002015-07-21T17:31:00.769-04:00I'm also attending NYC Writers Digest conferen...I'm also attending NYC Writers Digest conference. <br /><br />Can I say I come from Bolivia as chit chat? or the agent doesn't care?<br /><br />After the conference, I will be touring a couple of US cities for 10 days more. If an agent requests a partial/manuscript. Can I boldly ask "Would it be ok for you to wait for 10 days until I arrive home?" Or I should just shut up and send the manuscript when I arrive home. <br /><br />Thanks!<br />Carlishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10343615353594101724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30807295683267358302015-07-21T17:26:06.526-04:002015-07-21T17:26:06.526-04:00Colin, I'm glad you cleared that up. :PColin, I'm glad you cleared that up. :PDonnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-75346330340116095582015-07-21T16:58:37.831-04:002015-07-21T16:58:37.831-04:00Diane: Thankfully I don't do that anymore, eit...Diane: Thankfully I don't do that anymore, either. :DColin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-74077059084043039942015-07-21T16:36:31.137-04:002015-07-21T16:36:31.137-04:00"Janet and all the Reiders"
LOVE that."Janet and all the Reiders"<br /><br />LOVE that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11543685541225544175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33343327876334003602015-07-21T16:06:13.984-04:002015-07-21T16:06:13.984-04:00Amy, ha! Good one.
Uh oh. Wait. I see dead p...Amy, ha! Good one. <br /><br />Uh oh. Wait. I see dead people. Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26982534391961558132015-07-21T15:58:03.882-04:002015-07-21T15:58:03.882-04:00Julie: It sounds like you've had a blast, and ...Julie: It sounds like you've had a blast, and you're doing everything right in terms of social interaction. In fact, it sounds like you're really rather good at this talking-to-people thing. If you didn't tell such good stories, I'd question whether you're really a writer...! ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90103666622299638232015-07-21T15:55:06.457-04:002015-07-21T15:55:06.457-04:00Amy: Where do I apply for your vacant position at ...Amy: Where do I apply for your vacant position at FPLM-Paradise? :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41187560707443589842015-07-21T15:11:25.193-04:002015-07-21T15:11:25.193-04:00Amy, if you're super good, Carkoon has a work ...Amy, if you're super good, Carkoon has a work release program. To apply, send me all the cupcakes. I'll pass them right along to Janet, I swear.Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90607817253567221972015-07-21T15:08:02.062-04:002015-07-21T15:08:02.062-04:00I can't believe it. A person can't even ge...I can't believe it. A person can't even get a good night's sleep around this place without getting murdered for being first commenter. The cat hair is making my allergies act up, and 2Ns keeps massaging her corns on my spine.<br /><br />Oh well. Someone pass me a notebook; at least I can get a little writing done under here.Amy Schaeferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263719891092841767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-49392783742342091772015-07-21T15:01:48.192-04:002015-07-21T15:01:48.192-04:00Would you be opposed to a 30 second vulcan mind me...Would you be opposed to a 30 second vulcan mind meld so I could lift the information? You wouldn't have to say much, if anything that way...nightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39558699953888275042015-07-21T14:38:59.647-04:002015-07-21T14:38:59.647-04:00Farting toes, I love it.
Colin, when you see the ...Farting toes, I love it. <br />Colin, when you see the Queen and Jessica, I'll be right there beside you, not for support, I'll be blowing in your ear to distract you.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51891109437740417452015-07-21T14:25:58.926-04:002015-07-21T14:25:58.926-04:00And Kaitlyn, I totally agree. It was that agent wh...And Kaitlyn, I totally agree. It was that agent who acted badly, not you.<br /><br />Colin, sign me up for that conference right now!!!Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87375452801027807942015-07-21T14:24:09.146-04:002015-07-21T14:24:09.146-04:00Janet, thank you very much for answering my questi...Janet, thank you very much for answering my question! I swear, sometimes you can read our minds. We talked about this quite a bit at our writers group meeting last week (where we are practicing our pitches, eek!), and I wondered if it wouldn't be better to just skip the gory details like word count and such and go straight to the pitch, but didn't want to come across like a total N3WB. (Yes I am surrounded by nerdy home schooled kids all day, why do you ask?).<br /><br />I am going to write these questions down and put them in my little Writers Conference Notebook (squee!). Then I am going to run out and buy that adorable shark liquor/chocolate holder. Like many of us, I am a total introvert, and generally hide behind a book at most social gatherings. Get a drink or two in me, though, and my alter ego comes out. I don't dance on tables wearing lampshades or anything, but man I can talk your ear off. I guess it's all those pent up comments I never make. Which calls to mind Julie W's comment from not too long ago about the best parenting advice she ever got was to shut the heck up. (Julie, if you ever write a book called HOW TO GROW UP RIGHT - A BOOK FOR ADULTS, I swear I'll buy the first ten copies. You possess a wisdom rarely seen in this day and age.) <br /><br />Rest assured, I would never, ever be that writer who'd have the gall to argue with an agent at a pitch session. I witness something like that in a group pitch session once and it was awkward and horrible for everyone there. it is burned in my mind forever. =(<br /><br />I hope if any other woodland creatures are going to NYC we can meet up at the bar or something. I'll be the one with fish scales all over her arms. Those little suckers stick like superglue on tissue paper. Either that, or I am turning into a dragon. <br /><br />Thanks again, Janet!Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.com