tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post4954928200110260805..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: "Yea, so we're done now that I haven't sold your book"Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51950964516083798102015-12-23T00:02:27.508-05:002015-12-23T00:02:27.508-05:00Was going to offer a handful of advice (including ...Was going to offer a handful of advice (including 'never be afraid to cross genres', because my most successful sales were crossed genre), but all I'm going to put out is:<br /><br /><b>What do you want the most and how bad do you want it?</b><br /><br />Followed by:<br /><br /><b>Do you have a business plan?</b>Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-75150213129776652092015-12-22T10:56:11.916-05:002015-12-22T10:56:11.916-05:00Thank you, Megan.Thank you, Megan.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42950155103611149172015-12-22T09:21:18.813-05:002015-12-22T09:21:18.813-05:00Megan,
That was gorgeous. Thank you so much for s...Megan,<br /><br />That was gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing that.<br /><br />JulieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42461745369823856352015-12-22T05:36:34.073-05:002015-12-22T05:36:34.073-05:00Megan, wonderful words to wake up to. Bring it on ...Megan, wonderful words to wake up to. Bring it on life, I'm ready.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-19794509072610373852015-12-22T01:16:20.189-05:002015-12-22T01:16:20.189-05:00Megan, thank you. I have no idea whether your word...Megan, thank you. I have no idea whether your words, and your mom's wisdom, resonated with Richard but they sure did with me. I sometimes neglect to remember that I come from a long line of incredibly strong women, women who rarely got to choose which struggles they faced. Struggles whose outcome were one hell of a lot more significant than anything I face as a writer. This writing struggle does define me, but no one is forcing me along this path. No one would attempt to make me continue, or likely notice, if I stopped. It's my choice, whether that be easy or difficult, and I sometimes forget what a rare beautiful thing it is to have that opportunity. To choose my struggles. Thank you for the perspective. And for that poem.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38559165633951681862015-12-21T23:25:11.868-05:002015-12-21T23:25:11.868-05:00I apologize in advance for a single comment that i...I apologize in advance for a single comment that is going to take up the space of three, but I wanted to share some 'advice from mom.'<br /><br />When I was growing up my mother's consistent catch-all phrase was "Your struggles define your achievements." <br /><br />She said this when my older brother worried about what his friends would think when they found out he had to go to an after-school center because he had trouble reading.<br /><br />She said this when I finally—FINALLY—nailed a time-step for tap class but asked to quit dance the next day because it turned out I wasn't as coordinated as my classmates.<br /><br />She said this to herself when she went back to school because she was also working the farm, a paying job, and raising four kids.<br /><br />If you have the courage to face your struggles, then you've got a chance to succeed—whether it's writing another book, dealing with the loss of an agent, or just making your way through life. It's up to you to decide if you'll face them and how. It's okay if you can't read the pitcher very well, even if all you've got is one more chance at bat, so long as you're willing to sweat and swing when the time is right. <br /><br />And now for some lovely words that aren't me being a windbag.<br /><br />The Courage That My Mother Had - Poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay<br /><br />The courage that my mother had<br />Went with her, and is with her still:<br />Rock from New England quarried;<br />Now granite in a granite hill.<br /><br />The golden brooch my mother wore<br />She left behind for me to wear;<br />I have no thing I treasure more:<br />Yet, it is something I could spare.<br /><br />Oh, if instead she'd left to me<br /><br />The thing she took into the grave!—<br />That courage like a rock, which she<br />Has no more need of, and I have. Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60727547918352647782015-12-21T22:30:11.128-05:002015-12-21T22:30:11.128-05:00Richard, here's a thought, and I believe Janet...Richard, here's a thought, and I believe Janet has mentioned something along these lines in the past:<br /><br />Why not use a different name when publishing your offbeat novel with a small publisher?<br /><br />That way, if this novel doesn't turn out to be a blockbuster, it won't be as easy to find if an agent or publisher is looking. As I understand it, the problem with a poor-selling novel is that it makes you (or your 'brand', generally your name) less valuable. If no one puts this novel together with you, then it won't be weighing down, devaluing your real name. But if it does REALLY well, you could let it slip that this author is actually you.<br /><br />Now, if I've understood Janet wrong, and this isn't the case, I'm sure she'll say something. But there's nothing wrong with setting it aside for now, either, and working on a more sellable piece. <br /><br />There are always so many decisions. <br /><br />(And Julie? I love that image you linked to. That is SO. TRUE.)BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86044889966039029972015-12-21T20:20:43.099-05:002015-12-21T20:20:43.099-05:00Jearl: Yes, I'm practicing being pithy. In fac...Jearl: Yes, I'm practicing being pithy. In fact, I want to get good at pithy. Make an art form of it, even. A veritable pith artist.<br /><br />:)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36422597636974879352015-12-21T20:09:14.676-05:002015-12-21T20:09:14.676-05:00Sorry, that was way more the 100 words. I'll w...Sorry, that was way more the 100 words. I'll work on brevity in the future. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16714778117954527535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64953123948790021512015-12-21T20:05:50.932-05:002015-12-21T20:05:50.932-05:00When I was in school (doesn't matter which gra...When I was in school (doesn't matter which grade), I was the last picked for any athletic team. Not that I wanted to be athletic. I was asthmatic which made athleticism a challenge too great (so I reasoned). I also wanted to be liked, though, not so much as to be considered popular, that would have been a stretch, but at least liked. Being the last picked, though, carried with it the connotation I was also not liked. <br /><br />With Sally Fields, wouldn't we all like to say, "They like me. They really really like me." Yet, I'm reminded again by the Great Shark, how hard this business is. Finding the agent who cares about you and your career (or even cares enough about you for this one submission), and the super publisher with a three book deal (even a one book deal) is like winning the lottery. All I have to do to win the lottery, though, is buy a ticket and hope. To win the publishing lottery, however, I have to commit my soul to a story and spend months or years "showing" it. Then, no matter how well it's written, it may never see the light of day for any number of valid (some of which I have control over) and "subjective" reasons.<br /><br />Richard I know this didn't help you, sorry.<br /><br />Also sorry for the rant. Got some disappointing news today. Haven't lost hope yet, so, for now I'll just keep perfecting my WIP. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16714778117954527535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77690078066266506312015-12-21T18:32:22.261-05:002015-12-21T18:32:22.261-05:00Sitting here in hubby's hospital room. Surgery...Sitting here in hubby's hospital room. Surgery went well but he's still in a lot of pain and will be for a while.<br /><br />Sure wish I had Julie's Lady Bronc Rider book to read.<br /><br />On the bright side, it was a great writing day. I have enough material and characters for a whole series. And a stuffed dog from the pet therapy people, God bless them. <br /><br />I'm pretty sure Regan from The Exorcist is in the next room. CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26164116518918315722015-12-21T17:56:25.003-05:002015-12-21T17:56:25.003-05:00Also...
At the risk of piling on -- Julie, you...Also...<br /><br />At the risk of piling on -- Julie, you're not allowed to stop commenting. I'm struck by how well you bring a parallel event to light when explaining your thoughts to others. For that matter, I'm just as struck by how you've lived through so many events that parallel other people's lives.<br /><br />But my point is simple. If I was a betting man (okay, I am, and I'll ALWAYS rush to the window if there's a horse dropping down in class), I'd guess that you have never had anyone mark "SDT" on your manuscript, saying "Show, Don't Tell." I say this with complete confidence because even in your short missives -- you'd call them long, but I'm always ready to read more -- even in these short pieces, you manage to illustrate your point so beautifully that I feel like I'm standing next to you with my boot perched up on a wooden fence. And I don't even wear boots!<br /><br />You're hard to follow on the comment board, but it helps me forget the meaning of the word fear, so thanks twice.John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1824259498859738272015-12-21T17:50:05.230-05:002015-12-21T17:50:05.230-05:00DJM: “The right agent, for *me*, will be passionat...DJM: “The right agent, for *me*, will be passionate about my book…” I could not agree more. <br /><br />Donnaeve: What a great suggestion to go ahead and write the next book, and how it might even open a path later on for the “offbeat” novel to find the light of day. "Writing a new story will give you new hope. . . Call it your rebound book." I love this is advice!<br />Eve Messengerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00488394403456097686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18297311770513913972015-12-21T17:26:17.645-05:002015-12-21T17:26:17.645-05:00Richard,
Thanks for coming out and telling your s...Richard,<br /><br />Thanks for coming out and telling your story. As is often the case (maybe always?), I can see both sides of the story. Different people go through different experiences and base decisions regarding their future on their past.<br /><br />I liked Donna's reference to your rebound book. Nice. <br /><br />I was you, I'd wait a couple days and re-read Janet's advice and think though where you want to go. You clearly have the chops, and it sounds like you've got the right temperament and intelligence, so you'll figure it all out.<br /><br />Whatever you decide, good luck to you. And, if you're willing, why not post back here after a little while what you decide. I bet a lot of folks will be curious.John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46000137075716559502015-12-21T16:40:19.295-05:002015-12-21T16:40:19.295-05:00Hi, I’m the Original Poster, or “Opie” as I’m know...Hi, I’m the Original Poster, or “Opie” as I’m known around these parts. First, I’d like to thank everyone, including Janet, for your thoughtful replies. Let me clarify a few points and respond to a few things. <br /><br />When I say “offbeat,” I really mean that it crosses genres, which is not a good thing. It’s part comedy, part crime thriller, part mystery. I’m well aware that some of the most famous novels in history cross genres. But they tend to be written by geniuses, and I’m not a genius. If I could give only one piece of advice to budding fiction writers, it would be: DO NOT CROSS GENRES! (But darn it, I keep doing it anyway.)<br /><br />When I say “drop down in class,” that’s a horseracing term that means put your horse in a race against weaker competition. When you go from, let’s say, Alfred A. Knopf to an independent regional publisher located in Gary, Indiana that accepts un-agented and unsolicited manuscripts, you have taken a major drop in class. I’m sorry if that offends anyone, but it’s the simple truth. (In fact, you’ll notice that Janet said it might be a bad career move even if the book does get published.) Not that I’m all that worried about my so-called “career.” I have a nice day job.<br /><br />I know for a fact that it’s possible to get a book published even if it has been represented by more than one agent, because I’ve done it twice before. In fact, for a guy who’s only published three books in his lifetime, I’ve had scads of literary agents--including some of the most famous, some of the best (not necessarily the same thing), and some of the worst. I realize that the best agent of all is the kind who nurtures your career through thick and thin over the course of many years. But I haven’t met one of those yet! They’re the great white whale. I know they exist, but good luck trying to find one. <br /><br />In my experience, the whole agent/writer relationship is a lot less cozy and affectionate than it is sometimes portrayed in writers’ groups like this. It’s a business relationship like you’d have with your lawyer or accountant. If anything, it’s a little LESS loyal than that. If you don’t make money for them, they’ll drop you in a heartbeat. And it cuts both ways. If the writer has a lot of success out of the gate, he’ll often trade in his old agent for a new one with more juice. I think James Patterson has gone through a dozen of them by now. In fact, Patterson and I had the same agent once. The agent eventually dumped me, and Patterson eventually dumped the agent! That’s a more realistic look at how it works. <br /><br />What’s different about my current situation is that I’ve never had an agent give my manuscript nine high-level submissions and then quit. This puts me squarely between a rock and the proverbial hard place. Nine submissions turned out to be too few to get a bite, but probably too many to get another agent interested. Oh, well, I’ll figure it out. I suspect the answer is just to put it aside and write a better one next time. Thanks for all your input and sympathy, though! <br />Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06860822400775099930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17552404751662518422015-12-21T16:07:15.744-05:002015-12-21T16:07:15.744-05:00Julie M. Weathers,
No, you are NOT going to stop c...Julie M. Weathers,<br />No, you are NOT going to stop commenting.<br /><br />Well, the only reason you may take a (brief) hiatus<br />from commenting is because you are working on<br /><br />LADY BRONC RIDERS.<br /><br />That is all.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71834506603988447552015-12-21T15:33:16.625-05:002015-12-21T15:33:16.625-05:00I apologize for the rambling, long-winded response...I apologize for the rambling, long-winded response again. <br /><br />I'm going to stop commenting. ughAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12739242708426752562015-12-21T14:48:22.660-05:002015-12-21T14:48:22.660-05:00Diane-- (including people's death and/or incap...Diane-- (including people's death and/or incapacitation)<br /><br />I read that as decapitation and wondered what kind of company you worked for. It's obviously time for coffee.<br /><br />Dream jobs, like dream agents, are such nebulous things.<br /><br />One guy In Iraq used to complain to high heaven every time they sent him out on a convoy.<br /><br />"This isn't my job! I'm a legal aid."<br /><br />"You've been promoted. You're a gunner now. Get your @ss in that outfit."<br /><br />The military now trains everyone for combat, even cooks. The theory being the enemy doesn't care what your job is and you need to be able to fight. <br /><br />Will's MOS (military occupational specialty) was Bradley electronics mechanic. He wound up being an armorer, supply sgt. without the rank, and designated driver for the CO when he went on convoys. He thought Bradley mechanic would give him a good leg up to some other jobs in civilian life. He did gets lots of offers when he got out due to being an armorer, but it was from private security firms. Who knew chasing pirates was so lucrative these days?<br /><br />I went from owning a real estate company with eighteen agents to being a babysitter at one of the country's largest racing Quarter Horse stud farms within a very short period of time. Babysitter was their name for the person who checked on mares about to foal and got acquainted with them, taking care of all the new babies, handling them, halter breaking etc. This started the day after they were born, on up to yearlings until they went into race training. It didn't pay much, but aside from some of the people, it was the best job I ever had.<br /><br />One of my babies got sick a couple of times, so the stable hands would go in the stall and pen her up against a wall so the vet could do vile things to her. I'd have to start all over establishing trust again. I'd wait until she was lying down sunning herself and then lie down next to her and reach over and scratch her lightly. She jumped and ran the first few times, but eventually settled down again. At the end, I'd walk into the stall or run and she wouldn't even bother to get up. She'd just raise her head so I could put her halter on and scratch her a little.<br /><br />The original petitioner has had vile things done to him and it may take a while to establish that perfect, trusting relationship again, but eventually, he needs to. People in the publishing industry are part of his life. As my son says, "Trust, but verify." Be knowledgeable going forward. Make a decision and don't regret it. <br /><br />Regardless of what the author decides to do, better days are ahead.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rj6FiZUK0rI/U2O-9Jixz1I/AAAAAAAAELg/C86KHA00UmA/s1600/Our+plans+vs+Gods.jpg" rel="nofollow"><br />Even so....</a><br /><br />You have always written before, you will write again.--Hemingway<br /><br />Good luck! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91153418305018479382015-12-21T12:57:41.550-05:002015-12-21T12:57:41.550-05:00Colin: I know what you mean. But I'm sure it a...Colin: I know what you mean. But I'm sure it also feels like a 'step backward' when you've already been published by a larger publisher. You're looking at a smaller advance (if you even get one) and a shorter reach.<br /><br />Craig: You're right. Writers aren't normal. But in this case, though, it seems like 'offbeat' means 'not easy to sell.' Often, such novels won't be picked up by mainstream publishing, so will be published by small publishers. For instance, even Terry Pratchett started with a small publisher, until he was later picked up by Gollancz - after he'd already become successful.<br /><br />And the problem with comparisons from the 60s and 70s is that publishing is ever-changing, and is much different now. It's much harder to get something too different published. Is that right? Is that good for publishing? Possibly not. But that's the reality for 2015. So a manuscript that's difficult to sell may not be the best one to use to regain one's toe-hold on the publishing industry. Or it may be, but it would require a lot of work and luck and risk on the part of the author.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-11732914765708399452015-12-21T12:40:42.193-05:002015-12-21T12:40:42.193-05:00Tony: IMHO (remember, I'm not an agent, I just...Tony: IMHO (remember, I'm not an agent, I just hijack their comments and break all their rules), the thing to look for is an agent who is interested in your CAREER, not just your novel. Clearly, every agent will want you for your first novel. That's what establishes the relationship, and lays the foundation for the future. However, if your initial client-agent discussions don't include your current WiP, what you've got on the back-burner, and her ideas, hopes, and dreams for your future, then you might want to reconsider. Most of the agents I've researched tend to be career-oriented, which I think is a good thing.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-5740314545726040602015-12-21T12:20:05.983-05:002015-12-21T12:20:05.983-05:00I wish a set of tags existed that agents could giv...I wish a set of tags existed that agents could give themselves, sneak them in like post-nominal letters. This way you'd see it right there on the bio: Superagent, PNoD (for "publishes now or drops you") or Janet Reid, RFT (represents with ferocity and tenacity).<br /><br />On the chance I find an agent for nextbook, I'd like one of the agent-for-life who would want my next book because they believe in the writing and the writer, rather than a quick try and then I'm gone if we don't get rich right away. I guess I'd find that out upon the offer, but I'm always a fan of extreme directness. OP's PNoD agent wasn't misleading, but it'd still be nice to know before that whiff of possibility came along and he took the gamble. Tony Clavellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16567479168804189982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56243251727259712012015-12-21T11:32:24.965-05:002015-12-21T11:32:24.965-05:00I'm sorry but I kept getting knocked off cours...I'm sorry but I kept getting knocked off course by the word offbeat. I don't know where I would be today without offbeat stories. I would almost be willing to bet that all books are offbeat. There are all skewed by the perception of the writer.<br /><br />I have long known that I look at the world differently than others. Since I have become a writer that that difference has become acute. I see a mall and wonder about ways for a kidnapper to escape it. I see murders at picnics and it goes on and on.<br /><br />I think the OP needs to begin with the self described offbeat and look at their view of the writing business. Compare it to titles like LOLITA, PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT or CATCHER IN THE RYE<br /><br />Can you as a writer compare to Pratchett, Zelazney or even Tim Dorsey?<br /><br />Offbeat is the whole business. It does not make you different than the rest of us.]<br /><br />Sorry if it sounds like a rant but making a few thousand cookies has pissed off the drain of my kitchen sink. I have a bad attitude today.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-78936575672939433792015-12-21T11:25:56.983-05:002015-12-21T11:25:56.983-05:00BJ: OK--you're probably correct that Opie inte...BJ: OK--you're probably correct that Opie intended "class" in that sense. It just seems a strange way to say "go with a smaller publisher" without someone misconstruing what's meant.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40877590721784110112015-12-21T11:24:47.963-05:002015-12-21T11:24:47.963-05:00Dave Rudden, yes, yes, yes.
That is EXACTLY what ...Dave Rudden, yes, yes, yes.<br /><br />That is EXACTLY what life is about. <br />Go ahead use the G-word if you want. There's a plan. I am sure about it because the path my life has taken is a convoluted-direct route to what's best for me.<br />It helps if you've lived a few years. That's when you get to notice the amazing results of bumpy roads being the best route.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-78821036769329448252015-12-21T11:07:55.293-05:002015-12-21T11:07:55.293-05:00Dear OP: I agree with Janet and the others. Put a ...Dear OP: I agree with Janet and the others. Put a new novel on your 'active' list, and put this one on your 'inactive' list. You're obviously publishable, so finding a new agent with a less odd manuscript shouldn't be as difficult as starting from scratch (says the person who is still scratching.)<br /><br />"Backlist" is the term for books that have been published but are now out-of-print (or as out-of-print as they get these days). Back on <a href="http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.ca/2015/09/agent-question-inventoryold-novels.html" rel="nofollow">September 16</a>, Janet talked about "inventory" novels - those unpublished novels that aren't the current novel.<br /><br />I was searching the blog - I'm sure Janet's addressed an agent quitting in the last year, but I could only find <a href="http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.ca/2012/10/what-to-do-when-your-agent-quits.html" rel="nofollow">her 2012 post, titled "What to do when your agent quits"</a><br /><br />Colin: Regarding the OP's "down in class a bit" - I don't think OP means it as a social class. If you classify publishers by size (as the publishing industry does), then you've got Major publishers, Large publishers, Medium-sized publishers, Small publishers, etc. Going "down in class a bit" would be going from a larger publisher to a smaller publisher. <br /><br />And, as Janet said, that's got its own dangers. Publishing with a smaller publisher (which is what I think OP meant, since OP said "an indie publisher") or even self-publishing, is a risk. Chances are good you're not going to sell as many books as if you were published by a medium-to-large publisher.<br /><br />Sorry this is so long. I've just been reading down the comments and blathering on while I drink my first coffee. But I think I've made some fairly clear points...BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.com