tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post5024556154115368782..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: The value of contest judge's notes in queriesJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50079346747250057192016-09-21T06:55:46.267-04:002016-09-21T06:55:46.267-04:00No one will likely read this since QOTKU's new...No one will likely read this since QOTKU's new post is about to be posted, but maybe the thing with the YA market is it needs something fresh and new. Maybe agents are no longer as intrigued by vampires/werewolves/life threatening illnesses, or dystopian unless the story carries something so dramatically different, it's never been written before.<br /><br />Maybe that's it - YA needs a fresh new idea.Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53622015975244142712016-09-20T21:29:03.059-04:002016-09-20T21:29:03.059-04:00It may be that the YA market is glutted. There are...It may be that the YA market is glutted. There are so many people writing YA that it's hard to be in the top percentage that gets published.<br /><br />raynareveur: Some agents will give more specific suggestions like this in their guidelines or in interviews or elsewhere online. BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53968384590885352652016-09-20T19:00:21.185-04:002016-09-20T19:00:21.185-04:00YA: market saturation, perhaps?YA: market saturation, perhaps?Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20780302445111456292016-09-20T18:26:37.966-04:002016-09-20T18:26:37.966-04:00Craig,
I'd be hard-pressed to think the YA ma...Craig,<br /><br />I'd be hard-pressed to think the YA market is depressed. It might be, I don't know. In the twitter contests and various other agent mentor contests, the main request is for YA. It gets depressing after while.<br /><br />Robert, once again, I have been convoluted. What I meant in my ramblings, is that writers take so many things to heart. <br /><br />If someone they respect says they like the work, the commenter must be saying it to be nice. (Such as with the OP.)<br /><br />If someone they respect disses their work, they are stricken. (Raises hand.)<br /><br />You have to outline!<br /><br />Write what you know!<br /><br />At some point in time, no matter who told you they did, you have to realize monkeys don't have feathers. (I'm sorry, Will. I know that was traumatic.)JulieWeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361549099072091350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-49155723761701243752016-09-20T18:13:33.435-04:002016-09-20T18:13:33.435-04:00Craig
I don't write young adult (unless I'...Craig<br /><br />I don't write young adult (unless I'm dramatically wrong about "Escape From Brazil"). I'm just naturally curious.<br /><br />Why is there no market for YA? I still see young adults hanging out at Coffee shops and sandwich shops. Is it because the young adults have tired of the type of stories that sold the past five years? Or is there some other reason?Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55504620225586231342016-09-20T17:04:47.326-04:002016-09-20T17:04:47.326-04:00I think there is one thing everyone missed. This i...I think there is one thing everyone missed. This is a YA novel. The market for YA novels has been bad for a while. Maybe it is worse than we knew.<br /><br />I don't think that agent wished to reject your book. I think she could not find market for it and therefore had to.<br /><br />Since YA is such a tough market I would suggest you use all of you allotted query space to make your work stand out. In other words, just keep plugging away at it. Your query already got a strong bite. Maybe the next one will be at a more advantageous time for you.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73791171753045583982016-09-20T16:11:56.239-04:002016-09-20T16:11:56.239-04:00Robert,
"I'm gonna just start critiquing...Robert,<br /><br />"I'm gonna just start critiquing Julie's blog comments. There's something about the way she strings her disparate thoughts together and weaves in apparently irrelevant stories that just keeps me reading."<br /><br />That way lies madness. Don't ever read something of mine here and expect it to make sense. I feel like I've cut a fat hog if I escape with just a few spelling and grammar mistakes.<br /><br />I'm thinking about getting the rune for Odin as it also represents communication, knowledge, and literacy just to remind myself I'm suppose to communicate intelligently.JulieWeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361549099072091350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8312331033829239912016-09-20T16:02:19.599-04:002016-09-20T16:02:19.599-04:00Yeah, I'm over here on the left coast with Peg...Yeah, I'm over here on the left coast with Peggy! Nothing to add, except I enjoyed Julie's story about Diana Gabaldon, as I am a recent convert to her books. (Okay, and the TV series too. Who doesn't enjoy a hunky Scotsman?) Also just finished Barbara Rogan's book, A Dangerous Fiction, and am hungry for more.<br />Happy Tuesday y'all!<br />Did I spell that right?Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27177883166060487962016-09-20T15:43:21.675-04:002016-09-20T15:43:21.675-04:00As someone with nothing to write in the 'bio&#...As someone with nothing to write in the 'bio' paragraph, this information was good to read this morning. <br /><br />And Carolynn's comment about the $100 to the bride comment had me laughing! I then started wondering - how long would the critiquer have spent on the pages, to earn that $99? <br /><br /> Other than that thought, I'm with Peggy - nothing much to add but 'thank you'!Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90178848849457935712016-09-20T15:15:45.927-04:002016-09-20T15:15:45.927-04:00I’m feeling good about my WIP today. I think I’ll ...I’m feeling good about my WIP today. I think I’ll write a great review of it and post it on my refrigerator and my toilet, the two places I seem to visit the most.Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51233606640517416752016-09-20T15:07:38.850-04:002016-09-20T15:07:38.850-04:00So how do we know which agents want to hear about ...So how do we know which agents want to hear about a review like this in a query? Or was that a joke?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86002650999796694702016-09-20T14:53:01.574-04:002016-09-20T14:53:01.574-04:00Congrats, OP!
Outlining vs not: I'm a hybrid...Congrats, OP! <br /><br />Outlining vs not: I'm a hybrid. Left to my own devices I'd be a Diana. I see scenes in my head and write them down. But my writing time is limited and I hope to be published again before I'm a hundred and ten (ideally I'd love to write my way to freedom), so I've learned to outline as well. I write what I see and then I fill in the outline to see what I'm missing.CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90131538057479898632016-09-20T14:49:49.968-04:002016-09-20T14:49:49.968-04:00Congrats, OP. The querying process can be so unsa...Congrats, OP. The querying process can be so unsatisfying, and it seems you have a really good story despite all the silence. <br /><br />I have seen several agents out there who specifically say they will consider people with writing credits/ publications over people who do not have such things. Nevertheless although I also write YA and will never have her as my agent, these posts always make me breathe easier. It's just nice to know there are cut-the-B.S.-and-give-me-a-good-story agents like Janet.Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36241790130074553732016-09-20T14:47:16.848-04:002016-09-20T14:47:16.848-04:00As a west coaster, I always come to the blog a bit...As a west coaster, I always come to the blog a bit later in the day. I have nothing to add to the discussion -- just a 'thank you' for all the smile the above comments generated! :DAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06611656982367077903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12356186973693946022016-09-20T14:43:22.862-04:002016-09-20T14:43:22.862-04:00I'm gonna just start critiquing Julie's bl...I'm gonna just start critiquing Julie's blog comments. There's something about the way she strings her disparate thoughts together and weaves in apparently irrelevant stories that just keeps me reading.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02694333358894726440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-25987078521587082682016-09-20T14:16:41.259-04:002016-09-20T14:16:41.259-04:00Really, Comment Security, I have no idea how that ...Really, Comment Security, I have no idea how that kale got into my pocket... Mine? You must be kidding! :DColin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32386000220014003602016-09-20T14:14:44.058-04:002016-09-20T14:14:44.058-04:00Susan: We had an unwelcome visitor this morning, s...<b>Susan</b>: We had an unwelcome visitor this morning, so Janet might have applied some additional security. I wouldn't take it personally. Well, okay, <i>you</i> shouldn't take it personally... ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22241241817433823652016-09-20T14:05:19.209-04:002016-09-20T14:05:19.209-04:00You mean I spent all that time getting a blurb fro...You mean I spent all that time getting a blurb from your sainted mum FOR NOTHING?!?!?!?!?Stephen Kozeniewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185600045044927669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73524236717306050292016-09-20T12:00:52.970-04:002016-09-20T12:00:52.970-04:00Robert,
"I put a lot of thought and effort ...Robert,<br /><br /> "I put a lot of thought and effort into my comments, thinking the comments I got back on mins would be the same."<br /><br />I did that at the Rocky Mountain conference. I was in a limited master class where the participants each were supposed to do in depth critiques of ten pages of the each other's work. We had plenty of lead time to do this and I enjoy critiquing usually, so I spent a LOT of time on each one. <br /><br />Some were very good. Courtney Schafer was in there and got an agent at the conference I believe and went on to publication. One guy who fancied himself to be quite the lady's man, lounged back in his chair the whole time like a king holding court. He bragged about himself and his writing and how he was going to be published. There wasn't that much to brag about. I had an almost uncontrollable urge to walk past him and accidentally stumble into his leaned chair, toppling him from his throne. <br /><br />It was just completely disrespectful to crank back like that, arms across his chest through the whole thing until his story came up then he leaned forward, all ears.<br /><br />Anyway, his critique to everyone was a scrawled "Good job!" at the top of the page. It was obvious he couldn't even be bothered to read them.<br /><br />I think he was crestfallen that the Del Rey editor, who was the mod, didn't jump all over the golden opportunity to snatch him up.<br /><br /> JulieWeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361549099072091350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86998671866107155302016-09-20T11:56:40.487-04:002016-09-20T11:56:40.487-04:00Well, that's new...Saw that my comment is pend...Well, that's new...Saw that my comment is pending approval. Does this mean blogger ate it or should I take this personally? ;)Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05332570278984058081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38390395445015895872016-09-20T11:52:28.439-04:002016-09-20T11:52:28.439-04:00I think Opie is on the right track, depending on t...I think Opie is on the right track, depending on their writing goals. I know I say this all the time, but knowing your goals is so important for how you pursue your career. Winning contests and prizes certainly can't hurt anything, and even if it's not something to bring up in a query when publishing traditionally, it's something you can mention on your website for if/when the agent is intrigued enough to request the full or make the offer. Similarly, if you're not getting hits from agents and choose to self-publish, contest wins can help set your work apart and give your book legs to stand on among readers.<br /><br />And never underestimate the value of validation. Sometimes we need that extra belief in our writing--and ourselves--to take our work to the next step...whichever path is pursued. Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05332570278984058081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91048308734800483042016-09-20T11:44:37.229-04:002016-09-20T11:44:37.229-04:00I would never include comments made by someone els...I would never include comments made by someone else about a book I was querying even if they were from Best-Selling Author number one, two, or three. The agent cares about what they see on the page. Period.<br /><br />Having said that, when I query Janet about Cowgirls, I'm going to remind her I was the first woman to ride a bucking horse at the Miles City and Rapid City Bucking Horse Sales. I use the word ride loosely as it was more of a get my head planted in the dirt like a pile driver. But, that, I hope will jog her memory I know a little bit about women and bucking horses.<br /><br />Regardless, it still comes down to writing. Is the writing there? Is the story there?<br /><br />To the OP, congratulations. There is absolutely nothing better than getting a great critique and then finding out, yes, they really meant it. Whoo hoo!<br /><br />I had to laugh about you thinking they were just being nice. I said the same thing after my blue pencil with C.C. Humphreys last year. The B&W crew disagreed. One of them said, "Hardly. My blue pencil was miserable. I'm depressed just thinking about it."<br /><br />The best part was when he said, "I look forward to reading this book."<br /><br />There was no hesitation. It was just a confident statement. I thought, I wish I had that much confidence in it.<br /><br />Remember those high points when you're feeling down. You ought to be very pleased because that's a tough crowd. I hope you do or did well in the contest. It sounds like you have a good shot. Good job!<br /><br />Steve,<br /><br />"King says do it for five years and you can become a good writer."<br /><br />Learn and improve is the key thing. I know some writers who haven't changed one whit in the twenty years I've known them and they've poured out a lot of words. I could put down a story they've written today next to one they wrote twenty years ago and I would make exactly the same comments I made then.<br /><br />That's why at rodeo schools they video tape every thing. They slow the tape down and say, "You were great here, and here, and here and right here is where you untucked your chin and looked out."<br /><br />You have to home in on your mistakes or weak points and work on them, then move on to the next sticky spot. <br /><br />Lots of practice doesn't do a thing except reinforce bad habits if you're practicing wrong.<br /><br />When Wonder Son #3 was little he was watching a Dairy Queen commercial where they had a monkey riding a border collie who was herding chickens. He pointed to the screen and asked me, "what's that?"<br /><br />I naturally assumed he meant the monkey, so I responded, "That's a monkey, honey."<br /><br />It took us forever to convince him chickens weren't monkeys. Once we planted something in his brain, it took deep root.<br /><br />So it goes with writers. Once we have something planted in the fertile soil of our minds, sometimes you can't blast that weed out with dynamite. <br /><br />Diana Gabaldon was on a panel once where they were discussing plotting a novel. The woman next to her said the only way you can write a good novel that makes sense is to outline. Barbara Rogan is an outliner, though it wasn't her. She approaches each chapter with a definite idea of what she needs to accomplish and where each character needs to be plot wise at the end. Diana couldn't outline if you held a gun to her head.<br /><br />She told the women she never outlines. She thinks some writers need the freedom to write what comes to them without structure.<br /><br />"You can't build a house without first laying a firm foundation."<br /><br />"I'm building the house in my imagination. I can do whatever I want. If I see the roof first, I'll build the roof first and come back and build the walls later."<br /><br />There was probably something of a meltdown.JulieWeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361549099072091350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59897252267307214672016-09-20T11:16:09.000-04:002016-09-20T11:16:09.000-04:00Knowing you don't sucketh mightily is a good a...Knowing you don't sucketh mightily is a good and valuable thing. All future decisions rest on that.Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26774256474788156832016-09-20T10:56:31.172-04:002016-09-20T10:56:31.172-04:00One thing about this review for this very novel th...One thing about this review for this very novel that's being queried: It shows that the novel might be worth requesting the full. Someone has read the full novel and thought it was worth reading.<br /><br />If the novel winds up winning the contest, I would definitely mention this. The difference between this and publication credit is that it doesn't just show the author can write - it shows that this very novel is well-written enough to win this Prize. Publisher's Weekly is a prestigious enough publication that the Prize will carry some merit.<br /><br />I'm thinking, though, that if the novel is this good but you're not getting a lot of response from queries, you may need to rewrite your query. Also telling is that the only bite you got was from an agent at a conference - presumably without the query you've been sending. Have you run your query letter past your critique group? Sent it in to Query Shark? Had anyone read it for critique at all?<br /><br />And never let a rejection of any kind bring you down. You said the agent was very complimentary, but rejected you. You're doing the writerly thing, internalizing the rejection, but ignoring the compliments. DO NOT DO THIS. Take the compliments to heart, and accept the rejection as a normal part of life, like a stubbed toe or typo. Rejections are common. Compliments are not.<br /><br />And regarding the critiquing as helping the critiquer: Hell yeah. If you're only 'critiquing' your own work, you're only seeing the problems you think you have. A critical eye will see the problems you really have. By critiquing others' works, you develop that critical eye - and you can see it in your work. By helping other authors figure out how to overcome their problems, you can work out how to help those problems in your own work. Critique groups are SO important, not just to develop your work and others, but also to develop your own skill.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38100879940868733182016-09-20T10:51:25.792-04:002016-09-20T10:51:25.792-04:00Nightsmusic, I love that handle!Nightsmusic, I love that handle!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02694333358894726440noreply@blogger.com