tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post5535766824015791320..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: What if I want a super agent?Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27011095364041580592016-07-13T07:41:38.077-04:002016-07-13T07:41:38.077-04:00Lots and lots and lots of comments here, so I'...Lots and lots and lots of comments here, so I'll keep mine brief.<br /><br />Everyone's put in probably about $50 worth of .02, but it's ultimately *your* career, OP. No one else here has to live with the decision, just you. I'd advise focusing on the launch of your book for now, then when it's out, talk things over with your agent. If you're still not happy, there's your answer.Leah Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12112039253103425880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22959891428396747702016-07-13T06:39:36.435-04:002016-07-13T06:39:36.435-04:00Arriving a day late, sorry.
I understand the impu...Arriving a day late, sorry.<br /><br />I understand the impulse to switch agents, but rather than just looking at it as a case of "Oh, these authors got bigger advances/better deals than I" you should consider <i>why</i> they got those deals. Is it the agent, or the book? <br /><br />Even if one of these "superagents" took you on, there's no guarantee they'd land you a "very nice" or "major" or "significant" deal. I expect even the biggest sharks have to eat sardines once in a while. It all depends on the book.JeffOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07947660745120963286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72506040740071871372016-07-13T02:30:56.927-04:002016-07-13T02:30:56.927-04:00Wow - what a huge comment trail to get through! OP...Wow - what a huge comment trail to get through! OP, congratulations, and I won't add my two cents because it's already all been said.<br /><br />Jen, your story was sobering, to say the least.<br /><br />And congratulations, Sleepy One! I must have missed your earlier announcement; and thank you Colin for your link :)<br /><br />In my hopefully-not-too-incredibly-distant-future, I am looking forward to working so hard with my agent that she becomes SuperAgent, just as I become SuperWriter. :D<br /><br />Happy writing, Reiders!Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8823389763466579912016-07-12T22:39:00.684-04:002016-07-12T22:39:00.684-04:00Congrats, Sleepy One!
Happy Home Day Anniversary ...Congrats, Sleepy One!<br /><br />Happy Home Day Anniversary to Gossamer and DLM!<br /><br />Julie: You're doing a great job. I'm glad you have the self-confidence to ignore the idiots, because your books - all your books - are going to be great.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-31236594455100499362016-07-12T21:44:37.488-04:002016-07-12T21:44:37.488-04:00Thanks, Colin! I was excited and surprised to see ...Thanks, Colin! I was excited and surprised to see my book up on both Amazon and Goodreads. The Sleepy Onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17406738871201908077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86325685124091459242016-07-12T21:13:43.512-04:002016-07-12T21:13:43.512-04:00Hello, Amy! We cannot wait to hear from you a bit ...Hello, Amy! We cannot wait to hear from you a bit more.<br /><br />Off topic, Gossamer the Editor Cat blessed my bones four years ago today, and came home with me. He fell asleep on my neck, his teeny fuzzy head nestled on my chin, in the little curve under my lip. He was made of, well, gossamer - and warm jellybean paws - and jewel eyes.<br /><br />I've told Janet before, his fur contains magical properties and is, I am fairly certain, analgesic. He smells like bread baking and sweetness. He is so soft you can't even feel his fur. He is warm, and his little white paws obsess me and always will. He has a cold, wet nose. He is resourceful, one of the funniest souls I've ever known, endlessly forgiving, a gent and a friend with guests. He is my best boy t'ing. He is my best grey t'ing. He is my favoritest kidden.<br /><br />I shall take the liberty, if I may, of getting offline now and providing lots of compliments and scritches and soft caresses and head bonkings to him from his friends here. And most especially Janet.DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69501793616079254882016-07-12T20:42:42.267-04:002016-07-12T20:42:42.267-04:00Just now getting to really read comments and I'...Just now getting to really read comments and I'm sad I didn't get to really jump in on the conversation earlier because it looks like a fun one. <br /><br /><b>2N's </b>- well said. Any of it, but particularly the 'rant'.<br /><br /><b> Sleepy One</b> - congrats!! I will be peeking into that for sure. <br /><br />It's one of those days where you finally get the kids down (and thank God they're cute), peek in the fridge for dinner, try to count the days since that leftover container's been in there and quit when you realize you'll eat it anyway. Then you open the drawer for a fork, remember your dishwasher's broken, see a slightly used fork on the table and just go for it. <br /><br />i.e. a great night to escape into the world of reading and writing. Till tomorrow, folks!<br />Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-2336431613729745032016-07-12T19:53:44.118-04:002016-07-12T19:53:44.118-04:00Here's the Amazon stub for The Sleepy One'...Here's the Amazon stub for <b>The Sleepy One</b>'s novel if you want to pre-order:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Die-Kelly-Garrett/dp/1929345305?ie=UTF8&ref_=sr_1_1" rel="nofollow">THE LAST TO DIE</a><br /><br />Hope you don't mind me hunting it down, Sleepy. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57075615043970259602016-07-12T19:07:28.661-04:002016-07-12T19:07:28.661-04:00I meant halibut fish tacos above, not fish and chi...I meant halibut fish tacos above, not fish and chips. (So, Bethany, if you see this...)<br /><br />Mark, my novel's a YA mystery coming out through Poisoned Pen Press. :) Are you on Twitter? I've started a reef twitter list. The Sleepy Onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17406738871201908077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52402021653698907942016-07-12T18:58:59.378-04:002016-07-12T18:58:59.378-04:00Congratulations, Sleepy One, that's terrific! ...Congratulations, Sleepy One, that's terrific! I'd love to hear more about your book, and I expect that goes for other reef dwellers as well!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09886045611763178062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58737177925039335412016-07-12T18:40:12.376-04:002016-07-12T18:40:12.376-04:00Mark Thurber, I pre-ordered Dana's marketing b...Mark Thurber, I pre-ordered Dana's marketing book, too. My book is coming out in April, 2017 so I have a lot of work to do. <br /><br />Bethany Elizabeth, stop by the Ecola Seafood Market for me! They had really excellent halibut fish & chips a few weeks ago. The Sleepy Onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17406738871201908077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66000237116280002002016-07-12T18:10:53.035-04:002016-07-12T18:10:53.035-04:00OP, I suggest you take a hard look at your measure...OP, I suggest you take a hard look at your measure of success. There will always be writers who get larger advances, who have "bigger" name agents, who write better, who sell more, who garner more awards and accolades and loyal readers. Always. You will never, ever reach the pinnacle of that slippery and ever-shifting mountain. I don't think any of us will. It's just not possible. Ambition is fine, and sometimes even admirable. But if your definition of success involves comparison to others, you won't ever be happy.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53699624453190283242016-07-12T17:41:34.701-04:002016-07-12T17:41:34.701-04:00My understanding was that it's the disintegrat...My understanding was that it's the disintegrating asbestos that gets you, regardless of strand length/thickness. <br /><br />So I guess the takeaway is, don't go around sniffing asbestos underpants.<br /><br />I'll...show myself out now.Adib Khorramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836332867898941638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72363982900555129142016-07-12T17:41:29.620-04:002016-07-12T17:41:29.620-04:00Hi Amy! *waves at the woman on the waves*Hi Amy! *waves at the woman on the waves*BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-13697329267689233672016-07-12T17:36:39.534-04:002016-07-12T17:36:39.534-04:00This was my first chance to read the blog in weeks...This was my first chance to read the blog in weeks... and I think I'll just be strolling on by. Superagent. Nope. Not touching it.<br /><br />But hello to you all! Friendly waves from Floating Paradise!Amy Schaeferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263719891092841767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70923213642679638902016-07-12T17:06:14.007-04:002016-07-12T17:06:14.007-04:00Opie, Congratulations on having an agent and a boo...Opie, Congratulations on having an agent and a book due out in October! I'm with the other commenters who are pointing out all the wonderfulness that you have on hand right now. Yes, there's work out there to do. But it seems like it should be for marketing your debut rather than hunting for another agent.<br /><br />If you do decide you really have to switch agents for your second book, you might need to have a look-see with the contracts you have signed--the contract with the agent and the contract with the publisher. <br /><br /><br />Jen, what a reality check. Thank you for sharing your side of the story about a super agent. Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43862298122757627442016-07-12T16:45:17.802-04:002016-07-12T16:45:17.802-04:00There's a foolproof method for spotting the Su...There's a foolproof method for spotting the Superagent, he's always inexplicably absent when the deal is closed and if you look closely, you'll notice those glasses he wears, don't have prescription lenses. Ah you say, but what about the chicks? I think the correct term for the distaff variety is Wonderagent.DeadSpiderEyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07687178085803686186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22363824920871146242016-07-12T16:11:48.005-04:002016-07-12T16:11:48.005-04:00Well, far be it from me to heap any more finger sh...Well, far be it from me to heap any more finger shaking and tut-tutting on the OP this morning. Everyone has said it all and said it well, and Robert even managed to be funny before having any caffeine! <br /><br />I think Jen's story of having a super agent who didn't treat her so super-ly should send a chill down all our spines. <br /><br />I am loving the quotes about the grass being greener on the other side of the bookshelf.<br />Count your blessings, OP. Your book hasn't even come out yet and you are second guessing whether you should dump your agent? Time to put on your big girl panties (I also am assuming OP is female...I don't know why) and promote the hell out of your book! <br /><br />I've been on the other side of the dumpster, having been dumped by two galleries that I had respectable sales at, one for 17 years, the other for 10 years, when the economy and my sales went south. Be the writer who kicks marketing butt and helps to make your agent into super agent. That's the best way to get a super agent!Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23042307604598810562016-07-12T15:44:46.972-04:002016-07-12T15:44:46.972-04:00There is something I've always been very caref...There is something I've always been very careful about. Careful to the point of being a weirdo. Before I tell you what that is, I feel the need to share this.<br /><br />Like you, my book sold, and I received an advance. One thing to note, what's okay for you, might be hunky dory with me. No idea. Maybe you think the way you do b/c your book went in one round - i.e. <i>poof!</i> - sold. IDK. Mine took three years of active and non-active *fermenting.* That's the way I like to think of it while it was waiting on the right editor. It was fermenting. Many out here have been diligently working for a long time to get where you are today. I was one of them. (Somebody forgot to shut the gate, evidently.) <br /><br />Anyway, we don't know your details - for all we know, you've worked for decades as well to get where you are, but something tells me you might have had stuff happen pretty quick. And now, it's like "well wait just a dang minute."<br /><br />Here's what I'm weird about to a fault. I can't allow myself to think negatively about any one person who helped me get where I am. I count my lucky stars to have had them along with me. It's a twisting, churning, gut wrenching path, but you can bet your sweet bippy I'm doing the happy dance <b>every</b> single day. I also believe in karma, and what goes around comes around. Right now, you should be having the time of your life, not envying what someone else has achieved. You don't even know yet how your book will do - like I don't know about mine. I'm very careful to remember where I was, and where I am now. Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-11869099581423951552016-07-12T15:38:34.046-04:002016-07-12T15:38:34.046-04:00Agree with everything that's been said...I'...Agree with everything that's been said...I've also heard that lower advances can also be good for first-time authors because it can be easier to earn out an advance. <br /><br />While buyer's remorse is a natural thing for us all, everyone's journey will blossom in different ways--and comparisons are rarely helpful. That said, you can reach for the stars and follow your heart--as long as you take your brain with you. And asking questions of Janet is a great way to do that.Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77180993876687677562016-07-12T14:26:47.661-04:002016-07-12T14:26:47.661-04:00Yes, Colin's agent will be super able to navig...Yes, Colin's agent will be super able to navigate the shark infested waters of Carkoon deftly while selling with equal aplomb Dino porn and organic kale mystery or whatever it is Colin happens to write. My agent, who will also be super, will commiserate with Colin's agents about the peculiarities of writers snatched from the Reef. But we will all be well-published thereby proving just how super our respective agents are. That's the dream anyhow E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17747248887630545622016-07-12T14:13:28.709-04:002016-07-12T14:13:28.709-04:00I think there's only one more thing I can say ...I think there's only one more thing I can say on this topic: The agent I end up with <i>will</i> be a super agent. A jolly super agent. A super, smashing, brilliant agent. Wot-ho! ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68099637947478475902016-07-12T13:40:11.287-04:002016-07-12T13:40:11.287-04:00The grass is always greener... (Sing it, OP! Every...The grass is always greener... (Sing it, OP! Everyone else is. :) )<br /><br />You know, OP, as wonderful as a huge advance would be, that's not necessarily the mark of success. How many such novels have flopped? How many such novelists have never written another novel? Success lies more in being able to write novel after novel of such popularity that the novelist can continue being published.<br /><br />It's that continuity that should be the Holy Grail, rather than a large advance. Chances are, if your novels become popular enough, your advances will get bigger. That's not going to happen, really, if you switch agents much.<br /><br />Or maybe it would - maybe you could get on with a Super Agent. Maybe that might give your career a rocket boost... but it's still going to come down to writing consistently good novels in the long run. And in the long run, would such a switch in agents really make a difference?<br /><br />I like what others have said, about how publishers will be happier with an author whose smaller advance has sold out than one whose huge advance didn't bring in as much money as they'd hoped. It's true. And those publishers are more likely to publish your next book, and your next.<br /><br />Unless your idea of success is getting one huge advance, then sitting on your laurels for the rest of your life. And that isn't a terrible ambition. Just remember that a huge advance is a lottery, while a bunch of smaller advances make a career.<br /><br />Andrea: I'm not a fan of present-tense, either.<br /><br />Mr. Furkles and Robert Ceres have made me laugh this morning. Thank you!BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30441212451195150512016-07-12T13:35:16.660-04:002016-07-12T13:35:16.660-04:00I really like 2Ns's third comment -- not that ...I really like 2Ns's third comment -- not that I didn't like her previous discussions of turkey with vomment and the particularities of asbestos underwear. Now I will go back to revising my WIP, which is in first-person present tense, of course. (I look forward to seeing if I can turn Andrea and Kate into believers!)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09886045611763178062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24118084455823757662016-07-12T13:19:56.634-04:002016-07-12T13:19:56.634-04:00Keep in mind, the agent's job is to sell the b...Keep in mind, the agent's job is to sell the book to editors. Your job is to write a book that will generate sales. If the book doesn't excite editors enough to hand you a fat check, that's not always a failing on the agent's part.<br /><br />By the way . . . have you ever heard of that saying about the grass being greener? Keep this in mind before you burn down a bridge.Ardenwolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14053900506482830292noreply@blogger.com