tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post5858863819230347846..comments2024-03-29T07:29:32.276-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Week in Review May 8, 2016Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47061964555065206342016-05-09T15:04:49.843-04:002016-05-09T15:04:49.843-04:00Alright, QOTKU found humor (or...was it I found ou...Alright, QOTKU found humor (or...was it I found out how to write humor?) Thank you for continuing to give us these Wirs. <br /><br />What a lovely website, Janet. I like the pics on the home page. <br /><br />I wondered, if under your Query page, you might like to mention Queryshark. You list it under FAQ and About me. But sometimes, do people just land on 1 page then wander off, thinking they know it all? Yes, there is something to be said for being thorough rather than impatient.<br /><br />Under Query, under non-fiction, it looks like you're still thinking as you ended with a semi-colon rather than a period after health.Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14434852412343772002016-05-09T11:04:16.554-04:002016-05-09T11:04:16.554-04:00I'm late posting a response to the WIR, but as...I'm late posting a response to the WIR, but as always, it was great.<br /><br />"and the look on Donna's face (pure horror) was quickly replaced by a Southern Lady smile and she said "that's very kind of you, let me see if we can"<br /><br />This made me laugh so much and I can see it so plainly in my mind. <br /><br />It reminds me of a story of those tours people do of southern antebellum homes. One home featured some china that had been hand painted by Audubon as he was friends with the original owners and stayed in the home. <br /><br />A tourist picked up one of these nigh priceless teacups and was tossing it in the air. The tour guide nearly had heart failure, snatched the cup away, and screamed at the man. The owner of the home, assured him it was fine and soothed the man (and his wife who was probably contemplating his murder if it wouldn't have ruined an equally priceless rug) and told funny stories about Audubon to take the attention away from him. <br /><br />It's a southern thing.<br /><br />Re the ideas. Let's be honest, ideas are a dime a dozen. The magic is in the execution. I say ideas can be stolen due to my experience with agents tweedle dee and tweedle dum who were gung ho about my books about the personal lives of a series of western women. I later saw a book in the bookstore with a collection of these same western women and was going to buy it. Then I read the acknowledgments. The author thanked his agents tweedle dee and tweedle dum for the wonderful idea to write this book.<br /><br />That's fine, it was a dry history book and missed the soul of the ladies. Regardless, I didn't buy the book. <br /><br />Janet's timeline was great. spot on.<br /><br />Ha, Donna's subheader made me laugh and Hank's comment warmed my heart. Thank you all. You have no idea how many stupid stories I delete and nearly did the snake oil story.<br /><br />Great, subheaders and I agree totally with K.D., but boy didn't Claudette hit it on the head?Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23732527718032868212016-05-09T05:55:51.997-04:002016-05-09T05:55:51.997-04:00Wow; I missed so much being offline for a week!
Th...Wow; I missed so much being offline for a week!<br />Thank you Janet, for the life-saver that is the WiR. And for that timeline!!!<br />The crocs aren't so bad down here in Aus. Well, the plastic ones that we wear on our feet, anyway :D<br />Congrats KD on the subheader.<br />Happy Mother's Day to all the Mums here on the Reef,<br />and happy writing to all!<br />Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36773097389687741292016-05-09T03:08:41.155-04:002016-05-09T03:08:41.155-04:00Janet thanks again for the WIR. This site is like:...Janet thanks again for the WIR. This site is like: writers 101, a guide on what not to do.<br /><br />Thanks again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45517412282768540422016-05-09T01:44:53.319-04:002016-05-09T01:44:53.319-04:00Joseph: Considering they came to Canada, and yours...Joseph: Considering they came to Canada, and yours went to Texas, chances are they came from different places in Galicia. People from the same village often migrated to the same settlement, wherever they went.<br /><br />Janet: That is a very cool reason not to accept books with that theme. BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4692156636053160672016-05-09T00:47:50.219-04:002016-05-09T00:47:50.219-04:00Janet Reid
Thanks for the timeline advice. I hope...Janet Reid<br /><br />Thanks for the timeline advice. I hope it comes in handy someday.<br /><br />Grandma Snoe came from the Paluka side of the family, but she was no boxer. I’ll email you a classic picture of her with her shotgun and hunting dogs and, of course in Texas, her sun bonnet.<br /><br />What I wish I could really show you are some handmade quilts she and my aunt made for me.<br /><br />I always thought it was cool to be a Paluka. A popular comic strip when I was a boy was called “Joe Palooka.” Since in an abstract way I was sort of Joe Paluka, I could relate to him (but I’m not a boxer, either).<br /><br />BJ – I don’t think the Lutzko’s associated with my family (or vice-versa).<br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18979742619899036742016-05-09T00:36:07.697-04:002016-05-09T00:36:07.697-04:00I hate to pick on one throwaway line in what was a...I hate to pick on one throwaway line in what was another helpful and informative weekly recap. <br /><br />But I have to step in and comment after reading the post linked here: "Nikola Vukoja has a good rundown on the road to self-publishing. Well worth the read."<br /><br />I don't know Nikola, and I wish her nothing but the best on her self-publishing path. <br /><br />But can I counter with my own link? It's from a couple years ago, but here's a terrific account of Kelly Walker's <a href="http://www.critiquecircle.com/blog.asp?blogID=89" rel="nofollow">first year of indie publishing.</a><br /><br />My main problems with Nikola post are:<br />-$4,000 is a lot to invest in a debut standalone. A lot of indie authors lose money on their first publication and the key to visibility on Amazon seems to be writing multiple connected books. (You do have to invest money for quality, but maybe 1/2 or 1/4 of what Nikola is advocating.)<br />-Hiring an illustrator with, as far as I can tell, no experience in book design is, to me, a red flag. <br /><br />In fact, a different post on the same blog is miffed at another aspiring author who "intended to use stock-standard free-clip-art for her front cover". <br /><br />Stock images are not necessarily bad. In fact they can be a better approach than hiring an illustrator (particularly one who doesn't understand book design), because in book design <a href="http://www.creativindie.com/book-cover-cliches-why-using-them-will-actually-help-you-sell-more-books/" rel="nofollow">clichés aren't bad.</a> <br /><br />Anyway, maybe Kelly's experience can help Nikola. And while I encourage people to follow Nikola on her journey, I also want to remind them she's just setting out on the path and the best advice comes from those who've walked it.Asheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12797621675670255704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10130438492553863092016-05-08T23:07:24.180-04:002016-05-08T23:07:24.180-04:00And if Amy hasn't read Bill Bryson's "...And if Amy hasn't read Bill Bryson's "In a Sunburnned Country"... um, she might want to wait till they get done with their sailing adventure. Uh....no big deal. Forget I said anything.<br /><br />I forget what the PSI of a panda's bite is, but may I just say, can crack large stalks of bamboo with their teeth. Just because we're cute, it doesn't mean we're easy.<br /><br />Thanks for another great WIR.<br />Back to full speed ahead this week.Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68422468262196549762016-05-08T22:28:13.343-04:002016-05-08T22:28:13.343-04:00For those who are concerned over Amy Shaefer's...For those who are concerned over Amy Shaefer's visit to Australia, here's a little song for you:<br /><br /><a href="https://youtu.be/kdihHnaOQsk" rel="nofollow">Come to Australia</a> - Scared Weird Little Guys<br /><br />She'll be fine. She might even make it as far as Perth.<br /><br />P.S.: It was also Mother's Day here in Aus as well. I got breakfast in bed and enough spare time to realise that nearly all those freebie indie series starters I downloaded are proving that there is an upside to commercial publishing, namely, professional editors. Sorry.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90002000114871509022016-05-08T22:00:54.209-04:002016-05-08T22:00:54.209-04:00Miles,
When I heard there were more threats to Pre...Miles,<br />When I heard there were more threats to President Obama than to previous presidents (by several times), I realized I didn't want to be the agent for the book that gave the guy the idea.<br /><br />It's not likely it would happen, but yanno...I'm just not prepared to answer to God on that one.<br /><br />Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30554146915042597812016-05-08T21:14:09.211-04:002016-05-08T21:14:09.211-04:00I love the new site. But I have a QAFAQ (Question ...I love the new site. But I have a QAFAQ (Question About a FAQ):<br /><br /><i>"Just FYI, I do not consider books that deal with assassinating the US President as a major theme."</i><br /><br />Do you mean only the sitting president? Past presidents? Fictional presidents?<br /><br />Just curious, as I know someone who has a novel in their head that revolves around this. Whether they will write it us another story, but they have developed it fairly well, and it has potential. (It does not include an actual US president.)Miles O'Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15566986720292847069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-74385619984596853522016-05-08T20:53:42.409-04:002016-05-08T20:53:42.409-04:00I'll take Word docs, too. Any standard format ...I'll take Word docs, too. Any standard format document. Whatever most people will be able to read.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-15169781095923165022016-05-08T20:52:58.541-04:002016-05-08T20:52:58.541-04:00Mark: Feel free to throw suggestions my way. Part ...Mark: Feel free to throw suggestions my way. Part of the purpose of the Treasure Chest is help address in detail some of Janet's FAQs, cutting down on the amount of time she spends repeating herself. And if someone else wants to compile the information and just send me a pdf to upload, I'm cool with that too! I don't have to do all the work. ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34328355774295495112016-05-08T20:39:03.238-04:002016-05-08T20:39:03.238-04:00Ah, good! I was thinking of suggesting that the ti...Ah, good! I was thinking of suggesting that the timeline be entered into the Treasure Chest, but I didn't want to be sent to the exile planet for people who ask Colin to do extra work (unless it is pleasant and rains lighter animals there).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09886045611763178062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4354447357477870832016-05-08T20:27:12.624-04:002016-05-08T20:27:12.624-04:00Thanks for answering my minor follow-up question, ...Thanks for answering my minor follow-up question, Janet. And thanks again for another WiR. Lots of great stuff. I really need to make some PDFs with all this info for the Treasure Chest. That whole timeline for when an agent expresses interest--very useful. I hope you don't mind me culling the blog for Treasure Chest articles? I think it makes it easier for people to find, rather than scouring the blog archives.<br /><br />As for your web site redesign... lovely! Really. The pictures of NYC are cool, and make me want to visit properly. Of course, I would love a guided tour. In fact, that might have to be part of the contract should I land a NY-based agent: "Must give author guided tour of NYC at least once in the life of this agreement." Perhaps if the advance is good, I'll bring the whole family! :D<br /><br />Sorry this is a bit of a hit and run comment. It's been a busy day (Mother's Day in the US for those that live elsewhere). I'm looking forward to another week of thoughtful and witty comments, and some good blog articles to go with them. ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-65530899818731352542016-05-08T20:26:58.928-04:002016-05-08T20:26:58.928-04:00Published. Where is spell check when you need it?Published. Where is spell check when you need it?CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68857519657300995522016-05-08T19:34:45.430-04:002016-05-08T19:34:45.430-04:00Thank you, thank my Queen.
Firstly I thank you fo...Thank you, thank my Queen.<br /><br />Firstly I thank you for be so considerate to us little beasties.<br /><br />Secondly I would like to thank you for that timeline. It clarifies some things for me. Being in business for myself I have already seen some weird things. It seems the universe sometimes likes to toss monkey wrenches into the works. While in the environmental business I invented a different way to extract and test soluble landfill gases. My first attempt to get state approval crashed and burned when the FedEx plane went down with all my samples.<br /><br />I have also had a landfill fall on the building where another product was going to be manufactured. Never expect the rainbow to carry you to a pot of gold. Expect something to get in the way.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22648119586750737602016-05-08T19:30:38.072-04:002016-05-08T19:30:38.072-04:00My work is piled to the rafters (I have deadline t...My work is piled to the rafters (I have deadline today) but couldn't start until I'd read the WiR. It didn't disappoint. Thanks, QOTKU.<br /><br />Amy, he didn't mention the sharks? It's safer to swim here, even when our Queen is chomping, than off our (Aussie) coast at the moment.<br /><br />JR, love the images of NYC. I'm hitting the query trenches again later this year, so read your page with that in mind. From a Reider pov I couldn't see anything. <br /><br />So then I tried to think outside the Reif: I think you should add a line to your Query page recommending queriers (I'm sure that should be a word) read the FAQ page before subbing. I bet a lot don't and they'll miss the linkies to Query Shark and the Reif. <br /><br />Or maybe just stick those links on every page, perhaps with flashing lights and great big red arrows saying "click here before subbing".<br /><br />All queries to the Shark should come with a requirement to state:<br />I hereby swear I have read every Query Shark post and have swum through the Reif. I survived. Here is my query.<br /><br />AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1537973034152602492016-05-08T19:30:16.010-04:002016-05-08T19:30:16.010-04:00THANK YOU for the WIR. My brain isn't up to p...THANK YOU for the WIR. My brain isn't up to par. Thank you for all you do.Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-25912011453605734832016-05-08T19:29:16.266-04:002016-05-08T19:29:16.266-04:00I've made it through the WIR, but will have to...I've made it through the WIR, but will have to go back and read the comments. <br /><br />Fifteen people here for Mother's Day - and although I'm a Mom too - and a Mimi (doesn't that sound all Southern gentrified) I'm the one who shucked 20 ears of corn, peeled five lbs of potatoes, topped three qts of strawberries, baked a hot milk cake (ya'll have to try it) whipped up the whip cream, deviled some eggs, and hey, how about a three bean salad just because? <br /><br />Having said that, HA! Ms. Janet, I thought I was so subtle. NOT. The thing with Mom...ya know I tell stories right? Yeah. So, Mom tends to tell stories too, and she EMBELLISHES them. And they're about ME. Running around the back yard in my underwear. Um. No. If I can't keep my eyeballs and ears tuned in to Mom? She will have you thinking I swung from the power line attached to the house playing Mighty Mouse with my brother. Oh wait. We did that.<br /><br />Yay! A subheader was spotted too, but KD's is perfect. And I do swear by Blue Emu. Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41360386685410609672016-05-08T19:15:32.994-04:002016-05-08T19:15:32.994-04:00The day-by-day post-offer timeline is SO helpful. ...The day-by-day post-offer timeline is SO helpful. I have really struggled to understand what that process is supposed to look like. Thanks so much for this, Janet, and for the rest of the great WIR!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09886045611763178062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72020918951836127682016-05-08T19:08:07.212-04:002016-05-08T19:08:07.212-04:00Great info, as always, in this WIR. Thanks, Janet....Great info, as always, in this WIR. Thanks, Janet. Love the photos on your website homepage and I love the colors — very peaceful and zen.LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-3114612959878379912016-05-08T18:38:30.432-04:002016-05-08T18:38:30.432-04:00Oh cool, my words are up top! Thank you. Although,...Oh cool, my words are up top! Thank you. Although, the credit really should go to my mom (fitting, today) because she has always been one to say "just do it," long before Nike ever did. Often with a tone of loving exasperation. <br /><br />The new blog looks great, even though I can't remember what the old one looked like. Love the pics and the clean simple look. Clicking through, it felt like there should be MORE, even though I think it has everything it should to be effective. It's just that I've gotten so used to all the information over here, and on queryshark, by comparison it seems lacking. That's not a criticism, just an observation about how valuable your blogs are.<br /><br />Another great wrap up. I especially love the timeline all laid out like that.<br /><br />Good luck judging the FF entries. I had to stop reading when I got to one that was just . . . devastating.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34607945337801921852016-05-08T18:33:23.644-04:002016-05-08T18:33:23.644-04:00Thanks for another great WIR, Janet.
I really li...Thanks for another great WIR, Janet. <br /><br />I really like your website's makeover. There is a bit of blank space, though. Maybe you could put pictures of your clients' books or something? I love when agents do that.<br /><br /><b>Amy Schaefer</b>:<br /><br /><i>I'm off to bed. My husband is reading me scary stories about the crocodiles, tiny jellyfish, snakes, fish and spiders that want to kill us as we sail along the Eastern coast of Australia...</i><br /><br />During my recent trip to Darwin, I learned our saltwater crocodiles have a bite force of 3700 pounds - the strongest bite in the animal kingdom. Sweet dreams, Amy.Where There's A Quillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00950272130403817282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24603309459070236622016-05-08T18:27:57.300-04:002016-05-08T18:27:57.300-04:00Gadzooks! I'll stop labouring this point now, ...Gadzooks! I'll stop labouring this point now, but I feel the need to make absolutely clear I was <b>not</b> looking for critiques of anyone's flash fiction entries! Perish the thought. Was simply interested in the <i>process</i> by which you go about whittling down so many entries to a final few - i.e. is it simply a gut feel, or does it start with scanning every entry for the prompt words, then eliminating ones with errors of grammar/vocabulary, etc. As applied to the contests in general, not a specific one.<br /><br />Completely understand you don't have time for this, but didn't want to let a heinous misconception stand!<br /><br />(Packs bags for Carkoon...)Clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06688291652480357123noreply@blogger.com