tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6117015811324657036..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: How long do I wait when I'm already a client?Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-25914653570363429872022-02-24T15:39:31.566-05:002022-02-24T15:39:31.566-05:00Just commenting into the void. My agent has had my...Just commenting into the void. My agent has had my manuscript and a nonfiction proposal for going on a year now. I hear you about being patient, but I just turned 50 and the iron she should have been striking (I write pointedly about race)...is getting cold. There has to be a cutoff. You can't leave someone dangling in perpetuity. Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00526481595334594324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88945093405042109502016-03-12T01:49:58.264-05:002016-03-12T01:49:58.264-05:00Late to this one. It came up in a Google search be...Late to this one. It came up in a Google search because I'm on week 3 of waiting to hear back from my agent on my new manuscript. This entry calmed me down. Thank you. I'm lucky to have an agent. I'll be patient.<br /><br />I guess we writers do fantasize that our agent will look at the first page, get sucked in, and run to the phone to tell us it's the best thing they've ever read. We have good imaginations, I guess. That's why we're writers. ;) Hobokensellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07777450977257902954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-44063776431530154862016-02-19T14:34:52.670-05:002016-02-19T14:34:52.670-05:00Colin, on the spread sheet, what are the extra win...Colin, on the spread sheet, what are the extra winner columns for? I am guessing that finalists can enter their entries? Perhaps this could be a shared Google Sheet where others could edit?S.D.Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05707682524268581476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-79244153687821628542016-02-19T01:58:17.320-05:002016-02-19T01:58:17.320-05:00Your Grace, I will remind you, and everyone else o...Your Grace, I will remind you, and everyone else over here, of that famous (and somewhat abridged) quote from Eleanor Roosevelt:<br /><br />“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”<br /><br />She also purportedly said/wrote this:<br /><br />"Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, 'It can't be done.'"<br /><br />One hell of an example, that woman.<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37206525779391690012016-02-18T23:35:12.011-05:002016-02-18T23:35:12.011-05:00Heidi: If you find a little pea on the floor after...Heidi: <i>If you find a little pea on the floor after I leave, I think it probably belongs to me.</i> LOL!! Thanks for that. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-79286722113183834572016-02-18T23:19:52.439-05:002016-02-18T23:19:52.439-05:00
Heidi
I sent the query letters for both of my cu...<br />Heidi<br /><br />I sent the query letters for both of my current WIPs to Query Shark. Neither was posted, but the exercise was enlightening.<br /><br />I sent my very-first-of-my-life real live actual query to Janet, following her submission guidelines exactly, even tho she absolutely does NOT rep what I write. The response I received from her was VERY helpful.<br /><br />Do it.<br />Dena Pawlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14444683810125395220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-78091036357906193922016-02-18T23:12:01.265-05:002016-02-18T23:12:01.265-05:00Your Grace, Heidi, the Duchess:
Two words: Just D...Your Grace, Heidi, the Duchess:<br /><br />Two words: Just Doit.<br /><br />Or, abandon Nike and Just Write It.<br /><br />I can't help you with your hot chocolate order. That sounds like a drink that'd be too frustrating to mix, much less taste.John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40179633973948724482016-02-18T23:07:19.236-05:002016-02-18T23:07:19.236-05:00wordwacker, Dory is a fish with an fabulous motto....wordwacker, Dory is a fish with an fabulous motto. Great choice :)<br /><br />HG Heidi Duchess— JUST DO IT! Go for it! Charge! Allonsy! Etc. Etc. It's well worth the shot. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57943721485722305062016-02-18T22:25:44.463-05:002016-02-18T22:25:44.463-05:00Unexplained silence makes us woodland creatures ne...Unexplained silence makes us woodland creatures nervous. Explained silence, while frustrating, will at least feed the patience a little longer.<br /><br />Am building up courage to sub a query letter to Query Shark. It may or may not get posted, depending on its instructional value. One thing is for sure, I'm ready to go agent-hunting again, having reached the point where the repliers have replied, all the NORMANs' deadlines have passed on my last project and these other books in my inventory are ready to go. If only I wasn't freaking out over this query letter I've been working on for months.<br /><br />Somebody tell me to Just Do It.<br /><br />For Colin: <a href="https://youtu.be/79ZLtr-QYNA" rel="nofollow">I Got a Pea.</a><br /><br />When I get back to the cafe, may I have a hot chocolate made with the bitter tears of frustrated authors sitting at the foot of the glacier of publishing?Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66488488514858805692016-02-18T17:48:51.970-05:002016-02-18T17:48:51.970-05:00Regarding Query Shark making agents' lives har...Regarding Query Shark making agents' lives harder, I was sure I recalled reading that somewhere, and it turns out I <a href="http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.ca/2011/06/growth-of-authors.html" rel="nofollow">did</a>, sort of. I couldn't turn up any serious complaining, though.RKeelanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16761835094251669865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85606843421863202822016-02-18T17:38:09.511-05:002016-02-18T17:38:09.511-05:00Well, I'm baffled. In the first place, I'v...Well, I'm baffled. In the first place, I've never had an agent take more than three weeks to respond to a query; if I were J K Rowling this would need no explanation, but then if I were JKR I wouldn't be seeking enlightenment from an agent's blog. But in the second place, when agents take a while (i.e. more than a couple of weeks), they explain that they have (say) 3 manuscripts from existing clients who obviously have first claim on their attention. So the existing clients are clearly getting read within a couple of weeks. Which is what I would expect if I were a client. <br /><br />It sounds to me, in any case, as though OP is reading too much into the agent's failure to place Book 1. (That is, translating "failure to place" into "unmarketable.") You can have a book shopped around and eyed with skepticism, to the point where the agent wants to lock you into a small deal with someone you don't like - and later find, accidentally, that a powerful editor loves it and will pay a lot of money for it. You can send a book to a senior editor who likes your work, who makes face-saving noises (it would work as a novella...) - and years later hear from his erstwhile assistant that SHE loved it, and HE was wowed, but he thought it was too controversial. You hear from a scout who was at Publisher X when your first book was being shopped around - it was brilliant but it wasn't the kind of thing they published. You hear from an editor who was at Publisher Y when controversial Book 2 was being shopped around; once the book was published and brought to her attention she was blown away (not as in making nice noises, but as in putting it on an awards list), but she never saw it, because your agent sent it to two of her colleagues (one of whom was the guy who originally thought it was too controversial)... <br /><br />Way over word count (but who's reading now anyway?), but... a friend had Book 1 published by prestigious NY publisher; editor couldn't see who would want to read Book 2. Agent couldn't sell it. She moved to Agent 2, who had an auction among 6 houses within a week. Now it's seen as the novel's answer to Girls. The problem MAY be with the book, but in the absence of substantive feedback it's silly to assume that it is. (I can see why an agent might not offer reassurance along these lines, but hey -- that's what blogs and their comments are for.)Helen DeWitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07619602559096610012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1027317199502157652016-02-18T17:23:10.194-05:002016-02-18T17:23:10.194-05:00"The closer you are to the money, the faster ..."The closer you are to the money, the faster you get read." This is a fascinating perspective. In a good and helpful way.<br /><br />If it helps alleviate the guilt, I'd much rather get several of the "swamped, haven't gotten to it yet" emails than endure the dread-filled silence of being certain, absolutely positive, really, there's no other possibility than that the agent read it and hated it and can't figure out how to tell you it sucks and she's on her way to your house to kick your cat/dog/hamster.<br /><br />Good luck with that whole patience thing, OP. I'm sure your pets are not in danger.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71803448810702299512016-02-18T16:28:40.794-05:002016-02-18T16:28:40.794-05:00Ooooooh Donnnnna, ooooooh Donnnna, I'm singing...<br />Ooooooh Donnnnna, ooooooh Donnnna, I'm singing the song just for you and your wonderful blurbs.<br />Wouldn't it be grand to see a movie in your future ???<br /><br />Yeah I know this is way OT but my singing is usually off key and out of range anyway.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68236971613582606552016-02-18T16:21:33.148-05:002016-02-18T16:21:33.148-05:00For the tenth time, Donna. Ha! That's exciting...For the tenth time, Donna. Ha! That's exciting and cool stuff to hear. And I bet for you, it's still exciting and cool stuff on the twelfth read (it's been a few minutes, I figured you'd be at least up to twelve reads by now.)<br /><br />Oh go, Joe Snoe.<br />Whoa! Whoa! Joe Snoe.<br />No, no, Joe Snoe.<br />Uh-oh, Joe Snoe.<br />Go slow, Joe Snoe. <br />Man, Dr. Seuss woulda had a blast with your name, Joe Snoe. I was gonna be the first to ask for your phone number, but I know people would start talking behind my computer screen so I'll leave ya alone.<br />John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-76004908394391225332016-02-18T15:48:24.527-05:002016-02-18T15:48:24.527-05:00Janice, "It is amazing how much people can to...Janice, "It is amazing how much people can tolerate when they are informed about any process in general."<br /><br />YES x 1M! When I know something, I go away. When I want to know something and I can't get an answer, or I don't understand that answer, I run my legs off on the hamster wheel. (I like hamster better than rodent, even though...I know, they're rodents)<br /><br />Colin! Hee. Made ya do it!<br /><br />2N's, Christina, Julie, E.M. and Joe Snoe and all the rest of you hooligans - are cracking me up! <br /><br />I've been busy cleaning when I want to be writing. BUT, I've also been reading...guess? <br /><br />Some advance BLURBS FOR DIXIE DUPREE. OMG. Swooning. Shivers. More swooning. I know we just had this conversation but when you read a blurb about your own sh**, you so want it on the book whether it matters a hill of beans or not to the decision making process of readers. Off to read for the tenth time. Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51322645038721459922016-02-18T15:41:39.077-05:002016-02-18T15:41:39.077-05:00Did someone say "Cake"?
I hope there ar...Did someone say "Cake"?<br /><br />I hope there are no prohibitions pertaining to pandas in The Slush Pile Cafe.<br /><br />I love Janet's list. I have similar ones about my work load as well. <br /><br />As usual, you guys all make me laugh. Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84775866138625993682016-02-18T15:25:50.457-05:002016-02-18T15:25:50.457-05:00Joe Snoe, I love it!
And mine is all one word. T...Joe Snoe, I love it! <br /><br />And mine is all one word. The closest I could get to something that reflected Phantom of the Opera since Music of the Night was way too long. But most on blogs and forums and things call me NM. Easier and way less to type :) My first husband told me he didn't really love me 10 days after we got married. Just wanted the big party. The day after the divorce, he told me he wanted me back. This was a lifetime ago and he still stalks so my online presence is obscured in aliases. Even my author name is a pen name. So you can us NM or nightsmusic or hey you! I'll answer to just about anything but poop...nightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63902464594048713092016-02-18T15:12:59.996-05:002016-02-18T15:12:59.996-05:00nightsmusic
Snoe is Snoe like snow. Like Joe Sno...nightsmusic<br /><br />Snoe is Snoe like snow. Like Joe Snoe, which is what I really go by.<br /><br />People refuse to accept that, of course. I see spellings like Snow, Snowe, Stone, Shoe, Sone.<br /><br />And pronunciations like Shoe and Snoo.<br /><br />I usually spell my name. Yesterday I spelled it for a guy writing up a ticket order. I said S-N-O-E. He said is that all? I said that's all I could afford.<br /><br />Should I ask if nightsmusic is Night's music or Night Smusic or Night S. Music? (on some music blogs I go by AustinSoul; and people assume I live in Austin even though I live in Birmingham)<br /><br />and no - no one here has asked abot my name before. This calls for a little music.Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27241649808020963202016-02-18T14:52:40.210-05:002016-02-18T14:52:40.210-05:00Janet,
At Surrey, Laurie McLean cited Query Shark...Janet,<br /><br />At Surrey, Laurie McLean cited Query Shark and Miss Snark, telling everyone to write that down and study those sites. She said, "Of course, it makes our jobs more difficult now because we get so many excellent queries, but that's where you learn how to write great queries." I think she's a fan.<br /><br />JW<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-81862339378551170772016-02-18T13:49:33.279-05:002016-02-18T13:49:33.279-05:00Of course there is WiFi in Slush Pile Cafe so we c...Of course there is WiFi in Slush Pile Cafe so we can hit refresh on our emails over and over again. There's a reading room as well naturally. <br /><br />Ok, I am going. Colin forgot his hat. I had to come back. It's a really cool hat. Dick Tracy like or maybe it's Sam Spade. But cool. E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24290371253282258052016-02-18T13:46:24.617-05:002016-02-18T13:46:24.617-05:00Colin, LOL!
And it's diet pop, so no sugar.
...Colin, LOL! <br /><br />And it's diet pop, so no sugar.<br /><br />And now, for my two cents and then I've overstayed my commenting;<br /><br />I think a query is like a lot of other things, one part of a bigger whole. Unfortunately, bare with this analogy a moment. DD2 was an individual figure skater which I mentioned before. She skated on the ice with another girl who worked and worked and worked on one element until she was amazing. At that one element. But the rest of her program suffered because of all the time she'd devoted to that one thing. I think a query can be like that, especially to new writers. They spew forth a book that's passable at best thinking they've written the next Big Thing and do a bit of homework to see what's required. They plug Query into Google and of course, QOTKU's site pops up, so they start reading. And they learn how adamant she is about a proper query and follow her advice until it shines. But they've set their next Big Thing aside thinking it doesn't need any work, their friends loved it and so should anyone who sees their sparkling query letter. So the query becomes misleading because they have not devoted the time to their story they should have in favor of catching an agents eye. The agent then sees a sparkling query and a story that falls short or seems like it was written by someone else.<br /><br />And that's why they might complain that Query Shark is just too good.<br /><br />But that's my take on it.nightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-44719521569128164152016-02-18T13:41:58.994-05:002016-02-18T13:41:58.994-05:00Will there be WiFi in the writing basement of the ...Will there be WiFi in the writing basement of the Slush Pile Cafe?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03908051165907291531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34448607190617348582016-02-18T13:31:55.268-05:002016-02-18T13:31:55.268-05:00Do some agents really say that Query Shark is a pr...Do some agents really say that Query Shark is a problem because they're getting great queries for lousy books? I suppose it's possible. On the other hand, Query Shark probably stops some queries for lousy books from getting out there at all. I have noticed that many times the problems Her Majesty points out in the queries are there because of problems in the book itself. <br /><br />Don't know whose story it really is. <br />Don't know what the obstacles are.<br />Don't know what the stakes are. <br />Don't know why it matters.<br /><br />The only way to fix these queries is to fix the story. So if someone makes it through the full shark gauntlet, not only will the query be better, but the book itself will be better. How can agents complain about that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27293061201645369852016-02-18T13:27:20.014-05:002016-02-18T13:27:20.014-05:002Ns: The trouble with Student Loans is giving them...2Ns: The trouble with Student Loans is giving them back. I have to do my own dishes now...<br /><br />OK, I've outstayed my welcome, I know. I'll get my hat...Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22950807546461539712016-02-18T13:24:54.622-05:002016-02-18T13:24:54.622-05:00Brian, Donna and Dena, don't get me started wi...Brian, Donna and Dena, don't get me started with student loans. I could go on forever, actually I think I did, here, a while back. Don't want to ruin my day. <br />Damn, it already is. Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com