tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6174388831274877061..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Rant: Personalization is bunkJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36326546824773106562016-11-14T10:25:11.479-05:002016-11-14T10:25:11.479-05:00Wooing is a form of flattery, and flattery makes s...Wooing is a form of flattery, and flattery makes some (many?) people feel all warm and fuzzy. And powerful, like they could crush your heart with their bare hands and make you like it. With whipped cream on top. Delaneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05547110687684578056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16888683721698855192016-11-03T12:31:08.917-04:002016-11-03T12:31:08.917-04:00On the whole, I've discovered what each agent ...On the whole, I've discovered what each agent wants is all over the map. After I found out about MSWL, I began referencing that in my pitches - only to see a bunch of agents complaining on Twitter (where else?) that they didn't want their MSWL parroted back at them in the query. I actually saw one agent who preferred attachments - I was so stunned, I sat there staring at the guidelines for five minutes, wondering if I was seeing things. One agent wanted all communication in the same thread, and was very firm not to deviate from that. Another wanted your query pasted to the top of requested material, and was firm not to deviate from that. All of this is fine, everyone is different - however, most of this wasn't in the official submission guidelines, but had to be gleaned by trawling through blogs, tweets, and interviews. This takes up a huge amount of time and effort. Which is why I guess it would be nice that when you go to all of this effort, you, at the very least, receive an auto-reply that your query was received, something I've realized at least half of agents don't have. Or when someone requests a full, they give you a time frame on when it will be read. Or if you query, there is at least some basic trust that your query won't be paraded on Twitter for some laughs. Professional courtesy should be a two way street.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09749392868600834355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1213866161538935642016-11-01T15:57:28.399-04:002016-11-01T15:57:28.399-04:00It's a rare day indeed when I disagree with Ja...It's a rare day indeed when I disagree with Janet, but this is one of those times: http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2016/11/in-defense-of-personalized-queries-and.htmlNathan Bransfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17938449789819847825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-83343989920918842042016-11-01T14:16:28.548-04:002016-11-01T14:16:28.548-04:00Thanks for talking about this. I once read a blog ...Thanks for talking about this. I once read a blog entry by another agent who highlighted one of the biggest reasons he had responded positively to a particular query -- the writer mentioned that they hated a particular sports team, which to him meant that she had been following his blog.<br /><br />It left me wondering if I would have to make a deep, personal connection right off the bat with an agent rather than developing one over time should the opportunity arise. I'm glad that this is hopefully not the case with all agents!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12146136846875431598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66910403188809442852016-11-01T12:20:09.807-04:002016-11-01T12:20:09.807-04:00My personal pet peeve is when they ask why I think...My personal pet peeve is when they ask why I think I'm the best person for this book. Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03365582623380288038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18768588855401983962016-11-01T09:13:24.366-04:002016-11-01T09:13:24.366-04:00I smell a 100-word contest. "How I found Jane...I smell a 100-word contest. "How I found Janet. Must include the words:<br /><br />Agent<br />Shark <br />Snark<br />Manhattan (I'd like to see Steve Forti break that one up)<br />Booze <br />Michael Seesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03694187657718931214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-41148370275430477742016-11-01T08:13:21.495-04:002016-11-01T08:13:21.495-04:00Playing devil's advocate, I personalize all my...Playing devil's advocate, I personalize all my queries as a rule. The last thing I want is an agent to suspect my query could've been sent out as a mass email. Any querying writer worth his/her salt has done a little research to vet out the agent, so it doesn't take much effort to write a sentence specific to that agent or their agency and suggest why my MS may interest them. <br /><br />That said, any agent who insists on a personalized query *should* return the favor by replying. *No reply = No* is, in my humble opinion, unprofessional. And publishing is a business. <br /><br />*steps off soap box*<br />KrisMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05033728669180184594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9017197817710779762016-11-01T07:01:52.160-04:002016-11-01T07:01:52.160-04:00Oxbridge Masters help students when you ask us to ...Oxbridge Masters help students when you ask us to <a href="http://www.oxbridgemasters.co.uk/custom-writing-services/assignment-help/" rel="nofollow"><b> do my assignment for me</b></a>. Get the best assignment services today with <b>oxbridge masters</b>! Oxbridge Masters are helpful in writing useful sample papers, model answers and custom papers. We ensure high grades, plagiarism free work, timely delivery and complete secrecy. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05363765089927563691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24543928657535668922016-11-01T03:44:46.479-04:002016-11-01T03:44:46.479-04:00I did Nano once, right after we moved into this ho...I did Nano once, right after we moved into this house. We decorated the house and yard, everyone dressed up (including the dogs) and we had a blast - right before we discovered we live in a Halloween dead zone (1 neighbor 2 blocks away decorates. That's it. We did get to meet the neighbors. Once. We reconvene after each hurricane).<br /><br />I showed up to one Nano event, where the 20-year-old in charge asked if I was there to pick up my daughter. I was the only one without a laptop, just a folder and lots of paper. Had a lot of fun once I got over the shock that the kids thought I was old. Ended up with a story called The Civilized Vampire that I still love (if I could just find the danged thing).<br /><br />Good luck, Nano people! CynthiaMchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12175917641033760408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38370492645977154042016-10-31T21:12:39.802-04:002016-10-31T21:12:39.802-04:00I've tried Nano a couple of times, but it'...I've tried Nano a couple of times, but it's at a really bad time of year for Aussies. The days are long and finally warm (hard to stay at the desk), it's just on the end of the school year (so kids are tired and more demanding), everything is starting to wrap up (so lots of functions) and we are about to launch into our summer holidays (holidays!). It's not called the silly season for nothing.<br /><br /> <br /><br />AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35925822109304545512016-10-31T21:12:01.498-04:002016-10-31T21:12:01.498-04:00HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
It's a beautiful day for tri...HAPPY HALLOWEEN!<br /><br />It's a beautiful day for trick or treaters. But when it comes to the query trenches I have to admit I'm going a bit batty. I try to stick to tried and true queryshark morsel. And it works. I've gotten requests. But as the rejections roll in—I'm getting a lot of contradictory feedback. Pacing fast. Pacing slow. Too voicey. Not enough voice. Characters need development. Characters well developed but need to work on plotting.<br /><br />^All that is to say is that this whole business subjective. Whether its queries or novels, the answer is the same, to each their own, and make it work.<br /><br /><b>Andrea</b> I've gotten a few Dear Author rejections from agents who've requested personalization. There are also several NORMANS out there who've stated their preference for personalization as well. I don't mind, but I only personalize if I can do it well. I figure nobody wants to read the rote recitation of the "I saw on your agency website that you represent books."Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20011785712238300852016-10-31T21:01:39.033-04:002016-10-31T21:01:39.033-04:00John "Manuscript" Frain You crack me up...<b>John "Manuscript" Frain </b> You crack me up.<br /><br />I have tea, whiskey, stinky candles, pajamas, and a pug. In 3 hours, #NaNoWriMo begins - i can't wait. I can do this. I think I can. I think I can. Good luck to all who are joining the insanity. It'll be fun, E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1856681887448463562016-10-31T20:52:14.116-04:002016-10-31T20:52:14.116-04:00Matter of fact, I begin work on my 50,000-word syn...Matter of fact, I begin work on my 50,000-word synopsis a few hours from now. That should keep me busy for a solid month.<br /><br />Aside to <b>Julie Weathers</b>: I'll break out my hourglass and shut out the world. Thank you for that idea, I'm absurdly looking so forward to it, I can't stop myself from smiling every time I peek at it.John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20727659644542942632016-10-31T20:06:14.194-04:002016-10-31T20:06:14.194-04:00John Davis Frain - You made me giggle. Thanks John Davis Frain - You made me giggle. Thanks Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46359578812079921002016-10-31T17:31:58.996-04:002016-10-31T17:31:58.996-04:00I think it's all been said, but I'll secon...I think it's all been said, but I'll second <b>Andrea's</b> comment!<br /><br />It's the 1st of November here in Oz so to everyone NaNoWriMo-ing... GOOD LUCK. I hope the words flow fast and the family is understanding =)AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14571451726328416262016-10-31T17:09:14.497-04:002016-10-31T17:09:14.497-04:00Excellent advice. But that's not why I'm c...Excellent advice. But that's not why I'm commenting. I simply want to say I now have a copy of "The Education of Dixie Dupree" and I cannot wait until all the little Halloween hooligans stop pestering me and I can dive in.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11543685541225544175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45829520330362514272016-10-31T15:54:20.014-04:002016-10-31T15:54:20.014-04:00John Davis (manuscript)Frain, aren't you suppo...John Davis (manuscript)Frain, aren't you supposed to be writing a synopsis or something? :)Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86969106398812188132016-10-31T15:20:24.149-04:002016-10-31T15:20:24.149-04:00And this is why I love you, Janet.And this is why I love you, Janet.Ardenwolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14053900506482830292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-18890768211013634642016-10-31T15:19:54.648-04:002016-10-31T15:19:54.648-04:00Hm.
"I view my job as HELPING writers, not m...Hm.<br /><br />"I view my job as HELPING writers, not making them crazy."<br /><br />Congratulations on your new job. We'll miss ya.John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42051422645722833672016-10-31T15:07:32.384-04:002016-10-31T15:07:32.384-04:00AmenAmenBeth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70568100797522356662016-10-31T14:31:40.353-04:002016-10-31T14:31:40.353-04:00Thank you! This blog helps me to stay sane in the...Thank you! This blog helps me to stay sane in the crazy world of the internet. There's nothing like common sense. <br /><br />I wonder if agents who want personalized queries send form rejections starting with "Dear Author", or have a NORMAN policy. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328411110801244620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85969425373473593722016-10-31T13:06:42.091-04:002016-10-31T13:06:42.091-04:00Julie: Snoopy's Guide to the Writer's Life...Julie: Snoopy's Guide to the Writer's Life should be required reading for all writers.<br />BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37959720082109746832016-10-31T12:51:46.214-04:002016-10-31T12:51:46.214-04:00DLM
Yes, I think for the most part it's an an...<b>DLM</b><br /><br />Yes, I think for the most part it's an anti-spam test, kind of like those squiggly letters I never get right the first time verifying I am not a bot. What it actually is: reason number 59 Julie Weathers went crazy and had to be committed to the Autumn Daze Nursing Home for Old and/or Crazy Writers. <br /><br />When I read this in the submission guidelines, I ponder what my honest answer is. <br /><br />"I met you at the Surrey International Writers Conference and spilled a glass of wine all over your gorgeous white suit. I'm sure you'll remember me."<br /><br />"I was at the Rocky Mountain Fiction where you spoke about historical research and mentioned you love authentic Civil War pieces."<br /><br />"You always post pictures of great hamburgers you find on your travels. I'm the one who recommended you stop in at Jonah's Gourd for great barbecue. Gads, who knew food poisoning could last three weeks!"<br /><br />If I don't have something pertinent and positive to say, I don't. Never miss an opportunity to keep your mouth shut. <br /><br />I'll jump through hoops like "what was the last book you read?" and so forth to a certain extent, but I am not driving myself further down the road to insanity naming three ways I am like a kumquat. <br /><br />Of course, that also depends on what the last book I read was. I'm fairly certain no one cares that I read <i>Snoopy's Guide To The Writer's Life</i> or <i>Civil War Recipes</i>.<br /><br />Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-81709065340822395762016-10-31T12:49:00.730-04:002016-10-31T12:49:00.730-04:00You write: A good agent should know what makes wri...You write: A good agent should know what makes writers crazy. Personalization can and does.”<br /><br />You just asked and answered your own questioI was wondering why I heard maniacal laughter coming from the suites the last time I walked down Fifth Avenue. It was either coming from a literary agent or one of his/her scrivenerous victims being trussed into a strait jacket and hauled off to Bellevue Psychiatric.<br /><br /><br />Steve Stubbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13421775912951050610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87943079802927863602016-10-31T12:33:02.010-04:002016-10-31T12:33:02.010-04:00"How did I find thee? Let me count the ways.....<br /><br /> "How did I find thee? Let me count the ways..."<br /><br /> I don't see a lot of agents asking for personalized queries. I think the most important personalization is:<br /><br /> Dear Janet Reid<br /><br /> THAT's important. No 'Dear Agent', or 'My dearest Publishing Professional'. When I think of personalizing query letters, this is what I think of.<br /><br /> As for the 'how you heard of me'? I can think of two reasons. One: "It was lovely to meet you at the Surrey International Writers Conference. Thank you for requesting these pages." Two: Marketing. It's possible an agent is trying to decide if it's worthwhile keeping up their presence in certain areas, like Twitter, Facebook, Agent Query, etc. Still, it seems odd to have the answer to that question in a business letter. That's more for a form on a website. Still, I'd probably throw in a word or two for an answer.<br /><br /> Only a couple times have I personalized a query letter beyond that. The one time I remember best was simply because the agent had a degree in anthropology. She did say in an interview that she preferred personalization, so I mentioned that I, too, had a degree in anthropology, and I used the knowledge I'd gleaned there in my science fiction. I don't know if I ever got a response from her, but if I did it was a rejection. So it probably didn't help anything.<br /><br /> Beyond that, I don't know. If they press for an answer, I might add a line like, "You said on Twitter that you were looking for space opera that really rocks, so I thought you'd like to read [my novel], complete at 93,000 words." But honestly, there just aren't that many agents who absolutely insist on this sort of personalization, so I don't worry about it.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.com