tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6351948143269433711..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: D&A(TE)Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40004840086689618852017-04-13T05:28:14.318-04:002017-04-13T05:28:14.318-04:00YES! That's it. Thanks everyone, going to pick...YES! That's it. Thanks everyone, going to pick it up straight away. <br /><br />Also Rio, your response made me flinch, because I just plowed through SL Huang's Russell's Attic series, and, well... Rio. Chantalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14330014404143933717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8385023355316066102017-04-12T21:08:41.400-04:002017-04-12T21:08:41.400-04:00Chantal and Rio
I started reading “The Long and F...<b>Chantal</b> and <b>Rio</b><br /><br />I started reading “The Long and Far Gone” last night. I’m still in the very early pages of Chapter 1. <br /><br />To rehash an old story, that‘s the book Lou Berney autographed “To the wonderful and witty Joe Snoe” for me. That’s enough for it to have a special place in my heart.<br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52248240216494168352017-04-12T21:02:23.297-04:002017-04-12T21:02:23.297-04:00Concerning the original question, Janet R.’s answe...Concerning the original question, Janet R.’s answer is good, except I would start with a telephone call to O.P.’s contract person the company and ask matter of factly “now that we’re here, when should I expect my advance?” That person will probably not know but can give a name of the person you should contact. Once you get some sort of commitment write (email) a thank you note to everyone you ask and include a statement of what you understand they promised.<br /><br />As far getting out of the contract, who knows. When West Group decided against publishing a second edition to my health care casebook, I didn’t try to change their mind, but did ask for a letter saying they relinquished all copyright and other rights to future editions of the book. They were willing (and almost eager) to accommodate my request. <br /><br />The problem comes if your company is not willing to cancel the contract and transfer all rights to you. The painful fact of the matter is it may not be worth cost of seeking legal help and going to court. A letter from an attorney may be all that’s needed, but if not, you may have legal rights but no practical relief.<br /><br />When I was in legal practice I volunteered as part of the Austin Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts. One of my nonpaying “clients” was a local band who at the time had one album out. It was a great one and I already had it. (I loved the band and they are still going today with multiple CDs in their discography – their Wikipedia entry lists eleven albums, the latest released in 2013). <br /><br />Their problem: Their “manager” who promised to market their first album didn’t do anything because as he said, he had no money, but he had the master copy of the record and refuse to give it back to them. I called and wrote him several times. He sounded since at first but it became clear he lied, promised, and whatever else he could do to keep the master. I told the band leader they could fight this guy in court (they’d easily win) or, better yet, write 12 more songs and put out a second album, which they did (and it was a great record!) <br /><br /><br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42970069421651147542017-04-12T19:15:46.908-04:002017-04-12T19:15:46.908-04:00I loved Lou Berney's book enough to blog about...I loved Lou Berney's book enough to blog about it. It really is utterly amazing:<br /><br />http://readinrittinrhetoric.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-long-and-faraway-gone.html<br /><br />TerriTerri Lynn Coophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07290316565247120848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85394621861734295122017-04-12T17:56:25.033-04:002017-04-12T17:56:25.033-04:00Kathy Joyce,
The last one I got telling me my com...Kathy Joyce,<br /><br />The last one I got telling me my computer was infected was Kenneth, obviously from India. I said, "All right, now we both know my computer isn't infected so that's a lie. I'm going to pray for you. What would you like me to pray for?"<br /><br />"I beg your pardon?"<br /><br />I repeated myself and insisted I was going to pray for him.<br /><br />"Pray that I get a better job."<br /><br />I did. Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47688142568558257542017-04-12T17:49:00.966-04:002017-04-12T17:49:00.966-04:00Happened again today. Every time a call comes in f...Happened again today. Every time a call comes in from New York, I let myself think it might be "the call." It's always fake Microsoft people wanting to scam their way into my computer. Today, I engaged him 'til he hung up on me. Made me feel better.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03581361783795436259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42704510826851592062017-04-12T12:57:23.574-04:002017-04-12T12:57:23.574-04:00Brigid
Mind you, these are just some my questions...<b>Brigid</b><br /><br />Mind you, these are just some my questions and it's by no means complete, but several of these were thoughts my friends expressed they'd wished they asked prior to signing 'on the dotted line' because now, they're scrambling to figure things out.<br /><br />What happens to me if you retire? (agent question if I’m ever lucky enough)<br />What happens to my book if the publisher is bought out?<br />What happens to my rights if the publisher is bought out? If it closes?<br />What happens to my ebook if the publisher closes?<br />What happens to my print book if the publisher closes?<br />What happens with the proceeds from any print books still for sale at various sites if the publisher closes?<br />What happens if my current editor retires? Do I have a say in the new editor?<br />What constitutes final acceptance? Is acceptance in writing?<br />Once my book is accepted, how long before my payment is received?<br />How long after signing will my rights revert to me?<br />When do I receive my sales proceeds? Quarterly? Semi-annually?<br />Do I have cover input?<br />Who writes the listing blurb?<br />How much marketing is done by whom?<br />Do I pay for marketing costs?<br />Do I get an advance? If so, when?<br />What is the timetable from getting “the call” to a publish date?<br /><br />nightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33512374027921493452017-04-12T12:31:19.717-04:002017-04-12T12:31:19.717-04:00Nightsmusic, share your list? The Treasure Chest n...Nightsmusic, share your list? The Treasure Chest needs it!Brigidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13768090206152536761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-61681600138516736612017-04-12T12:27:53.202-04:002017-04-12T12:27:53.202-04:00OP, fingers crossed you get what you've earned...OP, fingers crossed you get what you've earned, and soon. Brigid, fingers crossed for you, too. Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47299610397053228192017-04-12T12:10:29.611-04:002017-04-12T12:10:29.611-04:00Don't quit your day job, revisited.Don't quit your day job, revisited. Mark Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262292085318047939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47088639671927341252017-04-12T11:35:16.612-04:002017-04-12T11:35:16.612-04:00Now that I'm not working and at a desk at 6am,...Now that I'm not working and at a desk at 6am, I'm always late to this party and haven't got much else to add here except: Several small, and some not so small, presses that publish in my genre and don't require an agent, are closing their doors. I have friends published with them and they're struggling with things like getting rights back or getting paid for their final submission prior to the publisher sneaking away in the dark. I've learned a lot from them and their woes. Between Janet's blog and their troubles, I now have a list of things to look for and make sure are in any publishing contract I may ever be offered, prior to my signing. While I realize that this is a hindsight comment for you now, OP, you have more ready to shop around and will have a lot more knowledge going into any contract negotiations. Good luck.nightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36523782580739127602017-04-12T11:22:48.324-04:002017-04-12T11:22:48.324-04:00Chantal, yaaaaassssss. Long and Faraway Gone by Lo...<b>Chantal</b>, yaaaaassssss. <i>Long and Faraway Gone</i> by Lou Berney. It is long and faraway above his other two. You will love it. If you think of it, email me after you finish.<br /><br /><b>Donna</b>, I share your affinity for specificity. Writing it, sure. But saying it brings even more pleasure. It slides off your tongue and slithers right through your lips. I don't smoke, but I'll enjoy a cigarette after talking <i>specificity</i> with the right person.John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45196229844934952302017-04-12T11:06:17.256-04:002017-04-12T11:06:17.256-04:00... and because you would think less of me if I di...... and because you would think less of me if I didn't, here's where you can find Janet's first mention of this book:<br /><br /><a href="http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2016/11/it-turns-out-i-dont-know-it-allor-didnt.html" rel="nofollow">http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2016/11/it-turns-out-i-dont-know-it-allor-didnt.html</a><br /><br />;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86737768016439897322017-04-12T10:57:17.413-04:002017-04-12T10:57:17.413-04:00Rio is right.
Also,I loved that book a LOT.Rio is right.<br />Also,I loved that book a LOT.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73734865333758558562017-04-12T10:52:00.362-04:002017-04-12T10:52:00.362-04:00Chantal: I think you're thinking of The Long a...Chantal: I think you're thinking of The Long and Faraway Gone by Lou Berney. Berney is such an incredible storyteller. His writing knocks the breath right out of you.Riohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08646023320200189325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26765607785931090462017-04-12T10:48:28.559-04:002017-04-12T10:48:28.559-04:00Brigid: I was amazed when the offer we put in on o...<b>Brigid</b>: I was amazed when the offer we put in on our house was accepted. So was our realtor. Well below asking price. You never know... I hope it all works out for you! :)<br /><br /><b>Chantal</b>: I have no idea what that book is, but I'll get started on it. I'll let you know when it's available to preorder. Probably sometime after I've found an agent for it, and it sells to a publisher. Give me about three or four years, OK? :DColin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87267287339726136222017-04-12T10:41:05.433-04:002017-04-12T10:41:05.433-04:00Congratulations, Brigid! A new home for Ilaria Jac...Congratulations, <b>Brigid</b>! A new home for Ilaria Jacqueline. :) I hope all goes well.Amy Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05324408700941398495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38399762781979825102017-04-12T10:30:02.009-04:002017-04-12T10:30:02.009-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80206007441347573062017-04-12T10:23:52.727-04:002017-04-12T10:23:52.727-04:00OFF TOPIC for 2Ns: Eric Smith has a #MSWL (Manuscr...OFF TOPIC for 2Ns: Eric Smith has a #MSWL (Manuscript wish list) for: "Essay collections, particularly humor though I’m open to anything that’s really compelling." This was on Twitter. His <a href="http://ericsmithrocks.com/mswl" rel="nofollow">full wish list is here</a>.<br /><br />(Yes, I'm reading the #MSWL site fairly regularly now. I'm getting back into the query trenches. Pray for me.)BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27061869852970565142017-04-12T10:18:08.656-04:002017-04-12T10:18:08.656-04:00Congrats, Brigid! And not totally off topic - ther...Congrats, Brigid! And not totally off topic - there's a contract involved there, too. Buying this house was when I learned I sucked at negotiating. When I said I didn't want the dishwasher, and both my now-ex and realtor looked at me like I grew a new head. My ex said, "Why wouldn't you want one if it's already there?" My realtor said, "It's a standard contract." I gave in. The dishwasher died two years later when I couldn't afford another one.<br /><br />Of course, I'm 20 years older, wiser, and more crochety now. (Part of that may have to do with being without a dishwasher for 18 of those years.)<br /><br />Contracts, people. Everything is contracts. Know what you want, and make sure it's in your contract, or don't sign it.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20393918231952987992017-04-12T10:12:59.741-04:002017-04-12T10:12:59.741-04:00*making note to check all contracts to make sure t...*making note to check all contracts to make sure they have 'if you don't pay me, I retain all rights' or words to that effect*<br /><br />There's a good reason for an agent right there. I mean, I can read legalese just fine, but do I know everything that needs to be put into a contract? Maybe not. And even if I did, would I remember everything, know which things are most important, and know which things are negotiable? Heck, I'd probably suck at negotiating a contract, anyway.<br /><br />The thing that worried me the most in all that was: "I suspect it's because the press is struggling." I'm pretty sure that's one reason Janet suggested looking for the wording about getting your rights back in that contract. If they haven't given you your money yet, and the press goes under, then you at least get to keep your rights. And a darned good reason for non-agented authors to make sure that wording is in their contract.<br /><br />Good luck, OP. As Kathy Joyce (I love that name) and Janet said, be persistent.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12949707530943458562017-04-12T10:01:48.661-04:002017-04-12T10:01:48.661-04:00Okay, completely OT, because I'm going NUTS. T...Okay, completely OT, because I'm going NUTS. There was a book recommended on this blog in (I think) a post (rather than a comment). It might have been a prize, and might have been on Janet's TBR pile. <br /><br />It might have been recently, and it might have been years ago - I recently revisited some posts ans clicked this book up in another tab and then the tabs crashed and burned. <br /><br />First chapter was someone working in a movie theater... and then it got held up at gunpoint. I think. Nice, tight, sticky prose is what I remember, and I want to read more of it. <br /><br />Wow, with all these incredibly specific details, how can you NOT help me? (Sorry. Plz halp.)Chantalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14330014404143933717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-428996436469007942017-04-12T09:47:01.308-04:002017-04-12T09:47:01.308-04:00Oh, OP, wishing you all the best. How stressful.
...Oh, OP, wishing you all the best. How stressful. <br /><br />Off-topic, we just had our offer accepted on a house. Um. We'll see--had an accepted offer fall through during last year's Lent From Hell. But oh, my, would this be a miracle. Of course I know where my writing desk would go, and I've scoped out all the best spots for percolating.Brigidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13768090206152536761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42613827995039440042017-04-12T08:41:02.971-04:002017-04-12T08:41:02.971-04:00Yikes. Posts like this give me the heebee jeebies,...Yikes. Posts like this give me the heebee jeebies, which, Kathy, I wish was a military acronym. I personally love snafu. I also like using the phonetic alphabet, as in Charlie Foxtrot, for when things are a cluster f... Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02694333358894726440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73918340896492041352017-04-12T08:32:05.120-04:002017-04-12T08:32:05.120-04:00OT: Re: OT: Just got a request for the synopsis. A...OT: Re: OT: Just got a request for the synopsis. Ah, what a ride! Thanks, <b>kathy joyce</b>!Amy Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05324408700941398495noreply@blogger.com