tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post6708421504328234421..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: The next set of questions to ask prospective agentsJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22030823539977723742016-05-11T14:22:31.690-04:002016-05-11T14:22:31.690-04:00Thanks for your informative posts, Janet. Every da...Thanks for your informative posts, Janet. Every day I learn something new. Thank you!<br />Ulla HakansonUlla Hakansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09161766285579047509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8718964903463949712015-01-08T10:03:11.300-05:002015-01-08T10:03:11.300-05:00Thanx for the opinion on agent-writers. I've b...Thanx for the opinion on agent-writers. I've been wondering if this was a red flag.<br />Roslyn Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10177775913124826938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-48633950943796948972009-10-19T19:23:53.821-04:002009-10-19T19:23:53.821-04:00as someone about to embark on the task of querying...as someone about to embark on the task of querying agents, i found this helpful and informative. only God knows if I'll need any of these questions, but I hope so!<br /><br />Thanks, Janet, for being the type of agent who wants to help authors, not just represent them.Rachel Hammhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07568448784514843192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1845035026394399112009-09-30T13:38:21.290-04:002009-09-30T13:38:21.290-04:00Wonderful questions. I plan to hang on to them, an...Wonderful questions. I plan to hang on to them, and hope and wish for the day I actually get to ask them of multiple agents who all want me! LOL. Hey, might as well wish big as not at all.Pat Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08824114343214016153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84097007585905242882009-09-30T10:18:09.448-04:002009-09-30T10:18:09.448-04:00Super info. I happen to think an agent who makes t...Super info. I happen to think an agent who makes time to blog would be an asset. Shows an understanding of communication tools, not to mention marketing in the Internet age.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-83852055382574943722009-09-29T14:56:04.393-04:002009-09-29T14:56:04.393-04:00I had to read this twice, because upon seeing Godi...I had to read this twice, because upon seeing Godiva, my legs scurried toward the pantry in search of some chocolate goodness. <br /><br />But as always, thank you for the great post!Jm Diazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02542245056831474827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66022812966959000002009-09-29T12:17:44.404-04:002009-09-29T12:17:44.404-04:00I'll try to remember all this when and if I ge...I'll try to remember all this when and if I get the Call. Right now I'd settle for just hearing back on my queries!Travenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05160810997837674165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64141217907870745802009-09-29T12:09:40.561-04:002009-09-29T12:09:40.561-04:00So true -- it's not WHAT they answer, it's...So true -- it's not WHAT they answer, it's HOW they answer. Like on that signed agreement question. Some have em, some don't, some are by year, some are by book. It's not a red flag if they don't have one. But if you ask an agent about theirs and they "People who sign agreements are idiots and you're an idiot if you want one," well, you've learned something about that agent's style.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06965380978953755823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64664099221105372872009-09-29T11:24:21.443-04:002009-09-29T11:24:21.443-04:00I was absolutely not comfortable asking about reti...I was absolutely not comfortable asking about retirement or accidental death or disability! (Although they are quite valid questions.) I just supposed I'd move on to one of the other interested agents ...<br /><br />I just helped a young writer through the difficult task of <a href="http://heyteenager.blogspot.com/2009/09/so-i-have-agent-now.html" rel="nofollow">choosing among three agents</a> - a lot of soul-searching went on! Plus she is only 15 and lives in Australia, so couldn't meet any of the agents in person. Wish I'd had this blog entry to refer her to.Sara J. Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145626175256433448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-21286831492600389232009-09-29T11:15:48.067-04:002009-09-29T11:15:48.067-04:00I really appreciate your posting this. Such basic,...I really appreciate your posting this. Such basic, useful information - that's actually hard to find out! I did know how to watch out for scam agents, but it's still best not to sign automatically with the first legit agent that has an interest in your work. It has to be a mutually agreeable relationship for your book to have the best chance of success, and these questions will really help me determine that!Donna Gambalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00317767593205769881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39435188289998689252009-09-29T10:26:21.025-04:002009-09-29T10:26:21.025-04:00I would also suggest that and author ask an agent ...I would also suggest that and author ask an agent for referrals. Employers do it. Schools do it. Authors, do it.Sean Ferrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01233391827095815940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-74020058990975287212009-09-29T09:36:34.944-04:002009-09-29T09:36:34.944-04:00I never thought of asking an agent what would happ...I never thought of asking an agent what would happen if he/she died! What a way to break the ice. But true. The doctor I had been going to for twenty years retired suddenly and unexpectedly, so now whenever I need a new physician I look for someone who is much younger than I so that won't happen again. It was bad enough dealing with medical records; imagine if it was my career!Vonnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17228707287799345805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73500532205500203992009-09-29T08:58:41.506-04:002009-09-29T08:58:41.506-04:00As always, I learn something new from each blog yo...As always, I learn something new from each blog you post. Even if it is a frightening picture of a shark. :-) <br /><br />Thank you for sharing such a straightforward and honest list of things to consider when I do find the perfect agent.Kristi Faithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17527544253341529009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55896122987528018772009-09-29T08:04:35.622-04:002009-09-29T08:04:35.622-04:00I've been wondering about the correct etiquett...I've been wondering about the correct etiquette when signing with an agent. <br /><br />Thanks for this - an interesting post.Judy Croome | @judy_croomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455755011354905278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63221720673775499222009-09-29T08:04:33.454-04:002009-09-29T08:04:33.454-04:00I've been wondering about the correct etiquett...I've been wondering about the correct etiquette when signing with an agent. <br /><br />Thanks for this - an interesting post.Judy Croome | @judy_croomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455755011354905278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85957476146683777702009-09-29T07:43:10.377-04:002009-09-29T07:43:10.377-04:00This is excellent. Thank you so much!This is excellent. Thank you so much!Lydia Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15328254761920829040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-90124812673894955972009-09-29T01:45:44.717-04:002009-09-29T01:45:44.717-04:00Ask for time to think about it. Seriously. I asked...Ask for time to think about it. Seriously. I asked and the agent got all huffy and offended (I had other offers pending too, but even if you don't, I recommend this path). I was so scared I'd lose my chance I said I'd sign. BIG MISTAKE. Luckily, everything came right in the end and I'm with a wonderful agent now. But not that one.SundaySouphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11585573704680898879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47274839426487706812009-09-29T00:15:06.340-04:002009-09-29T00:15:06.340-04:00Thanks for this super list of questions!
The issu...Thanks for this super list of questions!<br /><br />The issue about an online presence is interesting to me. I see it as an incredible way to get a better sense of an agent's (or editor's or writer's) personality. Ever since I joined twitter, I feel like I have found an amazing community of people in the publishing industry. I think querying nothing but a name or an agency out of an annual publication would be a lot more worrisome.Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920175688407593776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50115031270043511062009-09-28T23:41:29.329-04:002009-09-28T23:41:29.329-04:00Great info. I got stuck with a lemon a while back ...Great info. I got stuck with a lemon a while back and I wish I would have asked a million questions before wasting my time. Like say... will I ever here from you again? (The answer would have been NO.)Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45460929411870462022009-09-28T23:35:50.329-04:002009-09-28T23:35:50.329-04:00Another good question to ask is whether your prosp...Another good question to ask is whether your prospective-agent is hands-on or hands-off, i.e. do they want to brainstorm ideas and workshop your first drafts with you, or do they only want to hear from you when you're finished the damned book?<br /><br />Both methods are legit, but depending on whether you're a writer who loves or hates hand-holding/meddling, one of those options will drive you up the wall.jjdebenedictishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950592240599703771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69306664483809383922009-09-28T23:27:13.266-04:002009-09-28T23:27:13.266-04:00I know we've locked horns a couple of times, b...I know we've locked horns a couple of times, but I just had to say that you've outlined some GREAT questions. Thank you very much for taking the time to spell out some very important considerations.Kaz Augustinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01839835518368442832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-102689610986388762009-09-28T23:25:53.126-04:002009-09-28T23:25:53.126-04:00Great post Janet - thanks so much. I hope to need ...Great post Janet - thanks so much. I hope to need this exact info soon. (BTW: Change "theme" to "them" in #6.)Debra Lynn Sheltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238268767406623274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-76179352523630981662009-09-28T23:21:37.504-04:002009-09-28T23:21:37.504-04:00Thank you for posting such an informative blog!Thank you for posting such an informative blog!AnAlaskanGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272643052622770745noreply@blogger.com