tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post7406547277199919433..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Author bios in queries-Updated!Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-81779329156286756962018-04-10T21:58:15.909-04:002018-04-10T21:58:15.909-04:00Thanks, Janet, for making things clearer about the...Thanks, Janet, for making things clearer about the bio in a query.<br /><br />I'm also glad to hear that you don't kill a writer straight away when they have misspelled your name :).<br />I have received a rejection letter with my name spelled incorrectly when the agency's website advised "Please make sure you spell our names correctly".<br /><br />My name is not complicated at all and pretty short. I understand professionalism is important in this business, but I then found myself kind of outraged when they misspelled my name in a rejection letter.<br /><br />Yeah, some here will say "Be glad you got a letter at all".<br />I may be too German to be glad... cause we think that when one side puts the bar high, they should be able to meet it themselves...One Of Us Has To Gohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00286506993128699826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24405063657832110942018-04-10T21:52:34.745-04:002018-04-10T21:52:34.745-04:00AJ: I say (not Janet) that you're probably fin...<b>AJ</b>: I say (not Janet) that you're probably fine, as long as your query is compelling. If your bio is more interesting than your query, however, you might have a problem. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-75548668380431830442018-04-10T21:48:52.200-04:002018-04-10T21:48:52.200-04:00Busy day. I finally got back here to read through ...Busy day. I finally got back here to read through the later comments to find the addition of that lovely #285 quote written out in Janet's blue ink. <br /><br />You're welcome.<br /><br />Your archives are full of treasures.Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77098631473158887302018-04-10T19:41:41.489-04:002018-04-10T19:41:41.489-04:00On queries...how flexible is the 250 word count? M...On queries...how flexible is the 250 word count? Making my bio interesting (which I prefer) pushes my query to 274 words. Should I worry? Or just get off the hamster wheel?AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32710952523176933052018-04-10T19:19:31.429-04:002018-04-10T19:19:31.429-04:00Fun post today! I need to write a new bio, includi...Fun post today! I need to write a new bio, including the information that I may or may not actually be a panda.<br />Well, out to bludgeon nature into submission for a bit before I go back to work!Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26139506288711943382018-04-10T18:33:47.086-04:002018-04-10T18:33:47.086-04:00Interesting how many of us thought the bio paragra...Interesting how many of us thought the bio paragraph was in there, but not shown, on the QS post. We should wonder how many other things in life we make assumptions about.<br /><br />Reminds me of the wonderful psych experiment where subjects are asked to watch a group of people and answer a mundane question, such as to count how many times they pass a ball back and forth. In the middle of the experiment, a giant grizzly bear walks through. Afterward, when asked about the grizzly, a HUGE number of respondents say "What bear?"<br /><br />While looking for one thing, we often miss something interesting. And I'm not just talking about typos. We make and enforce rules upon ourselves that are often unnecessary. <br /><br />This is always such a fascinating neighborhood. Thank you to our Block Captain, evidently an Oregonian at heart. Or maybe Janet's dad's name was Eugene. I don't want to make assumptions.<br /><br />John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9736807974006813512018-04-10T15:16:08.758-04:002018-04-10T15:16:08.758-04:00A good bio would let the agent know if they might ...A good bio would let the agent know if they might want to work with you (and vise versa!). I do like that it is as much how you say something as who/ what you are. <br /><br />Happy writing, folks!Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34131460513119449842018-04-10T14:15:36.108-04:002018-04-10T14:15:36.108-04:00Re people living boring lives: Stephen King's ...Re people living boring lives: Stephen King's stories use the device of a setting that is banal to the point of being boring and yet has one little twist in there. An example is a town in rural Maine, most boring plae in the world, that happens to be infested with vampires. That is a strategy. The banality makes the story believable. The twist makes it interesting. Rural Maine works much better as a setting than Transylvania.<br /><br />I think he got that from Rod Serling's old TV series, The Twilight Zone. King had unkind things to say about that series, but IMNSHO it was about the best TV series ever made. (I am referring to the original, of course, and not the lame movie and 1980s era remakes.) The storytelling was so superb the series was in syndication for decades after the original run was finished. If anyyone has not seen it, it is available on DVD.<br /><br />Go ye to the master, thou aspirant; study his ways and be wise.<br />Steve Stubbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13421775912951050610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-89187555287110379312018-04-10T14:08:40.694-04:002018-04-10T14:08:40.694-04:00So, being a Reider piques the Sharque's intere...So, being a Reider piques the Sharque's interest. I've heard, though, that cannibalism rubs her the wrong way. Does that mean my current bio: "I learned to write in the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea where my missionary parents raised me alongside a tribe of cannibals. However, to my best knowledge, I've never eaten a human being." is a no-go? KariVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13824650323413004291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51753762509613264162018-04-10T14:05:06.007-04:002018-04-10T14:05:06.007-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.KariVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13824650323413004291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71728198880776596082018-04-10T13:10:00.554-04:002018-04-10T13:10:00.554-04:00Eergh. Of course, that should be "reminded me...Eergh. Of course, that should be "reminded me of <b>a</b> quote." Why is it tougher to spot such things when using a phone to comment? And what else did I miss? ;)Amy Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05324408700941398495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47893673841184339522018-04-10T12:59:20.476-04:002018-04-10T12:59:20.476-04:00Kathy's encouraging comment (7:37 AM) reminded...<b>Kathy</b>'s encouraging comment (7:37 AM) reminded me of quote from Mark Twain. "There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy." Thanks, Kathy!Amy Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05324408700941398495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-920261342175015732018-04-10T11:46:34.023-04:002018-04-10T11:46:34.023-04:00If something is redacted on QueryShark, I mark it....If something is redacted on QueryShark, I mark it. Exmaple "My novel Felix Buttonweezer Splits the Atom and His Britches: a picture book was published by Random House in 2018" becomes "My novel REDACTED was published by BigAss Publisher in 2018"<br /><br />I don't leave stuff out.<br /><br />This was interesting to learn! Thanks for mentioning.<br /><br />Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17435113797643079302018-04-10T11:31:30.112-04:002018-04-10T11:31:30.112-04:00Joining the 'oh, I thought it was redacted'...Joining the 'oh, I thought it was redacted' chorus.<br /><br />I like adding a little personality, with a quick one-two line bio. I figure, if someone can make themselves sound interesting, it bodes well for making their CHARACTERS interesting.<br /><br />Mine currently starts off with "I write from my lair..." As I often cosplay a red dragon, it seemed fitting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45119255271818228832018-04-10T11:30:04.861-04:002018-04-10T11:30:04.861-04:00Colin, if I was an agent, your "ex pat" ...Colin, if I was an agent, your "ex pat" sentence would sway me. It tells about you, and it's funny/clever. To me, the most admirable thing about my grandparents is that they left Ireland to move here in their late teens. I don't think I could do that, and I greatly admire anyone who does. In my book, any immigrant is an interesting person. Funny immigrant? Double points.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01999175415765818941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-67523611033454053282018-04-10T11:18:24.819-04:002018-04-10T11:18:24.819-04:00It never dawned on me that OP from Sunday's po...It never dawned on me that OP from Sunday's post wouldn't include their bio/housekeeping in their query when it hits the trenches. I just figured all that had been redacted.<br /><br />When I queried my first book, way back in the dark ages, I had zip-zero writerly accomplishments under my belt. I simply offered a very brief bit about myself to give the agents/editors a sense of who I was. It landed a contract.<br /><br />Power up the confidence. And onward! Melanie Sue Bowleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11820711791019410116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17164186803454316492018-04-10T11:08:26.897-04:002018-04-10T11:08:26.897-04:00Y'all might be surprised to learn what agents ...Y'all might be surprised to learn what agents think is interesting. <br />Lady bronc rider? Yup<br />Banned from the restricted section of the library? Yup<br />Reads this blog? YupJanet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36460931003837809932018-04-10T10:57:21.000-04:002018-04-10T10:57:21.000-04:00Julie Funny story. I was reading the first Harry P...<b>Julie</b> Funny story. I was reading the first Harry Potter book to my daughter. Hermione had sent Harry off to the restricted section of the library. My daughter gets confused<br /><br />“Mom, libraries don’t have restricted sections.”<br /><br />“Yeah, kid. In England they do. Trust me. You go into a restricted section in England without permission, a unreasonably large Welsh man will escort you from the building, take your name down, and tell you never to return.”<br /><br />“How do you know?”<br /><br />“I don’t want to talk about it.”<br /><br />My daughter, a wise 9 year old at the time shakes her head. “Mom, you’re not as clever as Harry and Hermione.”<br /><br />She wasn’t wrong. E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57004544995629153252018-04-10T10:52:29.254-04:002018-04-10T10:52:29.254-04:00Ok, I've messed around here long enough. Back ...Ok, I've messed around here long enough. Back to wreaking murder and mayhem with my imaginary friends.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-67904901060163694562018-04-10T10:48:06.757-04:002018-04-10T10:48:06.757-04:00EM
I don't know. That sounds like the inspira...<b>EM</b><br /><br />I don't know. That sounds like the inspiration for a Harry Potter scene to me or something more nefarious. Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26219882842802806092018-04-10T10:29:18.787-04:002018-04-10T10:29:18.787-04:00I was banned from the library at Christ Church, Ox...I was banned from the library at Christ Church, Oxford in my misspent youth for trying to take a peek at some ancient book in an area I lacked authorization to be in. However, I doubt that would recommend me to an agent. E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-65042014844113103842018-04-10T10:27:32.861-04:002018-04-10T10:27:32.861-04:00I saw a query tip from an agent on Twitter recentl...I saw a query tip from an agent on Twitter recently that said even if you don't have a full author's bio (ie pub creds) to at least include one line about yourself to convey a little sense of personality. I don't have any fiction pub credits, so this was encouraging. It's another way to infuse your query with voice and style (done correctly of course). KariVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13824650323413004291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8041198454402536952018-04-10T10:24:16.667-04:002018-04-10T10:24:16.667-04:00Ann Bennett
I've led a fairly mundane life as...<b>Ann Bennett</b><br /><br />I've led a fairly mundane life aside from a misspent youth, which is usually best left untalked about.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46537930774771135272018-04-10T10:22:50.467-04:002018-04-10T10:22:50.467-04:00For the writers' bio, I really appreciate it w...For the writers' bio, I really appreciate it when they put something unexpectedly humorous. <br /><br />Looking just quickly, Query Shark's #285 is one example. Not sure if QOTKU would appreciate getting a passel of queries with humor in the bio department, not to mention everyone has a different sense of humor! Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86382057718001174982018-04-10T10:01:35.578-04:002018-04-10T10:01:35.578-04:00Good to know that a bio is not the most important ...Good to know that a bio is not the most important item in a query. Some of us have led fairly mundane lives. Ann Bennetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17759967601352382204noreply@blogger.com