tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post7797777722878925217..comments2024-03-29T07:29:32.276-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: So, how do you ask for reviews without being obnoxious?Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-74583133834943101322017-08-30T19:13:52.596-04:002017-08-30T19:13:52.596-04:00E.M.
Port Arthur (birthplace of Janis Joplin) is ...E.M.<br /><br />Port Arthur (birthplace of Janis Joplin) is close to Louisiana but it's still in Texas (or was before Harvey hit).<br /><br />My cousin emailed me. I can't believe anybody can have such a positive outlook on life. She wrote:<br /><br />Joe<br />Great advice was to move a car to higher ground. I felt my ML350 was high enough in the garage until 4am yesterday morning. All 3 of our vehicles and home were not spared. We were rescued by boat around 9:30 am in 3-4 foot water. We are safe at Cheryl's for now working on getting rental cars and deciding where we will stay during restoration, cleanup, and remodeling. Waters are not expected to recede until Friday - Monday, so we cannot return to our home until possibly Friday. Cheryl is still without power, but does have a small generator. We are all comfortable and grateful. Interesting, our home still has power and we turned the downstairs off when we left. Crazy that we have power, yet over 3' of water.<br />We are all safe, grateful, and are looking forward to clean up. <br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4801605986007811192017-08-30T17:40:57.781-04:002017-08-30T17:40:57.781-04:00Thank you, Janet for the great post!
I'm over...Thank you, Janet for the great post!<br /><br />I'm overwhelmed by the love/caring/sharing comments from everyone. <br /><br />I was told from day one I would never "make it" as an artist. That, from my parents. But I'm stubborn. I started my first novel in 2013(later in life), and after a very steep learning curve (which is still curving!)the ms is finally taking shape. I had a marathon day recently, revised/edited all day long, and into the evening. Finished. It was so late, I didn't celebrate with a glass of wine (which was my plan). Maybe tonight!<br /><br />I *wish* I could quit my day job and focus on writing. That is not possible yet. So burning the midnight oil, (if I can use a cliche), is my life. And no one is giving me grief for it...<br /><br />What I did was, when I started writing the ms, I only told *select* people. Only those who I knew would be supportive. In other words, not my immediate family. Now that I have accomplished my personal goal, I'm letting those people know gradually. And even though I struggle financially sometimes (well, most of the time), I love the fact that creativity does not have a dollar amount on it. It's priceless! There is GOLD in that mind...<br /><br />Congrats Sherry! Such an accomplishment.<br /><br />My thoughts and prayers go out to all those in the path of the flood waters, whether natural or man made. Cynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08699411552622293737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69314672668832557142017-08-30T16:50:03.760-04:002017-08-30T16:50:03.760-04:00Joseph - so glad your family got out safe but what...<b>Joseph</b> - so glad your family got out safe but what a tough situation for everyone in the flood. This will be a long recovery for Texas and Louisiana (Is Port Author in Louisiana?)<br /><br />I suppose only other writers and those closely involved in publishing really get what an insane and endless process getting a book published is,and how hard it is to stand out once the book gets there. Hence, today's topic.<br /><br /> I keep thinking of posts on this blog about poorly selling first books and how difficult that makes it for the next book. And that makes me work all the harder to make sure my debut is top notch. At least I hope it will be. It can be hard to be patient during the revision stage. Thank you guys again. E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23094203913719421332017-08-30T15:46:26.146-04:002017-08-30T15:46:26.146-04:00I wanted to be a writer. My parents said, "Yo...I wanted to be a writer. My parents said, "You can't make money writing." And since they were paying for school, I didn't have much choice.<br /><br />When I said I wanted to take computer science - back in the early 80s - my dad said, "You need a job when you get out of school, not 'in the future'."<br /><br />In my 30s, I started technical writing. I made more than my mother ever got as a bank teller. My parents admitted they'd been wrong.<br /><br />Moral of the story: Don't listen to your family. They don't know the industry, they don't know the future, and they don't know what you're able to do. You *will* prove them wrong, because they *are* wrong.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-6803828829859288282017-08-30T15:39:29.672-04:002017-08-30T15:39:29.672-04:00I've been book blogging for... 9 years minus 2...I've been book blogging for... 9 years minus 28 days. My experience:<br /><br />Personally I don't care if it's an author, publisher, or press person who emails me if I'm interested in the book. It's kind of fun when you get to chose more than one book, but that's because I'm a book nerd. Who isn't excited about books? XD I tend to not notice that on the first read of the email as I'm more focused on whether I want to read the book or not.<br /><br />The main publisher I review ARCs for regularly wants their reviews posted about 2 weeks before the book comes out or about a week after publication. I'm not gonna say who because that seems tacky, but that's part of our reviewing agreement. They send out an email every season with their upcoming books and I pick a few I want, if anyone's curious how that works.<br /><br />Things that I really notice are if you personalized it - I notice if you use my name or actually know something about my blog. I also notice the opposite - when you call me "Dear Blogger" or you're emailing me about something that isn't remotely what I read. I don't mind if you're sending a form email, but the super duper "Dear Blogger" stuff turns me off. I also have a detailed review policy and I don't like it when people don't follow it. (Please don't get upset that I live in Canada.)<br /><br />I'm kind of turned off by authors emailing me asking to buy their books and then review them. Specifically if you found my blog on a blog list, and you don't know me at all and we've never interacted before, and you email me going, "Would you like to review this? Buy it here!" basically, I'm probably not gonna do that. <br /><br />I review books I've bought because I like them, or wanna talk about them for some reason. I don't buy books to review.<br /><br />Some dude once emailed me probably 6 times. The exact same email. After the third I emailed back saying no thanks (I usually go no response means no because awkward) and... he continued to email me until I emailed him back AGAIN. His excuse was that I was on a lot of blogger lists. So don't go through blogger lists emailing absolutely everyone and not keeping track of who you've already emailed.<br /><br />...this is so over 100 words. Sorry, 9 years of book blogging. Lainahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00134705793566699951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73024932840012871982017-08-30T15:16:50.411-04:002017-08-30T15:16:50.411-04:00Amy, thank you. I'm very proud of my son. I...<b>Amy</b>, thank you. I'm very proud of my son. I'm constantly encouraging him with his writing--I refuse doing to him what my parents did to me when it comes to having big dreams.<br /><br />My son and I have already agreed whoever gets published first we'll celebrate with lots of iced coffees. Not only does my oldest share a love of a writing with me, but also an addiction to java. :)<br /><br /><b>Joseph</b>, I'm glad all your family members down in Houston are okay. Hope they all stay safe.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08624316875028504166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33222761446337295392017-08-30T14:24:04.536-04:002017-08-30T14:24:04.536-04:00and before I forget, This was much needed blog ent...and before I forget, This was much needed blog entry - Thank you Janet Reid - and some great comments.<br /><br />P.S. - Follow upon family in Houston. My cousin was taken from her home in a boat. I watched a national Cable news network reporter in a boat on television travel through her Kingwood neighborhood - that's a dead giveaway her neighborhood got hit bad, and the Houston mayor mentioned her subdivision by name, also a bad sign. A nephew's house backs up to a creek, and reportedly he had 7 feet of water in his house yesterday. My sister's street flooded and when water started rising up her tiny frontyard, her husband tore out fence boards in the backyard and they went out the back to where they had parked their truck just in case. They returned this morning to the good news the water made it up to the flower beds outside her home and stopped before receding! Most of their flooding came because the authorities released water from Lake Conroe and they live down river from there.Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12886313219688105632017-08-30T14:22:48.846-04:002017-08-30T14:22:48.846-04:00Congratulations, Sherry!
Thanks, Janet, for the ...Congratulations, Sherry! <br /><br />Thanks, Janet, for the examples of how to ask without directly asking for reviews. Very helpful. I especially like the how to support writers part.Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-13516562226375826192017-08-30T14:10:21.727-04:002017-08-30T14:10:21.727-04:00
E.M.
Our writing paths are converging or at leas...<br />E.M.<br /><br />Our writing paths are converging or at least paralleling. I quit teaching to concentrate on my manuscript, to many people’s surprise. I still have to push people away who tell me to give it up or to write something completely different from what I’m writing. I also get a lot of moral support so it balances out in my favor.<br /><br />I also caught a lot of grief when I got into teaching since I was doing reasonably well as a Tax and Corporate Attorney. (When I see how well my old compadres are doing financially now I sometime wonder if I made the right choice, but only briefly. Very few things beat the energy-generating level of being a teacher and being around other educators and the students themselves).<br /><br />One of the highlights of my life was my English professor my second semester in college chasing me down and catching me at the steps of the University of Texas Tower praising my weekly assignment and strongly encouraging me to spend the summer with other writers in Colorado or Wyoming somewhere. No way I could do that. I was the first of my family to attend college. I had to work summers and I had to major in something that would get me a job. <br />So I put off writing except as it pertained to jobs until relatively recently. Now I’m playing catch up.<br /><br /><br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43193534499777858182017-08-30T14:07:54.590-04:002017-08-30T14:07:54.590-04:00E.M.
We’re close to the same spot in our manuscri...E.M. <br />We’re close to the same spot in our manuscripts. Except instead of writing three books in three years, I’m on the same book for nearly seven years (If it was a child it’d be entering first or second grade this month). <br /><br />For two years it was just a story being developed in my mind. Then for two years I wrote it in my spare time. I had thought of it so much I felt like I was recreating a story I had read before. I thought I had a good story but a few agents I tried didn’t. I took another year to revise it (mainly in the summer). Friends who read it thought I made it worse. <br /><br />Julie Weathers stepped up and guided me to a better path. I went on a steep learning curve thanks to her. <br /><br />I’m a slow writer, too. It’s taken me 19 months to revise and rewrite Escape from Brazil. I don’t have beta readers for it, but I have two for my query letter (writing it has been a really stressful experience). One has replied with some good points. I’m close to querying for the book. With a little good luck, it can get published so Colin and other famous people can read it.<br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73597440202782092942017-08-30T14:05:17.327-04:002017-08-30T14:05:17.327-04:00oh! Sherry Congrats! That's wonderful news!oh! <b>Sherry</b> Congrats! That's wonderful news!Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23548904638552840442017-08-30T14:04:36.953-04:002017-08-30T14:04:36.953-04:00What a heart-warming, encouraging comment stream. ...What a heart-warming, encouraging comment stream. <br /><br /><b>Elise:</b> I've been working on my story since 2013 (ohoh, should I admit that?) and I work part-time in my parish. I love working part-time although another side of me that says, you're going to regret not working full-time when you retire... But the days when I can stay home and write? I wake up full of joy and anticipation (when I'm at a good streak with my writing, which I am now). As others have already said, No, 1 year is not a long time to work on a book. And don't shoulder other people's "you oughtta." If you're able to live on a small budget (that's what I'm doing) then do it. And more joy to you. <br /><br />On-topic: I have done a couple of book reviews on my blog. Or maybe I should call them sort-of reviews? Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66048205280379128782017-08-30T14:01:45.173-04:002017-08-30T14:01:45.173-04:00Sherry: Congrats!
Elise: Ditto to what everyone e...Sherry: Congrats!<br /><br />Elise: Ditto to what everyone else has said. If there are people in your life who aren't supporting your dream, it's time to stop sharing it with them. Let them be pleasantly surprised by the result, but cut them out of the process if they're sapping your energy. Also, three books in three years is a tremendous creative output and you should be proud of that alone!Adib Khorramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836332867898941638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34625207055080668852017-08-30T13:41:49.051-04:002017-08-30T13:41:49.051-04:00Sherry: Congratulations! I'm throwing confetti...<b>Sherry</b>: Congratulations! I'm throwing confetti. And here come the balloons falling from the ceiling! Hooray!<br /><br /><b>Elise</b> and <b>Lynne</b>: I can relate. Lynne, that was such an encouraging thing you said about your older son learning to follow his dream by seeing you follow yours. Elise, I have a feeling your wonderfully brave daughter learned something from her mom about following dreams too! :)Amy Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05324408700941398495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-35489628270259158162017-08-30T13:32:31.776-04:002017-08-30T13:32:31.776-04:00Elise: Actually, SixthBorn (who turned 13 a few mo...<b>Elise</b>: Actually, SixthBorn (who turned 13 a few months ago) wants to step into big sister's shoes. She made some good chocolate chip cookies the other day. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87947819115342828752017-08-30T13:04:48.270-04:002017-08-30T13:04:48.270-04:00Colin Quick. Have another offspring learn super ba...<b>Colin</b> Quick. Have another offspring learn super baking - have another offspring. I mean once they go to college- it all goes so fast. And then New York. Then what do you do?<br /><br />But hey, my kid is doing casting in New York so when your kid gets called by those city lights...E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-78153448543360287382017-08-30T12:59:05.837-04:002017-08-30T12:59:05.837-04:00Elise: Unfortunately, my super baking offspring is...<b>Elise</b>: Unfortunately, my super baking offspring is in college right now, so she's not baking anything for anyone except herself and her friends up there at UNC-G! Which means, of course, when I do eventually get a Janet... I mean an AGENT, it'll have to be when school's out, and before she gets the call for Broadway, so she'll be home to make suitable celebratory sweets... :DColin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23218896684645842432017-08-30T12:58:38.934-04:002017-08-30T12:58:38.934-04:00EM you're very welcome. And I do have a great ...EM you're very welcome. And I do have a great son...actually, I have two great sons. Success shouldn't be defined by how much moolah you have in the bank. Success is when you're at a happy place in your life, and you got there on your own terms. <br /><br />At least that's how I look at it...<br /><br />Congrats, <b>Sherry</b>! That's so awesome.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08624316875028504166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-81069634450813580752017-08-30T12:51:07.925-04:002017-08-30T12:51:07.925-04:00Sherry Excellent! Congratulations. Colin's sup...<b>Sherry</b> Excellent! Congratulations. Colin's super baker offspring will make cake I am certain :)E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60493286290100773012017-08-30T12:46:40.704-04:002017-08-30T12:46:40.704-04:00And, congratulations, Sherry!!And, congratulations, <b>Sherry</b>!!Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68507295036284335762017-08-30T12:46:04.855-04:002017-08-30T12:46:04.855-04:00Thanks Janet for the post. Great insight in the c...Thanks Janet for the post. Great insight in the comments too. <br /><br /><b>EM</b>, if you work best slow, then it won't be your best work unless you spend the time. I'm that way too and occasionally do something crazy and fast. It never works out. Keep polishing till you're happy!Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73863048762882633832017-08-30T12:30:33.605-04:002017-08-30T12:30:33.605-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08624316875028504166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-83090891413133351352017-08-30T12:17:18.743-04:002017-08-30T12:17:18.743-04:00You guys are the greatest. Without this Reef and a...You guys are the greatest. Without this Reef and all its information and support, I sometimes don't know what I would do. <br /> <br />And <b>Colin</b> Yes, the people in Houston and Port Author and in the path of those floods- praying for them. That is a heart wrenching situation. Just saw a picture of a little girl rescued- she was clutching to her drowned mother. Money is a bit meaningless in the grand scheme of things.<br /><br /><b>Lynne</b> Your son sounds amazing. I am glad you have that support. I have heard the "get a real job" my whole life. <br /><br /> I was told growing up that I owed it to my family to be a doctor or lawyer or banker, something "stable" and lucrative because I was smart, whatever that means. Otherwise I should marry well. Ugh! A lot of my family thinks everything about me is wrong and corrupt. They call me a hippie, a rebel without a clue, and plain weird and a few really unflattering things. <br /><br /> I pay my bills just fine on my school system wages. I raised my kid in a way that suited both of us. Not that it was easy but it sure has been an adventure. I live modestly and that suits me. Maybe it will always be that way. Ok fine. <br /><br />Ah well, thank you all. You can't imagine how much reading your voices every day keeps me going. You guys, all of you, are amazing, E.M. Goldsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387494005655553037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-76308954597816006562017-08-30T12:04:41.493-04:002017-08-30T12:04:41.493-04:00Reason #78 Why I Love This Blog: The Queen and her...Reason #78 Why I Love This Blog: The Queen and her Reiders are so supportive of each other!Sherry Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04326605891373049617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-75671071964542545922017-08-30T10:59:54.639-04:002017-08-30T10:59:54.639-04:00Some book review blogs/publications provide guidel...Some book review blogs/publications provide guidelines for sending them an ARC or copy of your published title. When there are no guidelines, reaching out to ask a reviewer if you may send a copy is acceptable. I've never had one turn me down, and follow through reviews have always been favorable.<br /><br />My three nonfiction titles are with a small publisher. They were very helpful (and handled) getting blurbs for the jackets, and were also involved in marketing while providing me with steps I should take on my own. I would think any reputable publisher will, in varying degrees, have your back. They want the book to succeed. <br /><br />In the beginning, I was terrified of "all of it" but gained confidence with every stride. One of the bravest things I did was phone Temple Grandin's office in CO. I wanted to speak with her about offering a blurb for some new marketing we were planning for my first two titles. I was startled when her assistant actually put me though. *gulp. Ms. Grandin and I had a wonderful conversation. She was gracious and brilliant. And I ultimately got my blurb.<br /><br />Conversely, I'm now being asked to blurb books in my genre. I'm always willing to read an ARC, but as <b>Colin</b> noted, I won't lie. One awkward situation was a request from Simon & Schuster (nonfiction/equestrian). The writing was good but the story was awful; I couldn't align myself with it in any way. Author friends encouraged me to find "something nice to say" so my name and books would be on the cover of this upcoming title. Couldn't do it... I sent a polite note to the publisher with a brief explanation about why I had to decline. Melanie Sue Bowleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11820711791019410116noreply@blogger.com