tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post8723045207442336300..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Week in Review 9/4/16Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37349008716335821792016-09-12T00:22:42.393-04:002016-09-12T00:22:42.393-04:00Um, something like; NO Reply Means A No.
Not sure...Um, something like; NO Reply Means A No.<br /><br />Not sure if that's exactly correct but it's the right sentiment. MA Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11055543285024785889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4432369865493310642016-09-07T13:04:05.597-04:002016-09-07T13:04:05.597-04:00Can anyone refresh my memory on what a NORMAN poli...Can anyone refresh my memory on what a NORMAN policy is?April Mackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946968627887624127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64875803115429547602016-09-05T13:35:09.658-04:002016-09-05T13:35:09.658-04:00Sensational subheader, yes!
I feel bad for missin...Sensational subheader, yes!<br /><br />I feel bad for missing this yesterday; I was sort of taking care of family. And here I softened the shark's very heart! A highlight for me indeed, and on top of the writing breakthrough no less.DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-75290422517560365452016-09-05T12:31:30.082-04:002016-09-05T12:31:30.082-04:00Ah, I wasn't even expecting a WIR this week an...Ah, I wasn't even expecting a WIR this week and I'm a day behind. Look at me. I would miss them if they go, but I understand.<br /><br />Those pictures of the crowds just give me the hives. I'm sure people who are used to them do fine and it's not as bad as Japan where they have guards on the platforms who cram more people in until the car is packed like a tin of sardines. <br /><br />I can imagine the surprise at being pelted with a koala. Too funny.<br /><br />JulieWeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01361549099072091350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47086760903116652322016-09-05T09:58:32.352-04:002016-09-05T09:58:32.352-04:00Yeh for the WIR!
Good luck to everyone who enter...Yeh for the WIR! <br /><br />Good luck to everyone who entered the FF contest!<br /><br />The pet photos were fun. I especially liked the one of the tortoises since I have two. :)<br /><br />Adding Laird Barron's book to my TBR shelf over on Goodreads - sounds great! I was blown away by how many excellent books I read this summer. Can't wait to see what the Fall will bring. :)Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70234967574718422692016-09-05T09:41:33.712-04:002016-09-05T09:41:33.712-04:00Thank you for describing your commute! (That sound...Thank you for describing your commute! (That sounds weird...I'm not a stalker, promise). We will likely be moving to NYC in two years, so I'm gathering real experiences. We are not suburb types (I'll take the country or the city, but am unhappy in between), and with 4 kids (at least for now) it feels extra complicated (space and schools and commute time and...), even for us. When we moved abroad our kids were younger, fewer, and our apartments were all furnished. (btw...anyone can fee free to bombard me with advice about family life in NYC)<br /><br />I have also heaved a sigh at NL's NORMAN policy, but they were open about it, and they gave a clear cutoff date (either 30 or 60 days, I don't remember). And since most of my favorite recent books were agented by one of them (and not just the ones that got movie deals), they are first on my list, once I'm confident I have an effective query. I think a lot of YA authors feel this way, so it wouldn't surprise me if their volume of queries was even higher than your average awesome agent. Which gives me more sympathy than with secret NORMAN agents.RachelErinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09510327163701754950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-919483501146466082016-09-05T09:29:04.357-04:002016-09-05T09:29:04.357-04:00I checked too early for the WiR yesterday, and the...I checked too early for the WiR yesterday, and then plumb forgot! Proximity to the fridge (with ice and water) can be very useful! At the library, the teeny tiny staff room is on the second floor, as are the offices (and thus, my office), so it's far more convenient for me than for the circulation staff. It's also where we keep the Keurig, for those mid-morning and mid-afternoon iced coffees. <br /><br />Good question on the NORMANs, and good answer. That's certainly a diplomatic situation, not a "this is how it's gonna be". <br /><br />And the pet parade was very fun indeed!Jennifer R. Donohuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363886899308588391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8227397554679804992016-09-05T06:59:56.027-04:002016-09-05T06:59:56.027-04:00Like everyone else I have missed your inspiring po...Like everyone else I have missed your inspiring posts and the discussions they spark.<br /><br />Celia puts it best, "I... have missed your voice."<br /><br />The pet photos and their accompanying stories were purrfect summer reading. <br /><br />Congratulations on your new position. Are you going to rename the Reef the Leef? Two "e"s for a compromise.angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88983524981896408502016-09-04T22:46:12.273-04:002016-09-04T22:46:12.273-04:00What a treat the WIR was today! This is my last re...What a treat the WIR was today! This is my last real summer weekend; the semester starts on Tuesday.<br /><br />And the WIR appeared on the same day I appeared on C-SPAN3, talking about my latest book. Yet calling it my latest book now sounds odd since I've dived into a new book proposal and have started thinking of that as my latest book.<br /><br />Have a great week, everyone.Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18165072684559960801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46257613250426831882016-09-04T22:46:07.092-04:002016-09-04T22:46:07.092-04:00I've so missed this blog. The return reminds m...I've so missed this blog. The return reminds me of my favorite part in Ender's Shadow: the grown ups take Ender away, and his team is devastated. Bean and the rest of Ender's army are shipped to a new place and fitted with headsets and no one knows what's going on. The moment they hear Ender's voice over the intercom, everyone's spirits lift because they know he's back. <br /><br />Maybe cheesy, but that's what this reminds me of :) <br /><br />Good to have you back, Janet! Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-54034716573350463362016-09-04T19:03:18.749-04:002016-09-04T19:03:18.749-04:00Glad to hear you're still agenting in this new...Glad to hear you're still agenting in this new position and also that you haven't succumbed to the evils of NORMANclature. I haven't changed my mind about not querying agents who won't respond to say no. But I'm weird.<br /><br />I have to admit, I've always felt a wee bit guilty reading the WIR. Especially if it's been one of those weeks when I barely have time to skim the comments. It's like Janet is killing herself with this massive undertaking each week just to enable my distraction. Or laziness. What I do really enjoy/appreciate is when a question or request for clarification (from the comments) is addressed-- maybe that's a less time-intensive alternative than a complete recap of the week? <br /><br />As others have said, whatever you decide to do, we'll adapt. Except for Scott. Scott is clearly on a downward spiral that can only end in madness. <br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-81193669262392934232016-09-04T18:31:54.446-04:002016-09-04T18:31:54.446-04:00Love the subheader nom. The furry friend break was...Love the subheader nom. The furry friend break was a lot of fun, but now that it's September it's nice to be back to regularly scheduled bits of wisdom, like starting school but without #2 pencils and new crayons. <br /><br />Reading the WIR is one of my favorite weekly activities, but I do understand it must take a considerable chunk of time. I will survive. I'm looking forward to the Proud Spirit contest results. I can't imagine how you'll ever choose. I can't. I did choose a favorite pet photo though -- the one of all the dogs on the leather couch. Just thinking about it makes me smile. Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-49079437049200915442016-09-04T18:21:53.080-04:002016-09-04T18:21:53.080-04:00Just think, that's a DAY in review... imagine ...Just think, that's a DAY in review... imagine how long the WEEK in review <i>could</i> be!!<br /><br />How long have you been doing the WiR, Janet? Not quite 2 years? We survived without the WiR for a good few years before. And you've had to skip the WiR for work before now. Heck, there wasn't a WiR the whole of August, and look--we're still here! So if you have to cut down to a couple of WiRs a month, sad as it would be, I'm sure we'd rather that than you burning out, or losing clients.<br /><br />It'll be interesting to see how the de-NORMANing project goes. All the best with that. ;)<br /><br />Lovely to have you back, Janet!<br /><br /><b>John</b>: You're very welcome. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-65876997204641326412016-09-04T18:21:46.620-04:002016-09-04T18:21:46.620-04:00It might have only been a day but your WiR is as f...It might have only been a day but your WiR is as fabulous as ever, Miss Janet. While I love reading the WiR as the start to my working week, I completely understand why it may need to be parked - I'm still not sure how you've managed to do it for this long. One day you'll have to tell us the story of how you got hold of Hermione's Time Turner!AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-21650864796224284242016-09-04T16:54:15.190-04:002016-09-04T16:54:15.190-04:00Yay! The return of the WIR... colour me surprised ...Yay! The return of the WIR... colour me surprised and happy and amused by the 'throwing of koalas' bit. They're heavy blighters though, so I can imagine the shock on your colleagues' faces when one hit them out of the blue! Even just hurtling past and taking out the refrigerator would have been cause for significant alarm... :)<br />I'm glad everything's going well at the new digs!Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71851076175688741942016-09-04T16:45:31.478-04:002016-09-04T16:45:31.478-04:00If there's no WIR then there's really no r...If there's no WIR then there's really no reason to get up on Sunday. If I don't get out of bed on Sunday I wouldn't get my household tasks done for the work week, and if I don't complete my household tasks I'll just be thinking about them at work, so I might as well not even have a job. If I don't have a job then it doesn't make much sense to have a house, so I might as well sell it and move to New York City where I would stand on the corner of 40th Street and 6th Ave and play jazz and hope people throw money into my briefcase (which I won't need cuz I won't have a job). Thing is, I don't know how to play any kind of musical instrument, but if I had to, I'd play the saxophone, which would sound like a cow with indigestion. So, Janet, unless you want to hear the sounds of a cow with indigestion outside your office window all day, I'd keep doing the WIR.<br /><br />"Aha," I hear you say. "I will just close my window." - which I'm betting you don't want to do cuz you really like you're new office window.Scott Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00293362485142152780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77538619762203584412016-09-04T16:44:19.279-04:002016-09-04T16:44:19.279-04:00I had forgotten what NORMANs were... but my memory...I had forgotten what NORMANs were... but my memory is refreshed! <br />New Leaf is certainly on my future query list. I'm keeping my fingers crossed the Shark will have chomped up all the NORMANs by the time I'm ready to query. Which won't be any time soon, by the way. I made a folder on my computer titled "Version 5" and I nearly cried. I tried to shelve the WIP but it jumped on me and threatened to strangle me if I gave up on it. So it looks like it's got enough life left in it for another revision. This better be my masterpiece. <br /><br />Thanks for the subheader nom! I'm deeply honoured. And for the WIR, it's very much appreciated. Have a good week, everyone! <br /><br />Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328411110801244620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53478181476869262302016-09-04T16:32:08.030-04:002016-09-04T16:32:08.030-04:00Hooray! I'm pleasantly surprised to see the WI...Hooray! I'm pleasantly surprised to see the WIR back, and I love hearing stories about the inner workings of your job (and the new digs). As much as I loved the Dog Days of Janet's Blog (and I really, really did--nothing makes me happier than dogs and books), I'm happy the blog is transitioning back to writing, even if I don't always have a lot to add to the conversations.<br /><br />I took a break from writing this summer so I could concentrate on the upcoming release of my new book, but the WIP I have from last year's NaNo has been swimming around in my brain as of late. Breaks are good sometimes--they make the desire stronger, and that ultimately lends itself to the story, figuring out where to put all those moving pieces. I told myself I'd get back to it in October, but we'll see how long that lasts--just my luck, I'll sit down to write and my muses will fly off to Bora Bora for cocktails.<br /><br />Then again, I think I'd like to join them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05332570278984058081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52665050789681391982016-09-04T15:51:37.831-04:002016-09-04T15:51:37.831-04:00What fun reading all the FF entries with the name ...What fun reading all the FF entries with the name of our sanctuary in the stories. Looking forward to hearing who takes home the prezzie. Janet, I'm honored and humbled and deeply appreciative. Thank you for doing this. Regarding the WIR: We all love them, but would certainly understand your need to ease up on your workload. I don't know how you do all you do.<br /><br />Lisa Bodenheim! Thank you for the lovely poem. Melanie Sue Bowleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11820711791019410116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-46279060334093922432016-09-04T15:47:20.640-04:002016-09-04T15:47:20.640-04:00I thoroughly enjoyed the month of fuzzy friend pho...I thoroughly enjoyed the month of fuzzy friend photos, but it's great to read the WIR again. And I'm so glad someone asked about the checkered flag. When I finished Steve Ulfelder's Purgatory Chasm, I wanted to thank the person who had recommended his books, but couldn't remember who it was. Now I know -- I read about him on your blog. Belated thanks for the recommendation! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06611656982367077903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4659006266843230012016-09-04T15:46:41.065-04:002016-09-04T15:46:41.065-04:00While I'm thrilled to have the WIR back, I als...While I'm thrilled to have the WIR back, I also understand the constraints of time. It always amazes me how much you squeeze into 24 hours, Janet, so it shouldn't amaze me when it becomes too much. Put me in the Disappointed But Understanding camp when the WIR inevitably ends its final season. <br /><br />My laptop is in the shop. I learned that it's easier for me to put my car in the shop than my computer. (Thanks, Colin, for responding on my blog that there was a FF contest this weekend! I'd have missed it otherwise.)<br /><br />EM, good for you on your progress, that's great stuff. And even better that you're dragging Diane along with you, no longer kicking and screaming! I'm about to get in line, but right now I'm writing backstory to prepare before outlining. It's an exciting time. (Only for a writer, everybody else in the world would look pitifully upon me thinking I have no life and I should just wait for my muse and write everything then.)<br /><br />Good week, all!<br /> John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10750529285820269032016-09-04T15:15:50.984-04:002016-09-04T15:15:50.984-04:00Hey BJ - good advice - I've never tried that. ...Hey BJ - good advice - I've never tried that. I usually do psychology research. And then I study character arcs and try to decide which one fits. I like your idea best!Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-25344523858914054092016-09-04T15:10:36.008-04:002016-09-04T15:10:36.008-04:00Hey Donna! When I'm trying to figure a charact...Hey Donna! When I'm trying to figure a character out, I'll often try to write a short story about him or her, something that will bring out their motivations and emotions. It usually helps.BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71553924684945614102016-09-04T14:58:57.806-04:002016-09-04T14:58:57.806-04:00Thank you for this WIR - lovely and crisp as an Au...Thank you for this WIR - lovely and crisp as an Autumn apple. <br /><br />*Not done painting the apartment??? Whaaa?* <br /><br />Then again, we've been here for going on 19 years and we still have a bathroom 1/2 done, another that needs doing, and honestly? I'm about tired of the color on the walls we painted xx years ago. :)<br /><br />I'm with BJ on living in NYC. I think you have to be a certain sort of person - either one who loves the crush of people, and all that comes with that, or one who can ignore the crush of people. I am neither.<br /><br />Plus. Yes, blue sky. The sound of cicadas. The smell of fresh cut grass, the bloom of gardenias, and on and on.<br /><br />For me and the FF contest this weekend, I decided to opt out. I'm working on...a....synopsis. Or you could call it an outline. I'm trying to figure out my antagonist. Who he is. And then I thought, Maybe he's not a he. Why not be a she? Hmmm. And then, I'm back to no, needs to be a...anyway. Y'all get it. Flip flop.<br /><br />I tried to be witty on Twitter about Hermine. I was sort of laughing at a couple newsfolks who weren't sure of the pronunciation, and they finally figured out it was pronounced "Her mean." So, I thought about that, hopped on Twitter, and tweeted this out, "TS Hermine is about to arrive. Earlier, news folks were stumbling on pronunciation. It's "Her Mean," and yes, her is mean. #HermineNC."<br /><br />*crickets* Oh well. Not everyone gets my humor. Not even Little Dog.<br /><br />Happy Sunday +! (for those celebrating Labor Day!) Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36598266418659071322016-09-04T14:43:28.864-04:002016-09-04T14:43:28.864-04:00As much as I love visiting NYC, I don't think ...As much as I love visiting NYC, I don't think I could live there. Not just because of the lack of sky (as I've noted elsewhere), but also because of the crowds. I'm not a very tall person, so for me, a crowd is an overly warm mass of chests and body odours. Just a *bit* claustrophobic there... <br /><br />As a visitor, I can avoid rush hour. Or take a taxi if rush hour is unavoidable (yes, that's not the most fun, either, but at least I can breathe.)BJ Muntainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12977414826388000094noreply@blogger.com