tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post2474752406669443913..comments2023-07-22T04:51:00.772-07:00Comments on Jennifer Represents...: Open ThreadLiteraticathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-51818242106072232092010-07-28T15:02:53.685-07:002010-07-28T15:02:53.685-07:00Anon 12:58 - I would say of course you should quer...Anon 12:58 - I would say of course you should query with the other manuscript - but if I were you I would take the time to make sure it really is as good as it can be. <br /><br />I have taken several clients based on the second manuscript they queried me with. Sometimes we go back and revisit those first ones and revise them, and send them out. <br /><br />Sometimes they are good, but don't have enough of a "hook" or whatever to make it as a first book.<br /><br />But sometimes they just really aren't good enough. Not everything you write will be good enough to sell, y'know? Specially not the first stuff. This is part of life. That might just be "the book that taught you how to write a book."Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-68773545519295471962010-07-28T12:58:43.942-07:002010-07-28T12:58:43.942-07:00Hi Jennifer! Are you still taking questions? If ...Hi Jennifer! Are you still taking questions? If so, I a longish one!<br /><br />1. Let's say a writer falls in love with an agent/agency, sends them a query and gets rejected. But that writer has Multiple Manuscript Syndrome and she thinks another of them might be a fit for her fave agent. Should she query with that script? Should she query right away? Or should she consider the fact beloved agency already rejected other manuscript and thus, even if they take 2nd manuscript, the 1st will now be lying in a slush pile until writer and fave agent part ways. <br /><br />Well, this sounded very coherent in my head... apologies if that didn't make sense.<br /><br />Thanks for having an open thread, it's so cool when someone who knows would take time to answer questions!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-48359068287752072832010-07-27T07:44:47.142-07:002010-07-27T07:44:47.142-07:00I had to look up 'bullish', believe it or ...I had to look up 'bullish', believe it or not. From what I read in Webster's, that's a sorta good thing. Thanks.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15346200394610846051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-57377274924012548222010-07-26T13:27:23.458-07:002010-07-26T13:27:23.458-07:00Brian: I am feeling bullish about Horror.Brian: I am feeling bullish about Horror.Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-8825250468060206892010-07-26T13:26:58.396-07:002010-07-26T13:26:58.396-07:00anon 8:42 - I address some of that in this post:
...anon 8:42 - I address some of that in this post:<br /><br />http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2010/05/letting-go.htmlLiteraticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-58355703048395318712010-07-26T09:46:15.686-07:002010-07-26T09:46:15.686-07:00What are the current thoughts (from editors) regar...What are the current thoughts (from editors) regarding YA horror. What do you see in its future?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15346200394610846051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-20925474795452151772010-07-26T08:42:51.469-07:002010-07-26T08:42:51.469-07:00I've been reading agent response times for qui...I've been reading agent response times for quite a while now. Have seen authors sell with agents they were once excited to be with, then part ways. I can see this if the book isn't selling--but why part when things look like they're going well? It takes enough effort to get an agent the first time around. What do I need to find out beforehand or what do I need to do/not do as a client to avoid this problem?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-6373166159975271402010-07-25T20:36:41.444-07:002010-07-25T20:36:41.444-07:00Bradmouth:
1. I think that is cool. Particularly ...Bradmouth:<br /><br />1. I think that is cool. Particularly if you are taking a lesser-known character from those stories and following them.<br /><br />Be aware that in some cases (King Arthur is a good example, as is Robin Hood), people might have sort of strongly held notions about what those characters are like, and know a lot about what they supposedly did and said, what kind of arrows they would have used, who they were schtupping, etc. <br /><br />So if you decide to go off on some wild tangent with somebody else's fictional character or a character from myth or legend, just know that there are people ready to pick it apart and call you out on "mistakes", so you better do it well and for a good reason.<br /><br />2. Yes.Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-83687170892651254872010-07-25T20:32:54.644-07:002010-07-25T20:32:54.644-07:00Anon 5:04 - I don't even know what you are tal...Anon 5:04 - I don't even know what you are talking about.<br /><br />I care about how you tell the story. Like, cool characters, narrative arc, high stakes, tension, etc.<br /><br />Basic grammar and spelling is important so that people don't think you are a crazy person. <br /><br />As for "paragraph structure"?? Just make it like how a novel is. Nobody is grading you.Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-56318104421116550432010-07-25T20:30:12.081-07:002010-07-25T20:30:12.081-07:00Anon 4:18 STOP FOLLOWING ME!!!
Well, ok, you can ...Anon 4:18 STOP FOLLOWING ME!!!<br /><br />Well, ok, you can follow me. :)Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-35207713901621804262010-07-25T20:29:10.310-07:002010-07-25T20:29:10.310-07:00Kelley V: I think that boy pov books that are real...Kelley V: I think that boy pov books that are really girl-appealing (like for example, oh, all John Green books) do fine.<br /><br />And I have no feelings about those websites, I have never looked at them. But I am leery about the usefulness - I'd think that energy would be better spent finding a great real life crit group or something. I am sure there are some few success stories out of those venues - but I don't know anyone who has time to troll around websites all day looking for talent.Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-9830869130902280032010-07-25T20:26:02.513-07:002010-07-25T20:26:02.513-07:00What percentage of your submissions to editors are...<i>What percentage of your submissions to editors are sales? And how often does it occur that a no or a maybe from an editor becomes a yes?</i><br /><br />Anon 3:03 - I... have absolutely no idea how to do that math. I mean... do you mean how many books that I submit end up selling? Or how many ACTUAL SUBMISSIONS end up being ACTUAL SALES? Like, if I submit a manuscript to ten editors and it sells - are you counting that as 100%, or 10%?<br /><br />I am going to assume that you mean the former. I don't know - 70%? Maybe? I have never counted.<br /><br />And in MY experience, a no rarely turns into a yes. Though I know some examples of people for whom it has.Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-27745318498506691072010-07-25T20:21:09.458-07:002010-07-25T20:21:09.458-07:00Kim:
I don't know. I don't want to say a...Kim: <br /><br />I don't know. I don't want to say alive people, because I don't want anyone to think I would try to steal them from their current agents! So I guess... EB White, James Thurber and Margaret Wise Brown. None of whom probably even had agents.<br /><br />And my cat is an enigma. I think that she is most pleased when she is hiding in the dark and tripping people.Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-31852995723792466172010-07-25T20:18:07.334-07:002010-07-25T20:18:07.334-07:00Anon 2:32 - You will have to tell us your real nam...Anon 2:32 - You will have to tell us your real name if you want us to write you checks, so you might as well do it up front. It seems a bit creepy to not... what are you, trying to hide your identity? <br /><br />Just say So-and-so, writing as Such-and-such.<br /><br />And on your actual manuscript, in the corner where your contact info is, put your real name. Then the "byline" put your psuedonym.Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-1787321753600285092010-07-25T19:13:58.135-07:002010-07-25T19:13:58.135-07:001. How do you feel about manuscripts that use esta...1. How do you feel about manuscripts that use established characters, i.e. Robin Hood,King Midas (with the author's own spin, of course)?<br /><br />2. Do you agree with the widely held belief that the meaning of life is indeed 42?Bradmouthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14385623338389203893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-4217539311499780482010-07-25T17:04:12.110-07:002010-07-25T17:04:12.110-07:00I'm 28, so it's safe to say my college com...I'm 28, so it's safe to say my college composition class wasn't yesterday. I basically carried around a Harbrace Handbook while writing my novel, but I know I still probably do not have the paragraph structure down pat. Obviously spelling and grammar will be important when sending in my first 10 pages in a query, but how important is paragraph structure?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-2551836006692010302010-07-25T16:18:16.851-07:002010-07-25T16:18:16.851-07:00Is it wise to drink a latte at six o'clock at ...Is it wise to drink a latte at six o'clock at night in an establishment that receives bomb threats, overuses its air conditioning, and is filled with loud talkers? Something to consider as you form your answer. The lattes are good and the conversation is mind blowing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-90068639972528826922010-07-25T15:06:22.011-07:002010-07-25T15:06:22.011-07:00Oh, one more question. How do you feel about sites...Oh, one more question. How do you feel about sites such at Text Novel, Inkpop etc. where writers post their work to get opinions of readers and possibly getting it in front of an editor?Kelley Vitollohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13304868437913885003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-42940807083475669952010-07-25T15:04:14.135-07:002010-07-25T15:04:14.135-07:00I keep seeing posts in blogosphere on boy books: i...I keep seeing posts in blogosphere on boy books: if they're selling, why they're not etc. <br /><br />My WIP isn't a boy book, but it is written from a male POV. It's a quirky romance. <br /><br />I know I'd love to see more books written from the male POV. I love getting into the head of a guy and trying to think like they do. <br />Do you think it being written from the male POV makes it a tougher sell. Especially since it is a romance?Kelley Vitollohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13304868437913885003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-60381784126155479892010-07-25T15:03:41.778-07:002010-07-25T15:03:41.778-07:00What percentage of your submissions to editors are...What percentage of your submissions to editors are sales? And how often does it occur that a no or a maybe from an editor becomes a yes?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-44085570436378095732010-07-25T14:33:25.609-07:002010-07-25T14:33:25.609-07:00Hi, Lit. I have a question. If you could have an...Hi, Lit. I have a question. If you could have any author, either dead or alive as a client, who would it be?<br /><br />Oh, also what makes your cat happy? A certain type of food? Or like my own parrot, just tons of attention?<br /><br />Kim BaccelliaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-55783044238973698672010-07-25T14:32:24.574-07:002010-07-25T14:32:24.574-07:00Should a writer query with a pen name or a real na...Should a writer query with a pen name or a real name?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-63165554570560469902010-07-25T14:22:16.213-07:002010-07-25T14:22:16.213-07:00Thanks, Jenn. It's not exactly a normal query...Thanks, Jenn. It's not exactly a normal query situation, so I wasn't sure what to do. I was second place in a blog query contest, and my prize was a 50-page submission. I know the other two winners have heard back, so I guess I'll email her.Larissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08874147599272424056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-47225793151724134122010-07-25T14:06:16.275-07:002010-07-25T14:06:16.275-07:00Larissa: Well our policy is, no response means no ...Larissa: Well our policy is, no response means no on queries. But I'd usually suggest status querying after 12 weeks on a requested full.<br /><br />I've never requested a partial, I always go straight from sample to full! But if they didn't give you a timeline, I'd say a status query after 8 weeks would be fine.Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-76754337852864421362010-07-25T14:01:25.344-07:002010-07-25T14:01:25.344-07:00Anon 10:45 - If I were querying, I'd do my hom...Anon 10:45 - If I were querying, I'd do my homework and come up with a list of appropriate agents, then query them in small batches.<br /><br />If I got success the first time out, then yay! If I got rejections, I'd be able to recalibrate my query or pages and try the next batch.<br /><br />If I'd mass queried and been rejected by all, I'd have no chance to go back and try again with a retooled query.<br /><br />What I 100% x million would NOT EVER do is send out one query at a time. First of all, agents take a long time. One query at a time means you might BE a great-grandma before you get through your list.<br /><br />Second, if what you have is a really hot property and you query multiple agents, you will likely get at least one if not multiple offers... and if that happens, you'll have the opportunity to choose between them. If you only queried one, you'd limit yourself to the first person who says yes - and they'd be able to take as long as they wanted doing it, because they wouldn't have any competition! BOO.Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.com