tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post1887447141210385319..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: The Sign of a Real ProBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-29743474755718219102010-02-10T14:21:36.214-05:002010-02-10T14:21:36.214-05:00Wow. I haven't had a chance to hop on the blog...Wow. I haven't had a chance to hop on the blogosphere this week until now, and it looks like I have really missed out.<br /><br />Suffice it to say that I am even more keenly aware of the different ways people perceive the writing process. Me personally, I relish the opportunity to adjust my work when I'm offered advice by someone who obviously has a lot of knowledge and experience. And I think it's crucial to point out that, while it's my name that ultimately ends up on the front of the book (and in the reviews), if I don't agree with what an agent or editor wants in a revision (especially to the point that I would think it affects said reviews of my work), then I should say so and face not continuing with the project. <br /><br />You see plenty of authors thanking their agents wholeheartedly in the acknowledgements sections of their successful books. It's not just for brokering deals, people. It's for all of the hard work that came before that deal took place, INCLUDING suggestions for revisions. Most agents have keen eyes and keener insights. I'm grateful for what they have to offer, even if it stings.<br /><br />Sometimes, the truth hurts. It's still the truth.<br /><br />Just my 2/c. I thought the original post was very insightful.Kimberly Kincaidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796741685901278761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-79058418965792667012010-02-08T15:08:12.545-05:002010-02-08T15:08:12.545-05:00I think the point was made that the willingness to...I think the point was made that the willingness to consider the informed opinions of other stake-holders and to revise intelligently based on their voices is a dividing line between an immature writer and a professional.<br /><br />The professional, having poured their life's blood into a manuscript is then able to take a step away from it and consider it, with a certain coolness, as a product that may need considerable polishing before it will sell well. <br /><br />The hobbyist defends every mole, flaw, streak and blemish and wastes the time and money of all concerned.<br /><br />And, if you aren't writing to make the sale, why are you submitting to agents and publishers?Bill in Detroithttp://nmwoodworks.com/gardeningnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-43378003788182542622010-02-08T09:43:50.614-05:002010-02-08T09:43:50.614-05:00I can understand Anon 12:54's opinion, I think...I can understand Anon 12:54's opinion, I think.<br /><br />If the agent or editor doesn't like the story, why are they requesting revisions in the first place?<br /><br />I think this is another big reason why I would need an agent and/or editor who is a *good communicator.* If a revision letter sounds like a demand that the author completely rewrite the book or else, then, of course, the author is going to be a little put out.Kimber Lihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982239712083114488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-56838216827024572992010-02-07T19:23:39.296-05:002010-02-07T19:23:39.296-05:00Revision is usually important, but I don't thi...Revision is usually important, but I don't think revision alone is what makes a masterful writer as opposed to maybe a professional one.Chaoticiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729966441858325348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-14820941762282414062010-02-05T21:26:35.062-05:002010-02-05T21:26:35.062-05:00I suggest anyone interested in the author/agent/pu...I suggest anyone interested in the author/agent/publisher/revision merry-go-round read John Masters' Pilgrim Son. It's autobiographic, covering his decision to become a writer, thru his success. It sheds a lot of light on how it looks to the author and what the choices are.steeleweedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02077739629921574784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-12098516085247177082010-02-05T12:54:51.740-05:002010-02-05T12:54:51.740-05:00With all due respect to the agents and authors her...With all due respect to the agents and authors here, I have to disagree w/ the premise of agent rewrites.<br /><br />I fully understand you are doing what you can to make the MS as strong as possible etc.<br /><br />But I want to be rejected if you think my work can;t be sold as is (or with some minor tuning). Seven revisions is co-authoring a book. I have no idea how to be n agent. That's why I need you. If you could write a steady stream of marketable books, you;d be an author.<br /><br />Editors are people handing you money (ok not by hand, but you get the idea!) so if they want a revision (and you agree with it) DO IT. IF an agent makes a suggestion and it makes sense to you - fine.<br /><br />If an agent says rewrite this or I won;t send it out - you need a new agent because you are not on the same page (oooooh bad pun... bad bad bad)<br /><br />Anyway, I hope none of this is taken as a flame, I have no reason to think ill of anyone who has posted here, and I hope none of this is taken personally.<br /><br />I simply feel that as an author I am asking the agent to send my work out and negotiate deals on my behalf. I welcome feedback and advice, but I do not rewrite for anyone who is not paying for the work. Again, if my agent thinks it won't sell as is, he is free to reject it. I fully expect that he will. If not, I would ask that he try to sell it and leave the revision requests to the people who want to publish it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-25109528857519267622010-02-05T06:30:44.526-05:002010-02-05T06:30:44.526-05:00Great post, Jessica. I think it's great to hav...Great post, Jessica. I think it's great to have an agent who's a partner on your work.<br /><br />I've been blogging about the Austin SCBWI conference this week, and agents doing edits came up in a few presentations. Agent Nathan Bransford, for example, said that with the state of the publishing industry, houses aren't taking chances on books and authors the way they used to, and with fewer editors on the payroll, each doing more work, there's less time for editors to work on a book. So, publishers are looking for books that are pretty much shelf-ready. Because of this, it's important for agents to do whatever they can to help the author get that book as good as it can be before it goes out to an editor so the book can sell. Nathan also said that he doesn't impose his vision of what the book should be but helps bring out the writer's vision.<br /><br />Editors and other agents at the conference echoed what Nathan said. One editor said that when they take on a book, they don't know how well a writer can revise. So, if it's a new author, they prefer to have a book really close to shelf ready in case the author isn't a good reviser and they have to print the book as is.<br /><br />Ultimately, publishing is a business, and a bad book isn't going to make money, so there's no reason for an agent or editor to make suggestions that will hurt a book. They both want the book to succeed so they can make money.<br /><br />Both agents and editors at the conference said the revision process is a back and forth and everyone is trying to make the best book possible. And, authors should trust their instincts. If they don't agree with a note given by an agent or editor, they should say so. Be professional, consider all the notes, take what works and revise, and explain why they don't agree with the notes they don't feel will work. Often better ways can be found through the back and forth, but ultimately -- and again, both the editors and agents said this -- it's the author's name on the book, so the author has the final say. The author doesn't have to agree, and doesn't have to make the change.<br /><br />If an author makes changes the agent suggested, the author should agree with those changes.<br /><br />This is why, as Nathan said, it's so important for a writer to have the RIGHT agent, not an agent. Because they have to trust each other and see eye to eye.Samantha Clarkhttp://daybydaywriter.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-33189060432142202512010-02-04T08:44:40.820-05:002010-02-04T08:44:40.820-05:00Late to the party here, but I had to respond, havi...Late to the party here, but I had to respond, having just gone through revisions with Jessica on my seventh contracted book. She's invaluable to me in helping me see the big picture, since I'm so deep into the words and sentence structure I sometimes can't see the forest for the trees. And I know what's in my head--well, sometimes I can't quite remember if what's in my head stayed on the paper--so it's great to get a fresh read from someone who's very interested in seeing me succeed and my career grow. <br /><br />Jessica doesn't give me a line edit--she just tells me what in the story didn't work for her. She'll often give me suggested fixes which I often don't agree with. This time she suggested developing one aspect of the story more, but I didn't want to go that way so instead I decided to tone that part down. The point wasn't the specific fix, it was that there was a problem. I ran the revised story by her and she thought it worked the way I'd done it.<br /><br />I sometimes fuss at her when we have these conversations, but I know from experience the process always makes the book better.<br /><br />I've found that editors don't always have time to edit--or at least not as promptly as I'd like. Also when up against a deadline, I can't get the perspective I need to see what is working and what isn't.Sally MacKenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15166303880685146915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-73680404016558846772010-02-04T01:05:12.227-05:002010-02-04T01:05:12.227-05:00Thanks for the reply Kim! That makes a lot more se...Thanks for the reply Kim! That makes a lot more sense now (actually I don't know why I didn't think of it before... it seems so obvious??)<br /><br />Thanks again :)<br /><br />- Anon 6:51Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-70795242714811554282010-02-03T21:23:07.707-05:002010-02-03T21:23:07.707-05:00To tell you the truth, then, I'm no pro.
Yet....To tell you the truth, then, I'm no pro.<br /><br />Yet.<br /><br />The last time I interacted with an editor, she wanted me to rewrite history. I was so flabberghasted that she believed I made up my facts after MONTHS of research, I never responded. I had no idea what to do, except clean the coffee spit off my computer screen. An agent really would have come in handy.<br /><br />I still have no idea how to handle a situation like that.Kimber Lihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982239712083114488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-35493635587062880782010-02-03T21:09:24.144-05:002010-02-03T21:09:24.144-05:00I'd expect, and I'm sure most writers woul...I'd expect, and I'm sure most writers would too, that revisions will occur. I want my best work to be read, and I tend to lose objectivity. Bravo to you for being passionate and committed to your authors.Simon Hayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09384384882217609761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-59078508260746091782010-02-03T20:59:38.961-05:002010-02-03T20:59:38.961-05:00PS:
You want to see an agent or editor run faster...PS:<br /><br />You want to see an agent or editor run faster than a speeding bullet?<br /><br />When book reviewers slam something in a book that they advised the client to write.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-89871311735761853852010-02-03T20:56:49.230-05:002010-02-03T20:56:49.230-05:00"Why would anyone turn down an opportunity to..."Why would anyone turn down an opportunity to have two different experts (agent and editor) helping them better their book - and therefore, their career?"<br /><br />Some of you people are so dense. <br /><br />The writer takes the final hit, not the agent, editor, or publisher. And if you can't trust your own instincts as a writer, maybe you shouldn't be doing it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-51408925169943944522010-02-03T20:52:46.420-05:002010-02-03T20:52:46.420-05:00Thanks Kim:
That makes a lot of sense. I, for one...Thanks Kim:<br /><br />That makes a lot of sense. I, for one, WANT an agent who makes revision suggestions. Why would anyone turn down an opportunity to have two different experts (agent and editor) helping them better their book - and therefore, their career?<br /><br />As for all you folks who seem to be in a perpetual bad mood or unnecessarily negative....you don't deserve agents like Kim and Jessica.<br /><br />Anon 10:33Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-68498039186872184122010-02-03T20:50:19.985-05:002010-02-03T20:50:19.985-05:00I think I did well working with the editor on my l...I think I did well working with the editor on my last novel, but I've had only one similarly good experience with an agent. A couple of other agents signed me, sent notes, and when I wanted to discuss them suddenly they were unavailable. I got the feeling that I was a "problem" client, and before long I wasn't a client any more.<br /><br />I'll be searching for an agent again in a few months, and that is my biggest fear. That they will not want to hear from me about their notes, they will just want me to execute. Sigh.Lorelei Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07639663436142251951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-29131473540446336232010-02-03T20:36:00.525-05:002010-02-03T20:36:00.525-05:00"That's the mark of professionalism that ..."That's the mark of professionalism that Jessica's talking about."<br /><br />That's one way to look at it, I'm sure.<br /><br />But another mark of professionalism, for a writer, is to agree with everything, smile and nod, and then figure out a way to get what you want without bruising anyone's inflated ego. There's a psychology involved that comes with time and experience. <br /><br />When it ultimately comes down to who is going to take the heat in reviews and comments on a book, it's the author. No one else! And I've seen too many good authors take the heat because an agent, editor, or some other know-it-all made the wrong suggestions. The one thing I've never seen is a blog post about this topic. I wonder why. Could it be that when this happens everyone who gave the adivce jumps ship and leaves the author stranded?<br /><br />Sorry for the rant. I understand this post wasn't written with bad intentions. But when you're posting about author-agent relationships you should take into consideration that there aren't just unpubbed writers reading these posts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-2060559303412361832010-02-03T20:11:10.808-05:002010-02-03T20:11:10.808-05:00"I think, however, that most of our clients w..."I think, however, that most of our clients would disagree with you."<br /><br />I'm sure they would, in front of you. Unfortunately, you have no way of knowing what they are really thinking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-92071040564640950932010-02-03T19:54:51.580-05:002010-02-03T19:54:51.580-05:00Anonymous 3:04--It must be nice to have your confi...Anonymous 3:04--It must be nice to have your confidence. I take all the advice I can get. :)Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78667979728935226202010-02-03T19:17:32.283-05:002010-02-03T19:17:32.283-05:00Anon 10:33 and 6:51 --
After offering representat...Anon 10:33 and 6:51 --<br /><br />After offering representation on a manuscript, we rarely ask that the book be "gutted" or completely rewritten. If it requires that much work but we still like the writing, then we would more likely offer editorial advice and tell the writer that if they choose to take our suggestions and would like to resubmit, we'd be happy to take another look. That said, I don't think I've ever taken on a client and told them I didn't think the manuscript needed any work at all. It's probably more than just grammar issues, but less than an entire reworking. For example -- a section could be tightened here to improve the pacing, or when the character says this it's really hard to sympathize with him, etc.... <br /><br />I do discuss these issues with the writer when I first offer representation. Sometimes they like my suggestions and it encourages them to sign with me. Sometimes another agent's response resonates with them more and they go elsewhere.<br /><br />For established clients on their second, fourth or seventh book, however, we often become their critique partner and so we become more involved from the very beginning. Unlike their first book that we offered on, they haven't had as much time to hone or receive as much feedback from peers, so they welcome revisions. As Jessica said, they may not always agree with our suggestions and that's fine, because ultimately we understand that it's their book. But it's important that we respect one another's perspectives and remain open to hearing each other out. That's the mark of professionalism that Jessica's talking about.Kim Lionettinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-65928581350436575402010-02-03T19:12:02.882-05:002010-02-03T19:12:02.882-05:00Timely post, Jessica. I will be getting my editor&...Timely post, Jessica. I will be getting my editor's revisions at the end of the week. While not extensive (this is entirely subjective of course), they may require a fair bit of rewriting. Three or four things I will have to think about. Will be interesting to get these and see exactly what this means. This is my first go around with this process, and it's both exciting and intimidating. I handle critique fairly well, so not worried much on that end. My greatest fear really is that the editor's view will veer in a direction radically different than my own. While I don't foresee this, I trust she knows what needs to happen to make this story better and more viable for the market and because this is a series, orienting things for the long run. This isn't something I have expertise in. I've never written a series, so how can I do anything but trust the ones who have the expertise? Besides, they want my story to succeed as much as I do. We're in this together, and while I'm putting the words on the page, this is now a group effort. And I for one and happy to be a part of it.JDuncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00487305836910594252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-21936689600545387202010-02-03T18:51:32.652-05:002010-02-03T18:51:32.652-05:00I'm with Anon 10:33- posts like these make me ...I'm with Anon 10:33- posts like these make me so confused. Everyone always insists that before you even think about sending off to agents your MS has to be pretty much perfect, which to me translates as, "Your work must be a masterpiece or else it's Form Rejection for you." <br /><br />So I guess my question is, what kind of editing gets done by agents/editors? Is it small things like grammar/wording/inconsistencies? Or is it big things like character/plot in general?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-17293180965699142412010-02-03T18:38:06.524-05:002010-02-03T18:38:06.524-05:00Kim:
Your comment made me curious, so I checked ...Kim: <br /><br />Your comment made me curious, so I checked Gordon's blog. You don't love it? It's exactly what I'd write, were I afflicted with some terrible disease that prevented dissimulation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1793671920700771932010-02-03T17:17:18.860-05:002010-02-03T17:17:18.860-05:00Gordon:
I've seen your blog. You're the l...Gordon:<br /><br />I've seen your blog. You're the last person I'd listen to on how to speak to other human beings.Kim Lionettinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-56585031133887689112010-02-03T17:12:07.014-05:002010-02-03T17:12:07.014-05:00yawn. princess gordo is a doucheyawn. princess gordo is a doucheAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-88009674209661262842010-02-03T16:55:38.936-05:002010-02-03T16:55:38.936-05:00You are insane. I'm taking a closer look at yo...You are insane. I'm taking a closer look at your last two posts in my blog tomorrow.<br /><br />You must be coming apart--no one talks to other human beings this way.<br /><br />Gordon Jerome<br /><a href="http://literaryexperience.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">A Literary Experience</a>Gordon Jeromehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388580995877537254noreply@blogger.com