tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post4945138599448269831..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Networking Through SubmissionsBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-61146249740263962772007-06-29T16:33:00.000-04:002007-06-29T16:33:00.000-04:00I can personally attest to the value of maintainin...I can personally attest to the value of maintaining a positive, professional attitude toward editors and agents even and especially when they turn you down. If I hadn't behaved professionally toward the editor who kept asking me for revisions, I would have missed a fantastic chance to improve my novel, as well as to get a referral to an excellent agent. Both the editor and that first agent ultimately turned my book down, but the first agent gave me a referral to a second agent, who fell in love with my ms. and signed me within the week. And he's been absolutely terrific, and I can't imagine having a better agent, so it all worked out very much for the best. None of it could have happened, though, if I'd flounced off in a huff, or otherwise been discourteous to the other editors and agents I met along the way.R.J. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04503519800068573393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-90124647782929001292007-06-25T23:27:00.000-04:002007-06-25T23:27:00.000-04:00Excellent points!Excellent points!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-43893273232870755322007-06-25T18:05:00.000-04:002007-06-25T18:05:00.000-04:00I never cease to be amazed at the number of people...I never cease to be amazed at the number of people who think they don't have to be professional. Sure, it's a craft, but it's also a "business". It's not just you kicking out a great story. It's trying to get people to read your stuff, or trying to...please? Sell your stuff.<BR/><BR/>A good comparison is cameras. I work under security cameras. I know they're there and I know they can be zoomed, and recordings can be kept, and any stupid thing I do can and will come back to haunt me. BUT people still act like they aren't there. My God, can't they look up?<BR/><BR/>No matter how much you want to be nasty, or just ignore people who've decided to ignore you. Be polite. Politeness is the lowest common denominator. And for Heaven's sake, don't blog your frustrations.<BR/><BR/>...and I think, it's time to know when to back away. Smiling and gracious as all get-out...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14553958040386480998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-68831217503753093992007-06-25T14:17:00.000-04:002007-06-25T14:17:00.000-04:00Wonderful advice Ms. Faust. Honestly, it's unfortu...Wonderful advice Ms. Faust. Honestly, it's unfortunate that in this world, we must be reminded of the importance of business conduct and politeness, but you're absolutely right. A first impression goes a long way in keeping important relationships flowing years after. In business, it's called networking. You hit it right on the head. <BR/><BR/>Thank you!Isabelle Santiagohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09447992284262446608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-31322440493787139242007-06-25T12:14:00.001-04:002007-06-25T12:14:00.001-04:00Gotta begin in rags I suppose to get richer, or ri...Gotta begin in rags I suppose to get richer, or rich at least. Middle-class?bhaddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00544038923263821686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-3355410877012094662007-06-25T12:14:00.000-04:002007-06-25T12:14:00.000-04:00Agents and publishers are to writers what Hollywoo...Agents and publishers are to writers what Hollywood celebrities are to everybody else. How does a writer befriend a "star" without appearing to be a sycophant?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-10178770203623637142007-06-25T11:30:00.000-04:002007-06-25T11:30:00.000-04:00One agent requested my full, offered suggestions f...One agent requested my full, offered suggestions for revisions which I completed in a week and a half, and then proceeded to sit on it for a year. Two follow up emails were ignored, but the third was acknowledged by the assistant. A year later, I had the opportunity to meet her during an RWA chapter meeting. I arrived, sparklingly clean and with fresh breath. I was enthusiastic. I introduced myself and gave her a thank you card. I could tell she couldn’t remember the story. I even paid money to do all of this networking. A week later, I received a form rejection. <BR/><BR/>I agree it’s important to network, but like reid observed, on the writer’s end, how far do we pursue a relationship? Especially if we can’t meet in person for whatever reason, and follow up emails to rejections are frowned upon (I’m referring to the personalized ones). I intend to query the agent again from the above scenario, but part of me feels like I’m making a little bit of a fool of myself, like I’m chasing after her like a little puppy dog.<BR/><BR/>JanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-14965539370866244882007-06-25T08:24:00.000-04:002007-06-25T08:24:00.000-04:00Excellent examples! My jaw always drops to my kne...Excellent examples! My jaw always drops to my kneecaps when someone says networking on the Internet is a waste of time for authors and aspiring authors alike. It drops to my toes when that someone is an industry professional!Kimber Lihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982239712083114488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-51689202773544901292007-06-25T07:54:00.000-04:002007-06-25T07:54:00.000-04:00Ah networking! Seems to be the key to everything i...Ah networking! Seems to be the key to everything in the publishing world these days. It makes sense of course, but it's always a difficult thing to get a firm grasp on and do well. Speaking of which, if I happen to run into you at upcoming nationals Jessica, remind me to buy you a drink or at least shake your hand and comment on the fabulous jewelry you happen to be wearing. :-)<BR/><BR/>JDuncan<BR/>www.jimnduncan.comJDuncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00487305836910594252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-10011292555297572552007-06-25T00:47:00.000-04:002007-06-25T00:47:00.000-04:00Since I'm trapped in the middle of the world betwe...Since I'm trapped in the middle of the world between the two coasts, my submissions to agents will have to be through mail and email. Of course, I will respond to any personal critiques, requests, or comments. Is there anything to be gained from responding to emails or rejections that don't ask for the full manuscript, or would I just be wasting time talking to agents who've already chosen to ignore me?<BR/><BR/>Love the blog, as always. Thanks for all you do.Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07055399941337038633noreply@blogger.com