tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post7075748245860271683..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: What Will You Do to Publish?BookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-45535170108071747062009-11-28T19:16:22.602-05:002009-11-28T19:16:22.602-05:00I liked Donna Lea Simpson's comment. Writing f...I liked Donna Lea Simpson's comment. Writing for a career is so much easier when you can find things you love in any project. I like to set myself challenges, because if someone tells me I can't do something, I get a great deal of satisfaction over figuring out how to accomplish it anyway. But I also have my own stories and they grab me and make me write them. I've been fortunate enough to find an audience for them, so I'm hopeful that I can keep that up. <br /><br />But great post, and great contrast between writing because you love it and writing to make money. A lot of people assume that the second follows automatically from the first. Not hardly.Kyell Goldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12831115316129990378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-48346799961885218462009-11-24T21:59:26.714-05:002009-11-24T21:59:26.714-05:00Kim:
Sign me up for the project, lol! I'd lo...Kim:<br /><br />Sign me up for the project, lol! I'd love to ghost write. I think it'd be more fun than coming up with my own ideas (I'm totally paranoid I only have this one idea in me) and having someone monitor and keep you on a dead line would work for me<br /><br />This "publishing process" has got me not even wanting to edit/revise the last two novels in the series until the first gets some sort of bite. And I only do short stories when my writers group pressures me to produce something by a certain deadline.<br /><br />Hmm, guess that makes me a hack?<br /><br />......dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-38161531879351011112009-11-24T21:38:34.575-05:002009-11-24T21:38:34.575-05:00I'm of the feeling I could get passionate or a...I'm of the feeling I could get passionate or at least care about anything. Just give me a scenario idea, a couple details you want incorporated, and I'd get there. I'm addicted to the challenge of the project.<br /><br />I write because I enjoy it, but I also write to get published. I don't even have to make anything off of it - well someday I hope my own novels make me a modest living - but sometimes just being creative and knowing someone will look at it, enjoy it, is enough.dolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-69758300531355952072009-11-24T03:42:48.779-05:002009-11-24T03:42:48.779-05:00Wondering now if my agency does this...?
Yeah, it...Wondering now if my agency does this...?<br /><br />Yeah, it would have to connect with me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-16599153668573207572009-11-24T03:15:10.978-05:002009-11-24T03:15:10.978-05:00I'd do it, as long as I felt some connection w...I'd do it, as long as I felt some connection with the story. Sure, I'd like to write my own stories one day, but writing someone else's during the day and my own at night is closer to what I want to do than working a day job and writing my own stories at night. It would be great experience and very enjoyable, as long as there was some leeway, as another commenter said.Bronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13029635239132926178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-76054432828283145012009-11-24T01:35:04.342-05:002009-11-24T01:35:04.342-05:00Jessica,this is my first time to comment on your b...Jessica,this is my first time to comment on your blog; though, i have been following it for a year now.<br /><br />its my pleasure to appreciate you, i have learnt a lot from your blog.I'm that kind of author; "simply to write and allow your creativity to flow." if i may quote from your post.Kim hankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01035882374339553327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-50702402335850236572009-11-23T22:51:49.959-05:002009-11-23T22:51:49.959-05:00Well said, Jessica! Passion plays an important rol...Well said, Jessica! Passion plays an important role in writing because it's the thing that motivates and keep writers going despite the challenges. I've learned a lot from your post. Thanks a lot!BookWhirl.comhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Book-Marketing-Services-BookWhirlcom/114852370417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-86467134562252599912009-11-23T21:04:45.376-05:002009-11-23T21:04:45.376-05:00Writing is what I do a living, and the only job I&...Writing is what I do a living, and the only job I've had since I was 20 years old. Over the years, I've written almost every kind of material on every kind of subject -- magazine articles, essays, fiction, humor columns,scripts, speeches, videos, white papers, ads, direct mail and more. The reality is if you pay me enough I can't imagine anything I wouldn't write. <br /><br />Some projects I am passionate about, some I do entirely for money. I go to my Starbucks office everyday and begin at 8.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-66508103482555829262009-11-23T20:38:39.955-05:002009-11-23T20:38:39.955-05:00I never thought of the ideas coming from the agent...I never thought of the ideas coming from the agents or editors or publishers. Very interesting post!!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-14469622836690490802009-11-23T20:34:13.967-05:002009-11-23T20:34:13.967-05:00Kim,
Well then I stand corrected!
It can happen....Kim,<br /><br />Well then I stand corrected!<br /><br />It can happen. <br /><br />Still, I doubt it happens very often.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-9079141907293582762009-11-23T20:24:57.022-05:002009-11-23T20:24:57.022-05:00Anonymous 7:07 --
Yes.
Many of them were already...Anonymous 7:07 --<br /><br />Yes.<br /><br />Many of them were already clients that we hadn't sold yet. A few were authors who'd submitted to us in the past and left a lasting impression even if we didn't think that specific project had been marketable.Kim Lionettinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-77675249921368729112009-11-23T19:07:50.021-05:002009-11-23T19:07:50.021-05:00"Actually, that's not true. I've had ..."Actually, that's not true. I've had successful projects with writers who weren't previously published where the idea had originated with BookEnds or a publishing house."<br /><br />So you mean to say that you have taken an idea that originated "at Bookends" or somewhere else, approached an unpublished writer (how did you even know of them--rejected from the sluch?) and asked them to write this other person's idea? And the writer said Yes, and then you sold it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-81665500472886271582009-11-23T18:42:20.285-05:002009-11-23T18:42:20.285-05:00I never saw myself writing YA. Ever.
But I'...I never saw myself writing YA. Ever. <br /><br />But I've come to learn that whatever I decide to try always ends up just as thrilling as the rest. <br /><br />My voice is my voice. My wild imagination functions the same anywhere. Now I feel like I could write a great romance about Mud People and it would be a riot to write--and read.<br /><br />Lesli Muir Lytle<br />w/a Ainsley MacQueenLesil Muir Lytlenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-35401642263665242062009-11-23T18:35:59.635-05:002009-11-23T18:35:59.635-05:00Anonymous 3:00 -
Actually, that's not true. ...Anonymous 3:00 -<br /><br />Actually, that's not true. I've had successful projects with writers who weren't previously published where the idea had originated with BookEnds or a publishing house.Kim Lionettinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-86445170238538094292009-11-23T18:23:34.560-05:002009-11-23T18:23:34.560-05:00I am going to go with the Ghostbusters answer...
...I am going to go with the Ghostbusters answer...<br /><br />"If there is a steady paycheck in it, I will believe anything you want."<br /><br />I would love to write series fiction or write-to-order for a specific series. I came very close to doing that last year (the series I was working on got shut down).evilphiliphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10100843889719733921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-50601022341923020262009-11-23T18:19:06.182-05:002009-11-23T18:19:06.182-05:00I love YA, but more in the vein of Holes. So I was...I love YA, but more in the vein of Holes. So I was surprised when I got a fabulous idea for a paranormal YA. I should point out I write contemporary romance. This had no romance, but I was passionate about this book and the ones in the back of my mind.<br /><br />But, after that could I keep writing it? Maybe if another idea popped up that made me want to sit down and write it.<br /><br />Career author or not, I think once you limit what you write you are doing yourself a disservice. A double disservice (yes, I know no such thing exists) if you could get paid for it.<br /><br />Donna Lea, did not know that about Lawrence Block.Melissa Bluehttp://melissablue.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-43863878419943273442009-11-23T17:03:32.312-05:002009-11-23T17:03:32.312-05:00I've always loved to write. You can find a sh...I've always loved to write. You can find a short story on my blog that explains what started me on that journey, but you are correct to say that it is different from publishing. I never imagined myself trying to become a published author for real until very recently. Now, as I build my contacts, study the lingo, polish the script, learn the do's and don'ts, I really believe that I can do it. Time will tell and hopefully my effort will not be in vain. Thank you for this post, it was great!Voidwalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06688751100806767843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-63043354546995396222009-11-23T16:40:51.841-05:002009-11-23T16:40:51.841-05:00I feel brainstorming is beneficial. I have an acti...I feel brainstorming is beneficial. I have an active imagination, but sometimes I'll get stuck on a plot point. When someone is available to offer a quick idea, it greases the wheels so to speak. I'm always thankful for a nudge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-64453192111765092402009-11-23T15:00:31.962-05:002009-11-23T15:00:31.962-05:00No one is going to offer an idea to an unpublished...No one is going to offer an idea to an unpublished writer. <br /><br />This is someting to worry about only once you are established and are perhaps in between projects.<br /><br />Otherwise, it's just ghostwriting, where you're paid a fee to write down someone else's story because they can't or don't want to write it themselves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-57679200762493978062009-11-23T14:53:09.494-05:002009-11-23T14:53:09.494-05:00It depends on how fleshed out the ideas were. If a...It depends on how fleshed out the ideas were. If an editor asked me to write a novel about "A civil war buff with a penchant for using live ammo in civil war reeanctments who becomes the South's most wanted serial killer," with everyhting else being up to me--there's a lot of leeway there for creativity. <br /><br />I wouldn't want to have to conform to a preexisting detailed outline, but I would consider writing on a general idea if I was asked (and was being paid an advance) to do it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-68098781395976578312009-11-23T14:49:52.420-05:002009-11-23T14:49:52.420-05:00"Are you willing to write anything to build a..."Are you willing to write anything to build a publishing career or would you prefer to develop your own ideas and wait it out if necessary?"<br /><br />No. The reason I got into writing novels in the firt place is as an outlet for ,my own ideas, so I'd wait it out if necessary until my own ideas hit.<br /><br />I already have a job. Writing other people's ideas out is just a job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-44651299550010124772009-11-23T14:11:50.365-05:002009-11-23T14:11:50.365-05:00Sphinx wrote:
"What am I willing to do to ge...Sphinx wrote:<br /><br />"What am I willing to do to get published? Well, I've known now published writers who were willing to completely and utterly rewrite their idea on a finished mss due to publishing folk wanting a different direction with the novel. I'm not sure I could do that on a finished mss, where I've already seen and lived the story."<br /><br />This is somewhat what I'm doing now, as I work on agent revisions. Not completely and utterly rewriting the story, as my novel's world remains intact, but rewriting the middle of the ms to better fit the market and the editors we'll submit to in the future. <br /><br />Writing is my job AND my joy. In my head, the two happily comingle. I want to write, and as long as I get to write, I'm in Heaven. I'd do it with or without pay, but I'm aiming for a writing career. <br /><br />The really interesting part has been how an agent's ideas can actually add more awesomeness to a story. I'm excited as I rewrite, which isn't difficult, because the ideas will definitely make the book stronger. <br /><br />That's the bottom line for me, with an already written work -- making it the best it can be, or, even stronger. <br /><br />When we're unagented and unpublished, we write for ourselves. That's fine for hobby writing. But when publishing is involved, and agents and publishers are taking a chance on a writer, shelling out time and money, and when others' livlihoods depend upon the writer's work, things change, as they should. <br /><br />That's when your novel goes from being your "baby" to your "work product", as it must.<br /><br />If a writer wants to write whatever they want without changing a thing, or without input from agents or pros, (which I don't think is the way to go for the strongest ms), the writer would have to make it a long-term goal. I'm sure, for example, Stephen King can do this now, but I doubt he could've when he first started out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-53210540732226912802009-11-23T14:00:52.214-05:002009-11-23T14:00:52.214-05:00In the beginning I wrote because I had to, wanted ...In the beginning I wrote because I had to, wanted to, just couldn't stop myself. Then I hit a point where I realized this would make an awesome career. Imagine getting paid to do what you love? Wow, what a concept! <br />So I've been working toward making it a career. It's a long haul, I have lots of rejection letters (I call them notches in my writer's belt) and I've met some wonderful writers (pub and pre-pub), agents and editors in critique groups and writers circles. <br />I live by the motto; Never, never, never give up.Aimlesswriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03012050763172251381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-23569782572869554142009-11-23T13:49:22.541-05:002009-11-23T13:49:22.541-05:00I want to be a career author, but I was surprised ...I want to be a career author, but I was surprised when asked to write a particular book and found it so hard because I couldn't write my best about a subject that didn't click, and I couldn't submit anything less than my best. Still don't know where that one's going.Sheila Deethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465615546936319164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-40619769750028882082009-11-23T13:45:27.954-05:002009-11-23T13:45:27.954-05:00This is interesting. There are definitely things I...This is interesting. There are definitely things I could never write (porn, Christian-apologies to anyone who thinks I mean to suggest there's a connection b/t the two),but, yes, I'd certainly be willing to at least consider a suggestion re something I've not yet thought about. I am in this for both the passion and the desire to make money from it. I was once asked to change the murderer in a ms I'd completed (my publisher loved the book but did not like the murderer I'd chosen). I did it without any objection and it turned out to be the best learning experience I've ever had.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com