tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post8181765867412124990..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Authorpass and Agentpass DayBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-84878401480959212222009-04-14T20:49:00.000-04:002009-04-14T20:49:00.000-04:00I know I'm way late to chime in here, but couldn't...I know I'm way late to chime in here, but couldn't resist. Just call it agentpass month. In a burst of excitement, I called (yes, yikes, major faux-pas) an agent I'd submitted to after I received an offer to buy directly from a publisher. I now realize I was still small potatoes to the agency world (this was not a big publisher). Still, this agent actually called me back to say she understood why I had called, but was still passing. I thought it was 'agent awesome' that she took the time to personally call me back to tell me rather than leave me hanging- which I would have understood once I'd realized my blunder.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-22479469024495622472009-04-08T08:15:00.000-04:002009-04-08T08:15:00.000-04:00thanks man its really helpfulthanks man its <A HREF="http://onlymessages.blogspot.com/2009/04/messages-of-day.html" REL="nofollow"> really helpful </A>Only Messageshttp://onlymessages.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-8699345554575926042009-04-07T11:59:00.000-04:002009-04-07T11:59:00.000-04:00Rachel Vater added hand-written comments to a reje...Rachel Vater added hand-written comments to a rejection. They were lovely and helpful. I took all her suggestions.<BR/><BR/>Janet Reid for her "Holy S* you can write!" She's a dear friend too.<BR/><BR/>Three editors kept me writing too. I still quit once a week. But Pixie Warrior saw publication. I small history book comes out this year. Two short stories are out there. I seriously would have given up if not for the two agents named above.<BR/><BR/>... And ... other authors ... A. C. Crispin who made me rewrite my first chapter more times than I can count. Hi Ann!<BR/><BR/>Medi (I'm not sure he'd want me to include his name) who is expert on medieval arms and armour who pointed out flaws in my pixie princess's adventure with a sword. How nice that was.<BR/><BR/>My editor too. Deena Fisher is very insightful. <BR/><BR/>And he from Xanth who sent kind words when one of his books knocked mine out off the number two spot on the mobipocket best seller in fantasy list. Pixies pouting! Indeed!<BR/><BR/>All these things mean much to me. <BR/><BR/>Janet Reid especially has sustained me with kind words through discouragment and ill health. Thanks so much.Sha'el, Princess of Pixieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14049854555801812071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-49055861530661291482009-04-07T01:49:00.000-04:002009-04-07T01:49:00.000-04:00Thank you for this. I haven't had any dealings wi...Thank you for this. I haven't had any dealings with agents yet (except for hearing them speak at our local RWA) and I wrote down the name of every agent mentioned in Agentpass. They will be on the top of my list to query. <BR/> <BR/>It's a shame to see the paltry number of writer's mentioned - but probably for the best too, given the business.Venus Vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01948376896570994277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-15133087208743017422009-04-05T22:06:00.000-04:002009-04-05T22:06:00.000-04:00Janet Reid; what a class act she is! I am always i...Janet Reid; what a class act she is! I am always inspired by her professionlism. I'd give anything to have her represent my genre.<BR/><BR/>Donald Maass; An incredibly inspiring dose of reality with every word. What more can an aspiring author ask for?<BR/><BR/>Nathan Bransford; for going above and beyond the call of duty to educate and inform.Vicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-33251942823074588222009-04-05T17:57:00.000-04:002009-04-05T17:57:00.000-04:00I'm still reading the comments on the AgentFail th...I'm still reading the comments on the AgentFail thread; I'm a day or two behind what with the day-job search and all. However, in light of the repeated comment of 'have an autoresponder for queries', I have to give a shout-out to Bliss Literary and the Onyxhawke Agency for doing just that. In both cases it was a simple 'the internet has not eaten your submission', but that's exactly what I was worried about, really. Also, for Onyxhawke, points for posting one version of his guidelines and linking to it everywhere else rather than reposting, meaning there is only one 'official' set of guidelines.Robert C Romanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13955223936635159755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-88368720908630599082009-04-05T15:57:00.000-04:002009-04-05T15:57:00.000-04:00Agida. That made me laugh. I only hear that word w...Agida. That made me laugh. I only hear that word when I go home to Buffalo, NY.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-55046731944208496362009-04-05T02:23:00.000-04:002009-04-05T02:23:00.000-04:00What about the wonderful agent of a friend, who of...What about the wonderful agent of a friend, who offered to answer any questions I might have, even though he passed on my partial, because he knew my querying situation was unusual and because he's a nice guy. I've taken him up on his offer, and he's responded quickly and kindly several times to questions. That's agentpass, for sure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-42228273688779288982009-04-04T23:10:00.000-04:002009-04-04T23:10:00.000-04:00I love love LOVE agents and writers who blog and h...I love love LOVE agents and writers who blog and help out newbies like me by writing about the industry. Publishing would have been completely unfathomable to me without all the wonderful blogs. I'm from a tiny country that doesn't really have much of a publishing industry so i really wouldn't have had any access to agents or editors if it weren't for the lovely informative blogs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62649528832041079282009-04-04T22:27:00.000-04:002009-04-04T22:27:00.000-04:00I have no agent and nothing ready for submission, ...I have no agent and nothing ready for submission, but I can tell you about three great agents I'd throw down for. The first needs no introduction. Everyone remembers the lovely Miss Snark. I remember when my friend Sonya first told me about her. I clicked over to her blog and remember saying, "Man, she's kinda mean." ROFL Naturally, she taught me more about this business than I could ever have dreamed I'd need to know. One of the things I learned was that she wasn't really mean. She was kind and charming and someone you would want to spend a lot of time with. Along with the next two candidates, she very graciously provided personal content for a birthday video I was making for a friend, which really made it special.<BR/><BR/>Scott Hoffman and Jeff Kleinman also sent birthday wishes for the video. I knew they'd met the birthday girl, so I sent them an email and asked if they would like to add their regards. I had replies and all the material I needed from them in less than fifteen minutes. <BR/><BR/>None of the three had to do it. They could have ignored my requests or taken weeks to get back to me, if at all. It's small kindnesses such as those that tell me these are three NICE people, human people with hearts, who I would love to have represent me if I could pick from every agent in the world.astrologymemphis.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08094432734141490681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-24662004598830384812009-04-04T20:00:00.000-04:002009-04-04T20:00:00.000-04:00While querying my first novel I received a rejecti...While querying my first novel I received a rejection on a partial that informed me how much the agent loved my voice and character, even though she wasn't crazy about the genre (YA fantasy.) She invited me to re-query with a more contemporary novel, and she returned my partial ms in an envelope...with a cookie recipe. AGENTWIN!!!<BR/><BR/>Honestly, I have had hardly any bad experiences with agents. I understand the reasons for "we can only respond to queries we're interested in" and I appreciate the "dang it, we'll send you a response even if it's a rejection because we're just that determined." I appreciate both form rejections and personalized rejections. I especially enjoy form rejections that are polite and encouraging - because it shows that even though the agent did not have time to write a personalized rejection, they care enough to be polite and courteous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-20714815394316915082009-04-04T18:41:00.000-04:002009-04-04T18:41:00.000-04:00Janet Reid took the time to sit down with me at a ...Janet Reid took the time to sit down with me at a conference to discuss my book. This was not a scheduled meet, it was her own time. I also had the opportunity to witness her interactions with a couple of her authors. When she gushes about how much she adores her clients, she's either absolutely genuine or she's the biggest sociopath I've ever met.<BR/><BR/>I didn't catch any other indicators of sociopathy, so I'm going with the genuine thing.<BR/><BR/>Barbara Poelle, same. Same conference, same obvious respect and regard for her clients. Also, she made me laugh out loud with her phrasing of a request recently, and funny = awesomeness.<BR/><BR/>Sorche Fairbank also took time out to discuss my manuscript with me, then sent me her notes scribbled on the original, at her own expense (I'd only encluded SASE for response, not for the materials).<BR/><BR/>Rupert Heath passed on the partial with a long response that was kinder than most full requests. When I thanked him, he responded with another long email sharing further thoughts about the book and it's place in the current market.<BR/><BR/>Holly Root is responsible for said funny email from Barbara Poelle. I've dealth with her twice now--once for each book--and I'd totally throw down with anyone who dissed her. Seriously.<BR/><BR/>Author Randall Peffer spent a lot of time with me over the course of two conferences, on his own time, to discuss my work and give advice and guidance. He's awesome distilled to it's essence.<BR/><BR/>Author Sophie Littlefield is soon to be published, and watch out. She's easily my favoritest about-to-be-a-superstar ever. She's unbelievably nice and funny, and freakishly supportive of anything that breathes.<BR/><BR/>There. Two agentfails, eight agent/authorpasses (including the one a little way up about Ben LeRoy), and I didn't even have to think about these. There are certainly many more.<BR/><BR/>The market may have gone to hell, but the people working in it haven't. Not by my math, anyway.<BR/><BR/>I'd also like to thank the Academy.Magshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05350451902814461987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-20902424139333781482009-04-04T16:20:00.000-04:002009-04-04T16:20:00.000-04:00I want to give a HUGE shout out to my totally awes...I want to give a HUGE shout out to my totally awesome agent, Kirsten Manges! She's amazing! And she's been really inspiring and supportive from the beginning! She's even learning a whole new genre just for me, after she signed me on for another genre. The best part is I count her as a friend. Jenni JamesJenni Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14340454147439103595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1706893387207514402009-04-04T15:48:00.000-04:002009-04-04T15:48:00.000-04:00Thanks to blogging writers, agents, editors-I lear...Thanks to blogging writers, agents, editors-I learn so much from you all, and know my writing has benefited.<BR/><BR/>Thanks to the agents who have replied and encouraged us to carry on-"this work has merit" helps when self doubt does creep in. <BR/><BR/>And in the same breath...<BR/><BR/>Thanks to the agencies still open to submissions. These are the-no reply means a no thank-you. Their other option is, I'm assuming, being closed. (there are a couple that are way up on my list, based on who they rep, and experiences of those being repped by them)<BR/><BR/>Thanks for having a web presence, a site, a blog, a page on publishers market place, agent query and so on...makes the researching "tip of fingers". <BR/><BR/>Thanks to the writers who blog about their agents, or share on boards who their agents are-helps with the researching as well!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-52691117505012473252009-04-04T14:10:00.000-04:002009-04-04T14:10:00.000-04:00Great stories! So why don't you give credit to th...Great stories! So why don't you give credit to these fab agents and ID them? You'd do us all a huge favor!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-4257367774670225532009-04-04T14:04:00.000-04:002009-04-04T14:04:00.000-04:00I got a phone call from an agent today. She called...I got a phone call from an agent today. She called to explain why my book wasn't the right fit for her and then offered suggestions on where it might be a better fit. I was so thrilled I couldn't use my words.Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17015145093527467238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-4946027133196118012009-04-04T13:18:00.000-04:002009-04-04T13:18:00.000-04:00I'm basically dittoing Carmen. My agent has a No R...I'm basically dittoing Carmen. My agent has a No Reply=No policy as well. The agency doesn't have a website. He doesn't blog or Twitter.<BR/><BR/>What he does do is respond to my emails almost immediately, from my query letter onward. What he does do is always, always keep me in mind when talking to editors; he's always looking to make a connection for me, to interest someone in my work, or to interest them in the idea of working with me at some point in the future. What he does do is always, always come to the phone immediately on the rare occasions when I have to call him about something, and what he doesn't do on those phone calls is rush me off the phone; he always has time for me, even if I'm just indulging in a few minutes of OT insecure moaning when the actual business part of the conversation is over.<BR/><BR/>He reads my submissions quickly. If a question comes up here's there. <BR/><BR/>I'm very happy, and consider myself very lucky; and as Carmen said, if I based my submissions solely on whether or not I would get a response, and whether or not the agency had a website, I never would have queried him. I'm so glad I did.<BR/><BR/>I'm grateful to all the blogging agents for taking the time. I'm grateful to all the blogging editors, as well, and to Evil Editor specifically. I'm grateful to everyone at Absolute Write and Writer Beware, and to all writers who take the time to post information on writing and publishing on their blogs (something I do as well). And to all of the agents, editors, writers, everyone who make up this community; who post on Twitter, who spend time at Facebook, who let us get to know them. I'm grateful to the agent who rejected me, but when I signed with my agent actually visited my blog to congratulate me; to the other agents and editors who have occasionally visited my blog and commented, as well. It means a lot, even after you have books on the shelves. <BR/><BR/><BR/>And to add another Miss Snark story...when I signed with my agent I emailed her and got a wonderful, enthusiastic response. When my book sold I emailed her again, and got an even more delightfully enthusiastic response; I literally had to leave the room for a minute, I was crying so hard and didn't want to scare my kids!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-37056745456806388622009-04-04T10:21:00.000-04:002009-04-04T10:21:00.000-04:00Since I am now kind of awake, I'll add some more.J...Since I am now kind of awake, I'll add some more.<BR/><BR/>Jacqueline Winspear. I met her at Surrey IWC in the elevator several times and each time she asked me how I was enjoying the conference. Later, I had a blue pencil with her and she was incredibly helpful. Very nice, very professional and classy lady as well as being a talented author.<BR/><BR/>Paul Stevens editor. I had a pitch appointment with him. I stumbled through my canned hook and he smiled when he should have groaned and rolled his eyes. We started talking about the main and the research I had done into the premise. He mentioned the trophy buckle I was wearing and said I obviously knew horses so that was a plus. It devolved into a discussion about Celtic and Sarmatian women warrior burial mounds. He asked how long it was. 165,000 words, but I'm trying to get it down to 135,000 words. Handed me a card and told me how to submit.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure these agents and editors get mortally sick of people stuttering out their speeches, but they find a way to put the person at ease.<BR/><BR/>Bernice Lever. A poet and teacher who graciously accepted a blue pencil with me even though I write epic fantasy. She gave me some very valuable advice on the manuscript even though she kept reminding herself, "Prose, Bernice, not poetry."<BR/><BR/>Jo Bourne, who has two Rita finalists this year, and is always so gracious with advice about writing. Such a talented writer and a gifted teacher.<BR/><BR/>Diana Gabaldon who is another very talented writer and yet finds time to teach and offer advice.<BR/><BR/>All the agents, authors and editors who do workshops and conferences. They really do make a difference.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-65072347524112509522009-04-04T10:03:00.000-04:002009-04-04T10:03:00.000-04:00I thought this was for agents and, writers... aren...I thought this was for agents and, writers... aren't any agents out there going to say somet positive things about writers? I'd love to hear some. Queryfail was so disheartening, it would be nice to hear an agent talk about the successes and the writers they love working with.--<BR/><BR/>If you follow agent blogs, they quite frequently mention why they like working with certain authors, what an author can do to impress an agent, what authors actually did to impress agents, what makes an author a pleasure to work with etc. So, in reality, every day is authorpass day.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-87536492086558848582009-04-04T09:31:00.000-04:002009-04-04T09:31:00.000-04:00I don't have an agent yet (still hoping), but I do...I don't have an agent yet (still hoping), but I do have my own good experiences here. I run a pitch session at a writer's conference and have seen some great things:<BR/><BR/>1. One agent was unable to attend because of a last minute family problem. One of the other agents took all her pitches in addition to his own. We had to work with him personally to help get him through all those people, but he saw every last one of them.<BR/><BR/>2. This one kid came in--probably eighteen or nineteen. Scared to death of the agents. We tried calming her down, but she was just too nervous. Got her over to the agent, and he made it a good first session for her. She came back smiling and happy she'd done it.<BR/><BR/>3. We always end up with a situation where we have a writer who was scheduled, but for whatever reason isn't able to see the agent (it ranges from they were given the wrong time, to their agent being called away, to the writer being late, etc.). When something like this happens, we let the writer wait while we start checking in to see if any agent can see them. In all cases, the only times the agents have refused to see the writers has been because they don't rep what the writer has. Otherwise, they've been gracious to take them, even when it means skipping their break.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62122302231872431412009-04-04T09:29:00.000-04:002009-04-04T09:29:00.000-04:00Kudos to the agents who take time out of their day...Kudos to the agents who take time out of their day to keep writers updated; Jessica, Nathan, Janet, Kristin, Rachel. We love you.<BR/><BR/>Thanks to the agents who know there will never be another Miss Snark and don't try to emulate her. <BR/><BR/>Thanks to the agents who respond quickly, yes or no, and allow me to get on with my life.<BR/><BR/>Thanks to the agents who take the time to comment on partials and fulls.<BR/><BR/>Thanks in particular to Kim Lionetti, who amusingly had the same problems with my ms. that I had before I sent it. :) <BR/><BR/>As for writers that send in to my lit 'zing: <BR/><BR/>Thanks to writers who understand that when I decline a short story, it isn't personal. I know you don't because you keep submitting work and I love that. Just because one piece won't work for us, doesn't mean I don't think you're a wonderful writer and another piece won't be a perfect fit. <BR/><BR/>Thanks to the writers who don't mind making revisions and take my suggestions for improving a piece seriously.<BR/><BR/>Thanks to writers don't think they need to suck up. <BR/><BR/>Thanks to the writers who do some of their own self-promotion - you are helping all of us, really. <BR/><BR/>Keep writing. <BR/><BR/>Keep agenting.<BR/><BR/>This really is a collaborative effort.Sarah J. MacManushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03430266551248332700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-35539232905666877282009-04-04T06:37:00.000-04:002009-04-04T06:37:00.000-04:00My agent is brutally honest, encouraging, tenaciou...My agent is brutally honest, encouraging, tenacious, and savvy. For 17 years, I sold books without an agent, but now, with the publishing climate changing so rapidly, I can't imagine being in this business without one. It is a team approach, too, and I've been thrilled with the process. Kudos to a fantastic agent!Maribethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00492032380857219242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-65495879745336087362009-04-04T01:27:00.000-04:002009-04-04T01:27:00.000-04:00With one exception my experience of searching for ...With one exception my experience of searching for an agent has been remarkably pleasant. Kudos to the agents who take a few seconds and write a short sentence for rejections. While it's not as long as form rejections, the personal touch is really nice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-10257592415235123142009-04-04T01:11:00.000-04:002009-04-04T01:11:00.000-04:00What? Only 100 comments? Maybe a lot of those ag...What? Only 100 comments? Maybe a lot of those agentfail comments were repeat snarkers...<BR/><BR/>Like most of these posts, I give thanks for all the agents who blog and freely give their time to educate writers about the publishing business.<BR/><BR/>I have to also give a shout out to Writer Beware, and Predators and Editors, who are clearly in the writer's corner.<BR/><BR/>And I'm extremely grateful for all the online writing communities, where people who live far from the madding crowds (like me) can connect with fellow writers.<BR/><BR/>There is much in this business that is good. We all should focus on those things, rather than stew in vitriol.Elissa Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10727748060605823895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-83976058756665600562009-04-04T00:57:00.000-04:002009-04-04T00:57:00.000-04:00Last night I was number #200 and tonight I think I...Last night I was number #200 and tonight I think I'm number #100. I guess more people like to complain. But, I have to tell you, as a former actor, literary agents are FAR better than talent agents in the way they treat people. I left the acting business for that reason. In spite of certain gripes, lit agents in general are a polite, civilized bunch. I'd love to see an Actor's Agentfail. It would be much, much worse. Their favorite word is: NEXT!green raynoreply@blogger.com