tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post116171147928904340..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: OrganizationBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1165024704257663252006-12-01T20:58:00.000-05:002006-12-01T20:58:00.000-05:00Each book I write has it's own folder in My Docume...Each book I write has it's own folder in My Documents, and in each folder is a file titled Submission History. When I send out a query, I add it to the history under either Agent or Publisher with the name and address of the individual I submitted to, the date I sent it out, and the response. It's easy to keep up to date.Tori Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02514585159442285006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164963232636813522006-12-01T03:53:00.000-05:002006-12-01T03:53:00.000-05:00Sorry, I don't normally go around posting on blogs...Sorry, I don't normally go around posting on blogs to try to generate sales for my friend, but it seemed to fit the theme of the original posting and I know that a lot of people have trouble keeping track of short story and novel submissions, I know I do.<BR/><BR/>I apologize if it sounded like spam.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164963045720582712006-12-01T03:50:00.000-05:002006-12-01T03:50:00.000-05:00A friend of mine created a submission tracking sof...A friend of mine created a submission tracking software program called 'Write Again!' It's pretty awesome and simple to use. The price is reasonable and there's a 30 day free trial if you'd like to try it out first.<BR/><BR/>Here's the link: http://www.write-again.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164933804702710652006-11-30T19:43:00.001-05:002006-11-30T19:43:00.001-05:00When I was submitting query letters, I covered an...When I was submitting query letters, I covered an entire room with orange posters. Each poster contained a column listing the name of the agency, the date the query was mailed, and columns for form rejection letters, comments received, and manuscript requests (and the date I sent those off). On one hand, the amount of check marks under the form rejection letters were a downer, but on the other hand, the smiley faces I made next to agents who had written me personal notes or requested more of my work kept my head in the game. I wish I had kept those posters - to show other writers an organized view of the "finding an agent" process. Luckily, Jessica was one of the agents who requested my work and talking to her on the phone sealed the deal. Good luck with your posters, folks!jbstanleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05839153589205692508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164933797587182532006-11-30T19:43:00.000-05:002006-11-30T19:43:00.000-05:00When I was submitting query letters, I covered an...When I was submitting query letters, I covered an entire room with orange posters. Each poster contained a column listing the name of the agency, the date the query was mailed, and columns for form rejection letters, comments received, and manuscript requests (and the date I sent those off). On one hand, the amount of check marks under the form rejection letters were a downer, but on the other hand, the smiley faces I made next to agents who had written me personal notes or requested more of my work kept my head in the game. I wish I had kept those posters - to show other writers an organized view of the "finding an agent" process. Luckily, Jessica was one of the agents who requested my work and talking to her on the phone sealed the deal. Good luck with your posters, folks!jbstanleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05839153589205692508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164929349439082352006-11-30T18:29:00.000-05:002006-11-30T18:29:00.000-05:00I use a sumbission tracker sheet that notes the da...I use a sumbission tracker sheet that notes the date, title of submission, where I sent it and the response. I also keep files for all my novels and articles and file copies on all correspondence in it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164929053415226942006-11-30T18:24:00.000-05:002006-11-30T18:24:00.000-05:00I keep a word document with my manuscripts logged,...I keep a word document with my manuscripts logged, who I've submitted to, the date and what the response is. I tried a spreadsheet and a calendar but that didn't work for me.Lexihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11897165800930936073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164920140350144692006-11-30T15:55:00.000-05:002006-11-30T15:55:00.000-05:00I'm supremely anal and organized (which bodes well...I'm supremely anal and organized (which bodes well for my day job as an Executive Assistant to a bank VP), so I have a spreadsheet listing all of the pertinent contact info, dates, results etc. It has a tab for each mss and I color code if something is out on submission (pink) or if it's been rejected (Green). This way, I can see at a glance what I've got out there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164911370779387092006-11-30T13:29:00.000-05:002006-11-30T13:29:00.000-05:00Actually, since I mail stuff out for a living and ...Actually, since I mail stuff out for a living and have the world's least reliable post office, I use a mail program called Endicia. It creates postage and logs everything I send out with descriptions. So at the end of every month, I go through the log and put the info into a database. The log allows me to remember not only what agency, but what agent I sent stuff to, so I don't have to enter the information into the database with every mailing, which I would NEVER do because I am not that organized!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164907105039274922006-11-30T12:18:00.000-05:002006-11-30T12:18:00.000-05:00I've heard several people who have used this free ...I've heard several people who have used this free software that it is great - it is probably like a spread sheet or something similar to what you all have set up - but it is nice to have something to fashion your things on<BR/><BR/>http://members.iinet.net.au/~simonh/spacejock/Sonar.html<BR/><BR/>His website also has things like yWriter - (for writing your book, keeping track of characters, notes about this and that, scenes - you can save it as a whole or individual scene/chapter/whatever<BR/><BR/>and yBook - where you can put your information in (download from your saved files) to show you what your book will look like in print (I'm guessing standard paperback size, but may be adjustable - don't know haven't used it since most everything I write is short stories.)<BR/><BR/><BR/>Hope this helps everyone - E :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164901935075152032006-11-30T10:52:00.000-05:002006-11-30T10:52:00.000-05:00I'm picturing your page for me in your handy littl...I'm picturing your page for me in your handy little notebook and imagine there's a note at the top reading, "Pain in the butt" or something similar! My life exists primarily in my Outlook calendar. If it weren't for those little reminders popping up to remind me to do things, I'd never get anything done. I've also got files for receipts and royalty statements, and lists tacked to the office wall with my deadlines in large print. I've never learned to do a spreadsheet, but I do keep notes about everything. I have to. At my age, my brain is full.Kate Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05486916548114546095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164900004700231022006-11-30T10:20:00.000-05:002006-11-30T10:20:00.000-05:00I think your organization sounds good -- I definit...I think your organization sounds good -- I definitely consider that when querying agents (from what little I can know). There are a couple of agents who are notorious for their lack of organization, and I won't query either of them...seems like it's just too easy to be lost in the piles on their desks (even though both have gotten great deals lately).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164896690264445982006-11-30T09:24:00.000-05:002006-11-30T09:24:00.000-05:00"had" what he needed.N."had" what he needed.<BR/><BR/>N.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164896606286253432006-11-30T09:23:00.000-05:002006-11-30T09:23:00.000-05:00Jessica,I use a Word chart for agent and publisher...Jessica,<BR/><BR/>I use a Word chart for agent and publisher submissions. One chart per manuscript and I update it as soon as I receive any response.<BR/><BR/>The most effective and efficient boss I ever worked for used a spiral notebook to record everything. Simple and awesome. Fast, too. While other people in meetings tapped away at the hand held gizmoes (sp?) he flip a couple of pages and have what he needed.<BR/><BR/>I'm enjoying your blog.<BR/><BR/>NancyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164896331593830972006-11-30T09:18:00.000-05:002006-11-30T09:18:00.000-05:00I'm still in the writing process so right now my t...I'm still in the writing process so right now my tracking consists of a folder in my favorites where I put all agents I'm interested in submitting to. As I get closer (probably starting when I shove this manuscript in a drawer before revision), I plan to create an Excel spreadsheet with the agent name; agency name; address; dates when the query, partial, and full were sent and when the requests for partial/full were received, etc. I'm sure I'll come up with other fields as I go along.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164895831991575842006-11-30T09:10:00.000-05:002006-11-30T09:10:00.000-05:00I honestly should start something like this, a spr...I honestly should start something like this, a spreadsheet or a notebook log for my submissions. That way I don't have to count on the calendar to see if I should follow up on a submission.<BR/>Great advice!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1164890459203434452006-11-30T07:40:00.000-05:002006-11-30T07:40:00.000-05:00I have a master calendar on my desk. This keeps t...I have a master calendar on my desk. This keeps track of all the family things--doctors' appointments, swim meets, school vacations--as well as writing things like when it's my turn to blog in the group blog and what the Romance Sells deadline is. It's the one organized point in my office. The rest looks like a paper bomb went off. Once I finish this next book, I promise to get more organized, so some filing--AND clean the bathroom.Sally MacKenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15166303880685146915noreply@blogger.com