tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post1412897118145420797..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: This Book Won't SellBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-36078221328725117672008-03-27T00:28:00.000-04:002008-03-27T00:28:00.000-04:00Another thing to consider is readers who don't fin...<I> Another thing to consider is readers who don't find what they're looking for in the New Releases go to the Used Bookstore and/or Library instead.</I><BR/><BR/>That is a brilliant thought. I've never really considered it before, but it absolutely true. I'm a living testament. Most of the books I read are from the library, and it is not because I don't mind buying them. I actually do buy books, but mostly non-fiction. I find that for my fiction reading, I don't really like what the bookstores stock and prefer the older selections of my library.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-22873119816956863512008-03-26T12:07:00.000-04:002008-03-26T12:07:00.000-04:00Another thing to consider is readers who don't fin...Another thing to consider is readers who don't find what they're looking for in the New Releases go to the Used Bookstore and/or Library instead. <BR/><BR/>Their voice is not heard through the sale of new books. <BR/><BR/>If editors and agents don't listen to their voice, they can't know what they want. Therefore, readers 'telling' agents and editors what they want through the sale of new books is lop-sided. It may work, sort of, but I think a lot more books would be sold new if authors, agents, and editors considered what drove that group of readers away from the New Releases in the first place.<BR/><BR/>I hear from this group of readers on a regular basis through my book review blog. In fact, it's one of the reasons I started it.Kimber Lihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982239712083114488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-51448036019154157412008-03-26T08:48:00.000-04:002008-03-26T08:48:00.000-04:00I try to read different genres, expand my horizens...I try to read different genres, expand my horizens past what I'm comfortable reading. And since I've started to do that, I find that I really enjoy a LOT of different books. Memoirs, women's fiction, literary, chick lit...<BR/><BR/>I get sick of different authors. Since I'm anonymous, I will tell you that I'm sick of Nora Roberts. All her books sound the same to me now, like she has a blueprint for all of them, she just changes the names and occupations of her characters. She's a great author, and in the past I've truly enjoyed her writing, but now that she's turning out several books a year, how in the world can I even expect them to all be different?<BR/><BR/>Also, I don't usually read the same type of book twice in a row. If I read a heavy literary book, next time I may want to read a chick lit to lighten the mood a little. Then I may want to read a true crime, then I may switch to a romance. I don't necessarily get tired of any one genre, I just don't like to read the same kind twice.<BR/><BR/>I read to be entertained and as "research" since I am also a writer. I read to see what works and what doesn't, to see how an author creates a certain situation. Also to learn different subjects so that I can be knowledgable when I write myself.<BR/><BR/>I never "copy" anything that I read. No, there are really no original ideas out there. But I don't go looking for what's hot so i can conform my own writing to fit that. I'm unpublished as of yet, and maybe that's why - I don't have any pressure right now to come up with the "next Harry Potter" or to be the "next Nora Roberts." I write what I write because it's something that comes to my mind, my characters are unique, their stories yet untold. I don't copy anyone's style. I have my own.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-13302976583041627382008-03-26T00:16:00.000-04:002008-03-26T00:16:00.000-04:00The next "hot" book might be yours if you have eno...The next "hot" book might be yours if you have enough vision and originality to put it out there. I think a person should set their own trends, not try to chase them. Believe in yourself and your work. <BR/><BR/>I also believe a skilled agent will pick up on the magic. Not all of them, but the right one will recognize it.<BR/><BR/>As for the genre bashing post by Anon, I guess I missed it. Expressing a personal opinion about what you like or don't like isn't quite the same as a bash fest.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-52461877693978786002008-03-26T00:05:00.001-04:002008-03-26T00:05:00.001-04:00This is a great post...and thanks to Erik for gett...This is a great post...and thanks to Erik for getting the ball rolling with his "thoughtful wrestling" with these issues in a previous post, and this one as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-37334269455648023022008-03-26T00:05:00.000-04:002008-03-26T00:05:00.000-04:00I love y'all. You're the first group who has ever...I love y'all. You're the first group who has ever said that they see why "government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth" should not be "tightened down" to "self-government should continue." None of my critique groups ever understood cadenced prose or using words/phrases with connotations that created subtext (they could never understand why connotation was important--only denotation, the actual dictionary definition, made sense to them.)Shalannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05503978745207805622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-57390928981760209022008-03-25T22:54:00.000-04:002008-03-25T22:54:00.000-04:00I like thrillers and mysteries, and have for some ...I like thrillers and mysteries, and have for some time. But now, because of things happening within my family, I read more non fiction relating to family issues.<BR/><BR/>In fiction, I read to escape, which is the same reason I go to the movies.<BR/><BR/>But more than anything, I truly value my time. When I see a book, if I like the cover and the jacket information, I flip it open and read a page at random. If it is a thick book with small print, I put it back. I know I will not invest the time to finishing it.<BR/><BR/>As a writer, I remember how I feel as a reader and try not to waste a reader's time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-14082901998026126562008-03-25T22:18:00.000-04:002008-03-25T22:18:00.000-04:00What you said about individual people changing the...What you said about individual people changing their tastes and reading habits is right on.<BR/><BR/>Among my friends (who were all kids during the 80s) there has been a strong trend to read more nonfiction as we get older, and less fiction.<BR/><BR/>I've also noticed that rabid fantasy/sf fans (the ones who hardly read anything else) tend to diversify their tastes with time, and break out into other genres.Jamie Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02837779496794456059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-20864480966217514202008-03-25T18:39:00.000-04:002008-03-25T18:39:00.000-04:00For what it's worth, I haven't seen any bashing......For what it's worth, I haven't seen any bashing... just opinions shared. The variety of the opinions does, I think, highlight the difficulty for publishers to know what the public wants... we all love different things!<BR/><BR/>But then, this is a good thing. "Variety is the spice of life!" I'd much rather large variety of books be published, so that each of us can search for what we love, than only one kind be published. I know I'm not alone, either.Kathleen MacIverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02263212018219137277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-50654193747877334472008-03-25T18:11:00.000-04:002008-03-25T18:11:00.000-04:00Anyone else notice this has now turned into a genr...Anyone else notice this has now turned into a genre bashing contest?<BR/><BR/>How can someone who says they don't like or don't read (insert genre), say they never want to see it again?<BR/><BR/>That makes NO sense. If you don't want to see (insert genre), stop picking those novels up in the bookstore. YOU don't HAVE to see them unless YOU pick them up!<BR/><BR/>Are they just pissed because they think (insert genre) is taking up the shelf space for whatever other genre they personally prefer?<BR/><BR/>Or do you think they're pissed because (insert genre) is gobbling up the shelf space they WISH their book was sitting on?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-488342657061495662008-03-25T17:28:00.000-04:002008-03-25T17:28:00.000-04:00I find it interesting that we are trying to decide...I find it interesting that we are trying to decide what all of us would like, but out of over forty posts, I have seen hardly any opinions that match mine.<BR/><BR/>I don't think that's a problem at all, just the nature of the beast. The only thing I think the majority agree on, is that we all seem to like great characters.<BR/><BR/>I'd be very concerned if 20 people in a room were deciding the "market" for me. If the twenty posts before mine were that market group, I'd never see another book I like.<BR/><BR/>Publishing is a risk, and I don't know if there is any sure fire way to minimize that risk. People like what they like, and they'll read and buy what they like.<BR/><BR/>I guess you have to find your audience, and trust it is out there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-2809395580513024212008-03-25T15:46:00.000-04:002008-03-25T15:46:00.000-04:00As a reader, I want something entertaining, decent...As a reader, I want something entertaining, decently-paced, well-written with engaging characters. No matter what the genre is. I absolutely think that agents who pass up well-written books because they're unsure of the market for it are either shooting themselves in the foot, or are using 'marketing' as an excuse for something the book lacks. And maybe it's something that they can't put a word to. It was well written but it didn't hold their interest.<BR/><BR/>As a reader, I am completely appalled at the slow-moving, boring, redundant dreck that's getting published. Especially in the paranormal fields. I've been picking up book after book, especially in the paranormal mystery category, and having to force my way through them. Hasn't anyone ever heard of editors? Too little story being drawn out over too many pages, with characters who aren't quite interesting enough to merit the investment. In other words, not very well written and yet it's published because it falls into the flavor of the month.<BR/><BR/>As a writer, I would like to see the industry go back to publishing well-written books, regardless of the genre. Instead of muddying up the waters and glutting the market with dreck because they're all trying to catch the wave of what's hot. You know what's hot and what becomes a trend-setter? Something well written that doesn't talk down to its audience. Harry Potter was well-written, with a well-developed world, engaging characters and, most importantly, it never talked down to its audience.<BR/><BR/>Seems to me that agents and publishers would do better to stop chasing the wave and concentrate on finding well-written, engaging stories. They'd have a better chance of creating the next wave if they stop playing the game and concentrate on quality.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13141337002051004406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-10799238538012749002008-03-25T15:32:00.000-04:002008-03-25T15:32:00.000-04:00Why do I read? I read to be entertained, thrilled,...Why do I read? I read to be entertained, thrilled, mystified. The books I prefer are plot driven but the characters can't bore me or tick me off with nauseating repetitive pet phrases. (for some reason I've picked up a number of books lately that do this and I simply can't read them) I want to see fewer vampires and werewolves and less soft porn masquerading as romance.<BR/>I don't think there's any concrete way to evaluate books as there are too many books that break out of the usual molds and go on to perform like superstars. I think you just have to get lucky.Linneahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13948858387319711099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78994583849572856072008-03-25T15:30:00.000-04:002008-03-25T15:30:00.000-04:00In my publishing area (technology) there is certai...In my publishing area (technology) there is certainly something to be said for author platform.<BR/><BR/>Even though there may be several similar/competing books - many of which are just plain better, it can sometimes come down to which author has the best platform on which to sell and promote the book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-12254151951189693082008-03-25T15:24:00.000-04:002008-03-25T15:24:00.000-04:00I've looked at this issue from many different angl...I've looked at this issue from many different angles: as a wannabe author, a former retail bookstore worker, former online bookstore worker, former bookstore owner, and most recently after 10 years in corporate sales.<BR/><BR/>The problem, as far as I can tell, is that book fads, word-of-mouth, and the "Get It While It's Hot" mentality aren't a year-to-year cycles, or even a season-to-season cycles. It's quite literally a day-to-day cycle, sometimes a week-to-week or maybe a month-to-month kind of thing. Because it takes roughly 18 to 36 months for a book to go from accepted by an agent to published and sitting on the shelf, it's impossible to predict today what's going to be the daily or weekly "hot" book 2 years from now.<BR/><BR/>I can't even count how many times I've seen a hot new book fly off the shelves, only to be restocked and never sell another copy. Whether it's a radio/TV interview or a reveiw in a respected newspaper, certain promotional plugs generate a tremendous, but short-lived, response from readers.<BR/><BR/>I think it's easier for an agent and/or editor to say "This book WILL sell," than it is to know which ones won't, because at least then you have some tangibles such as author reputation, sales history, and predetermined cycles like elections and recessions, to focus on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-45836357300085139072008-03-25T15:18:00.000-04:002008-03-25T15:18:00.000-04:00Not enough happens in a romance novel.This is the ...<I>Not enough happens in a romance novel.</I><BR/><BR/>This is the exact problem that I have with romance. I like romance mixed in with plot as does the poster of the quote above, and I also have a hard time finding books within the romance genre that satisfy me. I get tired of the internal ruminations of the characters on subjects that are just flat out uninteresting (and usually repetitive). I'm tired of all the sex - which after reading a few romance novels becomes unoriginal. I want a good story. I want characters who learn/change/grow as they face obstacles. I want the romance to be the reward for the journey.<BR/><BR/>I want to be surprised - very few things capture me as much as a good surprise. I want to feel empathy for the characters - even the ones that I don't like. I want to live the excitement/tension/emotions of their lives - which means the story must have excitement/tension/emotions. But not too much because I want the story to be believable as well.<BR/><BR/>I want language that works. This doesn't always mean beautiful prose (although my favorite author is Dorothy Dunnett). It does mean that the voice has to appeal and that the language is planned rather than accidental.<BR/><BR/>But I have on occasion tossed all the above out the window because a book that breaks my own preferences really, really works. Beyond rules and likes/dislikes, what I want is a book that captures me heart and soul. A book that I will read and reread because every time I even look at the book's spine I am reminded of what a wonderful experience it gave me. <BR/><BR/>Do I get that very often? No. But that is why I read. I'm <I>always</I> looking for it. The closer an author brings me to that magical love of a book, the more likely I am to read more of the author's stories.<BR/><BR/>Anyways... That's my thoughts, spewed forth after several years of pondering this topic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-16561146891854186102008-03-25T14:40:00.000-04:002008-03-25T14:40:00.000-04:00I read an article recently about the flurry to cha...I read an article recently about the flurry to change commercials and news ads immediately after 9/11. Some ads were completely scrapped, while others only needed slight changes in order to resonate with the changes in our lives.<BR/><BR/>I love great characterization, and I'll put up with a multitude of literary evils to journey with a character I love. But questions of marketability come down to an understanding of human need. Some things are predictable: we want to escape, we want to be entertained, we want to believe in the power of love and we want to know that the bad guys get what they deserve in the end. <BR/><BR/>The release of the Lord of the Rings movies was beautifully timed. The last-man-standing battle between good and evil resonated with our personal and national struggles. Frodo's journey empowered us to face challenges that seemed bigger than us. His victory became ours.<BR/><BR/>We may enjoy countless books, and we will buy many that don't have such deep themes. But I think we all know how quickly the market can change. To survive market shifts, a book needs to have a deeper truth beyond "trend". The most marketable books speak long after we've read the last word.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-8027200054148609742008-03-25T14:16:00.000-04:002008-03-25T14:16:00.000-04:00It seems that a LOT of us care more about the char...It seems that a LOT of us care more about the characters, than the plot. This doesn't necessarily reflect what agents want us to focus on in our pitch, though. Yes, we're suppose to introduce the characters, but then it's plot, conflict, etc. I have never heard/read of an agent say that they want a query letter to give them a good idea of how well the character has been portrayed.<BR/><BR/>(But maybe that's because it would be quite difficult to portray that in two paragraphs. Hmmmm....)Kathleen MacIverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02263212018219137277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-64113561673936550342008-03-25T14:10:00.000-04:002008-03-25T14:10:00.000-04:00I want more suspense books for women that are not ...I want more suspense books for women that are not centered around romance. With more female protagonists taking the helm...and not necessarily tough female protagonists. <BR/><BR/>Also, I will read ANY book that is written well with compelling characters. PLEASE choose books that have this as the main strong point rather than the plot. PLEASE. So many interesting plots have been wasted by uninteresting characters.K J Gillenwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12023089365553324315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62087262144521973332008-03-25T13:49:00.000-04:002008-03-25T13:49:00.000-04:00This is not to say that I'm a perfect writer, by a...<I>This is not to say that I'm a perfect writer, by any means. </I><BR/><BR/>Katie...None of us are perfect writers (ME INCLUDED)! LOL That's what crit partners are for. I'm very lucky in mine. <BR/><BR/>I'm also a sucker for a great voice which is hard to pin down but I think the closest I can come to defining it is HOW you phrase you writing. I know, vague much *ggg*Amie Stuarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14145328243563702260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-49127932088595487182008-03-25T13:20:00.000-04:002008-03-25T13:20:00.000-04:00Yeah, what Shirley said.Katie, I think your commen...Yeah, what Shirley said.<BR/><BR/>Katie, I think your comment about the trends is in writing style for romances is interesting. I've been listening to audiobook versions of Nora Roberts lately, and I am amazed at how different her newest releases are from the older ones. I know writing styles and tastes change, but <I>The Villa</I> has a a simple elegance, a gracefulness that just isn't trendy right now.<BR/><BR/>To paraphrase something Lisa Kleypas said in her RWA National speech, I don't need to be reminded that life is hard and things don't always turn out well. I have enough of that going on in real life. <BR/><BR/><BR/>I like to read to escape, and that can include romance, adventure, paranormal, comedy, mystery, and really, anything else that's a good vacation from real life. It's not that I prefer to read fluff, but like shirley said, after a long day at work, I don't need to settle in with something that will give me nightmares. <BR/><BR/><BR/>It doesn't have to have a happy ending, but I need a glimmer of hope at the end. Something that shows the world is still a decent place. I often sway away from literary fiction because I hate finding out everyone dies at the end. I hate feeling like I just wasted four hours of my life reading about them.<BR/><BR/>I really bond with my characters, and I have to like them to finish the book. This is why I like books with connecting characters. They've become my friends and I latch on to them!<BR/><BR/>I also have to like the voice. When I'm considering a book by an author I haven't read before, my number one concern is whether or not I'll like the style of storytelling.<BR/><BR/>I think the reason why books like <I>Da Vinci Code</I> and the Harry Potter series do so well is that they come along at the right time (when we're ready to accept something really different) and they introduce us to a world of new possibilities that intrigue us and play with our imaginations long after we finish the books. Look at how Brown's book stirred interest in secret societies, religion, history, and created this drive in even otherwise non-religious people to wonder about the "real story" behind Jesus.Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920175688407593776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-15056935562432325992008-03-25T13:14:00.000-04:002008-03-25T13:14:00.000-04:00Love the post Jessica.It goes back to the fact wri...Love the post Jessica.<BR/><BR/>It goes back to the fact writing/reading is subjective. I'm sure when you sell a book, you don't always get a yes from everyone you submitted it to. Sure, some books/authors may get the dream come true and go to auction, but not all of them. And I've heard that some of the books that were the hardest to sell, are the biggest sellers. <BR/><BR/>Great post.<BR/><BR/>CCChristie Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13838947086349600665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-182396219201268462008-03-25T13:07:00.000-04:002008-03-25T13:07:00.000-04:00I tend to get on author and like author kicks when...I tend to get on author and like author kicks when I read. And at just over 100 books a year on my reading list, not including the books I review for lit. magazines, sometimes my kicks can go for twenty or thirty books. <BR/><BR/>The one author I haven't found a like comparison to is Palahniuk. He's totally weird, fresh and unique. But then again I like Irving, King, Oates and newbies on the scene like Marinovich, Crandell etc... <BR/><BR/>Anything that can make me stop what I'm doing in Borders within the first five pages, I buy. <BR/><BR/>And I read for craft, for entertainment and the love of words. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the post. <BR/><BR/>CCicily Janushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16841849529479076806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-33462339488251959042008-03-25T13:06:00.001-04:002008-03-25T13:06:00.001-04:00I read a lot, and I wouldn't consider myself parti...I read a lot, and I wouldn't consider myself particularly picky, as I enjoy the majority of the 100+ books I read each year. And I'll read from almost any genre, though I particularly favor SFF and YA.<BR/><BR/>My frustration with today's fiction is that I like my fiction to include a romance element, but I don't like the romance to be the entire subject of the book. When I've tried to read romance novels, I haven't liked them that much. Not enough <I>happens</I> in a romance novel. I like a healthy mix of internal and external conflict. Most SFF seems to focus on the external, most romance on the internal. I want both in the same story. (This is, of course, the type of story I write.)<BR/><BR/>While I enjoy most of what I read, very few authors are writing exactly the sort of book I want. Ellen Kushner did it with SWORDSPOINT, which is my all-time favorite fantasy novel. Most paranormal romance doesn't grab me (I don't like vampires, werewolves, or fairies), but I've enjoyed Richelle Mead's succubus series. And in the romance genre, I like Elizabeth Hoyt.AmyBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02636921840451091870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-55875274436969324702008-03-25T13:06:00.000-04:002008-03-25T13:06:00.000-04:00I want beautiful prose, vivid settings, and engagi...I want beautiful prose, vivid settings, and engaging characters who face difficult situations. I prefer enigmatic or bittersweet endings.<BR/><BR/>Why do I read? To get the same sense of exhilaration I get from attending church service, hiking across moorland, or admiring great works of art - a connection with the divine.<BR/><BR/>I'll read any genre, and I think this is where the "same but different" approach often goes wrong. If I've enjoyed a brilliant historical romance set in Tudor England, that doesn't mean I'm likely to enjoy a mediocre historical romance set in Jacobean England. I'm far more likely to fall in love with (say) a brilliant political thriller set in present-day Jamaica. <BR/><BR/>Brilliance is key. I think the marketers forget that.<BR/><BR/>But I may be atypical.<BR/><BR/>mpeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com