tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post2140512682874689980..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: More on Author-Agent RelationshipBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-90959771789537317952011-01-28T10:26:16.078-05:002011-01-28T10:26:16.078-05:00Totally agree with Jessica. As an ex-Agent I can o...Totally agree with Jessica. As an ex-Agent I can only endorse her advice. That particular writer should work on her own until she can stand back and view her work dispassionately. I'm a writer myself so I know how difficult this can be but it has to be done if we truly want to be successful.Bruhttp://www.brunazanelli.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-587075649503393712011-01-27T23:38:32.363-05:002011-01-27T23:38:32.363-05:00I agree with Janice...one person finding a problem...I agree with Janice...one person finding a problem could be subjective (though I imagine the chances of that are less if the person is a professional), but two says there is something wrong.<br /><br />I'm not yet in the position to query agents for a novel, but I appreciate the chance to ponder what I'd do if faced with an agent's request for revisions. I hope I'd put my ego aside to take an honest look at my manuscript. It sounds as if this author had a difficult time doing that. <br /><br />Thanks for tackling this issue in such a straightforward and honest way. It's great for newbies like me to be able to tap into your experience through this blog.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12272573937238500874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-4924754579244694982011-01-27T08:03:34.762-05:002011-01-27T08:03:34.762-05:00Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't part of ...Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't part of The Call asking a potential agent "How much revision do you think my book needs?" and "What was your favorite part? Least favorite part?"<br /><br />Shouldn't the author have had some kind of inkling how the agents felt about the book before signing on?Jenna Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07591399291903261245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-48158824509212345902011-01-27T07:19:10.477-05:002011-01-27T07:19:10.477-05:00I just want to commend you, Jessica, for taking th...I just want to commend you, Jessica, for taking the time to provide such thoughtful answers. I know how valuable your time is, and I appreciate that you use so much of it to provide constructive feedback so that others might learn. Keep up the terrific work. Blessings, BuffyBuffy Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07033283884801658206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-43622559039538741792011-01-27T07:15:15.904-05:002011-01-27T07:15:15.904-05:00I'm with you Jessica. As a personal rule of t...I'm with you Jessica. As a personal rule of thumb: If one person objects to a passage, I may question to understand where he or she is coming from. But if two people come back with the same critique, it's almost certain there's something not working.<br /><br />JaniceJanice Lane Palkohttp://www.thewritinglane.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-49589019897489063242011-01-27T01:14:09.306-05:002011-01-27T01:14:09.306-05:00Interesting and frustrating.
I mean, c'mon. ...Interesting and frustrating. <br /><br />I mean, c'mon. TWO AGENTS for his book?!<br /><br />The agent wants to <i>sell the book</i>. Why wouldn't the author want to co-operate to do just that?<br /><br />I realize we all got to keep our voice, but if we want to sell our work, we have to understand the market and do what we can, within our integrity, to meet that market.stephen matlockhttp://stephenmatlock.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-35121109259594369602011-01-26T20:12:14.448-05:002011-01-26T20:12:14.448-05:00Fiction has to make sense. In real life, things po...Fiction has to make sense. In real life, things pop up out of nowhere and knock us sideways. <br /><br />But in a book, we need to know that a character is going down that path that will put them in the situation where something will pop out and get them. <br /><br />If you can't accept an agent asking for revisions, what in heaven's name are you going to do when an editor asks for revisions?????Ebony McKenna.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02724727996270658767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78422945775374493392011-01-26T19:38:10.298-05:002011-01-26T19:38:10.298-05:00Ms. Trite says:
Agents are to writers what salt is...Ms. Trite says:<br />Agents are to writers what salt is to potato chips.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-88306379535788704042011-01-26T18:57:48.490-05:002011-01-26T18:57:48.490-05:00I can't help but wonder if the writer had his/...I can't help but wonder if the writer had his/her book critiqued by several critique partners before sending it out. Did the critiquers all think the book was ready?Carynhttp://www.caryncaldwell.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-65724910180395323512011-01-26T16:22:18.083-05:002011-01-26T16:22:18.083-05:00I wasn't sure why the writer was so dead-set a...I wasn't sure why the writer was so dead-set against revisions. It seems that foreshadowing in a sentence or two in several places in the book would be very simple, and he could leave in the dream that he thought was so vital. Without foreshadowing, a big event like that could seem ridiculous. While I read this post and the comments, I kept thinking of that phrase about TV shows "jumping the shark."lenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07746557642963895489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-69421525050159861492011-01-26T16:19:43.476-05:002011-01-26T16:19:43.476-05:00The first agent sounds like a gem. The second, not...The first agent sounds like a gem. The second, not at all.<br /><br />But the author also doesn't sound like a prize, based on this letter. I really hope the reason for that was the letter was written in anger, as a means of venting reasonable frustration over being back to square one.<br /><br />Author, I wish you well. Keep working toward your goals.<br /><br />However, please remember that if you "own" your failures, that means you can learn from them and do better next time. <br /><br />If you blame others for your failures, however, then you're setting yourself up as a victim <i>in your own mind.</i> That might be easier on the ego in the short run, but in the long run, you're demoralizing yourself.<br /><br />Whether you succeed or fail is up to you. Never (mentally) assign that power to another person.jjdebenedictishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950592240599703771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-70000866040254669502011-01-26T15:44:36.570-05:002011-01-26T15:44:36.570-05:00Maybe the author needs to take a deep breath, find...Maybe the author needs to take a deep breath, find a couple of stories written in a similar vein to his, and then tear them apart. After looking at the structure and analyzing what makes them work, he might see how he can better foreshadow those troublesome final chapters.Robena Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18389730409379890816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-86829082876703101742011-01-26T15:10:03.331-05:002011-01-26T15:10:03.331-05:00An author who wants to be held as all knowing bef...An author who wants to be held as all knowing before he/she has any commercial success to base it on, is a naive person indeed. No one is all knowing - ever. <br /><br /> Mike was spot on. An agent knows commercial value, as well as literary. When you sign with an agent, it's hopefully based on research you have done into the agent's client list and successes within your genre.<br /><br /> There are great agents. Jessica is one of them in my opinion. I've have read here, more than a few times, excellent advice on choosing an agent. No where in that advice did I see any mention that an agent would cowtow to an author's dillusions of hyper-inflated self worth.<br /><br /> When you seek an agent, you seek a champion for your work. You also seek the wisdom the agent has gleaned by experience to shape your book into what will sell. Something an agent believes in and hopefully loves. <br /><br /> If you listen. If you learn and are willing to work, that champion will be there for you for years to come.The Novel Roadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13296020285839996248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-17003615438983580622011-01-26T14:48:02.008-05:002011-01-26T14:48:02.008-05:00As I read this, I couldn't help but think that...As I read this, I couldn't help but think that a person who believes he is a self-sufficient island probably doesn't see the need for working with another human, which is what I see as the heart of the author-agent relationship.Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18157787498219886339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-89542929045346352292011-01-26T14:42:03.434-05:002011-01-26T14:42:03.434-05:00This is wonderful! Thank you so much for this, I r...This is wonderful! Thank you so much for this, I really appreciate how much advice I can get from blogs like yours before I even go into the finding-an-agent process. <br /><br />Sarah Allen<br />(<a href="http://fromsarahwithjoy.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">my creative writing blog</a>)Sarah Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01185278849400551014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-57831624903332332092011-01-26T14:32:31.548-05:002011-01-26T14:32:31.548-05:00Dave's comment made me LOL.
I appreciate yo...Dave's comment made me LOL. <br /><br />I appreciate your willingness to address this head-on, Jessica. It sounds to me like you nailed the issue.AimeeLSalterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17763596557256341788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-9158887618732053712011-01-26T14:15:45.597-05:002011-01-26T14:15:45.597-05:00I have to agree with the comments that the first a...I have to agree with the comments that the first agent seemed to be offering a valid critique, and though this is only one side of the story, the way the letter is written makes it sound like the suggestion of a revision led to a cutting-off of the relationship. Guess what? Good agents will offer critiques. I agree it could be quite jarring, and might turn many readers off, if a religious/supernatural twist is thrown in 3/4 of the way through the book without any prior hint that the book would incorporate some of those elements. Death can happen without warning, but surely there is a way to work in some subtle hints earlier on. Maybe the protagonists expresses skepticism about such events after overhearing a news story, or there is some hint of the connection between her and the person whose life she saves, and so forth.<br /><br />Without corroborating evidence, I can't tell if you're fairly judging the motives of the first or second agent. But it might help to examine your role in all of this, unless you really are famous enough that you can just go to a publisher without an agent and expect to get published, or your platform/visibility will allow you to do well enough self-publishing.Kristin Laughtinhttp://kristinlaughtin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-65464529246446703822011-01-26T13:11:10.342-05:002011-01-26T13:11:10.342-05:00I can't remember who said it, but the differen...I can't remember who said it, but the difference between fiction and real life is that fiction has to make sense.Dave Alehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03474450946075032613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-11109980712692999932011-01-26T12:22:45.739-05:002011-01-26T12:22:45.739-05:00If the writer is recognizably famous and has a mar...If the writer is recognizably famous and has a marketable platform, skipping an agent and going directly to a publisher should be doable. Evidently the book is shows strong potential.<br /><br />Doable presupposes that the writer has the personality skills to slip in the gate. At that point, however, an editor is likely going to want to buff and polish the text. That will be a telling event.<br /><br />Every reader earns an informed opinion. As a reader, that opinion impacts whether I talk up the book (or talk it down). Mr. Writer may be in the right on this. It certainly is possible. More likely, Mr. Writer's skin isn't yet thicker than rhinoceros hide.D_Blackwellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-75211941030036592742011-01-26T11:49:57.686-05:002011-01-26T11:49:57.686-05:00Critique is the only cure for Golden Word Syndrome...Critique is the only cure for Golden Word Syndrome. Sadly, the afflicted can rarely stomach the treatment.<br /><br /><br />In fiction, a last minute save with no prior set-up (especially through means that could be considered unusual or supernatural like an OoBE)isn't "realistic" in fiction; it's deus ex machina.<br /><br />It doesn't even take much to set something like that up in a prior chapter. <br /><br />And an agent saying that something isn't foreshadowed is NOT a religious complaint. It's a legitimate observation from someone who would rather not have readers throw the book across the room at the 2/3 mark.<br /><br />Something else that I wonder about here is the mention of the 2nd agent wanting to rewrite the plot, and having that be a surprise to the writer. IF an agent not finish the book was such an ordeal the first time, why would you sign with a second agent who also hadn't read the book first?<br /><br />This author isn't describing a desire for a "supportive" agent. The agents <b>were</b> supporting the author by not submitting the material as-is. <br /><br />This line: <b> "In the second, the agent's ego seemed to be more important than my success."</b> is particularly telling. An author's success isn't only theirs, it's their agent's, too. <br /><br />(My verword for this post is ironic <b>subrartra</b>, since my first thought was: What a brat.)Josin L. McQueinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05751043333147850336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-35728339418081608412011-01-26T11:22:07.420-05:002011-01-26T11:22:07.420-05:00Excellent post and advice. As the author, we know ...Excellent post and advice. As the author, we know what's going to happen and why, but unless we make that clear and interesting to the reader, it's not going to work. If the agent (ie: the reader) sees a problem, then there's most likely a problem. I've learned to take advice and criticisms in the manner in which it's intended--and that is to help me craft a better story. As writers, we have to put ego aside and consider the book and what makes it work--or not.<br /><br />Karen--if an agent is interested in a project but feels it needs some work before they can find a buyer, they're definitely going to offer advice.Kate Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05486916548114546095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-8908616498431303162011-01-26T11:09:35.058-05:002011-01-26T11:09:35.058-05:00There doesn't seem to be anything "typica...There doesn't seem to be anything "typical" about this situation. Obviously, this already famous author can afford to be picky and can also, seemingly, get another agent at will. After all, a book has been written about them. But they don't sound like they care that much if their book gets published or not.<br /><br />Regardless of who was right and who was wrong, the assertion that the real secret here is to not "bother with an agent until you have a track record that establishes your credibility" is crazy. Without an agent, for an aspiring author, that's impossible and easy for him/her to say.Sean Thomas Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02145218775529432161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-86107822376202654422011-01-26T10:35:28.692-05:002011-01-26T10:35:28.692-05:00This guy has had two bites at the apple, when most...This guy has had two bites at the apple, when most writers never get one! Seems to me agent #2 should have asked why he left agent #1. Agent #2 would have had a warning that this writer was difficult to work with. <br />I agree with the comments above. Good luck getting #3.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-46913998731161104492011-01-26T10:29:48.700-05:002011-01-26T10:29:48.700-05:00I am going to agree with Mike's observations. ...I am going to agree with Mike's observations. It does sound a lot like this author followed his or her heart (not necessarily a bad thing), but is not taking thought to what might be sellable. More importantly, it sounds like they're not aware of what an agent's job really is. They're there as your business associate/partner. They're there to help you get the best things possible for you and your career. And if that sometimes includes pointing out where your work can be improved, all the better.Stephanie McGeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16507025637411479409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-83099944056259129512011-01-26T10:29:36.148-05:002011-01-26T10:29:36.148-05:00From reading the letter I definitely agree with Je...From reading the letter I definitely agree with Jessica, sounds a lot like the author has an ego. I mean if you can't take the suggestions of your agent, someone you presumably respect enough to sign with then how will you feel taking notes from your editor later in the process? The author in question seems to think that his/her books needs no revision. I think it's great that agents will care enough about a book that has potential to actually give notes instead of rejecting it for not being perfect!Ciaranoreply@blogger.com