tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post3907064790334251597..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: LOLBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-90961699962641966242010-05-30T00:23:21.589-04:002010-05-30T00:23:21.589-04:00In the author's defense about the catty respon...In the author's defense about the catty response, receiving a couple dozen auto-replies desensitizes them to the possibility that one agent might actually take the time to respond personally. <br /><br />If that was the case. Maybe it wasn't. Either way, there's really no justification for getting nasty any way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62286035857119313342010-05-27T14:12:40.038-04:002010-05-27T14:12:40.038-04:00Jessica,
I received one of your 'helpful'...Jessica,<br /><br />I received one of your 'helpful' rejections in the past and please, for the sake of the few authors like me who really benefitted from your kind advice, don't stop!<br />I'm now agented and on the road to publication, and your advice on how to better my query, I'd like to think played a part.<br /><br />Grateful authorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-32294684547164903872010-05-27T02:57:20.320-04:002010-05-27T02:57:20.320-04:00J, don't let one bad apple spoil the whole bun...J, don't let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch! After you requested my partial, you just wrote a standard rejection letter--but how I would've appreciated a few words of feedback.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-49121208415894541492010-05-26T23:58:26.177-04:002010-05-26T23:58:26.177-04:00I once asked a customer if they'd like the ite...I once asked a customer if they'd like the item they bought "for here or to go". This was a year or so after i'd worked at a fast food restaurant. My coworkers were clearly amused.<br /><br />I understand snarky replies are rude and annoying. Is it wrong of me to feel relieved that there is less actual competition. Anyone who even attempted any research would know not to reply.<br />they send you a form rejection and won't even recognize the project you're replying about.<br />If they sent you anything even REMOTELY personalized than be grateful. You held their attention long enough to come up with suggestions on improving it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-39114672722643013932010-05-26T23:29:43.439-04:002010-05-26T23:29:43.439-04:00Oh man, I'd give up something great, like choc...Oh man, I'd give up something great, like chocolate, if an agent would give me suggestions/advice. <br />On the funny side; I had one of those days today.<br />So I come home this evening and my husband tells me he put our 22month old daughter down for a nap. He says, “Oh, before I got her in her room, she picked up the milk cup you gave her this morning and started guzzling it. She got a few swigs in before I snatched it from her.”<br />Gross, right? Hmmm, maybe not so much, worse things have happened; right? Before you answer that, let’s see what my response was.<br />I say, “I didn’t give her milk this morning!”<br />Yup! Gotta Love it! Yum Yum. If they would just make those dang sippy cups square, I wouldn’t have to worry about them rolling under things and out of sight. Somehow though, she never forgets where she’s left a cup or a piece of food. But you ask her where mommy’s keys are, and she suddenly gets forgetfulAmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04365970636991748401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1403814671451024632010-05-26T22:23:13.052-04:002010-05-26T22:23:13.052-04:00@ Kim
It's probably a copycat crime a la Suzi...@ Kim<br /><br />It's probably a copycat crime a la Suzie Townsend, in which case Jessica should maybe remember what happened to Suzie. Not pretty, I'm told, and last I heard, the FBI was looking to bring Janet Reid in for questioning. :D<br /><br />Also, drive-through intercoms are just as dangerous as autoresponders and telephones. I once told a customer, "Welcome to McDonalds, may I help you?" Problem was, I wasn't working at McDonalds. And my boss was standing there. Oopsie.<br /><br />Thanks for the laugh--even you didn't intend to share it with us. :-)Jennynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1281813576277644552010-05-26T20:46:01.323-04:002010-05-26T20:46:01.323-04:00I love these posts of yours! Gotta wonder how some...I love these posts of yours! Gotta wonder how some people think... :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-25052402696317356532010-05-26T20:07:58.853-04:002010-05-26T20:07:58.853-04:00Josin! Hilarious!
These people have GOT to be ne...Josin! Hilarious! <br /><br />These people have GOT to be newbies. Seasoned writers who know how this 'thing' works wouldn't respond with with something like that would they? Ohymysweetgoodness, they would...Anna Bankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04216213561070725760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-67767174257193664092010-05-26T17:58:11.943-04:002010-05-26T17:58:11.943-04:00I was rejected by Jessica, but I of course did not...I was rejected by Jessica, but I of course did not send her some rude, snarky little comment. Sure, I wasn't exactly frolicking through meadows, but what authors need to realize is that agents do talk to one another. The literary agency circuit is an absolute web. Agents change agencies, agents chat at writing seminars, agents are friends. Being a sassy little pain in the rear is not only rude, but detrimental to your reputation in a field that will likely determine if your future is at Harper Collins or Publish America.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-83031972905834512882010-05-26T16:45:51.254-04:002010-05-26T16:45:51.254-04:00Thanks for the laughs-- I needed them!Thanks for the laughs-- I needed them!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-26699919977283393062010-05-26T16:04:06.812-04:002010-05-26T16:04:06.812-04:00Hmmmm... Jessica decides to post about my faux pas...Hmmmm... Jessica decides to post about my faux pas the same day she knows I'll be busy at BEA. Coincidence? I think not.<br /><br />Sneaky...very sneaky. <br /><br />PS - Luckily I'm wearing a badge with my name and place of employment. Even I can't screw this up.Kim Lionettinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78210879500679055432010-05-26T15:20:38.778-04:002010-05-26T15:20:38.778-04:00[M]ere words can’t do justice to the story.
Trans...<i>[M]ere words can’t do justice to the story.</i><br /><br /><b>Translation:</b> <br />I suck at writing query letters, and my ego wants an excuse to dismiss their importance. <br /><br />All the same, words can't describe...a bunch of words?jjdebenedictishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16950592240599703771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-38264663852873250312010-05-26T14:44:40.771-04:002010-05-26T14:44:40.771-04:00I'm pretty sure Kim's "Berkley" ...I'm pretty sure Kim's "Berkley" mistake isn't as funny to the writers who are confused as to receiving a rejection from an agency they didn't even submit to!Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03726858055689145824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-27155228297472048652010-05-26T14:04:46.516-04:002010-05-26T14:04:46.516-04:00That is hilarious that people actually do that! Th...That is hilarious that people actually do that! Thanks for the laughs! <br /><br />Speaking of aswering phones and remembering where you work -- I worked at a rinky dink restaurant called "The Huddle House" a few years back. I worked a lot of double shifts to make some extra money. Well one night, I was at home taking a nap and my cell rang. I picked it up and said "Thank you for calling the Huddle House, Home of the Huddle Burger. How can I help you today?" <br /><br />Yea. <br /><br />My sister still doesn't let me forget that.Anastasia V. Pergakishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03350626962513824401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-21339853603053382822010-05-26T13:56:20.328-04:002010-05-26T13:56:20.328-04:00Oh good gravy... XDOh good gravy... XDNicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04437698825217730840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-6182153925660894032010-05-26T13:26:55.930-04:002010-05-26T13:26:55.930-04:00It's great that you don't let the negative...It's great that you don't let the negative or rude ones sour your attitude. Many of us appreciate the feedback/suggestions offered - even in a "no response" to a submission.<br /><br />Last year I sent out a partial to an agent. She was kind enough to respond with specific suggestions - what worked for her, what didn't. She offered to re-read my work if I revised it. I did, and she now has the revised partial. <br /><br />Even if she passes again, I greatly appreciate her efforts to reach out and give me advice on how to improve my story and writing. <br /><br />So...please keep that LOL attitude! <br /><br />CatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-67891441347151999212010-05-26T13:24:02.712-04:002010-05-26T13:24:02.712-04:00Dear Author:
Since Kim isn't accepting querie...Dear Author:<br /><br />Since Kim isn't accepting queries, I'm rejecting you on her behalf.<br /><br />I know she'd pass on this project because, while it might be perfect for her (who knows, she's not accepting queries and therefore can't judge), she's not accepting queries.<br /><br />I'm sure Kim appreciates that you thought of her first, but as she's not accepting queries, that point's a bit moot.<br /><br />I won't be passing this query along, as Kim isn't accepting queries, but since you obviously thought it was suited to her list I find myself with a moral dilemma. <br /><br />She's not accepting queries, and I am, so I could read it. But, you personalized it to her (who isn't taking queries) in a query sent to me (who is). Maybe this means I'm your 2nd choice (which I wouldn't have known if you hadn't pointed it out by mentioning the agent who isn't accepting queries) in which case, I'm probably not suited for you. Maybe you hoped I'd sneak it onto Kim's desk - which is impossible since she's not taking queries. In that case, you should know that I don't handle other people's mail. That would be rude.<br /><br />So my final answer is:<br /><br />Thank you for the opportunity to read your proposal, but Kim is not taking queries.<br /><br />And yes, this is a form letter.<br /><br />:-)Josin L. McQueinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05751043333147850336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-85655320356677931442010-05-26T13:11:13.660-04:002010-05-26T13:11:13.660-04:00Thanks for the laughs today!Thanks for the laughs today!Heidi Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18420802651029097379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-43559846231678768472010-05-26T11:46:59.530-04:002010-05-26T11:46:59.530-04:00But Jessica, I thought you would love my contempor...But Jessica, I thought you would love my contemporary non-fiction novel!<br /><br />Faye, nearly choking on Diet Coke with laughter this morningAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-32990078382703702562010-05-26T11:40:04.464-04:002010-05-26T11:40:04.464-04:00Truman Capote called IN COLD BLOOD a non-fiction n...Truman Capote called IN COLD BLOOD a non-fiction novel. Published in 1966, it is still in print. Just sayin' . . .fatcasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13097132363586411217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-76354979688776770672010-05-26T11:10:46.045-04:002010-05-26T11:10:46.045-04:00Creatively worthless...geesh! That kinda' fall...Creatively worthless...geesh! That kinda' falls under Speech #2 - No good deed goes unpunished. <br /><br />Love the 'mere words' deal. Oh and there are days I try to forget where I work (most are okay though). ;)<br /><br />Thanks for the giggles.Lisa_Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17238496789960349077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-47843274668074443292010-05-26T11:02:12.406-04:002010-05-26T11:02:12.406-04:00It's a cliche, but in my life I've found i...It's a cliche, but in my life I've found it to be oh so true: 'No good deed goes unpunished.' You try to be helpful and you get grief for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-13805428124997492032010-05-26T10:30:25.929-04:002010-05-26T10:30:25.929-04:00I once spent over twenty minutes on the phone with...I once spent over twenty minutes on the phone with my company's helpdesk, because we couldn't figure out why my name was not pulling up in the employee directory. Only much later did I realize I'd given them my maiden name. I'd been married a good six years at that point.Lorendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02090195014205397231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-9764379290180227012010-05-26T09:49:28.900-04:002010-05-26T09:49:28.900-04:00Contemporary non-fiction novel. And conventional w...Contemporary non-fiction novel. And conventional wisdom holds that you can't invent a new genre.<br /><br />Thanks for spreading the funny!Laurelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06120847492230531939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-65575348956523951492010-05-26T09:46:37.077-04:002010-05-26T09:46:37.077-04:00I can never get enough of these little laughs....t...I can never get enough of these little laughs....thanks for sharing!!!Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08188460633615049191noreply@blogger.com