A Woman on a Mission

Of course, all I want for Christmas is a literary agent.  But it looks like Santa isn’t ready to leave me one beneath the tree, tied and gagged with a pretty red bow.  SO I’ve decided to set my sights a little lower.  

This Christmas…I want to get fat.

Yes.  It seems I have actively decided to put on the pounds.  If its main component is butter or sugar it is in. my. mouth.  Getting fat is easy, inexpensive, and kills time like nothing else.  Really, a number one gift idea if I do say so...

Sure, it may be the source of clogged arteries, tooth decay and an expanding waistline but who really cares about the fine print at Christmas?  Who doesn't buy the toy just because it 'may contain chokable pieces'?

I just tell myself ‘life is short and simple pleasures are numbered.  Might as well enjoy the hell out of it before I die, right?’  So in comes the pastries, the white breads, the meat patées, and jellies. 

Plus I’m not doing much writing at this time of the year.  It’s a shame really.   If I’d mixed the buttered sweets with hours spent typing in front of the computer, I’m sure I could get my ‘ass’ets to expand even faster.

Speaking of food, unless Santa does really surprise me with a call back from a fairy god agent, Thursday’s post will be exploring the pleasures of the French ‘Reveillion’- a feast that rivals our own Thanksgiving.   I hope everyone has a fantastic holidayJ

Now, go get fat, people!

*CQG*

Another Agent

A friend of mine posted a question on one of our writing group forums awhile back and with all the readers and resources that are out there, I thought maybe someone might know some information that could help her out.

Question posted by SecretSpi:

‘OK, I've had a few rejections but I'm not too disheartened because it seems that quite a few of the agencies who have rejected my submission are pointing me in one particular direction.

Some of them are quite subtle, hinting that another agent might feel differently, but one was really to the point, saying she's sure that another agent will respond with real enthusiasm. I'm rather hoping she knows the agent in question personally.

Now, I know I'm meant to be a spy and should be good at this sort of thing but so far I've failed miserably. Has anyone out there got, by any chance, the contact details (email preferred but postal will do) and submissions procedure for Another Agent?

Thanks ever so.’

I, too, would be interested in having those coordinates.  If you have any information, please let me know;)


Also, I came across the most TOUCHING, hilarious review of my blog on A Taste of Garlic today.  I can't tell you how honored I am that someone would take the time to go through so many of my old posts so if you've got the time please check it out!


Today's question for God or Google:  Why does the deoterant always crumble into chunks when you get to the end?  Such a waste of a good centimeter and a half of product...

Have a great day!

*CQG*

No means 'NO'! Or does it?

Can I just say how happy/relieved  I was to see this posted up by BookEnds Agent Jessica Faust?

In all the months I’ve been querying agents, I’ve usually found that their submission guidelines were pretty fair and well thought out.  I know that their job is tough.  I know that the slush pile is never ending.  I know that the time they have to offer towards aspiring writers is limited and their already-acquired-clients take precedence, as they should.  I know, I know I know, I know, I KNOW!!!

However, I’ve come across a stipulation on some agent blogs that, at first, made my brow furrow.   I’d submit anyway. 

As time goes by, rejections come in and the hunt for a love connection continues.  I come across the same agencies, the same stipulation and the frown turns into a grimace. 

What is this stipulation, you ask?

It’s the ‘If you receive a rejection, please do not query another agent at this agency with the same project.  A ‘no’ from one is a ‘no’ from all.’

Now, I can understand not querying two agents within the same agency simultaneously.  That’s just common courtesy. 

Nor do I believe that you should query the same project in its current state to another agent within the agency as soon as you receive your rejection.   I’d take a good look at your project and the query letter when you receive a certain number of rejections before even considering resubmitting it anywhere.

And I absolutely agree you’ve got to do your research and know who you’re targeting.  However, if that agent passed on the project a couple months ago and your ms has since seen some substantial renovations- shouldn’t you be able to submit it to a different agent within the agency who might be better suited?  Especially if there are two or more agents with similar pasts and preferences and it was a hard choice to begin with as to which one to query.

When one agent rejects a project, they say it could be for a variety of reasons but the one that they most often address is that ‘it’s a matter of falling in love with the idea and then the project itself.’  Now, if we all fell in love with the same kind of man, Jude Law would have to buy stalk in restraining orders.  (Okay, maybe does….But you know what I’m trying to say.) 

Most agencies and rejection letters say something along the lines of  ‘This is a highly subjective business and another agent may feel very differently.’

If this business is indeed subjective than how can one agent decide for everyone in their agency whether or not a project is worth looking at?  Do they have some kind of Avatar mind meld that we know nothing about??  Or perhaps they consider it’s the price we must pay for having chosen the wrong agent to query within their agency to begin with. 

I myself find it hard to believe that of the five to twenty different agents working for the same agency- each and every one of them look at a cup and see it half empty.  That all of them agree the grass is greener on the other side and that the whole third floor is convinced that the Mona Lisa follows you with her eyes. 

I thought the thing agents take most pride in is their ability to see something in a project and a writer.  To be the first to see it.  To discover something.  To help create a final product that will touch the numbers. To explore strange new worlds.  To seek out new life and new civilizations.  To boldly go where no man has gone before…

*ahem*

In order to do this, they’ve got to have their own mind, their own eye, their own pasts, preferences, and ideas.  I think refusing to look at a project because another agent in their agency has R-ed it is not only unfair to the querier, but unfair to themselves. 

Just my two cents.  **Creepy steps down from the overturned laundry basket**.   Thank you all for coming.  Pamphlets are by the door.  Next meeting’s at the Hank’s Dairy Bar parking lot.  Your golden coins will vibrate if I need you.

When and How to Move On...

First off- I wanted to give everyone a heads up on two contests being put on by two awesome bloggers:
The Alliterative Allomorphe is putting on a 'Blogging Idol' Contest
Missadventures in Candyland is putting on her 'Big 100 Contest'  -  Get on em!
Also Jen has got a top notch interview by our favorite Talli Roland who explains her journey unto publication! Don't miss it! 
While reading Talli's interview and squatting on Jaydee Morgan's awesome blog- the same recurring questions kept coming to mind:
When you've finished a manuscript and really worked to transform it into the best it can be-  and it's just not catching any interest from an agent-

When should you give up??

This is a personal thing, I’d imagine.  I've only written two novels and have a third one taking form in my head and on my laptop bit by bit.

My first novel was a big 'hoorah' because I realized I could finish a book from start to finish.  That said- I recognize that it was overwritten.  But the time spent on editing, revising, and going over it with my critics group has really helped knock it into shape.

I’ve had it out on submission now in its current form for the last four months and although I have had interest from agents, no one has picked it up (as of yet but there are still a few with full or partials).

Now that I’ve finished my second book, my instinct is to hurry up and get it into shape so that I can submit it as fast as possible because I’m in love with it and think that agents will be enthusiastic about it as well.   -So I can see how enthusiasm would wane on a first project when your second, or third, or fourth just seems to shine all the more.

But in this case, - is it better to keep your first projects on submission while querying something new?  Or do you take them out of circulation?

How many agents do you query without response before you decide that it’s just never going to get picked up and move on? 

I’m still trying to answer these questions.  I think as long as agents show interest in my project, I will probably continue to query it in hopes that one of said agents falls ‘in looove’…

But I’m still wondering what to do when I’m ready to send my second project out on submission. 

Any ideas?

Has anyone sent out multiple projects and how did you go about doing so?

'I'm Not Connecting With This'

Pretty much every writer who has received a rejection on a full or partial manuscript has seen this elusive comment in some form or another as the reason behind it all.

It’s like the equivalent of going on a first date, leaving after the main course and when you arrive at the door the man says ‘I’m sorry, I’m just not that into you.’

Now, I am a pretty ‘by the rules’ querier. I’ve never contacted an agent after a rejection or asked for feedback.

But after sending out a full or partial and receiving the form rejection, I have to admit that my fingers itched to write back, begging and pleading on virtual knees - ‘Please! Please! I’ll pray for your children! I’ll pray for your grandchildren! I’ll kiss the ground you walk on if you could just please tell me WHYYYYYYY? Any crumb of insight or knowledge would do!’

I’ve never sent this kind of response. (I swear!) Being the level headed woman I am. I have wanted to, though, and it took two or three days of sheer will power and restraint before I could just ‘let it go’ and move on.

Which brought me to the question:
What does it really mean when an agent says ‘I’m not connecting with this.’ ?

I think agents choose to include this in their form rejections because it’s unspecific and puts the fault on the agent rather than the writer. Every agent is different. They all have different tastes, preferences, imaginations and insights. It’s true that what doesn’t appeal to them might very well appeal to someone else.
However, Cynthia Leitich Smith’s CYNSATIONS’s blog has been, for me, the bible into the subconscious of the literary agent’s world.

After reading various interviews that explain what makes an agent choose to pursue a manuscript and take on a new client, I came to the realization that ‘Not Connecting’ probably means the following:

-There might be technical problems with the writing

-Too little description.

-Too much description

- Characters aren’t ‘visible’ or ‘believable’.

-Not enough action

-Too much action

-The story isn’t unrolling how they’d imagined after reading the query.

And then there are cases when everything is ‘fine’-
The writing is up to par, the characters are believable, the action palpable BUT the agent doesn’t see his or herself spending umpteen hours working on this manuscript.
It’s not that they think it’s poor. It just isn’t what THEY’RE looking for.

It literally is like looking for a mate. If you’re going to invest time, effort, and money in someone, you aren’t going to want to just ‘settle’ because they meet criteria. You’re looking for the looove.

And all too often, it’s the loooove that’s missing when an agent says ‘I’m Not Connecting With This’.

So keep up hope queriers. People don’t fall in love with a new person every day. Agents can’t be expected to either. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. All it takes is hard work, a will to succeed, and a little bit of divine intervention.

I truthfully believe that there’s an agent out there for every manuscript. Call me an optimist. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be her e.

Finding an Agent for Your Book...

Is about as fun as poking yourself in the eye. Repeatedly….on purpose.
I’m sorry to say that this is not an overstatement. No amount of love of the craft is going to prepare you for the ups and downs and self doubt that comes with putting yourself and your work out there. But there are some tips that can help you get through the process and hopefully with less wasted time and energy than most debutants. These tips have been accumulated through hours of reading, research and frequenting agent blogs who all say just about the same thing. Not to mention my own personal trial and error.

1.Finish your damn book. (you’d think this would fall into the ‘logic’ category but many agents complain about first time writers shooting them emails about an ‘idea’ they had or a book they’ve just begun) It’s normal to get excited about your first book but wait until you’re at least a good way through the writing before telling….just about anyone.

2.No, Really -Finish your damn book. Writing the last line of the last paragraph of the last chapter does not mean your book is finished. Most first drafts are overwritten, clumsy, and might even contain discrepancies in plot and character. You need to edit, revise, and rewrite until your book is polished and shined like a three dollar bill- I say this because it will never happen. This step is never really finished. I’ll be honest- I had no idea how to revise my manuscript when I first started. I had been submitting small pieces of writing my whole life through school and college and I had never had to revise anything with the acceptation of an overall skim for clumsiness or spelling. I always got an A. Then I had an umpteen thousand word manuscript staring me down the throat. Revise? Wtf does that mean? Here are some tips from Laura Backes that I found helpful: http://www.write4kids.com/feature4.html

3.Do your research. If you are in Europe like me, many people refer to ‘The Writers and Artists Yearbook 2010’. It has a list of legit agents and publishers all over the world. Queriers in the U.S. might prefer ‘Writer’s Market 2010’ or ‘Jeff Herman’s Guide to Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents 2010’. However, just sending a query out to every agent in either resource is a large waste of time and energy. You need to hone your search down to just those agents who have an interest in the genre that you write. Once you’ve got a substantial list- go look at those agents’ websites on the internet and see if it’s really what they represent. You also need to see if they are still accepting clients, if there is a specific agent who seems a better fit than others, and what their submission guidelines are.

4.Write a kickass query letter- Just thinking about this step still gives me cold sweats and makes bile rise in my throat. I don’t know if my query letter is kick ass. I’ve had interest shown from agents based on my letter which tells me it isn’t too shabby. Basically my advice is to concentrate on having a well-written letter before anything else. Know your story and who you are writing it for. Here are some of the hundreds of links out there that I’ve found helpful- http://www.agentquery.com/writer_hq.aspx
Also, literary agent Jessica Faust has been kind enough to dissect some query letters that caught her attention. http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2009/01/query-letter-by-karen-macinerney.html

5.Test the waters. If you feel confident in your query and in your book. Try querying a few agents by email following their guidelines. You never know. Maybe you’ll be one of those lucky people who find an agent on your very first try. NOT! Sure, it’s happened. We hear success stories every day. But it’s about as common as people who can touch the back of their heads with their tongues.

6.Repeat steps 2 and 4.

7.Repeat step 5.

8.Wait

9.Repeast steps 6-7

10.Wait some more. I won’t lie. I have about as much patience as a shitzu with a full bladder so this last step has been excruciating. I wish I could finish this tip session off with what to do when an agent calls but I haven’t gotten there yet so you’ll have to refer to a blog by an actual published writer for that one. But I will leave you with some final words of hope. As tough as it is, sticking with it is the hardest part and that, at least, is something you have complete control over. So just do it.