tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post947630560196479273..comments2024-03-11T16:14:49.158-07:00Comments on Don't pet me, I'm writing: 3 myths about agentsTAWNA FENSKEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-88796344392862687162011-04-19T11:44:12.097-07:002011-04-19T11:44:12.097-07:00I must work the phrase "wolverine on LSD"...I must work the phrase "wolverine on LSD" into dinner conversation tonight.<br /><br />As Jenn said, this is dead on (and one hopes you've already had that extra chianti). Having dipped my non-wolverine toe into the waters, I can see how these myths come about, how they persist and how, ultimately, they're bunk.Lynn, the letterwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08310733334651793130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-88665209207533111482011-04-18T19:08:10.432-07:002011-04-18T19:08:10.432-07:00Great post and so true! You're dead on with th...Great post and so true! You're dead on with this one. Pour yourself another chianti. ;-)J.R. Johanssonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02671109654769467131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-19736748048969287752011-04-18T18:49:32.345-07:002011-04-18T18:49:32.345-07:00Only in Oregon would you use a saying like, "...Only in Oregon would you use a saying like, "take it out back by the bicycle racks." I mean, sure, it's got rhyme going for it, but down east, we keep our bicycle racks out front, and the dumpsters in the back. <br /><br />Come to think of it, I like your way better. Huh. I guess you win that one. <br /><br />*shrugs*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-85102019293301264642011-04-18T18:49:13.299-07:002011-04-18T18:49:13.299-07:00So. True. :) (And Michelle rocks)So. True. :) (And Michelle rocks)Kasie Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14169629001145903361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-45629618380112235732011-04-18T14:31:45.505-07:002011-04-18T14:31:45.505-07:00I'm on agent #2 and for me the big issue is co...I'm on agent #2 and for me the big issue is communication. I shot off an e-mail to my agent yesterday afternoon (Sunday) because something crossed my mind that I should ask him about and a response came back to me that night. That's responsiveness. I know if I e-mail or call, I will get an answer.<br /><br />If I ask and get answers and he does the same, we stay on the same page and the relationship works. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849370947985905108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-68230015950337510022011-04-18T13:47:20.585-07:002011-04-18T13:47:20.585-07:00My experience with agents is in the music biz, but...My experience with agents is in the music biz, but one thing I would add is that just because you now have professional representation doesn't mean you shouldn't continue to push your work yourself as well. <br /><br />No matter how diligent an agency might be, they still have other clients while you are your only one. I'm careful to keep them in the loop when appropriate, but am not shy about offering suggestions and executing ideas on my own either. Taking initiative will also demonstrate to your agent that you are willing to do the extra work necessary to succeed, and that in turn will make them more willing to stick their neck out for you when the time comes.Mark Simpsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-3545736244899623082011-04-18T11:56:19.619-07:002011-04-18T11:56:19.619-07:00You said it perfectly and I wouldn't trade Mic...You said it perfectly and I wouldn't trade Michelle in for anything!!!!!! I love that she's only a tweet away and that she eats candy and hides it from her kids...although it does irk me a little that she stays so tiny while she does it. Grrrr But aside from the candy thing...pure unadulterated LOVE!!!!! And might I add...the company she keeps aka The Wolf Pack! Couldn't, wouldn't shouldn't do without them!!!!!Kimberly Sabatinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18143516055206233316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-74319662698389474722011-04-18T09:48:04.461-07:002011-04-18T09:48:04.461-07:00My favorite myth is "No News is Good News.&qu...My favorite myth is "No News is Good News." Personally, no news means they have a busy schedule and haven't gotten to it (being unrepresented from the slush pile I am about as important as a flea in the grand scheme), the e-mail was lost in the internet, or they simply aren't interested. Yes, sometimes they take a while if they're on the fence but for the most part I play to the odds. <br /><br /><br />I also like when people assume once you have an agent your part of the work is done. I haven't gotten one yet but I'm smart enough to know that it's more than shipping off a "finished" manuscript and whiping your hands of it. <br /><br />And Michelle Wolfson is awesome. I've been stalk--in mean following her on Twitter for almost two years and she has given great information and helped me find two awesome authors.Allie Sandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08647744108289768315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-3002697949456859892011-04-18T06:55:20.239-07:002011-04-18T06:55:20.239-07:00Great points! I think you're spot on. I signed...Great points! I think you're spot on. I signed with a relatively new agent and I'm happy. We talk a lot and both have the same goal--a longtime partnership!<br /><br />It's so important to click with your agent and to be able to communicate with him/her!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-19975240567761601952011-04-18T06:13:09.125-07:002011-04-18T06:13:09.125-07:00I agree with you, Tawna. My agent and I are still ...I agree with you, Tawna. My agent and I are still in the early phase of our relationship, but I appreciate her like nothing else. We're on the same wavelength, which I think is the most important thing for an agent/writer relationship. You both have to want the same goals and it can't just be NYT Bestsellers list (although that is nice to think about). You have to have realistic goals and your agent should be right there with you. And just remember that while you're stressing over your writing career and where it's going, your agent is doing the same with you and however many other clients they have. They aren't superheroes, even if we think they might look great with a cape!Danica Avethttp://danicaavet.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-23570365000312374552011-04-18T06:09:06.219-07:002011-04-18T06:09:06.219-07:00I can second everything you say about Michelle'...I can second everything you say about Michelle's fabulosity (not a word? well, for Michelle, it should be). I WAS choosy, and it sure paid off. :)Linda G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04576828490765434497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-71017356078006852732011-04-17T19:36:01.156-07:002011-04-17T19:36:01.156-07:00So, so with you, Tawna! I love my book agent, but...So, so with you, Tawna! I love my book agent, but my first TV agent experience was a disaster. I was on a prime time sitcom, which meant I was making money and I really could have taken my time and been choosy.<br /><br />I didn't. I jumped at the first big-name agency who asked me. Turned out the agent and I had VERY different ideas about where my career should go... but I didn't know that until I was looking to take things in a new direction, and she wouldn't help at all. By then it was much harder to find someone new, and I actually went agentless for about five years.<br /><br />I'm with someone fabulous now, but I've learned: BE CHOOSY! It makes a huge difference.Elisehttp://www.eliseallen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-53893397902761244212011-04-17T19:15:34.715-07:002011-04-17T19:15:34.715-07:00Really good advice here, Tawna. I'm only a few...Really good advice here, Tawna. I'm only a few months into signing with my first agent, but we had a false started months before with an agent that offered, but wasn't exactly as advertised, and we turned down representation. So I'm especially on board with myth #3. I'd hate to think where we'd be now if we'd signed on without doing the additional research that set off the alarm bells. It's much better to have no agent at all than one that isn't going to work for/with you and is simply looking for an easy sell. Fit is essential too. When my agent corrected some of the science in my manuscript, I knew I'd hit pay dirt because she could see eye-to-eye with me. Knowing you've made your match is such a great feeling, and it's definitely one worth waiting for!Jen J. Dannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00817943866838270699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-29600345686832710932011-04-17T18:20:02.691-07:002011-04-17T18:20:02.691-07:00Tawna on a Sunday - how delightful.
Good advice. ...Tawna on a Sunday - how delightful. <br />Good advice. I'm currently so wigged out by the whole publishing 'earthquake' (which will eventually come down to much ado about nothing, I'm sure) that I've decided to sit out even trying to be published for a while.<br />I've decided it will be fun to write a novel in a serial fashion, giving away an installment a week on my blog. I'm still in the planning phase but I have to say, so far, it is fun.<br />(Last day to post a comment here http://noveltruths.blogspot.com/<br />and be eligible to win a free copy of Shelly Fredman's awesome novel, No Such Thing As A Secret.)Judy,Judy,Judy.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09096626656997443201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-90372837723253896272011-04-17T15:29:45.452-07:002011-04-17T15:29:45.452-07:00I have a small, boutique agent. Has she sold my w...I have a small, boutique agent. Has she sold my work? Not yet, BUT she is getting it read (and I have the rejection letters from all the major houses to prove it, alas.)<br /><br />I'm taking those to mean *I* have to take my work to the next level, not that SHE isn't doing her job.<br /><br />She's been very supportive and sent me books my her other clients who write in my genre, who HAVE been officially published. So... considering I have yet to make her dime one, I'm not disappointed.The Writing Goddesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14577032840574632179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-10907445525689524042011-04-17T09:06:58.000-07:002011-04-17T09:06:58.000-07:00Is Myth #1 a short joke?Is Myth #1 a short joke?Patrick Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01121337008453549441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-64123832443921920322011-04-17T08:57:42.886-07:002011-04-17T08:57:42.886-07:00I've experienced both the good and bad in agen...I've experienced both the good and bad in agents. Be careful in who you pick! Do some research into who their authors are and what their reputation is. Also, talk to them about their submission style. Do not jump in blind! Make an informed pick, so you can totally trust that person with your gems.Catherine Stinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08131569196977321229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-91018013797063666612011-04-17T07:00:16.450-07:002011-04-17T07:00:16.450-07:00good advice.
i'd still fall at the feet of an...good advice.<br /><br />i'd still fall at the feet of anyone who offered to rep me but i'm shameless like thatlora96https://www.blogger.com/profile/08171062741089674769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-89967247216442552972011-04-17T06:51:16.312-07:002011-04-17T06:51:16.312-07:00Thanks for debunking some of the BS. ;)
Your agent...Thanks for debunking some of the BS. ;)<br />Your agent is obviously fab is she was smart enough to partner with you. xokahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-766812075448623522011-04-17T05:27:22.800-07:002011-04-17T05:27:22.800-07:00Is Michelle Wolfson prepared to get a boat load of...Is Michelle Wolfson prepared to get a boat load of submissions now? LOL. She sounds great!Danielle Spearshttp://danielledspears.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-71032401493748731232011-04-17T04:49:04.851-07:002011-04-17T04:49:04.851-07:00This is all great advice, especially for me becau...This is all great advice, especially for me because I haven't submitted work to agents yet (I'm still at the stage where I'm just submitting stuff to lit magazines and short story contests). But it's good to know what kinds of things to expect and what to look for. I always did think that going for the A-list agents was what you were supposed to do, but your description of why you went with Michelle instead definitely makes sense.Neurotic Workaholichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06775298184138766683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-52442848426383890302011-04-17T03:58:37.927-07:002011-04-17T03:58:37.927-07:00I must admit that I'm likely to throw myself a...I must admit that I'm likely to throw myself at the feet of the first offer I get! But then, without any experience, it's hard to judge if we'd match or not. The best thing must be to be aware of that it's natural if the first one who comes by don't make your toes curl.<br /><br />Of course, this is true with agents as well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14869145555938203736noreply@blogger.com