tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post6312479377169862991..comments2023-12-02T05:59:27.143-05:00Comments on YAtopia: R&R doesn't always mean a vacationSM Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-48228251391404498002012-06-20T17:37:37.734-04:002012-06-20T17:37:37.734-04:00It does feel like such a win. To be honest I think...It does feel like such a win. To be honest I think I still got some form letters with passes on full requests.SM Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-35318346350223490612012-06-20T17:29:04.400-04:002012-06-20T17:29:04.400-04:00Great points. Once the market is flooded with a ge...Great points. Once the market is flooded with a genre, like dystopian at the moment, it becomes so much harder to sell. You need a super high concept hook with amazing writing to stand out in the slush. There definitely comes a point where you have to move on, no matter ow much you love a manuscript.SM Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-75672621428380720522012-06-20T17:28:04.227-04:002012-06-20T17:28:04.227-04:00I went through ALL those stages of querying before...I went through ALL those stages of querying before getting an agent.<br /><br />I remember when I got the point where getting a request for a full was a win, because no matter what, I was going to get free agent feedback on my book.Jolene Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14809468564016928636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-89099304584755596642012-06-20T17:25:14.373-04:002012-06-20T17:25:14.373-04:00I'll add one of the most common notes I've...I'll add one of the most common notes I've seen on twitter on queries feedback is that the writing is weak and/or the concept isn't strong enough. High concepts are what agents want - new, fresh, original.SM Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-24994589482642636422012-06-20T17:21:07.802-04:002012-06-20T17:21:07.802-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.SM Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-63740769677967385792012-06-20T17:13:19.860-04:002012-06-20T17:13:19.860-04:00Hopefully the offer stage is just around the corne...Hopefully the offer stage is just around the corner. I've been through all the stages. Even though so far the R&R hasn't turned into an offer I'm hoping it will soon. <br /><br />Good luck!SM Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-77201616274997431662012-06-20T17:11:08.985-04:002012-06-20T17:11:08.985-04:00Great advice. Agents definitely talk and a rude re...Great advice. Agents definitely talk and a rude response could haunt you. It's a small industry in reality so play nice. Also, just because THAT MS wasn't for a certain agent doesn't mean they won't love what you write next. Don't burn bridges.SM Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-29786393427920978052012-06-20T16:48:18.722-04:002012-06-20T16:48:18.722-04:00Great summary & breakdown!
The two missing el...Great summary & breakdown!<br /><br />The two missing elements I see in the exposition of #1 No reply/form rejection are:<br /><br />- The market could be oversaturated with the genre<br />[Search the #askagent hashtag on Twitter or simply check out the current wants/don't want's in online agent interviews. Most agents aren't shy about what genres they are 'over'.]<br /><br />- The basic premise of the book could be unmarketable<br />[No matter how good the query and/or the mss, if the agent won't be able to place it with a publisher, they won't pick it up.]<br /><br />So whattya do if either of these cases is true?<br />Move on. Write that next book!John Lucas Hargishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18195767597604681574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-88223609577540728982012-06-20T14:17:55.205-04:002012-06-20T14:17:55.205-04:00My CP's and I have all been in each stage of t...My CP's and I have all been in each stage of these expect the offer of rep. And you are right about the R&R being no picnic. But hopefully in the end it can be worth it.Jenny S. Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00482342313938669366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-87545307161644403612012-06-20T12:18:37.248-04:002012-06-20T12:18:37.248-04:00LOL! This is awesome. I love the kitty pics to go ...LOL! This is awesome. I love the kitty pics to go along with the querying stages. The best advice I can give is to always take rejection gracefully. Not doing so can ruin any chance a writer will ever have of getting repped. Agents talk among each other and they love to share stories of the bad ones.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-49937004778068117912012-06-20T04:03:11.583-04:002012-06-20T04:03:11.583-04:00Waiting is crucial for sure. The first draft isn&#...Waiting is crucial for sure. The first draft isn't what you should send off and not always the second draft. My MS went through several revisions and a rewrite before it was in great shape. Unfortunately I got lots of requests on earlier drafts that ultimately got rejected. But my query letter was obviously good (thanks to workshopping it with friends).<br /><br />Thanks so much for sharing!SM Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03546994863993080465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202274659436317634.post-39229557815118526642012-06-20T03:34:29.230-04:002012-06-20T03:34:29.230-04:00The one thing that I really feel is important in q...The one thing that I really feel is important in querying: WAIT TO QUERY! Mistakes are bound to happen, and that's how you (and I) learn about this business. My mistakes were CRUCIAL for me to getting my MS in shape, but the one bit of advice is that don't rush off queries right after you finish your first draft! I did that, and ended up with 65/65 rejections. Use a few months to heal your MS and query, and then dive in. I plan to do so in a few weeks :) Great post! Hope I get that request soon :))SC Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382410035007943921noreply@blogger.com