tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post1259372421493033430..comments2023-09-29T09:18:38.933-04:00Comments on Bent on Books: Rookie MistakesJenny Benthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744171500436166262noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-70937166644122821522011-08-11T17:58:02.606-04:002011-08-11T17:58:02.606-04:00Guilty of number 4. Silly me.
I'm on my seco...Guilty of number 4. Silly me.<br /><br />I'm on my second draft of my second novel, the first one is doing the rounds. I feel so at sea, but hoping to make it to shore soon.<br /><br />Thank you for the advice.AMIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12550558277289816750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-42317875939934901292010-05-05T18:33:20.249-04:002010-05-05T18:33:20.249-04:00On #2, the reason is laziness. A first-time noveli...On #2, the reason is laziness. A first-time novelist who is struggling with the enormity of writing a WHOLE BOOK wants someone to promise to represent/publish it before it's half finished, so we know it'll be worth the effort. A big advance would be nice, too. Fortunatly, I stumbled across simlar advice before I followed the impulse....<br /><br />On #7, I feel your pain. I'm a public defender. People question the need for my services (and/or whether I'm a real lawyer) all the time (though probably not as much as authors question the need for an agent). I'd love to see them defend themselves. :D Pesonally, I'd never try to represent myself. What do I know about publishing?<br /><br />I'm about half done with my first WIP (and still no advance!), so I'm starting to educate myself on what the next step will be. Glad I found your blog--I'll be back. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09413777557796110450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-55696105693310652602010-05-03T06:02:22.643-04:002010-05-03T06:02:22.643-04:00Hey love -- I'm guilty of #2. My reasoning was...Hey love -- I'm guilty of #2. My reasoning was that the agent might have liked to have some input in the creative process, as someone who not only is familiar with what makes a book excel but also as someone with a lot of ideas for books similar to mine. I thought that the fact that I'd written and published a book before would exempt me from the rule of thumb, but needless to say he didn't respond. xoxoAlexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03207142869216863775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-13233549188878543302010-04-14T16:29:54.130-04:002010-04-14T16:29:54.130-04:00I am assuming that #2 does not apply to non-fictio...I am assuming that #2 does not apply to non-fiction, correct?LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-30517664400488393332010-03-26T14:56:57.214-04:002010-03-26T14:56:57.214-04:00thanks!!thanks!!Shelly https://www.blogger.com/profile/01111556226010142607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-9951851271370985372010-03-25T09:04:52.791-04:002010-03-25T09:04:52.791-04:00Jenny, thanks so much for this great post, I sure ...Jenny, thanks so much for this great post, I sure do wish I had known these things when I first started querying. As a first time novelist with a finally completed MS under my arm I jumped into the query process armed with nothing but ignorance, and plenty of it.<br /><br />If only I had taken a fraction of the time I spent writing my novel researching publishing and especially the query process. There are so many free and informative blogs and other resources out there that it is almost criminal to go about it as ill informed as I did.<br /><br />Anyway if anyone would like to read more about my foolishness and even have a chuckle or two at my expense, please click on my user name and then visit my blog and follow or comment. On it I've posted some real queries I've sent and the real rejections they received. Many are excellent, specific examples of what not to do, or why Jenny's rookie mistake advice is words to live by.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-7948454906558066162010-03-21T02:06:43.152-04:002010-03-21T02:06:43.152-04:00Really enjoyed this one. Never again will I email ...Really enjoyed this one. Never again will I email to ask an agent if they have an email address.Bethany C Morrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12680443616002300791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-30360778166689460762010-03-20T11:59:23.585-04:002010-03-20T11:59:23.585-04:00I didn't make those exact rookie mistakes, but...I didn't make those exact rookie mistakes, but I did have a very bad query in the beginning. I have a better one now. What I want to know, would agents remember the crappy query if I resubmit the newer one? I've also changed the title of the book and it's been about four months since the I sent the first round of crappy queries.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13267066733031149882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-80188155952746367262010-03-20T11:24:24.691-04:002010-03-20T11:24:24.691-04:00#7 - Wait a second: You're saying I shouldn...#7 - Wait a second: You're saying I shouldn't call a banker and ask why I need a bank, nor should I call a car dealership and ask them why I need a car? Hmmmm ... :) I laugh because I can really envision that e-mail and the agent's face when it's read. <br /><br />Great post, Jenny! I bounced over here from Nathan Bransford's blog, and am glad I did. I'm always eager to hear from agents about query faux pas. You’ll all be hearing from me soon in the form of a mass e-mail query. Be sure to ‘respond all’ with any feedback, because I know it’ll be positive and I want to ensure that an agent bidding war ensues! (Very much kidding about everything EXCEPT the part about your blog being helpful.) <br /><br />I'll throw out another rookie mistake: never wear plaids and stripes together. I've never been the same ...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-69033333520365192592010-03-20T09:07:46.796-04:002010-03-20T09:07:46.796-04:00On #4, I'd put a disclaimer that you should li...On #4, I'd put a disclaimer that you should likely only send them out in smaller batches. Don't shoot a query out to every agent you plan submitting to. If there's an issue with your query letter, you've basically shot yourself in the foot if you do. Send it out to five or so, see if you get any nibbles...and if not, go in and see if it could be an issue with the query.<br /><br />Granted, you should make sure the query is the best it can be before you send it out, but as we all know, writing one is never an exact science.T. M. Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04315726033990784930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-86621832971666465792010-03-20T08:01:30.079-04:002010-03-20T08:01:30.079-04:00It's a nice list to keep beside the PC labeled...It's a nice list to keep beside the PC labeled: REMINDERS.Kate Evangelistahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13329658806888882504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-61450226893616470132010-03-19T20:36:44.478-04:002010-03-19T20:36:44.478-04:00Jenny,
This is a great post. I've only sent ...Jenny,<br /><br />This is a great post. I've only sent one small round of queries out, and thankfully did not make any of the mistakes listed above, but it's still nice to hear insights from an intelligent agent about the very scary subject of querying. I do have a question though, which I hope won't seem stupid. #4 talks about exclusive queries/ agents expect that writers are querying several agencies at once, but I've seen on some agent websites that they want to know in the query if you are querying other agents. Is it counterproductive to mention that you are querying widely to those specific agents? Does that make sense?Rachel Hammhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07568448784514843192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-67496867024625131232010-03-19T19:01:24.110-04:002010-03-19T19:01:24.110-04:00Great advice.Great advice.ryan fieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13361694356025572544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-36148607038236065952010-03-19T17:45:50.102-04:002010-03-19T17:45:50.102-04:00So helpful, so polite, so true. Amen and huzzah!So helpful, so polite, so true. Amen and huzzah!sarah mccarryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06092116746268072592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-52067550547830832972010-03-18T14:41:25.118-04:002010-03-18T14:41:25.118-04:00Of my experiences in contacting agents, I can acce...Of my experiences in contacting agents, I can accept rejections and just move on because that is the subjective nature of the business. But unfortunately there are those agents who send back replies that are addressing the wrong book or even the wrong author. Those are clearly the sort of agents I wouldn't want to work with. I once got a reply back from an agent who told me that he wasn't interested in books on the topic of birds. That tells me they're either out of touch or simply disorganized.John Rudolphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04945484046119495721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-24678328386244953352010-03-17T17:05:59.986-04:002010-03-17T17:05:59.986-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jenny Benthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12744171500436166262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-84867395419019835622010-03-17T16:53:58.072-04:002010-03-17T16:53:58.072-04:00All I can say is that I do my best. Yours, JennyAll I can say is that I do my best. Yours, JennyJenny Benthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12744171500436166262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-15578788027775794562010-03-17T16:45:53.100-04:002010-03-17T16:45:53.100-04:00Other agents address me by name. Being a magazine ...Other agents address me by name. Being a magazine editor, I know that to write "Sorry, Jenny" is as time consuming as hitting ctrl-v.<br /><br />Well, anyway, blogging is a nice diversion and it's educational, too.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06317510349456976402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-36153783770221834112010-03-17T15:11:59.078-04:002010-03-17T15:11:59.078-04:00vrflash, I hear what you're saying, and I can ...vrflash, I hear what you're saying, and I can only speak for myself, not other agents. I would like to respond if not individually to every query, then at least by name. But I get at least 50 queries a day, sometimes as many as 100. Add to that the existing clients that I have to work for, and responding to full manuscripts that I've asked for with a hopefully constructive response, and there just isn't enough time in the day.Jenny Benthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12744171500436166262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-66609394512619421792010-03-17T13:56:04.655-04:002010-03-17T13:56:04.655-04:00Yes, these are pretty common mistakes.
Now, I am ...Yes, these are pretty common mistakes.<br /><br />Now, I am a published author. I don't mean self-published, but my novel came from a mid-sized publisher and was very well received by the media. For the reasons too hard to explain, I recently fired my agent. What gets me, though, is when an agent is sending me a "dear author" form rejection, Can't she at least address me by my name?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06317510349456976402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-69484421653394795032010-03-16T16:22:22.478-04:002010-03-16T16:22:22.478-04:00Thank you for this post. It's nice to get suc...Thank you for this post. It's nice to get such great advice from an agent, who can help aspiring writers avoid some of the pitfalls others have encountered. I really appreciate it.Gwen Sticklehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928837527329485640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-42233396978022298992010-03-16T09:12:26.250-04:002010-03-16T09:12:26.250-04:00Ammanuel, it's certainly true that agents make...Ammanuel, it's certainly true that agents make rookie mistakes, in fact I've blogged about that myself. What I think is nice is that the agent was willing to share that with everyone--it takes a big person and a big heart to let others learn from your mistakes.Jenny Benthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12744171500436166262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-62554101185210497372010-03-15T22:06:13.168-04:002010-03-15T22:06:13.168-04:00Great post. I'm a self published author trying...Great post. I'm a self published author trying to break through the front gate of the publishing house community, but its pretty solid. Sometimes, it appears they are double reinforced, with chains and padlocks, not to mention a few rottweilers walking loosely. And yet, with all of the security in place, there's a big welcome sign above the front entrance.<br /><br />While mistakes are a sure way to limit your chances for being taken seriously, I just don't believe it should be the automatic exit stage left for a good writer.<br /><br />I attended a writer's workshop on the campus of Johns Hopkins University last summer and met with a few agents. One shared how she turned down a querey from Steven Meyers years ago for his Twilight series idea because there was an inconsistency in writing style between the querey letter and the portion of his manuscript he submitted. I know it's not an often happening, but who do you think made the bigger mistake in that situation?<br /><br />A.C. Moore<br />MooreNovels.comACMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09444429525626524163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-41825204506080123242010-03-15T16:46:46.235-04:002010-03-15T16:46:46.235-04:00Hugo, I think that's wonderful, but I also thi...Hugo, I think that's wonderful, but I also think you're the exception that proves the rule. I'd hate to think of lots of writers out there sending out the first two chapters of an uncompleted novel hoping to get the same results.Jenny Benthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12744171500436166262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-77381669811881007072010-03-15T16:36:04.395-04:002010-03-15T16:36:04.395-04:00I'll take you to task over point 2. I was an u...I'll take you to task over point 2. I was an unpublished novelist, and sent my first two chapters to agents when I was only about halfway through my novel. After several years of writing, and one failed, unpublished novel behind me already, I simply needed to know for my own battered morale if what I was doing could possibly interest anyone. As it happened, I was contacted by a young agent who was keen to seek out new writers, and who eventually got me a very good two-book deal, once I'd finished my novel.Hugohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15086593725809537401noreply@blogger.com