Long lost writer in the noman's land of blogs...

Well, my fulls have turned to rejection. No worries though. I keep submitting. Meanwhile, I've been writing, writing, writing (with the occasional break for Miss Snark, and my sci-fi addiction).

Two cool projects I'm working on are adapting a fascinating novel (that's out of print) for film. I have some real experience in this world, and I know who I want to direct and star in it (Amanda Tapping). I even have connections to get financing. Now I just need to finish writing it, figure out the best way to reach Ms. Tapping to get her on board, and round up the money. Yeah, that's not mean task, but I've done it on a smaller scale before, so I just have to make one or two "right" connections to launch it.

Meanwhile, I've been working on a nonfiction book about forgiveness. I've lived and worked in the Middle East, and have first hand experience with reconciliation efforts - both the good, worthwhile kind, and the kind that are unadulterated crap. While I'm not sure that anyone could ever truly be expert on the subject, I have had this idea rattling around my head for some time, so I figured I'd put it down on paper. Only way to get it to stop shouting into my unconscious...

On a completely random "other" front, I've been poking around the website for a new online sci-fi show that will come to fruition quite soon. It's called Sanctuary and is going to be released as a web-only product that is really a giant new media project. The concept is fascinating. The writer/creator, Damian Kindler, is a smart, smart guy. Someone I'd do a lot to work with someday ... but I digress. Check it out. It's going to be an interactive show. We're getting closer and closer to the "idiot box" becoming obsolete. I can't wait!

Miss Snark Picked Me!

...or at least Miss Abacus's random number generator did.

Haven't posted here for awhile, because I've been busy ... well, writing. Still waiting to hear back on the full request. I figure an answer will come when it comes. I've sent out more queries, most of which were rejections, but two of which were for partials. Thankful for that.

I'm really excited that I'm going to be snarked though. Couldn't really say why. What I sent is something I quit working on some time ago, and had kind of given up on. If MS likes it, perhaps I'll push it out into the cold, cruel world once again.

Thank you Miss Snark, whatever you may say!

TRW

Excellent!

Got a request for a full today. Very, very excited.

Allowed myself one episode of Xena to celebrate, and now back to work on the new novel. Oh how I enjoy writing. Yes, seriously.

Query Critique

When I started this blog, Miss Snark most generously graced it with a visit. In typical Miss S fashion, she said that if I intended to mock rejections, then readers should have a right to mock my query. I politely informed her that I may be a nitwit, but I'm not that much of a nitwit.

Still, as I read Miss S's occasional feedback on queries, as well as the Crapometer and Evil Editor, I'm intrigued by the process of opening one's self up to such public critique. I've said all along that I have no illusions about my query being the best thing since the invention of movable type, but neither do I think it rubbish. (I am enough of a non-nitwit to know better than to send out rubbish posing as a professional query seeking publication for my novel.)

E2 is a decent editor of queries. The feedback given is often very good. The Crapometer is almost always useful, but some of the critiques remind me of the cliche about a group of blind people trying to get from point A to point B.

My personal theory is that I can learn from everything I encounter, if I'm open to the learning. I am not perfect in the openness part, but I do try. Perhaps someday soon I'll gird up my loins sufficiently so as to submit my query to one of the aforementioned critiques. We shall see.

PS -- Still waiting on the partials. I'm not anxious about it, and hope that the delay is because the agents in receipt of them are so engrossed by my writing that they keep reading it over and over.

Rejection

A rejection showed up in today's e-mail. This one was worse than many others. No salutation - not even the ubiquitous "Dear Author". Just started right in. It was clearly a standard form rejection. (Again, I understand the practical need for such, but refuse to excuse the banality of them.)

Here is an excerpt:

"While we at XXX Agency have every confidence of your ability and talent as a writer, your query does not meet our current needs.

"We wish you all the best in your pursuit of representation and publication."

There are several problems with this pat and condescending response:

1. If you actually do believe in my abilities, but I just don't happen to fit your list, then give me the name of an agent whose list you think I do fit. Anything less is bullshitting on your part.

2. While I realize that some writers do just cluster bomb agents at random with queries for books about polar bears in Antartica, I do not. I also choose to believe that I am not unusual in doing research on what agents have sold, what they claim to "like" on places like Agent Query and Publishers Marketplace, and query accordingly. Therefore, if I am sending an agent a query, it is because a book on her list bears a resemblance in genre or style to my own. To just say it "doesn't fit" means that: a) the information these agents are posting about themselves is rife with lies, b) aliens have taken over the bodies of these agents (or left them; your choice) and the current personality inhabiting the agency is different than the one who posted the information, or c) the wee college intern looking at the slurry of queries was busy changing the mix on his iPod and clicked "pat rejection" when he got to my query.

3. Please don't wish me well. It's condescending. You don't want me. That's all I need to know. You telling me that you will pretend for a nanosecond to give a shit about me or my book just rubs salt in the wound. Most of you are New Yorkers and would never apologize in person, so please don't have a Miss Manners Moment via e-mail.

Hope Springs Eternal

Two requests for partials today. Perhaps not all agents are complete jerk-offs.

We shall see...

Slow agents

This isn't a complaint, and in fact is more hopeful than previous posts.

After doing more research, I sent off three more queries to three more agents. Haven't heard back from any of them. This could mean that they're:

1. Thinking my query is the best damn thing ever created and have it out for framing while they write a well-considered request for the partial.

2. Are still recovering from too many gin and tonics last weekend . . . yes, still.

3. Have too many queries on the desk at the moment and will get around to rejecting it soon.

Time will tell.

How did agents get so much power?

In all honesty, the same question could (and perhaps should) be asked about people like Dick Cheney, but this is about publishing and agents; not dirty politicians.

Once upon a time, agents were little more than glorified secretaries to writers. The writers did the work to get published, then they engaged agents to handle the pesky details so the writer could, well, write. Somehow, somewhere agents managed to turn the tables, and they began calling the shots.

I find it fascinating to read that writers like Stephen King were able to get several books published before realizing that an agent might be of use to them. Today, however, publishing houses collude with agents to block writers from direct access, thus reinforcing the power of agents.

Don't misunderstand, agents can be quite useful. They often have access to legal information that writers would waste ridiculous amounts of time finding. I have also (from the side of acquisitions) seen stupid agents tank deals that authors desperately wanted to happen.

I appreciate the work of sites like Preditors & Editors, in their sort-of ranking of some agents, unfortunately it's not enough information. I appreciate that some agents give a "what I'm looking for" or "what I'm interested in" list, but again unfortunately it's not enough information.

Miss Snark is a helpful soul, acid keyboard and all, but even she demands that writers "know" prospective agents before pitching them on a book. But here's the conundrum MS, how in hell do we writers get to know you agent types when your "what I want" lists are vague at best, and there are no authors brave enough to talk frankly about specific agents when flattery is not in order?

Calling BB a scam agent is one thing . . . knowing MS well enough to know that I have the "right" book for her (or any agent) is wholly another . . .

Miss Snark