Pub Rants

STATUS: I’m going to be on vacation next week so it’s a mad scramble to finish up projects, submissions, and all kinds of details before heading out. It makes today feel like a Wednesday.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? WICKED GAME by Chris Isaak

I’m not one to provide a ton of blog links as my entry and call it a day but today, I can’t resist a few before giving a query rant.

Bookseller chick (one of my favs to read) has the most hilarious story posted on her blog. Serious beverage alert.

My author Sherry Thomas has a purple prose confession to make—one that I had totally forgotten about until she sent me the link to her blog entry. Ah, writers, if you have sentence or a paragraph that is just your baby, maybe you should reconsider if your agent or editor mercilessly deletes it.

Also, my very good friend Karen Dionne and one of the original founders of Backspace asked me to do a shout out for their All Agents Conference that is happening in November 2006. It’s quite a line up and a good opportunity to meet more than 10 agents in person if you’re looking. Here’s the link.

But I saved the best for last. I was reading through my queries this morning and of course none of my blog readers would ever use a query service but here’s another reason why you shouldn’t.

The whole point of the query is the illusion of personalization. As agents, we all know that you write the main crux (as in the pitch blurb) once and then you simply tailor the opening paragraph to the agent you are targeting. Mix and match and email away. The point is to be professional enough (and savvy) to take the time to tailor the query letter so the agent knows he or she is not just some random target.

Not so when you use a query blaster service.

I love the email tag line included with the query that reads:

This query letter has been sent to you by Bookblaster E-Query Service (a division of Scriptblaster E-Query Service) on behalf of the writer. To contact the writer directly, please either click on the writer’s email address in the body of the email, or use your reply button.

To contact Bookblaster E-Query Service, please email us at ….

I’m just not feeling the personal love. Besides, it was really obvious that the query letter was in some kind of form letter format. Most agents will just send out their NO blaster as a response.

Folks. Write your own query letters and send them yourself. Yes, I know it’s time consuming (and often frustrating), but it’s just part of the business of writing. You shouldn’t be query blasting your email to every agent on this e-query service list anyway.

I sure hope the writer didn’t pay for it. Oy.

STATUS: October royalty statements are rolling in. Spent some time on the phone tracking down what seemed to be missing on one of those statements. Ah, tis the season. I like ‘em better when checks are attached. hehe

What’s playing on the iPod right now? KIM THE WAITRESS by Material Issue

I got an email on Friday from a writer whose full manuscript we requested. Lo and behold, she was writing to tell us that she already had offer on the table but if we wanted to read over the weekend and respond by Monday, she’d hold off making her decision.

First off, let me tell you how much I appreciate when authors keep us apprised of the status of their work. I once read a whole manuscript over the weekend (by the writer’s request) only to receive a curt email early on Monday morning telling me the writer had decided to accept representation elsewhere. Um… thanks. If you ask me to join the party, at least give me a chance to make an offer and be considered—especially if I have expended time with the work. So, I was super happy that even though we had just asked for the manuscript, she was still open to letting us read.

So I did. Last night. And I really enjoyed the manuscript but I wrote her first thing this morning telling her I was going to pass with regret. And I meant the regret part.

So why didn’t I take her on? Did I think the manuscript was sell-able? Yes. Did I think she was a good writer? Yes. So what’s the deal?

Something just didn’t click for me. It was a fun relationship chick lit work and I said it was a great piece of chocolate but I was really in the mood for a big substantial molten lava cake with lots of layers and complexity. And that was the best way I could sum it up why I was passing. (I gave other details too but you get the picture). She has an offer on the table so I know she’s going to be fine, and I’ll probably read about the sale later.

Why do I tell you this?

Because it’s a myth that all agents will take on any project they think they can sell. This project will probably sell but I chose not to be the agent to do it.

All writers have stories of the agents who passed on their manuscript before that one person with vision took it on to glory. Do agents have remorse? Sometimes. Mostly not though. It was a good project but just not right for me.

STATUS: Today, Sara and I received chocolate chocolate chip cookies from a gift site, and I have to say what a huge disappointment they are. Completely chalky tasting. Blah. Nothing ruins a Friday faster than dry cookies when you want a chocolate fix. Other than that, we are busy reading.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? CLEANING WINDOWS by Van Morrison

This week we got the German cover for Jennifer O’Connell’s DRESS REHEARSAL. It’s going to release overseas in just a few weeks. I have to say that we were a little surprised by it.

We loved the cover they did for BACHELORETTE #1. So fun and cute. Here it is:

I love this cover. Totally cute and romantic. And German titles! I love them too. They sound so sturdy and resounding. Don’t mess with MANNERFANG.

When the DR cover came, I have to admit. We both kind of went, “hum.” Not very cheery. Maybe this is cheerful in Germany? Not to mention, even though DRESS REHEARSAL is about a wedding cake designer and her hilarious assumption that she can predict how a marriage will turn out based on the cake ordered, it’s actually not about a bride or a groom (or even a wedding) at all. It’s an untraditional “bridal” lit novel. There is actually no wedding in the entire story.

From this German cover, I would assume that there would be a wedding at the center and from the looks of it, the groom is a little disheartened by being a part of it. Ultimately, we have to trust that German publishers now their audience and their market—just as we assume we do here but we were still a little flummoxed at the cover choice.

the German title still gives me a thrill though. (Nature of the language!) Here’s the US version for comparison.

STATUS: One contract complete. One more still to go and I’m reading away on fun stuff. Gorgeous days like these (It’s sunny, not a cloud in the sky, 70 degrees), boy, it’s great to be an agent sitting on my balconey. I’m reading a full right now that I like so much, I’m probably going to call the author as soon as I finish reading.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? I’LL BE AROUND by The Spinners

This might interest nobody but me but I have to say that I’m completely fascinated with the foreign edition covers of my clients’ books. Sometimes I’m confused by the chosen foreign title and the image. Sometimes I laugh with delight. Sometimes the covers invoke a “huh?”

For the most part, the author doesn’t get a say in the cover art or the publishing strategy in the foreign territory. Often, the book will just suddenly appear on our doorstop and then all you can do is go, “okay, some young Indonesian gal is probably going to take this Indo-version to the beach this year.” If the cover implies a beach read and young women readers that is.

But sometimes, and it’s just so much fun when it happens, sometimes the foreign publisher really wants the author to be involved in the process and that is certainly the case with Ally Carter’s I’D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU BUT THEN I’D HAVE TO KILL YOU. The Japanese translator was in frequent contact with Ally—determined to get the translation just right (and there were some hilarious conversations as Ally attempted to explain, in detail, certain American idioms and what might be the Japanese equivalent). Hence the title change as well.

Ally’s Japanese publisher even sent us the cover art for our approval because they are just so excited about this book and want us to be completely thrilled.

Well, let me tell you, we are.

Maybe it’s just me but this Manga-inspired cover just rocks. Look at it. Clockwise from the top it’s Cammie, Bex, Liz, and Macey. The Gallagher Girls envisioned.

Japanese Cover

And for fun comparison, the US cover

STATUS: Hooray! It’s a normal day at the office. No flaming bonfires raging wildly out of control or anything. The two outstanding contracts are close to being complete. I’m doing some reading, some submission follow up, talking to clients. All the fun stuff.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? ME EVERY CHANGING MOODS by The Style Council

Here’s a final blurb question. What if you, a published author, are asked to blurb a work and you would like to decline? What do you then say?

Never burn bridges. Always be appreciative and polite because publishing is a small world. Even if you’re thinking, “this is the worst freaking book I’ve read in years.”

You keep that to yourself!

This should be common sense but I’m constantly amazing at how often sense isn’t common. So how to politely say NO to a blurb request.

1. Not the right author for the blurb. If the manuscript is dark and edgy and you as the author only write light and sweet, highlight that as your reason (or insert other similar scenarios). A blurb from you might confuse or alienate your audience. It’s true and no one can take offense.

2. The looming deadline. All authors and editors understand this one and it’s often true. A lot of authors simply can’t squeeze the reading time in if they are on deadline.

3. The oblique but true response. Stay general in sentiment such as the “you just didn’t fall in love with the story response but were very much honored to have been considered and you wish the other author well.”

Happy blurbing (or not as the case may be) folks!

STATUS: It’s issues week at the NelsonAgency! I’m partly kidding because an agent’s job, by its nature, is pretty much dealing with issues. Still, we have quite the abundance considering it’s only Tuesday.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? TELL YOU WHY MAGGIE MAE by The Pietasters

Are author blurbs important?

Darn if I know. Darn if any of the publishers really know. It’s very hard to determine the power of a blurb in terms of nudging a browser into a buyer when at the bookstore. There are a lot of disparate views on the topic. How does one quantify the power of the blurb?

What I do know is that they don’t hurt and they are used for many reasons. They can grace a cover (usually by a really well known name that readers can identify with). The more recognizable the name, the more power of the blurb.

It’s a time-honored tradition to make blurb requests and they can be done two ways—through your agent (who asks the other author’s agent or editor) or directly by the author to the other bestselling author. However, some bestselling authors make it a general policy to not give out blurbs—mostly because they would be inundated.

Given that, the best blurbs are the ones you get because a well-known author, unbeknownst to you, picks up your book and reads it, loves it, and emails you. Carly Phillips picked up CHEATING AT SOLITAIRE by Ally Carter at an airport and loved it so much, she emailed Ally. Excited, she forwarded it to me and of course, being in agent mode, I asked Ally how comfortable she was in terms of asking Carly if she would be willing to formalize her enthusiasm into a blurb. Carly was happy to.

For Mary Jo Putney, a close friend of hers read and loved FINDERS KEEPERS by Linnea Sinclair and told Mary Jo she had to read it and gave her a copy. (Bless those reading enthusiasts!) SF romance is not traditionally Mary Jo’s thing but she had heard some buzz on the book, had the copy and her friend’s endorsement, so gave it read. Loved it and emailed Linnea. Her quote graces the cover of Linnea’s upcoming title GAMES OF COMMAND, which will be out in the spring.

Another use for a blurb? They make great inside cover praise for the front book pages. I know I tend to skim them when looking to buy a new author. Do you? What weighs more for you? Name recognition of the author or what is actually said in the blurb?

Another use of blurbs is for the marketing materials that are often included in publisher catalog copies, letters to booksellers, sales conference etc. It’s just more ammunition for the sales rep to highlight how much attention and praise a book has received.

Do I think they are necessary? No. Authors shouldn’t kill themselves getting them but I do think it’s worth some effort on their part.

STATUS: It was a miserable Monday. Two contracts that should be done, aren’t.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? SMOOTH by Santana and Rob Thomas

Several of my authors have quite a bit of name recognition so it’s no surprise that just recently, they are being asked to blurb quite a few upcoming books. This in, itself, is not a bad thing at all but it certainly got me thinking about some blurb rants.

So, I think I’ll indulge.

A blurb request is great if the author reads the manuscript and loves it. Piece o’cake. Blurb is provided with enthusiasm and delight. However, what should an author do if they don’t like the work?

Tricky situation but a great question. Do you blurb it anyway? What if the author is a “hot” rising star who is getting lots of attention? What if the request came straight from an editor? Can you say NO? Will that burn bridges? What if the request came from an author influential on a loop?

What if… and there can be any number of scenarios.

My advice?

If you don’t like the work, don’t blurb it.

Ah, easier said then done. Big smile here. That’s my general advice but if ultimately you, as an author, think there might be severe repercussions to saying NO (and those really vary), well, hey, it’s a valid, professional decision to weigh carefully and you might decide to blurb it. And yes, I can hear the chatter from the comments section already about how that might be jeopardizing one’s principles, blah, blah, blah. My guess is that you really don’t know what you’ll decide until faced with the question for real.

My other advice? If you’re not sure about a blurb decision, consult with your agent.

STATUS: Sara and I might have set a record for how many full manuscripts we’ve requested within a three-week period. 12 to be exact. But seriously, we’ve seen some great queries, solid sample pages, and are reading lots of fulls. We are looking to take on new clients. But what I want to see is something really new, fresh, and original in terms of the story and supported by top-notch writing.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? JEALOUSY by Natalie Merchant.

I hear that writers are often asked about where they get their good story ideas—like there is a factory somewhere that generates them. I don’t know what works for writers but I do know what works me as an agent because it happened last night while I was reading the latest issue of Newsweek.

I read this quote and couldn’t help but think, dang, that would make a brilliant novel concept. That would be a novel I would LOVE to get my hands on sample pages right now. Why didn’t some enterprising young Latina or African American writer not think of this before?

Today, I’m going to give a free book idea for a novel I would love to see and read.

In Newsweek, Jennifer Bayer of Pereira, Colombia, was quoted saying “Violence is not sexy,” on a movement where girlfriends and wives of gang members refuse to have sex until their significant others cease all violence.

Bingo! What a brilliant novel concept–a modern retelling of the classic Greek play Lysistrada from a contemporary Latina or AA perspective. Aristophanes wrote this production in 411 BC and yet it’s still a timeless theme. Maybe this book already exists and I’m simply unaware of it but if not…

Good story concepts? They are everywhere.