# of partials requested: 1
genre of partials requested: general fiction
Dear Authors:
I bring you this week's theme: autistic chlidren -- several pitches featured them. Did I miss a recent news story or something? Just curious. I find it so peculiar when an element like that makes repeat appearances. Must be some trigger in the collective unconscious.
I believe at this time that I have responded to all queries received prior to June 26th (whether email or snailmail). Please check your spam filters or allow sufficient time for traversal of the post awful system before concluding your query was lost and re-sending. As per guidelines on our website, please note our official response time on queries is 2-3 weeks from receipt. I also got two of my responses bounced back with errors of "domain not found" and "response error - Reverse DNS is missing"...
So, you remember this dilemma of mine about someone who didn't really understand that I was declining to pursue their work? Someone else did it this week too. My note that their idea was just not right for me apparently fell on deaf ears. They wrote back and suggested that I take 10 minutes to re-read their material (which I had already read). Really, it wasn't an issue of their writing. I just wouldn't buy the book in a store if I saw it, so that wouldn't make me a very good advocate for it to publishers either, imo. 10 minutes may not sound like much time, but if every query I read this week required that much attention, that'd be around 20 hours of review, at a rate of 6 queries per hour -- not so efficient for generating prompt replies. I tend to work more than a 40-hour week (who doesn't these days), but I do need much of that time to devote to my current clients. Honestly, I'd love to live in a world where I had that kind of time for more detailed feedback, especially for those queries that I'm on the fence about. But, seriously, it just can't be done. And so many authors think it already takes too long to get responses. Anyway, is there some site out there giving this advice as to how to respond to rejection? Just wondering.
This is not to say that I'm adverse to second chances. Sometimes people have break-throughs in revisions or with peer writing groups and the realization changes the approach to the book in a fundamental way, which has an effect on both the pitch and the pages and, perhaps, the quality of the submission. There's people currently on my list that were initially rejected, and were either signed up because their revisions were amazing or for a different project all together. So, that does happen. But that's a whole different situation than what I'm describing above which is simply someone not realizing that I assessed what they sent me carefully and replied accordingly. Seems to me there's a difference between that and a careful and thoughtful resubmission. Agree/disagree?
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Comments
Likewise, while there are agents we'd love to get... there are a lot of agents! One should not fixate! (Which is what's let me keep my sanity...)
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCr
Apparently a gene is found.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/03/05/aut
And it was strange, I had an idea for an autistic story last week too. Go figure. Maybe there was a memo running around.
Agree. I'd say it might be a little desparation, but I think it takes a lot of ego to say something like that and a shortage of wit.
I mean, I've never been a Fuller Brush salesman. But if someone answered the door, listened to my pitch for 10 minutes, thanked me and showed me out the door, wouldn't it be, umm, just a tad counter-productive for me to ring the door immediately and start out by saying, "Wait, you don't understand...!" -- and then launch into a verbatim re-spiel?
JES (http://johnesimpson.com/)
A couple years ago, I was working on some stuff in the yard and this guy in a white shirt and tie approached me. (This is N. Florida, where men in white shirts and ties don't generally go door-to-door during the height of summer.) I'd seen him visiting neighbor's houses, so I was prepared for... well, something.
He said he worked for a home-security company. He'd walked around our house and had noted several points where, he said, our security could use some beefing up.
I know he didn't mean it this way, but it just felt so CREEPY to be talking to someone who had, y'know, cased the joint that I couldn't wait to send him on his way ASAP. Which I did.
JES
JES
These stats are shocking. Maybe there's the difference in diagnosing though? Maybe diagnosing is more thorough now, plus broadening of the spectrum by such things as HFA and Aspergers that is sometimes difficult to diagnose. On the other hand the environment is more friendly toward autistic people now, what with the overwhelming access to information and diminishing of social bonds in general. It has great sci-fi potential. :/
Sorry
Arcaedia, the person who wrote back immediately to ask for a reread doesn't even deserve a reply. After all, they have already proven that they can't comprehend a simple declarative sentence...
I understand no one likes rejection, but the whole point of good writing is that it should grab the reader the first time reading through it. If the author has to ask for a second chance from the agent, how could they expect one from the reader who they can't even contact directly? Ludicrous.
Nancy D'Inzillo
http://www.mightypenediting.com
I certainly understand either a resubmission of a work vastly rewritten or a submission of a new work entirely, but it sounds like this clown just didn't believe you when you said you were going to pass. "Read it again." Lol, if only it were that easy....
I think revising the work substantially or submitting an entire different piece of work is a different matter and I hope that an agent would read the work. Of course substantially is in the eye of the beholder, but a substantial revision would take more than 2-3 weeks. You wrote that you take 2-3 week to respond to a query.
It's a shame you can't be more snarky about it. "Dear Author, Thank you for suggesting I reread the material you sent me. In response, I suggest you reread the rejection I sent you. Loves and kisses, Agent"
One guy I interviewed asked, after I told him he wasn't what we were looking for, asked when he was supposed to report to work.
I feel your pain.
At least I understand a rejection. What puzzles me are the non-responses. Did they get the query? Do they just not answer if not interested? Mysteries abound.
Do you find that when a book is very successful and specific that you start getting queries for similar projects? I mean, yeah, I know wizarding school books abounded for a while, but could something like this trigger them too?
I agree. Even though I am a subscriber to the bumble bee theory of success, I think a person also has to exercise common sense and courtesy.
I believe, against astronomical odds, that I will find the right agent, we will sell the book (leading to the sale of many others) and enjoy a degree of success. I probably should have remained anon before stating that. Even with such a blinding optimism, the key words are "right agent."
If an agent didn't feel he/she was right two weeks ago, what would change their mind?
"Hi, as it just so happens all of my clients got sucked into a magical vortex and I decided I would like to read your submission."
I probably wouldn't want the agent at this point because a) if they are smart they will be writing the next best seller about the author snatching vortex and b) I don't want to be the next author sucked into the vortex.
Seriously, to me, the relationship between an agent and an author is just that. I want the agent to contact me and say, "I read your manuscript and love it. Here's what we need to do."
It still boils down to professionalism, respect and courtesy. The agent doesn't want to dance to this song. Go find someone else who is tapping their toe.
And why haven't I been offered a subscription by whatever god is peddling it? :)
My guess is authors who do dumb things like this haven't thought the whole thing through. They're so stressed about getting an agent, they don't even realize that's only the first hurdle in the long road to being published.
Elissa M
As a new writer just starting to look for an agent I very much appreciate you taking the time to blog, provide advice, and listen to prospective clients. After researching for the past week, I am definitely planning on sending you a query letter to consider my first novel, which is in the thriller genre. I read on one of the agent research sites that you were looking to expand your list in this area. I hope that is true. You sound like a very professional and thoughtful person. You can rest assured that the query letter you receive from me will adhere to your guidelines and that I will respect your time and effort, whether or not you decide to represent my work. Without someone like you, writers like us would have even a tougher time of it. Take care and have a wonderful weekend. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Michael Nystrom
BUT, should I tell the agents that they've already seen this before significant rewriting and polishing? Or just send it like it's a new one and not worry about it cause they probably won't remember anyway?
--Shiloh C. (http://snarky-writer.blogspot.com)
Secondly, I feel that the internet and cable talk shows have made us more aware of autism. It's opened up the lines of discussion.
Please forgive me for taking up so much space. However, this is such an important topic of discussion.
http://jmeadows.livejournal.com/603480.h
Apparently it's a trend. Perhaps there is someone out there giving this advice.
Weird!
As far as the Autism phenomenon, a great deal more people are becoming more aware and education about Autism, and I think it's sparking an interest for some folks. It's really being discussed in the media now and celebrities are talking about it more.
I work with and advocate for the mentally challenged/autistic/related disability populations, so my interest has been there since high school. It's nothing new to me and I learn more and more every day.
I have worked in human services for several years and can write books upon books of my experiences, fiction and non-fiction, lol.
~Tyhitia
http://obfuscationofreality.blogspot.com/
Your post makes me wnder, though, how long do you take on a query, usually? And do you make a judgment initially on the letter and synopsis and if they aren't good enough forget about reading the enclosed pages, or do you muddle through it all as best you can, as long as it is relatively interesting and not obviously written by an inexperienced monkey at a typewriter?
Basically, if we don't necessarily have the skills to make an exciting query letter, but the chapters are great, do you make it to the five pages, or do you toss it based on the summary?