Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Meetings

For those of you following this foray into the novel writing world, and I know there at least three of you lol, here is the latest.

I met with the big time agent who said she loved the book and would give me line by line notes shortly. She didn't get down on bended knee, call me the greatest gift to writing since Jeffery Archer and offer to have my children, but I'll let that slide. Neither did she offer to actually sign me, saying that she never signs a client until the book is ready to go out. Fair enough. It was a good meeting and the broad notes she gave were very do-able. I haven't done anything about them as yet because experience in the trenches tells me that anything I do on the broad notes can easily be fucked six ways from Sunday by the line by line edit.

I got back from the meeting and checked my email. Lo and behold to my great surprise I'm invited to another meeting with another agent. I trotted along and that too seemed to go pretty well. The broad notes were a bit more onerous involving some hefty structural changes that right now I think may or may not change the tone of the book, and again he didn't whip out the papers and ask for my John Hancock.

That didn't worry me too much. With no mention of signing I was free to take or leave whatever notes I wanted and after due consideration go for a re-write with whichever agent I thought best.
Until yesterday
That was when the second agent mailed me to say he had thought about it over the weekend and wanted the old moniker asap.
To make matters more complicated the first agent mailed to say her notes would be delayed as she had to go to LA for most of this week.

So what's a girl to do? I like the second agent. He 's with a good agency, gives good notes, is a nice guy and clearly has integrity. The first agent, I've yet to see substantive notes but liked her and what she had to say and she's with an agency with major international firepower.

I guess common sense has to come in here. There's no way I can sign for the second agent without seeing the first agent's notes. As my mate Dublin pointed out, these guys spend all day pressing the reject button so I shouldn't feel bad about keeping them waiting for a decision. They do what's best for their business and therefore so should I. For my business I have to decide on who gives the best combination of getting the book into shape to sell and then selling it. Two equally important parts of the equation. I won't have all the information I need until I get the second set of substantive notes when the first agent gets back from La La land.

I don't want to piss off the second agent by stalling. As I said, I liked what he had to say, but it's a risk I have to take. This is a business when it comes down to it. And talking of business I feel a bit like a whore working two beds, trying to figure out which one is the more lucrative, but hey, no lay no pay.

I'll stall and I'll wait. If it goes tits up.... well you know me. I'll let you know!

But here is the major difference between book agents and film agents that has only just become apparent to me. Because I'm a bit thick.

A film/tv agent will take you on not because they think they can sell your script, but because they think they can use it to get you other paying work. A book agent takes you on because they think they can sell your book. End of story.

My sense of dramedy kinda likes that.

33 comments:

Charlie Williams said...

Good going ED. And don't have any qualms about protecting your own. What kind of agent would take something like that personally?

Right on re the film/book agent difference. But there's not a lot of paying work in the fiction world besides writing your book and getting it sold. Some, but not a lot (eg Charlie Higson and Sebastian Faulks).

potdoll said...

well done son :)

x

Steve the Creep said...

What's wrong with telling the first agent that you're considering signing with another? Maybe that'll get her notes to you faster.

Eleanor said...

Hey, hey!

Best of luck with both of them. :)

Jaded and Cynical said...

Is it rude to suggest an approach along the lines of 'fuck the notes?'

If a credible agent offered most of us a contract on a first novel, in this climate, we'd have signed the thing on the spot, in blood, or whatever other bodily fluid carries most legal weight.

I'd hate to play poker against you, ED. Icewater must flow through your veins.

Club Toronto, Health club Toronto said...

The post is very informative. It is a pleasure reading it. I have also bookmarked you for checking out new posts.

spa toronto said...

A very well-written post. I read and liked the post and have also bookmarked you. All the best for future endeavors.

Animal hospital in Georgetown said...

It is a pleasure going through your post. I have bookmarked you to check out new stuff from your side.

Security Guard Toronto said...

Interforce International offers Security Guards, Guard Patrol Services, Security Officers, Security Guard Officer Service and much more!

Anonymous said...

So the Mayans say we're all going to die this year, but for tradition sake I decided to write up goals just in case the Mayans were wrong.

So I present my goals for 2012:

1) Read. A lot.
I was able to get 57 read this year and I hope to come close to that again in '12. I don't think I'm going to try and top 57 though. If I do, fine, but I'm not going to kill myself (see goal #8). I just want to try and read some every day.

2) Finish edits for Beneath a Broken Sky.

This one is actually very achievable, because I'm almost done. I just wasn't able to get it done in December. This makes a nice easy thing for my list too :-) I like easy.

3) Edit Dagen's story and get it out to beta readers

I really need to come up with a title for this story. The first draft of it is done. Hopefully in the revisions I can find the perfect title.

4) Finish writing 1 1/2 - 2 more novels

I've already got an idea for a sequel to Dagen's story and I possibly have another I can finish. I don't want to commit to getting 2 novel length stories done because I always seem to run into NaNoWriMo and it breaks my stride.

5) Survive NaNoWriMo

And speaking of NaNoWriMo, unless thing's change, 2012 will be my last NaNoWriMo. Both as an ML and as a participant. I love NaNo. I think it's a wonderful idea and it attracts lovely people, but to tell you the truth I think I've out grown it. I've written a couple novels outside of November, I know I have the discipline to write everyday on my own. I don't need the pressure of NaNo to get me to the finish.
I also like my pattern of writing/editing. I write book B while book A is sitting cooling. Then when book B is done, I go back and edit book A. Then I write a new book and the cycle starts all over again. In the last two years NaNo has fallen out of step with my cycle. I really don't like writing two books back to back. I find it draining. I like going back and forth between editing and writing. To do that I need to be on my own schedule, and November just doesn't fit.

6) Stop fussing over the &@^! blog
I like this blog, but it's driving me a little crazy. Sometimes I just can't come up with two or three posts a week to put up here. And I refuse to put up "filler" stuff. I'm sick of fretting over that. It's just not with the time I spend fussing over it (see goal #8). Especially when I could be spending that creative energy working on my next story.
So I'll be putting up posts when I feel like it. My tentative goal is two or three times a month. I might do more. I might do less.

7) Clean the house more then once every three months
Actually my house isn't quite that bad (mostly). This is more of a balance related goal. I tend to get so focused on one thing that I totally forget everything else. So this year I want to try and keep my life more balanced. I've already started doing this, but I want to continue it through the next year.

8) No Stress (This should really be #1)
This is my over all goal. If a certain activity/person stresses me out, I really need to evaluate if it/they are worth my time and mental energy. The answer will probably be no. Life is just too short to put up with people and things that stress me out and drain my energy.

And I think that's about it. I'm sure I'll come up with something else later, but this is enough for now.

Happy New Years everyone!

Free Ezine Articles said...

its very informative content!
continue your good job...

By Deepankar
Submit Articles

Lamsida said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
christian louboutin uk store sale said...

t of all to meet.The same time, the box Geng Yuhuai suddenly stood up from the seat. To see the flower let him shock. See her in front of many men, let him have fatal fury. Condensation of the mask in the flower robe broken moment of crack, Christian Louboutin Outletbloodthirsty ferocity in the fundus spread, ice chill sat Tong Qing can also feel.What's wrong. Tong Qing also got up, eyes float to the auction platform. Don'

trict court advanced the color depletion theory. Color depletion theory reflects the concern that the number of colors available for appropriation is limited and granting exclusive rights in any color would thus be anticompetitive. However, in ruling that single colors can serve as trademarks, the court in In re Owens-Corning acknowledged that "following passage of the Lanham Act courts have decli

out of the time, had no choice but to follow Christian Louboutin Women's Pumpsstudy ignore the whole unit of projection in the US view.I seem to have been able to hear her shoulder joint minor noise.We finally arrived at the hospital the garden, she sat impassively in parterre edge, then hold your knees, stuffy asked me:" give me a cigarette, okay?"I point a, into her mouth. She is like a drug addict, unable to hold oneself back

on the halo? Rush out to help his father treatment, the results of trauma patients are just to ..."Shen did not include other finished, Feng Shen wing it outwards strode away, never looking back, said:Christian Louboutin Men's Shoes
"I went to carry him back!"See it would not normally have little more to guanputou's eldest son, today is like a different person, party's good mood up, took the hand with Shen said: "Before your f

Jimmy Choo Handbags Outlet said...

Dans le même temps, cela ne va pas avoir mieux que cela en particulier. A Beats by Dr. Dre de Monster avec Avantages sons sont sûrement les écouteurs les plus efficaces dont j'ai jamais jamais endurées votre bonheur lié à l'évaluation néanmoins. Certaines personnes comme mp3 fertile principalement en raison précisément que possible, ce qui je pense être cruciale. Son difficile d'affirmer que une paire d'écouteurs est en fait une valeur de 450 $, jusqu'à ce que finalement nous avons entendu ce genre de moins. Cependant, même si elles peuvent être une valeur de 450 $, qui, je suppose qu'ils peuvent être, qui ne sera pas impliquer une attention individuelle suffisante pour débourser ce type de capital. Ainsi que des thats justes. Et c'est la raison principale pour laquelle Monster ne aider à faire un modèle individuel de casque. Tout le monde a Sac Hermès Lindy des besoins distincts.

Si vous avez besoin de prêter attention à des chansons exactement comment les concepteurs dans le but de cela, il est vu, c'est la façon dont il peut être. C'est une chose que vous ne pouvez pas continuellement déclarer au Hermes sac à main sujet d'un concert en direct. Pour que l'évaluation sur les 5 spectacles différents ou peut-être même plus, vous pouvez avoir la rencontre en studio comme si vous préférez. Vous découvrirez également youself à faire de temps pour vous d'entendre un Avantages sons. Aller de l'avant, à planifier un Hermès sac montage. Cette société est si bon.

masterpapers said...

I am totally impressed with this. So keep posting.
very interesting article! I will follow your themes.

Town Medical Services said...

Fantastic work done!i really apreciate your content,impressive thumbs up.i hope you will be participate for donations Thanks i will revisit your site.

buy essays online said...

Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that.

Unknown said...

Military Challenge Coins
I am really impressed to this thanks a lot to share.

usha.digitalinfo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
usha.digitalinfo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
usha.digitalinfo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
usha.digitalinfo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
usha.digitalinfo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
usha.digitalinfo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...


kumpulan website download film bioskop terbaru gratis -->
[-] Download Film Terbaru Bioskop Indonesia | Nonton Film Online ®fadly168.ga
[-] Download Film Terbaru Bioskop Indonesia | Nonton Film Online ®fadly168.com
[-] Download Film Terbaru Bioskop Indonesia | Nonton Film Online ®fadly168.cf
[-] Download Film Terbaru Bioskop Indonesia | Nonton Film Online ®bioskop-21.com
[-] Download Film Bioskop Terbaru ®bioskop21.ga
[-] Download Film bioskop terbaru Gratis ®bioskop168.ga
[-] Download Film bioskop terbaru Gratis ®oke-tv.com
[-] Download Film Bioskop Terbaru Gratis ®kasihtahu.ga
[-] Download Film | Watch Movies Online ®filmbioskop.ga
[-] Download Film | Watch Movies Online ®gratiss.ga
[-] Download Film | Watch Movies Online ®nontonfilm.cf
[-] Download Film Bioskop Terbaru Gratis ®nontonfilem.ml
[-] Download Film barat terbaru Gratis ®film168.ga
[-] Download Film barat terbaru Gratis ®film4u.ga
[-] Download Film ®agb168.blogspot.com
[-] Download Film ®bioskop-168.blogspot.com
[-] Download Film ®film-indo-168.blogspot.com

kumpulan website download Lagu MP3 terbaru gratis -->
[-] download lagu mp3 terbaru ®dengarlagu.us
[-] download lagu mp3 terbaru ®er-music.ga
[-] download lagu mp3 terbaru ®black-id.us
[-] download lagu mp3 terbaru ®stafaband.ga
[-] download lagu mp3 terbaru
[-] ®download-lagu-mp31.blogspot.com
[-] ®jasa seo dan pembuatan website noname makassar

Unknown said...


Very good post! We are linking to this particularly great content on our website. Keep up the good writing. visit me site bro
[-] vimax obat pembesar penis asli ®id.jualvimaxpills.com
[-] obat alat pembesar payudara ®neo.jualvimaxpills.com
[-] obat pembesar penis ®jualvimaxpills.com
[-] obat pembesar penis ®obatkuatku.us
[-] obat pembesar penis vimax asli ®pelangsingimport.com

[-] obat pembesar penis ®vimax.at.ua
[-] pusat toko obat pembesar penis di makassar ®obatkuat.us
[-] agen obat pembesar penis di sulawesi terbesar ®vimax.ml
[-] obat pembesar penis ®obatpembesarpenis.ga
[-] obat pembesar penis ®obatpria.ga
[-] obat pembesar penis ®obatkuatseks.ml
[-] obat pembesar penis ®obatkuat.at.ua
[-] obat pembesar penis ®vimax.ucoz.com.br
[-] obat pembesar penis ®obatkuat.at.ua

[-] Vimax Asli Canada ®klinikobatpaten.com
[-] Obat Pembesar Penis ®klinikobatpaten.com
[-] obat pembesar penis ®vimaxpills-asli.com

Unknown said...


terima kasih pak
[-] obat pembesar penis ® obat perangsang wanita ®obatkuatsex.info
[-] ®aneka kondom seks pria ®obatkuatsex.info
[-] ®Obat Kuat Seks Viagra ®obatkuatsex.info
[-] ®alat bantu seks pria dan wanita ®obatkuatsex.info
[-] ®obat perangsang wanita ®obatkuatsex.info
[-] ®obat pembesar payudara wanita ®obatkuatsex.info
[-] ®obat pembesar penis vimax asli ®obatkuatsex.info
[-] ®jual obat aborsi | obat penggugur kandungan ®obatkuatsex.info
[-] ®jual obat bius ®obatkuatsex.info
[-] ®obat pelangsing badan ®obatkuatsex.info

Unknown said...


kumpulan website prediksi togel hari ini -->
[-] Prediksi Togel Jitu | Hongkong | Singapura | Malam Hari Ini ®pemaintogel.info
[-] Prediksi Togel Jitu | Hongkong | Singapura | Malam Hari Ini ®prediksitogeljitu.in
[-] Prediksi Pemain Togel Jitu Hari Ini ®pemaintogel.us
[-] Prediksi Pemain Togel Jitu Hari Ini ®pemaintogel.org
[-] Prediksi Pemain Togel Besok Malam hari ini ®agb168.us
[-] Prediksi Jitu Pemain Togel Hari Ini ®www.pemaintogel.ga
[-] Prediksi Jitu Pemain Togel Hari Ini ®www.pemaintogel.cf
[-] Prediksi Jitu Pemain Togel Hari Ini ®www.pemaintogel.ml
[-] Prediksi Pemain Togel Malam Ini ®prediksi-togel.ga
[-] Prediksi Pemain Togel Jitu singapura hongkong Malam Ini ®dewatogel.ga
[-] Prediksi Pemain Togel Jitu singapura hongkong Malam Ini ®togel66.ga
[-] Prediksi Pemain Togel Jitu singapura hongkong Malam Ini ®rajatogel.ga


Very good post! We are linking to this particularly great content on our website. Keep up the good writing. visit me site bro
[-] Prediksi Angka Jitu Togel singapura hongkong malam hari ini
[-] Prediksi Togel Jitu Hari ini ®celebes.blogdetik.com
[-] Prediksi Togel Hari ini ®black99.blogdetik.com
[-] Prediksi Togel Jitu Hari ini togel22.livejournal.com
[-] Prediksi Togel Jitu Hari ini www1.black-id.us
[-] Prediksi Togel Jitu Hari ini prediksitogeljitu.angelfire.com/
[-] Prediksi Togel Jitu Hari ini prediksijitutogel.yolasite.com/
[-] Prediksi Togel Jitu Hari ini ®togeljp.at.ua
[-] Prediksi Togel Jitu Hari ini ®prediksitogel.fr.am
[-] Prediksi Togel Jitu Hari ini ®celebes01.edublogs.org
[-] Prediksi Togel Jitu Hari ini ®togel404.blogspot.com
[-] Prediksi Togel Malam Ini ®www1.prediksi-togel.ga

Unknown said...


Jasa SEO No-Name makassar -->
[-] ®no-name.in
[-] ®jasaseo.ucoz.es
[-] ®seo.no-name.in
[-] ®nonames-crew.blogspot.com
[-] ®jasaxseo.blogspot.com

Download Software fulll version-->
[-] ®faiz.serbiansoftware.com
[-] ®tech-comps.in
[-] ®serbiansoftware.com
[-] ®dll2all.blogspot.com

[-] ®celebes01.blog.mercubuana.ac.id
[-] ®apkmodandroid.ga
[-] ®jualgamepc.ga

[-] ®liputan6.ga
[-] ®keluaar.ga



Lowongan Kerja CPNS | BUMN Terbaru -->
[-] ®lokercpns.us
[-] ®lowongan-kerja.pw
[-] ®www1.lokercpns.us
[-] ®iloker.info
[-] ®Cari-Kerja.cu.cc
[-] ®cari-kerjax2.blogspot.com
[-] ®carikerja.ga
[-] ®loker.clan.su

friv 4 said...

Most of the time, and what you get is worth it.

Unknown said...


Vakum pembesar alat vital Vakum penis
Alat pembesar penis Procomil spray
Obat kuat oles Peninggi Badan Alami

Pelangsing Badan Pelangsing Fatloss
Vakum Payudara Pelangsing Body slim herbal
Obat hernia herbal Obat kuat jakarta




obat pembesar penis said...

thks you
http://obat-pembesar-penis.com

obat pelangsing badan said...

OK, THAK YOU
http://beautyku.com