It’s a weird little quirk about agent blogs, I think, that they have a transitory readership. I mean, with a lot of blogs you find on the web, if you like what someone’s saying, you stick around and keep reading them. But agent blogs are different. I think many readers of them are seeking guidance along the process toward representation and, eventually, hopefully, publication. Once they get an agent of their own, I don’t imagine they stick around all too long on another agent’s blog, commenting and reading regular posts about the process they just completed.
But maybe I’m wrong!
So tell me a little bit about YOU, please. I’d love to know more about my readers. Are you a writer? Or just interested in the industry? Are you a fan of my clients? Are you represented, or seeking an agent? Are you published? What’s your favorite kind of shoes? Favorite book? Favorite genre? Favorite tv show?
And to make it super interesting, I will pick one random commenter to win a galley of The Name of The Star. Get to chatting!
55 thoughts on “Turning the Tables”
Well, let's see. I'm a writer seeking prepresentation, but I get a lot more than just "how to query" and "please god no more vampires" info from agent blogs. I think you've got a great bird's-eye view on the industry, and I enjoy reading not only what's going on, but what it means in a larger context. So I don't think my own interest and readership are limited to what I'm after right now — they're longer term.
And there you have it. Cheers!
I'll answer!
I'm a writer seeking representation, but I'm also a fan of several of your clients. I loved ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, POWERLESS and OPERATION REDWOOD and have several others on my TBR list. Although the agent advice is invaluable, I also like the news about new books, etc.
Shoes? Love them, especially sandals and boots. I also love to buy them for my 15-month-old little girl. She has way too many already!
Favorite book: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Favorite genre: too hard – love romance, suspense, adventure for all ages
Favorite TV show: BUFFY
I'd love to read THE NAME OF THE STAR!
Maybe I'm not the majority, but I've been following a few agent blogs for years now and I have no interest in being repped by them and I haven't queried anyone in years. I just like the content on some agent blogs. I like the news, too. The only time I skip is when they start giving out query advice. But I always go back and check new posts. I don't always comment, but I do read the content.
I'm a writer hoping to get an agent soon, but as well as industry info I'm also sneaking a peek at agent personalities. I'm hoping to gauge an idea of who I'd get along with, and who has similar humour/interests as me. I'd love to be repped by an agent with a noticeable online presence.
PS I've just discovered Sweet Lolita fashion, and the shoes are to die for.
I'm a writer, but I kind of just love the industry. Books have always been something I've been interested in, and when I actually delved into the writing world, I was hooked— almost instantly. Not all agent's blogs appeal to me, but every once in a while, I do check around to see what's new, who's sold what, what I should be looking for, et cetera, et cetera… In all honesty, though, in terms of agent blogs, I only keep an eye on this one. The quirkiness of DaphneUn amuses me to no end.
It helps that I adore more than half of your client list, and that your posts find an odd but interesting balance between professional and personal. KT Literary has become one of my DAILY sites to check on— it has been since… August of last year?… I think what this blog offers that's different than a lot of other agent blogs is that you write consistently: about the biz, about shoes, about life, and even about yourself. That goes a long way with readership. DaphneUn is NOT a robot. 🙂
I started reading agent blogs to learn more about how to get published, but I'm positive that I will continue reading all the blogs that I follow long after I do get published. For one thing, I find out about so many good books from agent blogs that I never would have known about otherwise, and that's something I would not want to give up.
I'm a writer who is still writing those practice novels. I hope to query soon! And by soon I mean in a few years. Your blog is informational–all agent blogs are, really. I love Janet Reid's blog since she doesn't just post about the industry, even though a majority of her posts are. Any writer interested in publishing should read agent/industry blogs because of how much information there is from them.
I love your clients! Well, their books. Maureen Johnson, Carrie Harris, and Stephanie Perkins are some of my favorites.
I can't pick a favorite of my shoes! that's just MEAN. that's like asking me what my favorite book is… waitaminute. you DID ask that. I have lots of favorite books and favorite authors. I don't watch a lot of TV shows, but the ones I do now are Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game. Love! Favorite genre depends on my mood. Sometimes I need a good contemporary (a la MJ/Stephanie Perkins) and sometimes I need something that'll whisk me away to a new world (Like Cinda Williams Chima's Seven Realms series.)
I'm a full-time writer and published author. I don't have an agent right now, and maybe I will in the future, but I enjoy reading your blog and others like it because I'm interested in your insights in this particular market. I also think it's important for writers to spend time working on and thinking about their craft, so I like your posts about the writing process. To be successful, I think it's important to build yourself a writing "community," and blogs can be a part of that.
In all honesty, originally I started following agent blogs simply to get a feel for the industry and individual agents themselves so I would be better prepared for querying.
However, after following more than a few agents over the last few months, I have to admit that I'm unlikely to stop when or even if I land myself an agent. Most of the writers/agents blogs I read are indistinguishable. That is to say, I when I read a post, it's usually not readily apparent what role they might play in the publishing industry. The advice and discussion seems to be universal. Authors discuss querying just as much as agents. Agents discuss themes in writing as much as authors.
Admittedly, if I someday get myself an agent, I'll definitely follow and participate in their blog more than I would otherwise.
I went into following agent/author blogs expecting to only get as much information as I needed, but I don't see myself stopping. I get most blogs (including yours) in my RSS reader, and when the little notification light pops up on my phone I tend to stop everything I'm doing to read the post.
Healthy addiction? Up to you to decide, I suppose. I have yet to pull over to the side of the road to read a post. So there's that! (First blog to get me to pull over gets a shiny prize!)
I read over 100 blogs a day. Many of those are agent blogs. I am a writer, seeking representation for my first novel and I also blog three times a week. I do not anticipate dropping any of the agent blogs once I sign with an agent. 90% of the blogs in my reader or either agents or other writers. Lots of great information.
I read a lot of agent blogs when I first started learning about this business. A lot a lot. They were invaluable in helping me shape a query and figure out the dos and don'ts. I signed with an agent earlier this year, and after that I did stop reading a lot of them. Completely honest answer: It got to be too much. I still have a handful of agent blogs that I still read every day (yours being one of them, even if I'm really bad at commenting). The ones I stuck with are the ones that felt the most real to me, the most honest.
I don't necessarily need the querying information anymore, but I love other aspects of agent blogs. I like hearing about their clients' books. I like when there's insight about what's trending and what's a tough sell. And most of all, I like having a wide knowledge base.
I am a writer, however I am far far away from trying to get representation. I am a huge Maureen fan – that's how I found your blog in the first place. As for my favorite kind fo shoes – I am a sucker for mary janes. They're just so darn cute! I really want some dark pink ones. And I have many favorite books. Right now I would have to go with 'How's Moving Castle'. And to finish off my comment, my favorite tv show is Firefly. I'm so sad that it only has one season.
Can't stop the signal, Lindsay!
I'm a writer and I've had a literary agent since March. I still follow all of the agent blogs I've read for years simply because I still find them educational. They don't just write about the querying process. Agents also write about their clients and their books, what happens after after the contract, and about the publishing industry as a whole. I may cut back on some of the agent blogs I follow at some point, but as long as they remain relevant (and I have the time), I'll read.
I'm a writer seeking representation as well. And like several others have mentioned, I started reading agent blogs to get a feel for the industry and a handle on querying.
Now that I'm less of a novice, I still read agent blogs because they're some of the best places to find good book recommendations. I picked up my first Ally Carter novel when Kristin Nelson blogged about her several years ago, and I keep coming back for more. I also discovered my favorite book of 2010, ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, through a certain agent blog I read:)
As for some of your questions, I love a strappy high heel or a great pair of boots, also with heels (helps that my husband's a foot taller than I am). Favorite book is too hard, but my favorite genre – well, category – is YA, usually fantasy or sci-fi. (Big shocker, I know.) And the only TV show I go out of my way to watch is Top Chef.
I'm a writer looking to start the querying process soon, but I really only read a couple of agent blogs (and follow those same agents on Twitter). I will say I've been burned out recently on writing blogs, just because they all hammer on the same things again and again (not that I have perfect said things yet, but I do understand them). The agent blogs seem to be just a step above most of those though – like James said in the first comment with the "birds-eye view". And I love hearing the good news about the authors (especially Carrie Harris! She critiqued my first 50 pages and was a huge help so I am a life-long fan! And Ellen Booraem, whose SPWW I adore and keep winning copies of :P).
And favorite shoes are Cornflower by Born: http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/cornflower-3 They are so comfortable I could wear them anywhere.
Cute!
I added a slew of agent blogs to my reader years and years and years ago, before I ever finished my first ms. I’m still unpublished, un-agented, but I wouldn't say that I’m presently seeking representation. There is still too much polishing to do to my WIP to even consider querying anyone. But hopefully soon!
Obviously I’ve read books by your clients. Who hasn’t read at least one of Ms. Johnson’s books!? But I’ve also read Pink, Anna&tfk, XVI, and Unnameables.
I don’t like to pick favorites for anything. But I do love a cute pair of flats. Mind you, if it’s possible I go barefoot. I’m dying a little inside while waiting for GOLIATH to come out. My reading preferences change all the time. I like what I like when I like it. I love Glee, but more for the music than for the show itself. In general, I’m too busy doing things to watch tv.
I'm an unrepresented writer, so I do follow some agent blogs for the advice. Only published in the "self-published two collections of random stuff I found sitting around in my binders as presents for my grandparents" sent. I am, of course, a fan of Maureen (and I got ahold of a Name of the Star ARC through my Mock Printz book club, so I've already read it and it was awesome!), and I enjoyed Anna and the French Kiss and XVI as well.
The nature of the book club ensures that I read a lot of everything YA has to offer, which is great. Best books I've read for the club so far this year are Paper Covers Rock, by Jenny Hubbard, To Timbuktu by Casey Scieszka and Steven Weinberg, and the Welcome to Bordertown anthology.
I'm a writer seeking representation, but the agent blogs I follow these days are the ones whose content I like, because I know how to query (I hope…) I've been writing/querying since I was sixteen, but with those projects I don't blame anyone for not reaping (or reaping, ohhh typo) me…. I'm an MFA student at the Simmons College writing for children program, and I'm obsessed with Buffy, Veronica Mars, Torchwood, Doctor Who and YA Literature. I love your clients' books, especially Pink and Anna and the French Kiss.
I have an unhealthy obsession with boots, because I couldn't wear them for most of my life until a surgery I had this summer. I'm currently in my dorm room wearing patent leather knee-highs because they MUST be worn in before the cold snap.
Tried to answer earlier but I guess it didn't go through.
I'm a writer seeking representation, so I appreciate the agent advice, but I also like hearing about new books coming out. I found your blog after reading ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS and have since become a fan of several of your other clients, plus I have some on my TBR list.
As for the other questions, I love shoes, especially sandals and boots, so I'm set for summer and winter. I also love to buy them for my 15-month-old. She has way too many shoes, but she loves them, too!
Favorite book: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Favorite genre: not one in particular – I love romance, mystery, paranormal and suspense for any age
Favorite TV show: BUFFY
I'd love to read THE NAME OF THE STAR!
I love hearing from all of you! Please keep commenting!
I'm a book blogger, and I keep up with agents I really like via twitter/blogs because they usually have interesting takes on what's happening in the industry right now. The really good ones are so switched on about what's working, what's exciting now, what's past "the next big thing." Also, I find if I like more than one author in a given agent's arsenal, it's a good bet I'll like the others too. It's book discovery at the source! (btw, thank you. i originally came to you via mj, and got tipped off to ransom riggs, stephanie perkins, matthew cody, & carrie harris)
Fave shoes – my sparkly vera wang ballet flats (but i really must try these fluevogs everyone's chattering about)
Fave book – amber spyglass
Fave genre – YA comedies & YA horror
Fave tv show – Arrested Development
I follow a lot of agents' blogs and I get a lot of great advice as a writer seeking representation but I also find them to be a great way to learn about new books. I mean, I found out about Miss Peregrine here before the reviews started rolling in on other blogs I follow. And I made my decision to buy the book based on the link you posted to the first few chapters. And I heard about Anna and the French Kiss here before I heard about it on vlogbrothers (since I grew up in France I saw the concept here and went "Um YES!" and added it to my Xmas list immediately). I discovered Ally Carter, Sarah Rees Brennan and Marie Lu through Kristin Nelson's Pubrants (after originally discovering her blog from being a fan of Gail Carriger and yours by being a fan of MJ). I tend to gravitate towards the YA focused agent blogs I suppose, because that is my fave genre. So basically I enjoy agents' blogs froma reader's point of view and a writer's!
And seeing as right now I'm listening to "Regenerate Me" By Chameleon Circuit while staring up at a WWII "To Victory" Poster of a Dalek I'll just skip over the favourite TV show question and say that my favourite shoes are definitely Converse. I wear heels all week, so they're my favourite Weekend shoes for schlepping myself to Waterstone's in Piccadilly!
I'm a writer, or trying to be. I'm getting my MFA at Roosevelt University in Chicago. I'm also interested in the publishing industry from an editing perspective, but that's more in the magazine area. (I feel like if I wrote and edited books I'd start to think of them as only work, you know?) I've published a few short stories, but nothing else. I would love to say that I'm seeking representation right this minute, but I think I've got at least a solid year before I can bravely say that I'm ready for that. It's mature to know that, right? I'll pretend so. 🙂
I read this blog mostly because I love Stephanie Perkins and Maureen Johnson's books. I had a dream that we all frolicked through fields and were best friends. (I think I might have seen the Sound of Music too much.) So when it came time to start doing research to see who I might want to send a query to post-MFA, I looked at your agency first.
I love Doctor Who, Glee, Gilmore Girls, and Criminal Minds. My favorite books is Peter Pan, because of the writing style and the way he plays with language. I'm also a big fan of John Green and Jane Austen. I run a nerdy radio show, do layout for a newspaper, and spend too much time on Youtube. My clothes almost never match, and I have Hermione Granger hair.
Glad that you asked about your audience. It's a nice thought 🙂 I'll try to be less of a silent reader from now on.
fun! here are my answers- GC 🙂
Are you a writer? – yes, and and online editor!
Or just interested in the industry? totally
Are you a fan of my clients? yes, i love me some MJ!
Are you represented, or seeking an agent? desperately seeking susan
Are you published? articles, travel writing, but not book publishing
What’s your favorite kind of shoes? cute flats
Favorite book? to kill a mockingbird is my default… but that question is tough.
Favorite genre? right now, middle grade adventure
Favorite tv show? arrested development / buffy
i mostly read agent blogs that have interesting things to say about industry news, trends, etc. same reason i follow authors and editors.
I'm a book blogger, and I keep up with agents I really like via twitter/blogs because they usually have interesting takes on what's happening in the industry right now. The really good ones are so switched on about what's working, what's exciting now, what's past "the next big thing." Also, I find if I like more than one author in a given agent's arsenal, it's a good bet I'll like the others too. It's book discovery at the source! (btw, thank you. i originally came to you via mj, and got tipped off to ransom riggs, stephanie perkins, matthew cody, & carrie harris). 🙂
Fave shoes – my sparkly vera wang ballet flats (though i really must try these fluevogs everyone's chattering about)
Fave book – Amber Spyglass
Fave genre – YA comedies & YA horror
Fave tv show – Arrested Development
I'm a school librarian who found Maureen Johnson through John Green. And one thing led to another…
I'm a writer, a book review blogger and a teacher. Your advice is invaluable and I love to see what your clients are up to. (MJ is one of my favorite authors and I'm always pushing her books on my students…who gladly take them and beg for more!) Plus, I love your insight into the industry, which fascinates me.
I'm a middle grade writer pursuing representation. I've queried two novels and learned a great deal from kind agents like yourself about why exactly I was close but not quite there yet. I'm taking those learning and applying them to my current WIP!
I'm also a full-time stay at home mom of three under five. So reading writing blogs teaches me and feeds the part of my brain that toddlers and preschoolers don't:)
I love learning about the craft and learning the realities of the market today – it's not always fun to hear, but necessary.
Shoes – I'm a tall girl so flats are my staple – I like in the south now so sandals are the biggest part of my shoe wardrobe. (Still seems weird after 30+ years of living in Michigan)
Favorite genre – Contemporary – I love realistic stories that make me laugh and think.
Favorite TV show – weirdly, since I get grossed out easily, I love Bones – great writing and acting.
Thanks for asking and thanks for always sharing good and valuable info about children's lit!
Marilee
I'm a writer seeking representation, but I'm also in love with the industry. I've worked as a journalist and an editor. Absolutely everything about publishing fascinates me. I follow several agent blogs because I enjoy them. I love reading the little insights about the industry.
You have some amazing clients. Thomas E. Sniegoski's THE FALLEN series is incredible. I loved MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN (creepy much?). Maureen Johnson is brilliant, not only her writing, but also her love and passion for YA. Stephanie Perkins (is it September 29 yet?), Julia Karr (I'm trying really hard to wait patiently for TRUTH), and I can't wait to read Kiki Hamilton's THE FAERIE RING.
I love shoes! I adore stilettos, sandals, boots, and cute flats.
Favorite book is really tough. Holly Black's Curse Worker series is amazing. The idea is brilliant and her writing is so captivating. My words aren't doing the series justice.
My favorite genre is YA. Hands down.
Favorite TV show…hmmm…I'll have to go with Taboo on National Geographic. That show is fascinating.
I am a writer seeking representation for a suspense novel. I published a nonfiction book previously. Perhaps if I had had one then, the book's sales would have been better.
From what I have read, having an agent is pretty much essential now to having a big publisher even look at a novel. I enjoy your and other agent blogs, but as you suspected I may not follow them after I find an agent myself. Although, the publishing industry seems to be in such a state of flux I may keep reading just to keep up to date.
Not seeking representation. Not writing. What's wrong with me, why am I here?
Oh yeah, I'm a parent. I have a 16 year old daughter that's completing her first middle school novel (30,000 words). She's an amazing talent and her story is impressive (shouldn't every dad say that though?)
Anyway, I'll do anything to support her. If she decides she wants to try for representation, I'll have seen who the reps in Denver are. Blogs give you a peek into someone's personality and how much they will/will not look past 16 years old and actually look at the query.
Maybe that could be a blog topic for you someday! I'm sure they're other youth that are intimidated by the process!
I'm a writer working on my young adult contemporary MS. I will look for an agent eventually, but for now I check author and agent blogs for insight into the industry, the process, and other tips and tricks.
Last year I read an article touting Maureen Johnson as one of the "Most Interesting" people to follow on Twitter. I followed her, which led to you, which led to many other great agents and authors. Twitter led me to blogs, and the social media balloon inflated.
MJ is one of my favorite authors, and I love Stephanie Perkins and the new book from Ransom Riggs. I enjoy the insight and honesty you bring to your blog. I am grateful for your careful and specific analysis of query letters and your thoughtful feedback to those seeking respresentation.
I also like shoes.
I am not a writer, I'm looking to actually become a literary agent. I love Maureen Johnson, she actually went to the high school which I am currently attending. I'm looking for advice on how to become an agent, and what being a literary agent really means.
My favorite type of shoes are ankle boots. My favorite book is, as always, too difficult to determine. My favorite genres are supernatural/paranormal, historical fiction and science fiction. My two favorite TV shows are Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Doctor Who. 🙂
If you have time, and have the inclination, I would be entirely in your debt if you could drop me a line about what it's like to be an agent or how to become one.
Ok, here we go:
I am a writer but I write nonfiction exclusively. I've been published but only scholarly research and some ghostwriting so far. I am working toward publication of a book of my own and will want representation but I know that, sadly, it'll have to be with a different agent because of my genre.
I discovered you/your blog via Maureen Johnson, whom I adore, but I'm also a fan of Daniel Rogge (although I know him from TWOP and didn't know that you represented him until just now!), Stephanie Perkins, and the wonderful Ransom Riggs. I've stuck around because you're interesting and fun to read and because you share interesting insights into the writing/publishing world.
I'm sure this is blasphemy to you, but my favorite shoes are none at all. If I must wear shoes, I like sandals or sneakers. I love the look of a high, sexy heel and I used to wear them all the time, but a seriously messed up knee has put a stop to that. These days when I dress up I generally wear pumps with sleek, narrow heels of very modest height.
My favorite book changes constantly but my stock answer is A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. I also love The Grapes of Wrath and To Kill a Mockingbird very much, which probably tells you all there is to know about my preferred genre/style/period/whatever. (Ugh, even as I type this, I'm thinking of other books that I love deeply. It's so hard to choose a favorite!) I do read a good amount of YA fiction and I enjoy it very much, but I admit that it's not my greatest literary love.
I watch exactly 4 tv shows regularly and hardly ever watch anything else at all. My favorites are Mad Men (best tv show EVER, by the way!), Breaking Bad, Doctor Who, and The Office. Beyond that I'm pretty clueless about tv.
Thank you so much for asking about us. The fact that you're curious about your readers as individual people says a lot about you. This is a wonderful idea for a blog post.
I think the blog reader turnover is normal for most blogs. I know my blog has different readers (or at least different commenters) than it did a year or two ago.
I foster loads of kids in Thailand, but also I'm a writer seeking an agent. Came here via your client, Sara Raasch (we both write about pirates, among other things). Stuck around for the query insights and occasional forays into geekdom.
My favorite books are Ender's Game and Dune. Favorite genre (not surprisingly) is any kind of spec-fic. The only TV shows I've seen in the last few years have been Firefly and So You Think You Can Dance. So those would be my favorites 😉
I do think that the audience for agent blogs is definitely transient. When i first start reading them, I subscribed to all of them I could find and read every word. Now, I've unsubscribed to a few that were less entertaining and I tend to skim a lot more than I read. I don't have an agent yet and I'm not published, but I see a lot of the same things being said over and over – which is completely fine because there are always people starting out who have never heard those things before.
1. Yes, I am a writer.
2. Yes, I am interested in the industry, but only since I've become a writer.
3. Yes, I am a fan of at least 2 of your clients. A third I am not, an the others I haven't read.
4. I am not represented, and I am not seeking an agent. Yet.
5. I am not published.
6. When working, my favorite shoes are Converse. When playing, anything with 3" heels. In the summer, anything that lets me see my toes.
7. My favorite book is Atlas Shrugged.
8. My favorite genre is Thriller.
9. My favorite TV show is It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
I like your taste in books. 🙂
I'm a writer seeking representation, and I read agent blogs because that's exactly what agents are always telling us to do! It's really, really good advice – I've learned a lot about the industry, and even though I've only been querying for a month, I've already made a lot of decisions about my querying process, and even decided on some agents that I'm not at all interested in querying, based on blogs (and twitter feeds, actually.)
I do appreciate regular updates and "meaty" posts, though, which is what you have. Thank you!
I read your blog to keep tabs on my daughter's future mother-in-law. 😉 Also, I like your take on things.
You know the rest: agented, published, etc.
Hey there,
I'm a writer and just completed my third manuscript. I love to follow the kt literary blog because apart from being informative it's fun and frequently makes me laugh. Definitely a fan of your clients, am very much looking forward to the upcoming release of Kiki Hamilton's "The Fairy Ring." I would love to find a home for my books and get them out into the world, so I'm definitely looking for representation (but I'd like to find an agent who loves my characters as much as I do). My favorite kind of shoes are peep-toe pumps–though I've never actually had the guts to wear a pair. My favorite book, well, that's like asking me to pick my favorite breath of air, but I'll go with the seventh Harry Potter. Rowling really knew where she was going with the series all along, and that book is the perfect example of how to finish with a bang. Favorite genre would have to be urban fantasy, though I love books from all genres. And my favorite TV show is probably "Criminal Minds," but I've started watching "Modern Family," and it is hilarious.
Ninja Girl
I'm a writer – and if I'm aware that an agent has a blog I always check it out for a while. If I like it – I stay. 🙂 I'm not agented yet, and in the middle of revisions on one MG novel and writing another. I've had articles published but no books
Fave Shoes: Flip flops in the summer, boots in the winter – bonus points for buckles or bling
Fave Book: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Fave Genre: Middle Grade and mysteries
Fave TV: Friday Night Lights – and I'm watching it right now. 🙂
I thought this was a really interesting question that has a lot of truth to it. I started following your blog about two or three years ago, right around the time that I'd learned enough about writing to realize I'd eventually have to query. Over time, you became my number one choice for an agent. It took me a couple years to finish revisions etc…on my book and actually start querying. Then you turned me down, which bummed me out–of course–but not so much that I didn't want to keep reading your blog. It's well written, informative and funny. I'm sure that, even when I eventually find an agent, I'll continue to come here. I don't hold an agents blog to a different standard than any other blog. As long as I'm receiving good information and I'm entertained, I'll keep coming back, whether I have any hopes of eventually landing that agent or not. I actually still keep up with Nathan Bransford's blog too. He was one of my top choices, and then he decided to become a writer. I loved his blog though, and I've continued to read all his posts because he's funny and interesting.So are you. So good job!!
Oops. I forgot to answer the rest of the questions. Sorry!
I'm a writer. I love Maureen Johnson and Stephanie Perkins. I'm still seeking an agent for my first book and hard at work on my second. I've had a magazine article and some newspapers articles published, but no books. My favorite kind of shoes are comfortable sneakers, preferably Converse (sorry, not really a shoe girl, don't hate me!) My favorite book? Too many to count but among them are, the entire HP series. The Gunslinger Series. His Dark Materials. I could go on but I won't bore you. Favorite genre is YA of course! Favorite TV show is currently House, but I switch up a lot. I also really love the show Merlin cause it's fun and silly, and I LOVED Supernatural, before the sixth season when it decided to crash and burn.
In the same way you, as an agent, look for voice in a writer's work, we get a sense of voice in agent blogs. I find it helps with querying – allows for more zeroing in! That aside, I've received some terrific info via agent blogs, not only the 'how to' sections, but also what's happeniing in the industry. It truly is helpful, so thank you for spending time doing this. As you can tell, it's appreciated by many!! 🙂
Sorry…Should have said, 'In the same way an agent looks for voice in a writer's work,…..Jeez! Time for caffeine! A huge pot, thanks very much!!
I'm a writer and I found this website when I first started trying to learn about the industry almost 3 years ago. In my initial ignorance, I thought it would be nice to have an agent that was local *snorts*. That goal has been revised to simply having an agent.
I tend to look at agents blogs that I consider informative and ecclectic because that is my taste in books and my writing style. I also like to read blogs that have good information and I like agent blogs that spend a lot of time promoting their clients because that tends to send me to more blogs that are fun to read.
This year I read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, The Help, Water for Elephants, Game of Thrones, The Bargain, a book suggested to me by an author about self-editing, a novella called Love is Danger, Face of Danger and the Hunger Games Trilogy. See? Ecclectic.
My all-time favorite books are Ender's Game and Watership Down.
Favorite shoes: house slippers 🙂
Favorite current TV show: My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding (Yeah, no idea why)
Are you a writer?
Yes, I write young reader and middle grade fiction. I also write football coaching articles, science papers (I am a molecular microbiologist for my day job) and blog about family, fatherhood, and sports coaching.
Or just interested in the industry?
The publishing industry is fascinating to me.
Are you a fan of my clients?
Yes, Ransom Riggs and Matthew Cody
Are you represented, or seeking an agent?
I really should be. I think I am a mess on my own.
Are you published?
Yes, I have a MG historical fiction novel, THE YOUNGER DAYS, coming out in Feb. 2012 from MuseItUp Publishing
What’s your favorite kind of shoes?
Black Reebok cross trainers
Favorite book?
Platte River by Rick Bass
Favorite genre?
It’s too hard to pick one. So many good books in almost all genres, hard to single one out. Not really a romance novel kind of guy, though.
Favorite tv show?
Playbook AFC and Playbook NFC on the NFL Network (I love the technical/analytical side of football)
I continue to follow your blog because you provide such an open door to what the business is all about from the POV of an agent. Always interesting and informative. I also follow because several kind words from you in a online pitch session for my book, THE YOUNGER DAYS, added enough fuel to my sputtering writer’s engine for me to revive the push forward and make the story sell-able.
I'm a writer who may eventually seek reprensentation. Your blog was recommended a few times. I find yours and other agent blogs incredibly helpful. The information is out there and readily shared, so I think it's helping a lot of writers take the time they need to work on craft and follow guidelines rather than rushing off a query to the wrong place.
Also a fan of the books you rep. I'm loving YA contemporary right now, a bit burned out by too many magical paranormal scenarios. Although I loved Holly Black's The White Cat and the follow up Red Glove, which have a special abilities angle but feels more contemporary. It's not reaching to understand the worldview. I follow Maureen on twitter, she's hilarious.
I'm a writer, bumping along the query safari in my rattly LandRover. I've visited a ton of agent blogs–and the ones I return to (and will return to after I get an agent and am published) are those with humor and personality. Here are my rules: 1) Update often. 2) Showcase your clients and their books (that's how I learn about them and want to buy them.) And 3) have lots of contest and giveaways.
Shoes? A sturdy pair of hiking boots. TV? Modern Family. Books? Funny Middle Grade. (Current ones that made me snort coffee through my nose are "I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil–and I Want to Be Your Class President," "The Fourth Stall," and "We Are Not Eaten By Yaks."
Hello, Ms. Unfeasible, thanks for asking. It’s nice to be appreciated. I enjoy my visits to your blog but, sorry, they are infrequent. I’m not a writer (yet) but am interested in book publishing and book stuff in general. I’m not sure I have one favorite but among the books that I could pick up at any time are works by Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Michael Crichton, Joseph Heller, and others. How about someone living, you say? Well I read a bit of children’s and YA lit too. J.K Rowling is a true favorite, Phillip Pullman, Rick Riordan, and Neil Gaiman are others I’ve read and liked. The road trip scene (in the van just before the cow) from John Green’s PAPER TOWNS could have been cut from my teen memories and is my favorite YA passage. I very much enjoyed MJ’s DEVILISH and because of it read (and enjoyed) SUITE SCARLETT. The ending of Libba Bray’s GOING BOVINE just pissed me off, though I still liked the book. As for shoes, I have to go with my Sperry Topsiders. Not for their stylishness but for what I’m usually doing when wearing them:
http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv115/onespeed…