So yesterday my sister texted me about the Dr. Ox--oops--Oz apple juice debacle.
I quickly googled it and read all about the issue. With a three year old, this sort of thing is very important. Though, I’m convinced that everything but bananas and water seems to cause cancer.
Well today I woke up to a response from the FDA stating Dr. Oz has no real basis for his claim. I’m not sure how I feel about either and I’m not sure I fully trust anything a government-run organization claims, but it did get me thinking about querying and how as writers we often believe whatever anyone else on the web says about an agent.
For example, there is a huge thread on the blue boards concerning speaking up about agents that are not so good. I love this sort of information as I have around twelve subs out right now and would love to know which are credible and which are not. However, I feel that we writers really need to do our homework before striking an agent off our list (or on the flip side, jumping up and down over an agent with a stellar sales track). One person could really hate working with an agent that another person adored. It is so hard to judge.
I think it’s important to remember that this is a business decision. An agent dumping an author after a book doesn’t sell is not an issue to me. I’m taking this from a business perspective, and as someone married to a sales person, I get that the root of this business is about sales. I promise this agent that I will deliver a saleable product. If I don’t and can’t then come up with something saleable, then in my opinion, I should be dumped.
I can just see the fire in your eyes now!
I’m not saying that dumping writers is good. I do not feel that way at all. All I’m saying is that it is more important WHY and HOW that writer was dumped than simply that he or she was. So long story short, just like with the apple juice, research, ask questions, and make the decision yourself. That’s what I hope to do.
I’m sending everyone in Queryland sparkles and good vibes.
M.B.
I quickly googled it and read all about the issue. With a three year old, this sort of thing is very important. Though, I’m convinced that everything but bananas and water seems to cause cancer.
Well today I woke up to a response from the FDA stating Dr. Oz has no real basis for his claim. I’m not sure how I feel about either and I’m not sure I fully trust anything a government-run organization claims, but it did get me thinking about querying and how as writers we often believe whatever anyone else on the web says about an agent.
For example, there is a huge thread on the blue boards concerning speaking up about agents that are not so good. I love this sort of information as I have around twelve subs out right now and would love to know which are credible and which are not. However, I feel that we writers really need to do our homework before striking an agent off our list (or on the flip side, jumping up and down over an agent with a stellar sales track). One person could really hate working with an agent that another person adored. It is so hard to judge.
I think it’s important to remember that this is a business decision. An agent dumping an author after a book doesn’t sell is not an issue to me. I’m taking this from a business perspective, and as someone married to a sales person, I get that the root of this business is about sales. I promise this agent that I will deliver a saleable product. If I don’t and can’t then come up with something saleable, then in my opinion, I should be dumped.
I can just see the fire in your eyes now!
I’m not saying that dumping writers is good. I do not feel that way at all. All I’m saying is that it is more important WHY and HOW that writer was dumped than simply that he or she was. So long story short, just like with the apple juice, research, ask questions, and make the decision yourself. That’s what I hope to do.
I’m sending everyone in Queryland sparkles and good vibes.
M.B.
So true! I'm a dance teacher and I've had to accept the fact that there are some kids who are going to benefit from my teaching style and others who will do better with a different teacher. Much as I'd like to be the best possible teacher for every single student, that just isn't going to happen. Same with agents and authors. Some are a match and some aren't. It's worth looking into it and finding out for yourself.
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ReplyDeleteGreat comparison, Sarah! BTW, totally random, but what would you say is a good age to start children in dance classes? My daughter is dying to take ballet, but she's just a tiny 3 yr old. :)
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