When to use your safety word. - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T11:47:05Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:58956?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A59056&feed=yes&xn_auth=noStuart,
I think I speak for…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-01:537324:Comment:596482007-08-01T18:31:30.474ZDavid Terrenoirehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Terrenoire
Stuart,<br />
<br />
I think I speak for others as well as myself when I say how entertaining you are when you're in a bad mood.
Stuart,<br />
<br />
I think I speak for others as well as myself when I say how entertaining you are when you're in a bad mood. I'd say that the line: "Then…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-01:537324:Comment:596112007-08-01T16:34:26.967ZStuart MacBridehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Macbride
I'd say that the line: <i>"Then the agent tells my friend that if he writes anything non-fiction or urban fantasy, to let him know and they'd talk"</i> is the answer to question 3. The Agent's already saying he doesn't think he can sell your friend unless they write non-fiction or switch genres. So ditch the chump.<br />
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And I say that having had the experience of firing an agent. I'm WAY happier with the one I got as a result.<br />
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1 - sounds like a lame excuse for laziness.<br />
2 - is a load of old weasel…
I'd say that the line: <i>"Then the agent tells my friend that if he writes anything non-fiction or urban fantasy, to let him know and they'd talk"</i> is the answer to question 3. The Agent's already saying he doesn't think he can sell your friend unless they write non-fiction or switch genres. So ditch the chump.<br />
<br />
And I say that having had the experience of firing an agent. I'm WAY happier with the one I got as a result.<br />
<br />
1 - sounds like a lame excuse for laziness.<br />
2 - is a load of old weasel wank.<br />
3 - ditch, get new agent, write next book.<br />
4 - Harry Potter in a fucking hoodie. "Gee, Ron, this is some good shit. Let's go shoplifting..."<br />
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And yes: I <i>am</i> in a bad mood today. I'd say move on and look for…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-31:537324:Comment:594572007-07-31T15:53:04.492ZJulie Lomoehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/julielomoe
I'd say move on and look for another agent. If this agent feels suspense with male protagonists is "dead," then he or she is going to project this attitude and create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Everything I've read on getting published advises disregarding trends and blanket judgments about what sells, as the market is constantly changing.<br />
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I just finished reading Kate Flora's <i>Playing God</i>, and she created a wonderful male protagonist, although strictly speaking, the book is a police…
I'd say move on and look for another agent. If this agent feels suspense with male protagonists is "dead," then he or she is going to project this attitude and create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Everything I've read on getting published advises disregarding trends and blanket judgments about what sells, as the market is constantly changing.<br />
<br />
I just finished reading Kate Flora's <i>Playing God</i>, and she created a wonderful male protagonist, although strictly speaking, the book is a police procedural rather than suspense. That said, I usually prefer female protagonists.<br />
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I'd also suggest your friend consider print-on-demand publishing. I took this route with <i>Mood Swing: The Bipolar Murders,</i> and I'm delighted I did. I still hope to make it the traditional way, but in the meantime, being a published author gives me the ego boost I need to keep plugging away. BTW, I did have a well-respected agent some years ago, and she never sold my book. The way she handled it sounds very much like what your friend experienced. We parted company by drifting out of touch, and she's now retired. 1. Yes, but only through hear…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-30:537324:Comment:591282007-07-30T13:31:29.810Zspyscribblerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/spyscribbler
1. Yes, but only through hearsay.<br />
2. Hah! Really? That's quite a big switch the agent is asking your friend to make.<br />
3. Exactly what you did, but what do I know?<br />
4. Urban fantasy is like Buffy the Vampire Slayer in a novel. Think Laurell K. Hamilton and L.A. Banks. Kinda gritty fantasy set in a real-ish sort of urban landscape.
1. Yes, but only through hearsay.<br />
2. Hah! Really? That's quite a big switch the agent is asking your friend to make.<br />
3. Exactly what you did, but what do I know?<br />
4. Urban fantasy is like Buffy the Vampire Slayer in a novel. Think Laurell K. Hamilton and L.A. Banks. Kinda gritty fantasy set in a real-ish sort of urban landscape. Jim Butcher is urban fantasy.…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-30:537324:Comment:590812007-07-30T05:50:47.253ZCarla Harkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DeadlyAccurate
Jim Butcher is urban fantasy. For a TV example, think <i>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</i> and <i>Angel</i>. It's fantasy (magic, paranormal or supernatural activity, etc.) set in a modern, technologically-advanced world.
Jim Butcher is urban fantasy. For a TV example, think <i>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</i> and <i>Angel</i>. It's fantasy (magic, paranormal or supernatural activity, etc.) set in a modern, technologically-advanced world. 1. yes
2. no
3. yes
3a not ev…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-30:537324:Comment:590722007-07-30T04:40:10.676ZJanet Reidhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JanetReid
1. yes<br />
2. no<br />
3. yes<br />
3a not every good project sells. Move on.<br />
4. no dragons. think Charlie Huston for girls. (I'll probably get my ass kicked for that, but I'm not much of an expert on it either)<br />
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PS the phrase is "safe word" not "safety". The only safety in s/m are pins....
1. yes<br />
2. no<br />
3. yes<br />
3a not every good project sells. Move on.<br />
4. no dragons. think Charlie Huston for girls. (I'll probably get my ass kicked for that, but I'm not much of an expert on it either)<br />
<br />
PS the phrase is "safe word" not "safety". The only safety in s/m are pins.... I have no idea what I'm talki…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-30:537324:Comment:590712007-07-30T04:35:19.769ZSandra Ruttanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Sandramre
<i>I have no idea what I'm talking about, but at least I'm honest.</i> LOL Barbara!<br />
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Yeah, it was a bad situation with that agent. Yes, you should have a representation agreement. I had no idea they were doing that until they sent me a letter with the various responses. And a lot of agents do want to know who else is considering/has considered you or if you've had representation... As I said, it pretty much killed me getting an agent at that point. And unfortunately, they're a 'respected' agent…
<i>I have no idea what I'm talking about, but at least I'm honest.</i> LOL Barbara!<br />
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Yeah, it was a bad situation with that agent. Yes, you should have a representation agreement. I had no idea they were doing that until they sent me a letter with the various responses. And a lot of agents do want to know who else is considering/has considered you or if you've had representation... As I said, it pretty much killed me getting an agent at that point. And unfortunately, they're a 'respected' agent with a good reputation.<br />
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I don't think "Canada?" will persist. The other criticism, actually was "RCMP". And the hilarious thing is that in the past couple of years there have been so many scandals to rock the RCMP that they've just been giving me material. It's practically gift-wrapped! But there's a stereotype about the RCMP, and Canada in general, that's been an obstacle, but things change. As others have said, the writing will win out sooner or later.<br />
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And yes, male suspense protagonists will be hot! Last book I read had a male protagonist in their early 30s. Eek, what a story about that…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-30:537324:Comment:590562007-07-30T01:46:27.055ZBarbara Fisterhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Bfister
Eek, what a story about that agent. Isn't it typical to sign a contract with agents so you both know where you stand? Otherwise you get into this kind of situation, where you have other agents who are leery of taking on a writer not knowing where a book has been submitted already.<br />
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As for "Canada?" - I hope that doesn't persist. US publishers seem to have finally discovered the rest of the world (or at least have discovered US readers actually like reading beyond US borders). I predict Canada…
Eek, what a story about that agent. Isn't it typical to sign a contract with agents so you both know where you stand? Otherwise you get into this kind of situation, where you have other agents who are leery of taking on a writer not knowing where a book has been submitted already.<br />
<br />
As for "Canada?" - I hope that doesn't persist. US publishers seem to have finally discovered the rest of the world (or at least have discovered US readers actually like reading beyond US borders). I predict Canada will be the hot new location.<br />
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And male suspense protagonists will be hot.<br />
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And Urban Fantasy will be so last week.<br />
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Mind you, I have no idea what I'm talking about, but at least I'm honest. Suspense with male protagonis…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-29:537324:Comment:590092007-07-29T21:42:09.823ZDonna Moorehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaMoore
Suspense with male protagonists dead? I very much doubt it! So next year we are only going to get books with female protagonists who are werewolves? I certainly hope not. I would like to think that any book that has great characters, excellent writing and a good plot would sell, but maybe I'm just being Pollyanna. And I certainly wouldn't recommend your friend writes an urban fantasy. For a start, unless his heart is in it it will be flat and soulless. I don't think writing for the market works…
Suspense with male protagonists dead? I very much doubt it! So next year we are only going to get books with female protagonists who are werewolves? I certainly hope not. I would like to think that any book that has great characters, excellent writing and a good plot would sell, but maybe I'm just being Pollyanna. And I certainly wouldn't recommend your friend writes an urban fantasy. For a start, unless his heart is in it it will be flat and soulless. I don't think writing for the market works unless it's something you actually WANT to write. Besides, by the time he's finished, urban fantasy will be sooooooo last year, and the next big thing will be 17th century historicals featuring pantaloon wearing pigs who talk in rhyme. And Jools, give me my mantra back :o) Mind you, the market is horri…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-29:537324:Comment:590042007-07-29T21:26:48.282ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Mind you, the market is horrid. I also have male protagonists, so that statement scared me. I do know that women's fiction sells better, but I'd rather eat nails than write women's fiction. And I am occasionally pressured in that direction.<br />
I do have a wonderful agent, but she has just informed me that my publisher will not take a short story collection and that nobody else will either because they don't sell. I like the book and don't know what I'll do with it. However, the fact that she only…
Mind you, the market is horrid. I also have male protagonists, so that statement scared me. I do know that women's fiction sells better, but I'd rather eat nails than write women's fiction. And I am occasionally pressured in that direction.<br />
I do have a wonderful agent, but she has just informed me that my publisher will not take a short story collection and that nobody else will either because they don't sell. I like the book and don't know what I'll do with it. However, the fact that she only submitted it to my current publisher is unusual. She normally submits my novel mss to some 20 or so of the big houses, I think.<br />
I agree with Paul Guyot and shall always write what I want to write. Unfortunately in my case that tends to be not what the masses want.<br />
As for switching genre: that I have done. But I'm still writing what I want and it isn't women's fiction or urban fantasy or any of the other fads.