Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Location: Books & Such Central Valley Office, CA
During the last century, in order to be published, an author would have to type his manuscript with a carbon copy, or in the pre-carbon copy days re-type his whole manuscript, and deliver it to one mysterious editor at a time. And wait. You’ve heard us use the term “over the transom” submissions referring to unsolicited manuscripts but in those days, the bundled manuscript was sometimes literally launched over an open transom into the cramped editorial office of a publisher.
Business etiquette was of a more genteel nature so most likely the hopeful author would have received a personal hand-typed reply. Washington Irving received the following rejection letter when he asked a long-silent editor if he could have his materials back. (Taken from the preface to The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.)
My Dear Sir,
I entreat you to believe that I feel truly obliged by your kind intentions toward me, and that I entertain the most unfeigned respect for your most tasteful talents. My house is completely filled with work people at this time, and I have only an office to transact business in; and yesterday I was wholly occupied, or I should have done myself the pleasure of seeing you.
If it would not suit me to engage in the publication of your present work it is only because I do not see that scope in the nature of it which would enable me to make those satisfactory accounts between us, without which I really feel no satisfaction in engaging–but I will do all I can to promote their circulation, and shall be most ready to attend to any future plan of yours.
With much regard, I remain, dear sir,
Your faithful servant,
John Murray
Translation: Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I’ve been swamped. No matter how I crunch the numbers the bottom line on the proforma doesn’t work for our house.
Much has changed over the years. Although, looking at the letter above, much has stayed the same. But let’s talk about the changes. . .
Since the advent of the home computer manuscripts can be printed with one keystroke and sent to legions of agents or editors at one time. For those of us on the receiving end this has exponentially increased our submissions to the point of not even being able to personally respond. They say the age of gentility ended in 1910 but in publishing, it ended with the age of the home computer.
But here’s the good news: The computer ushered in a world where the agent or editor is no longer an ominous figure locked away in a shabby walnut-panelled office somewhere in Manhattan or London. The publishing world is now transparent via the internet. Publishers, editors and agents are blogging daily, revealing all– insider secrets, systems, work-arounds and preferences. It’s all there for the taking! Can you imagine the choices Washington Irving could have made with information like this?
And there’s more good news: With social media, finding an agent is no longer a one-way street. We are constantly connecting and observing writers online. A couple of weeks ago I commented to Janet Kobobel Grant that I was impressed by everything written in the comments section of our blog by a certain writer. I told her I was thinking of contacting the writer because if her book was half as good as her ability to connect, she’d be a great success. Janet just laughed. One of my colleagues at Books & Such had already snatched this writer up.
I can’t imagine anything like this happening a century ago unless you met an agent or an editor in person at a soiree, a salon or a dinner party. It’s an exciting new world filled with opportunities to connect in fresh ways.
Even more good news: A century ago, people didn’t travel like we do today. Writers, agents & editors gather together in person more than ever before. Forget the dinner party, you can now spend an entire week with your favorite publishing professionals, practice the craft and learn about the business of writing. Agents and editors are committed to making ourselves available at writer’s conferences. It’s my favorite way to meet writers who are willing to invest time, energy and fiscal resources in their careers. I’m preparing for Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference in a little more than a week. It’s still one of my favorite weeks of the whole year. This year, probably because of the economy, attendance is down. That means we are going to have more time than ever for individual connecting– this is a good thing for the writers attending.
Your turn to offer some good news. What changes have you seen that make connecting to agents and editors easier? As we become more transparent, more human hopefully, do you feel more comfortable approaching us? Do you follow any good editor or agent blogs or twitterers you’d like to recommend? Please comment below.
This blog post has uplifted my spirits immensely! It’s so daunting sometimes to try and get a manuscript published, since most publishing houses don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts and such, but just the thought of hope is fantastic! That’s why I try and go to writer’s conferences – even though as a college student, it’s hard to afford them most of the time – so that I can connect with agents and editors who might not see my work otherwise. Whew! Hope does exist!!
As for blogs that are good to read, Rachelle Gardner is one I highly recommend as well as the blog BookTalk for DC Jacobson & Associates – they always have good information and it’s very interesting!
Oh. And this blog, too – it comes up in my Facebook news feed every morning to remind me to read it!
Initially, I was (and still am somewhat) daunted by social media. Being published is something I’ve wanted for so long, however, I knew I had to try! I’m not certain how effective I am at it, but I’m continuing to learn and, I beleive, God is blessing my efforts.
Yes, through social media and other venues, we are now permitted to see the “human side” of editors and agents! It allows to think of you as “real” people with real hurts, real dreams, and real passions! Agents no longer seem like a disembodied soul who merely exists “out there” somewhere. Because of connecting with authors the way you do, I’m able to see that each one of you seems to have your own unique personalities and characteristics. This gives us authors the courage we need in approaching you with questions and ideas. (And imagining what you’re even having for dinner tonight!)
I haven’t been blogging all that long, but the links I have on mine, (sites that I have found the most valuable to me) are Books and Such Literary, Rachelle Gardner, and Michael Hyatt.
Thank you for lifting us up this week, Wendy!
Sorry for the above typo…I was excited!
Loved your translation of the rejection letter. Reminds me of how our Japanese friend translates business meeting conversations for my husband..not word for word…but the concepts are always explained.
As a “wanna be” author I appreciate the efforts of your agency to reach out, to become more available and transparent. The blogs, Facebook, and Twitter help to connect. I am especially impressed by your response to those who comment. You actually read what your blog followers write. This is not true with all blogs. We all know this takes a lot of time, and we are grateful you invest in your followers.
I can’t make the Mount Herman Conference this year, but am planning to attend the Oregon Christian Writer’s Conference in August.
I follow the blogs you recommend: Rachelle Gardner, Steve Laube and Michael Hyatt (and Gail Hyatt on Twitter is delightful). Haven’t searched out any others yet.
Thanks again for the encouragement.
Agent blogs do make agents seem more approachable, especially those who update their blogs regularly; I get a sense that real people are involved. It helps further when I recognize genuine qualities from reading their posts, as I do here.
I find this blog to be one of the more helpful out there. Rachelle Gardner’s is also helpful.
More good news all the time. It’s wonderful to be a writer.
At the Muse Online Writers Conference each year, we have agents and publishers available for 5 minute pitch chat sessions. Last October I had a chance to pitch my second completed manuscript to a publisher. It’s under consideration with them now. I didn’t get a chance to pitch to an agent, but there’s still this year.
This is the main blog that I follow because I aim to write Christian fiction for adults, and because I like the atmosphere here. I also started following the Andrea Brown Literary Agency on Facebook. I just became a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. That’s one thing that is easier to do now too. Just a few clicks and viola, I’m in.
Kate, I just wanted to mention that Books & Such agent Mary Keeley will be on the faculty of the Oregon Christian Writers Conference. So, when you see her, you might introduce yourself as a blog-reading regular.
Not So Good News: Realizing all the decent writers’ conferences are halfway around the country from where you live. 🙂
The Good News: Getting together with published writers, university officials (who are always happy to promote the work of their presses and professors), and community boosters to create a brand new conference where one does live. (Perhaps I should finally add a link to my blog or twitter feed about the efforts? If it sounds interesting, I’ll do so. I would love to get the feedback from everyone here; your insights would be very helpful).
“Sunshine is always a good thing,” as my tanning-addicted friends say, so transparency can only help to serve writers and agents. Writers, in the sense that we are less frustrated by understanding the daunting process of sifting through thousands of submissions for the diamond in the rough, and agents in that writers are more attuned to sending work more targeted towards the needs and wants of an agency.
Wendy, Thanks for reminding us that not all change is bad. And I second your recommendation of the Mount Hermon Conference. I’ve attended as a would-be writer, a published author, and a faculty member, and maintain that it’s one of the best experiences imaginable for a writer.
I feel that way many times too, Larry. I’ve been asked to speak at a conference in Las Vegas, but couldn’t do it because I have two little ones who are at home and were still in school. I would love to attend the Colorado Christian Writers Conference in May, but that’s too far away, and the kids are still in school.
I feel very blessed to have found a local writers conference that I enjoyed so much I became a planning committee member. Other than that, it might be a few years before I can attend one of the cons farther away.
I think social media has both helped writers to see agents as real people and not dream-squishing monsters, but also for agents to connect with writers – as you said. It’s empowering (to me) to know that I can be ‘seen’ and ‘heard’ in a small way in a business that seems impersonal and distant at times – and also get what feels like an inside track.
I’ve so appreciated the upbeat hopeful posts yesterday and today.
I’ll be at Mt Hermon. First Amn conference for me, very excited about that. Never been to California either – if it snows there (because it’s snowing outside my window right now) I think I might cry 🙁
Thanks for being real and approachable.
For me, one personal change is the same thing you refer to near the end of your post: writers’ conferences. I got started at writing for publication through a contest, and then continued selling short stories and articles to distant editors whom I’d never seen. When I started attending at least one conference annually, the process sped up considerably. Editors with whom I chatted sometimes called or emailed ME to ask if I would submit a story on such-and-such topic. (What a time saver–I no longer had to brainstorm about what kind of story they might want.) In fact, after freelancing to several different Focus magazines, I was pleasantly surprised to get an invitation to be a guest speaker at one of their father-son mountain adventures a few years back. You just can’t beat conferences for opportunities to learn while establishing relationships.
Lisa, more good news: it won’t snow at Mount Hermon! (It has been known to rain but usually the weather is gorgeous.
Everyone, be sure to introduce yourselves to us at Mount Hermon. We get used to seeing your names as commenters but it will be so good to put faces to names. Janet Kobobel Grant, Rachel Kent, Michelle Uhl and I will all be there. We’re only missing Mary Keeley, but as Janet said, some of you can catch up with Mary at OCW.
Larry, there are great writer’s conferences all across the country. But as you said, in the absence of a formal conference we can network with other writers and professionals. And we can gather online.
Attending Mount Hermon radically changed the way I viewed the publishing process. Previous to that, I was still imagining editors and agents in their fancy New York offices. I met Robin Jones Gunn at a local women’s event and she pointed me in the direction of Mount Hermon and I am so thankful that she did. It’s nice to know that agents and publishers are actually real people, too! 🙂
Imagine the hair pulling that went on during revisions in those days of carbon-copy manuscripts. I’d be bald for sure.
I don’t know if any one has taken the time to thank you and your other agents for writing this blog. When I read this informative post today I was thankful for your word. Your inside view, teaching, and encouragement means so much as we type away in our isolated cubby holes. A big thank you!!
You people are making me so jealous! I absolutely LOVE the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, but can’t afford to attend this year.
It used to be a lot smaller, but since the advent of computers even people (like me) who can’t type without lots of typos can delete and replace so there are many more writers in the world and the smart ones take advantage of conferences.
Janet,thanks for the tip about Mary…I’ll be sure to introduce myself. A friend from our Quills of Faith writing group is attending the Mt. Herman Conference. I’m sure she’ll be bubbling over with good news and hopefully she’ll be able to connect with one of you. (See…you all do read & respond to your followers…thanks for going the extra mile.)
Now I want to go to the Mt. Hermon conference! Maybe next year?
Thank you SO much for the translation of the rejection letter. It gave me a headache. I can only imagine how Washington Irving felt!
One of the best changes, for me personally, is being able to connect with writers all over the world. What a blessing! I love the interaction, the friendship, the sharing of ideas. I will take all of the downsides for that alone!
Because of where I live, I would never have even heard of Wendy Lawton and the Books & Such gang if it had not been for the internet! My life changed exponentially for the better in connecting with the very writing community I love.
We “know” or learn of each other, what is being published today and what is coming in six months, where authors will be–all at the click of a mouse. It’s an amazing time to be in publishing. I can even do some research online, saving time and money.
I don’t know about everyone else, but I really needed to hear the “positives” of publishing this week. Yay! And though the flight from Mt. Hermon can be adventuresome, I love Mt. Hermon. Someday I’m coming back! 🙂
I’ll echo the gratitude expressed in the above comments. I love how agents work hard to be transparent and provide us with a wealth of knowledge. I’ve been getting a lot out of Writer Unboxed lately (I know Donald Maass posts there sometimes.)
~ Wendy
I’ve had the experience of connecting with both agents and editors in person after coming to know them online. For an introvert like me, a little foreknowledge helps break the proverbial ice.
I follow most of the mentioned agents and editors. I also love Abingdon editor Ramona Richards’ monthly “Track Changes” column in CFOM (Christian Fiction Online Magazine), http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/buzz_track.html
Another resource blog readers may want to check out, “Embrace the Impossible” comes from Charisma House editor Jevon Bolden. The subtitle alone makes it worth exploring: “Exploring Ways to Beat the Odds of Becoming Successful in Publishing.”
I echo Jean’s gratitude. I’ve learned more than I can ever repay from this and similar electronic resources, and I appreciate your agency’s continued investment in the writing community. Thanks much.
Somehow in posting, the link for Jevon Bolden’s blog disappeared:
http://embracetheimpossible.blogspot.com/
Enjoy–and embrace.
This blog has been full of revelations for me! It’s added more pieces to the puzzle regarding agents, publishing, etc. You do seem very personable at this agency.
Mt. Hermon and I will connect one day! Hopefully you’ll all still be showing up when I do.
An agent blog I loved subscribing to was Chip MacGregor’s. He has moved to Novel Journey http://noveljourney.blogspot.com/2011/01/please-welcome-literary-agent-chip.html for a once a month posting.
The change I love the most is how the Internet has opened up the possibility of finding a critique partner who can serve as an unbiased and knowledgeable pair of eyes. I come from a small town, the nearest critique group is over an hour away, and short of putting an ad in the paper, I wouldn’t know how to find another fiction writing in my area. Email and the Internet help country bumpkins like me have the same opportunities as someone from a big city.
I don’t go back as far as the quill and parchment, but I remember typewriters and carbon paper, the magic of white-out and Xerox machines. And my first Apple computer with WordStar! The writer’s tools have changed–clearly for the better (I so love the undo key).
Would I have persevered if I had to retype the entire manuscript every time I made major changes? I honestly don’t know, but it’s a safe bet that I’d lower my standards.
Thank you for this post–it reminded me how happy I am to be living in the 21st century!
Lee, the first home computer I used was the Apple IIE. (I think we still have it boxed up as a keepsake in storage.) And, yes, WordStar! Who would ever think we’d live to see the day when we waxed nostalgic about early tech?
I love reading agent’s blogs. It gives me a feel for their personalities and an inside view at the industry.
I recommend Chip MacGregor and Steve Laube. Along with this one of course! 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to blog. I know it sucks up your time, but it’s a favorite part of my day.
I’d be ecstatic if Mt Hermon was only halfway across the country from where I live. For me it’s halfway across the world. =)
A few years back I made the trip from Australia to attend. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. It changed everything.
I can’t wait to go back one day. Once you’ve been you’ll understand why it’s worth every penny.
Social media and the internet increase the opportunities we have to connect with each other – be it between agents, editors, published, and not-yet-published authors. I’m so thankful for the community I’ve become a part of in many ways.
In the case of this blog, I feel your regular postings and your focus on helping others grow absolutely help me feel more comfortable in connecting with you all – especially through commenting here. I feel a little like a part of a specific community as a regular reader and commentor. Some of your personal views, personality traits, and values come through in your writing, which helps me to feel like I’d already be somewhat acquainted if we met in real life. I do think your welcoming attitudes here would show to those you would come in contact with even without social media – but, so many more of us benefit from your aid because of the wide reach through the internet!
Thank you for these encouraging posts already this week.
I can’t extol the virtues of Mount Hermon enough. What a fabulous place. The countdown to the 14th has officially begun in this household. 🙂
This blog is another invaluable resource. I direct all my new writing connections here if they want to learn more about the business. A wealth of information is here for the taking. I’ve also really been enjoying Laura Christianson’s information at BloggingBistro.com lately. Great tips for the social media/blog/website-challenged… like me.
I’m still scared to death of ya’ll. The computer hasn’t changed that one bit. However, it is a gift to read agent blogs and comment in my pajamas and without worrying about ya’ll seeing me shake while trying to utter something sensical to you through my self-conscious fog and jittering teeth. I love your posts, and this one, indeed, is uplifting and encouraging. And I wish so much I could’ve made it to Mount Hermon this year. The place rocked. my. world. and changed my life in countless ways in 2009, and continues to do so today. Have a wonderful week and thank you!
I love the way the internet has turned agents from sterile names on cards or letterhead into real people. We can grasp at least a fraction of their personalities and the flavor of what they like and dislike. We can also, in many cases observe how they interact and treat others. It’s all important. Thank you for some good news! I wish more people had some positivity about publishing!
Wonderful. I’ll be attending Mount Hermon again too. I can hardly wait to connect with so many writers and masters of the craft. This will be my fourth Mount Hermon Writer’s Conference, and it’s always been worth it in multiple ways. Hopefully I can find a spot at your table during lunch during our time there.
Peace!
I want to add my gratitude for the many splendid postings here. The comments help me know more about the industry, too. The welcoming approach has made me feel less timid in adding my own. Joining the ACFW recently has been very useful. I feel part of a larger community of writers, agents and editors.
I like to read the blogs of Steve Laube, Mike Hyatt, Rachelle Gardner and Chip MacGregor who writes over at Novel Journey once a month. I have some of these links on my website. I followed an editor’s blog for awhile then met her at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer’s Conference last year. Her sincerity and open manner put me at ease immediately and that’s saying something. I’d love to hear that an agent from Books and Such is on faculty at this conference again this year. Again, many thanks for the useful info that I find on this blog.
What I like best about this new era is that we writers no longer feel so isolated, so cut off from each other and industry people. When I started to seriously practice my craft, most resources still spoke about heavy writing guides that I had to buy, manuscript boxes, and endless reams of printer paper. Now, here
I sit at bathtime with my son as I post this comment from my phone. Writing feels more inclusive, and I am very happy to be at the party.
Agree! I would not be acquainted at all with Crystal or Wendy (and many others who have richly added to my writing life) if not for the Internet! LOVE your ‘good news’ perspective, Wendy!
Wow! That’s good to know. It brings to my attention how important a comment on a blog becomes and to watch the spelling and grammar. LOL. I have learned a lot about the craft of writing from agent blogs and it’s been quite a help to me. So thank you.