tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294197930670383085.post6255040163520936070..comments2024-03-28T00:22:20.234-07:00Comments on Ann Gimpel, USA Today Bestselling Author: Literary Agents: Bane or Boon?Ann Gimpel, Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311977212626293800noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294197930670383085.post-9437254442774032052012-05-01T20:48:17.743-07:002012-05-01T20:48:17.743-07:00Aw, Jessica. You were my first fan and you're ...Aw, Jessica. You were my first fan and you're also my best! You'll never know how much I appreciate your support for my writing. It does seem odd that a magazine told someone their story was "too good" for them. Maybe what they meant was it didn't fit the rest of what they print.Ann Gimpel, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04311977212626293800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294197930670383085.post-9767236373151950212012-05-01T11:27:00.732-07:002012-05-01T11:27:00.732-07:00Oops, that was meant to be in reply to yours. Sorr...Oops, that was meant to be in reply to yours. Sorry.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12491385498202428008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294197930670383085.post-9299935679883795292012-05-01T11:22:35.763-07:002012-05-01T11:22:35.763-07:00I've certainly felt the sting of rejection too...I've certainly felt the sting of rejection too. I still believe you should feel encouraged. Your track record really is phenomenal. I think it shows your persistance. I have another client who really is a phenomenal writer, but he isn't good at submitting. One of the "lesser" publishing zines recently told him his story was too good for them and he should really try somewhere else first. That's a puzzling response to get, I'm sure. It was still disappointing to him, though, because it was still a form of rejection.<br /><br />My advice is to do what you have been doing--keep submitting. Yes, you have a larger portion of stories written and submitted than have been accepted thus far (who doesn't?), but they'll find their homes. Don't doubt it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12491385498202428008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294197930670383085.post-54605089506336665732012-05-01T08:20:01.710-07:002012-05-01T08:20:01.710-07:00So that's what "literary consultant"...So that's what "literary consultant" means. I wondered when I saw you use the term a few weeks back. And, yes, there needs to be a better way. Just saw a FB post from a friend. She casually mentioned "another rejection" and my heart went out to her. Even if I'm expecting a rejection, there's always a little sliver of hope that goes out with every single one of my submissions. And I'm always happy when someone asks to see more of my work, even if they didn't take the piece I'd sent.Ann Gimpel, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04311977212626293800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294197930670383085.post-84587642327764004202012-05-01T05:19:57.396-07:002012-05-01T05:19:57.396-07:00I think this, and the statement from Clare is exac...I think this, and the statement from Clare is exactly why I've been asked by a few clients to be an intermediary and why I added "literary consultant" to my title. I'm definitely no agent, and don't even want to get into the legalities of contracts and rights, etc., BUT, it seems that having someone write to a publishing company on your behalf actually helps you get a foot in the door. One such (fairly major) company recently accepted my submission on a client's behalf even though they only accept "agented submissions". (I did write to ask them their permission first, but still.)<br /><br />The point seems to be that it's got to come from someone other than the writer. On the one hand, based on some requests I've had for editing, I can see why. Many people judge their writing ready for publication when it absolutely is not, sad to say. On the other hand, I think shutting out their bread and butter the way they do is sort of biting the hand that feeds them, to mix some metaphors, wouldn't you say?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12491385498202428008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294197930670383085.post-18706649055616910902012-04-25T20:04:59.435-07:002012-04-25T20:04:59.435-07:00Yes, I've heard that, too. In our SF/F field, ...Yes, I've heard that, too. In our SF/F field, there are only about 20-30 agents that have solid reputations. I think I got turned down by all of them three years ago. Good to have thick skin.Ann Gimpel, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04311977212626293800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294197930670383085.post-75193399644236879732012-04-25T19:45:54.398-07:002012-04-25T19:45:54.398-07:00Well, I don't have any experience in looking f...Well, I don't have any experience in looking for agents yet. But I have heard that a bad agent is worse than no agent at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com