Comments on: Learning to Write XIII http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/ Reflections of a working writer and reader Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:37:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: john baker http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/comment-page-1/#comment-17358 john baker Sat, 16 Dec 2006 16:52:13 +0000 http://www.johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/#comment-17358 Ah, here's the <a title="party pic" href="http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/party_hopping/scene_galleycats_holiday_party_49278.asp" rel="nofollow">picture </a>of Lynne at the Galleycat party. Ah, here’s the picture of Lynne at the Galleycat party.

]]> By: Lynne W. Scanlon http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/comment-page-1/#comment-17340 Lynne W. Scanlon Sat, 16 Dec 2006 13:42:09 +0000 http://www.johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/#comment-17340 Well, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Here's one: I tell writers who cannot find a literary agent or editor to go to the bookstore and find books of the same genre that have sold really well, read the acknowledgement in the front of the book to find the name of the literary agent or editor, READ the book(s), make some positive comparisons, and incorporate them in a very personal sounding (perhaps, er, even slightly flattering) query letter. See John Barlow's recent post, The Whole Hog, and you'll see what I mean... Lynne AKA The Wicked Witch of Publishing PS Did you see my px with editors Ron Hogan and Sarah Weinman on www.mediabistro.com/galleycat Thursday? Too much fun! <strong>jb says</strong>: Thanks for the tip. I expect there'll be a few well-researched letters like that landing on agents' desks in the next few months. And yes, I'd seen the <a title="whole hog" href="http://www.johnbarlow.net/blog/?p=150" rel="nofollow">John Barlow post</a>, but didn't mind reading it again after you mentioned it. Not so much luck with your px on mediabistro, though. Have they taken it down? Well, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Here’s one:

I tell writers who cannot find a literary agent or editor to go to the bookstore and find books of the same genre that have sold really well, read the acknowledgement in the front of the book to find the name of the literary agent or editor, READ the book(s), make some positive comparisons, and incorporate them in a very personal sounding (perhaps, er, even slightly flattering) query letter.

See John Barlow’s recent post, The Whole Hog, and you’ll see what I mean…

Lynne AKA The Wicked Witch of Publishing

PS Did you see my px with editors Ron Hogan and Sarah Weinman on http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat Thursday? Too much fun!

jb says: Thanks for the tip. I expect there’ll be a few well-researched letters like that landing on agents’ desks in the next few months.

And yes, I’d seen the John Barlow post, but didn’t mind reading it again after you mentioned it.

Not so much luck with your px on mediabistro, though. Have they taken it down?

]]> By: Lynne W. Scanlon http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/comment-page-1/#comment-17270 Lynne W. Scanlon Fri, 15 Dec 2006 23:02:55 +0000 http://www.johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/#comment-17270 My second book (nonfiction) went to at least 20 publishers before Berkley picked it up. (Peter Workman turned it down, much to his regret, I am sure [heh, heh], since the book did very well.) When I look back on the 19 names of the editors to whom I sent my proposal lo those many years ago and who rejected it, I realize that I wasted my time and theirs. They looked like the correct recipient (trade paperback, nonfiction), but they were not. I accidentally hit an interested editor. Lucky me. I'd approach the whole process of pursuit of literary agent and/or editor very differently today, and, yes, I agree, you've really got be persistent. <strong>jb says</strong>: Hi Lynne. Do tell us how you'd approach it today. My second book (nonfiction) went to at least 20 publishers before Berkley picked it up. (Peter Workman turned it down, much to his regret, I am sure [heh, heh], since the book did very well.) When I look back on the 19 names of the editors to whom I sent my proposal lo those many years ago and who rejected it, I realize that I wasted my time and theirs. They looked like the correct recipient (trade paperback, nonfiction), but they were not. I accidentally hit an interested editor. Lucky me.

I’d approach the whole process of pursuit of literary agent and/or editor very differently today, and, yes, I agree, you’ve really got be persistent.

jb says: Hi Lynne. Do tell us how you’d approach it today.

]]> By: M.E Ellis http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/comment-page-1/#comment-17208 M.E Ellis Fri, 15 Dec 2006 11:57:16 +0000 http://www.johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/#comment-17208 I'm only pig-headed to do with my writing, obstinate in my goals. Once I decided, after a ten year break, to get back into publishing, I didn't falter. And I never will. :o) <strong>jb says</strong>: Oh, yeah, me too, only pig-headed in relation to the writing. The rest of the time I'm sweeter than Nita. I’m only pig-headed to do with my writing, obstinate in my goals. Once I decided, after a ten year break, to get back into publishing, I didn’t falter. And I never will.

:o )

jb says: Oh, yeah, me too, only pig-headed in relation to the writing. The rest of the time I’m sweeter than Nita.

]]> By: Richard Madelin http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/comment-page-1/#comment-17201 Richard Madelin Fri, 15 Dec 2006 11:47:24 +0000 http://www.johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/#comment-17201 An excellent book which examines the ways writers have changed their work is 'Revising Fiction' by David Madden. He takes dozens of specific examples. Also a great quote at the beginning: 'The art of writing is rewriting.' - Sean O'Faolain. <strong>jb says</strong>: I don't know the book. But I love the quote. An excellent book which examines the ways writers have changed their work is ‘Revising Fiction’ by David Madden. He takes dozens of specific examples. Also a great quote at the beginning: ‘The art of writing is rewriting.’ – Sean O’Faolain.

jb says: I don’t know the book. But I love the quote.

]]> By: Steve Clackson http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/comment-page-1/#comment-17192 Steve Clackson Fri, 15 Dec 2006 09:51:12 +0000 http://www.johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xiii/#comment-17192 "stubborn obstinate pig-headed" OK my wife says I have all three! I'm a writer....er.....unpublished writer all I need now is luck. <strong>jb says</strong>: Oh, yes, Steve. You need luck to find a publisher. But you're half-way there . . . “stubborn obstinate pig-headed” OK my wife says I have all three!
I’m a writer….er…..unpublished writer all I need now is luck.

jb says: Oh, yes, Steve. You need luck to find a publisher. But you’re half-way there . . .

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