Comments on: Books I couldn’t sell

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:10:11 +0000

Ha ha ha… that would be an awkward phone call! Great post, I enjoyed it.

By: Kelly Andrews

Kelly Andrews — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:14:53 +0000

This is an intriguing post, but of the things that intrigues me is what happened to that first writer, not just the first novel.

Jim, did you keep him/her as a client? Sell other works? Part ways immediately, or later? It's nice to know that the unsold manuscript is a moment of regret and reflection for the agent, but what happened to the writer? What happened to your agent relationship?

By: Sheila Cull

Sheila Cull — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:12:06 +0000

Jim:

Because the poor sales of your first book still stings, that makes me feel good. I hope to engage in a client/agent relationship and keeping that in mind, it'll make me feel like we're on a team.

Sheila

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 06:28:35 +0000

Oh, Jim, I can just imagine that phone call! Did the author politely recommend sending the publisher up in flames?

If I ever have an editor ask if my past life includes smuggling, spying and guerrilla warfare...!

By: Denise

Denise — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 01:45:06 +0000

This is unrelated to your blog but I hope you can help.

I've read conflicting information on what to do when an agent has a copy of your ms but since sending you've made changes to it. Is it okay to notify them of the changes? Does this irk agents? I'm sure I'm not the only writer to have experienced this.

Before you yell at me for sending an ms to an agent in the first place. Know that the ms is complete, was complete at the time. Because an unpublished manuscript is something that can always be improved upon, I did another round of revisions.

Thank you for any help or suggestions you can offer.

By: Tricia J. O'Brien

Tricia J. O'Brien — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:07:09 +0000

This is one of the most intriguing posts by an agent I've read. Thanks for telling the truth and letting us experience this from your side of the desk.

By: Michael G-G

Michael G-G — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 22:38:58 +0000

Writers who have you as an agent are fortunate indeed.

By: Meagan Spooner

Meagan Spooner — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:48:10 +0000

This post is wonderful. As a writer about to start querying for the first time, knowing that there are agents out there who will be honest, both about their love for the work and about its prospects in the market. I could never ask for more than a truly honest agent who loves my work.

By: Shawntelle Madison

Shawntelle Madison — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:33:19 +0000

Great post for writers, Jim!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:21:12 +0000

I think this is an important post for aspiring writers to see because I do think that unagented writers often think an agent wouldn't take you on unless it's a guaranteed sale. My first book did not sell, but my second one did. And my critique partner's first book did not sell. And a friend of mine is writing his second book right now because his first book did not sell. We all have wonderful agents. There are no guarantees.