tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post570792339691585265..comments2024-03-29T10:25:17.813-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Getting an Agent: When Luck Meets Opportunity - a guest blog by Regan RoseJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17060544836634585792020-05-10T23:30:53.811-04:002020-05-10T23:30:53.811-04:00Regan! I am horribly delinquent in my emails, but ...Regan! I am horribly delinquent in my emails, but I was so excited to get your newsletter and read some of your great links and previous blogs (bringing me here!). It's all super inspiring and also really useful. Also, I'm a big fan of the new title! I've been thinking about you and how you're getting on in lockdown. Will write more soon but many congratulations again!Rachel Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12714403518718704092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-22953553640270781122020-04-22T21:20:23.592-04:002020-04-22T21:20:23.592-04:00These are SUCH good points, Ellen! I ended up find...These are SUCH good points, Ellen! I ended up finding Publisher's Marketplace to be my favorite resource in terms of vetting agents before I queried them. Do you have other suggestions, or for vetting entertainment lawyers? Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-57411087976152150252020-04-22T21:18:43.868-04:002020-04-22T21:18:43.868-04:00Thanks so much Judi! In terms of the basics, my nu...Thanks so much Judi! In terms of the basics, my number one tip is to sign up for Susan Dennard's newsletter. (https://susandennard.com/for-writers/) When you do, you get a query guide. It taught me so much about writing a catchy query in a single place. (And I love her other resources, too.) Other things I did that I think were helpful were to read Query Shark (https://queryshark.blogspot.com/), where queries are critiqued, and I did Pitch Wars (https://pitchwars.org/), which has tons of query-writing resources. I also read my query to my writing group at my local library, which helped me make more tweaks.<br /><br />Maybe the biggest problem I had was figuring out how much information to reveal, and the biggest thing that helped me with that was doing a verbal pitch to an agent. Talking about it in person with an experienced agent helped me drill down on what my real elevator pitch was and to feel more confident about how far into the story/stakes to get.<br /><br />I wish you ALL the luck and you're more than welcome to shoot me an email to talk more!Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45924258949509463952020-04-22T21:10:28.292-04:002020-04-22T21:10:28.292-04:00Thank you so much, Jenn! I'm so glad it's ...Thank you so much, Jenn! I'm so glad it's a good read. I'll gladly come back!! Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11068259727829389972020-04-22T19:30:46.553-04:002020-04-22T19:30:46.553-04:00Thank you Julia, and thank you, Rose. (My 20th nov...Thank you Julia, and thank you, Rose. (My 20th novel came out last month...) We must be ready for those openings - and not waste them!Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-38737976902877969922020-04-22T19:10:28.269-04:002020-04-22T19:10:28.269-04:00There's this to know about agents-- there are ...There's this to know about agents-- there are no boards, no bar exam, no licenses for being an agent. Anyone can hold himself/herself out as an being an agent. So getting an agent, and getting a QUALIFIED agent, are two different things. <br /><br />An agent has two main jobs-- placing the work (so an agent needs to have, and work at maintaining, connections in the industry) AND negotiating the contract. Some experienced editors who decide to become agents have been negotiating contracts for years and understand them. Some people who have perhaps been on the sales end of publishing do not have a clue. So ask questions-- what does this clause mean for me, ultimately. Can we get it changed or modified? If you aren't satisfied with the answer, there is nothing (but the cost) to keep you from bringing in a experienced publishing attorney (not your brother-in-law the divorce lawyer) just as you can bring in an attorney even if you have a real estate agent when you buy or sell a home. <br /><br />Re that cost, agents work on commissions, attorneys do not (it can actually be unethical under the Bar Code of Ethics to take a percentage). But agents get their percentage forever, and on every derivative (foreign, movie, merchandising) sale. With an attorney, it's one-and-done. If an agent is asking you for money up front, look elsewhere. Know what you're getting into with either one. <br /><br />That said, having either an agent or an attorney can preserve your relationship with your editor and publisher. Let the agent or the attorney fight with the publisher. You and the editor can rise serenely above all that. Ellen M. Kozakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18342774310814059158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-38782749020369922432020-04-22T15:38:01.601-04:002020-04-22T15:38:01.601-04:00Guess my comment didn't make it past the censo...Guess my comment didn't make it past the censors! Loved hearing how you did it, Regan! My question was about how to write a good successful query letter. obviously, it can be done! Any secrets you'd like to share?Judihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06777683026890358953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46098723678796769252020-04-22T15:34:15.833-04:002020-04-22T15:34:15.833-04:00Congratulations, Regan! How truly wonderful that a...Congratulations, Regan! How truly wonderful that all of the blood, sweat, and tears paid off! I love these sorts of stories because I truly believe success can happen to anyone who is willing to do the hard work. I can't wait to read your book and I love that you shared your process so unflinchingly. Writers are masochists, for sure. LOL. Looking forward to your release - please come back and visit us so we can celebrate here at Jungle Red Writers!Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13589365995413467367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56755577957852879742020-04-22T14:27:49.056-04:002020-04-22T14:27:49.056-04:00p.s. Julia, I meant that I think the agent could h...p.s. Julia, I meant that I think the agent could have found a good publisher with in house editors?Bibliophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07764234701385787238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-1628260064176029292020-04-22T14:19:39.182-04:002020-04-22T14:19:39.182-04:00Julia, thanks. Unfortunately, when I read the ind...Julia, thanks. Unfortunately, when I read the independently published novel, there were a lot of editing errors! And if the author had been willing to get an excellent agent, meaning more time in search, I think the book would have looked better. That is just my opinion. I think the author did not want an agent because of either independence? self-reliance? not wanting to "waste" time looking for an agent?<br /><br />Regan, that's cool about family names! I could see myself using family names as pen names for my novel. Yes, I definitely would want an agent. I would hope that I get an agent who is the right fit for me and a good attorney too. <br /><br />DianaBibliophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07764234701385787238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85505758376907115192020-04-22T14:06:58.202-04:002020-04-22T14:06:58.202-04:00Thanks so much Pat! I LOVE "stick-to-it-ness....Thanks so much Pat! I LOVE "stick-to-it-ness." A necessary ingredient for any kind of success!Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-39795686589678613152020-04-22T14:05:59.301-04:002020-04-22T14:05:59.301-04:00I completely agree Mark! Sometimes they can be mis...I completely agree Mark! Sometimes they can be missed altogether, just like you say.Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-90641881882282866792020-04-22T14:05:23.465-04:002020-04-22T14:05:23.465-04:00Thanks so much Judy!! I will come back in a heartb...Thanks so much Judy!! I will come back in a heartbeat. It's not unfun to relive exciting moments as you write them out, and it also feels like I'm paying something back because I devoured blog posts like this when I was querying. (As I do at every stage of the game!)Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-55589097831574356212020-04-22T14:03:57.787-04:002020-04-22T14:03:57.787-04:00Hi Hank!! It was so much fun to meet you, too! Esp...Hi Hank!! It was so much fun to meet you, too! Especially because I was in the early throes of working on a second novel. Such a painful process. And you calmed me down so much! (That's actually the log line you're thinking of. I told you the baseline idea for book 2 and you made me feel soooo much better about it!) And you're so right that sometimes opportunities don't even look like that, so it's important to be thinking about them!Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51709326192805837542020-04-22T14:00:47.504-04:002020-04-22T14:00:47.504-04:00EEEeeee thanks Brenda!! I'm excited for it to ...EEEeeee thanks Brenda!! I'm excited for it to be out there too, largely because that means I will finally be done editing it!! (Although I'll probably keep editing it in my head.)Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45518683467856960712020-04-22T14:00:07.577-04:002020-04-22T14:00:07.577-04:00Thanks Lucy!! Book two, woof, that is a whole othe...Thanks Lucy!! Book two, woof, that is a whole other story isn't it! I'm currently working on edits for book 1, but when I'm done book 2 is going to start haunting my dreams again.Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-47585889807099886222020-04-22T13:58:54.332-04:002020-04-22T13:58:54.332-04:00Thanks so much, Liz! The older I get, the more I r...Thanks so much, Liz! The older I get, the more I remember all those things my dad used to say and how true they seem...it's terrible. :)Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-84476951837637198682020-04-22T13:58:10.103-04:002020-04-22T13:58:10.103-04:00Amanda, I swear I commented on this but I don'...Amanda, I swear I commented on this but I don't see it! I must have made an error, which is classic with me and tech. I love your mixed metaphor and would gladly live in the house you've described!! Thanks so much for your encouragement, and I'm so glad you find the advice helpful!Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-63872223326109153012020-04-22T13:53:28.785-04:002020-04-22T13:53:28.785-04:00Flora, YES, perseverance! And it can be hard to pe...Flora, YES, perseverance! And it can be hard to persevere in writing--it is a lonely pursuit and easy to compare yourself to others without seeing behind the scenes. It's why I wanted to share some of mine--I want people to know there are always others working hard with them and trying to accomplish something new! Thanks so much for your congrats :)Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-22026397643199864022020-04-22T13:41:49.584-04:002020-04-22T13:41:49.584-04:00Thanks Diana! Regan Rose is a combination of famil...Thanks Diana! Regan Rose is a combination of family names (and much of my family is Irish), but it is a pen name. There is so much to say about querying agents that I skipped the first part--do you want an agent at all? I just decided quickly that I did, and I have been thrilled with my agent (and sub agents), but I know it's a personal choice and there are reasons not to work with an agent. Thanks so much for your encouragement!! Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3046805019421176652020-04-22T13:37:22.891-04:002020-04-22T13:37:22.891-04:00HA! Well said, Karen! It can be scary to leave the...HA! Well said, Karen! It can be scary to leave the house (virtually or not), but it must be done!Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-29712457353020805562020-04-22T13:36:32.986-04:002020-04-22T13:36:32.986-04:00Thank you Cindy! (And my dad will be glad to hear ...Thank you Cindy! (And my dad will be glad to hear it!)Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75452390336522132842020-04-22T13:35:22.679-04:002020-04-22T13:35:22.679-04:00Thanks so much Margaret!!Thanks so much Margaret!!Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26956737837392217262020-04-22T13:34:46.027-04:002020-04-22T13:34:46.027-04:00Thanks Hallie! You're completely right. I'...Thanks Hallie! You're completely right. I'm hard at work on edits to the book now. There is almost always room for improvement; I'm not sure I could stand being a writer if I didn't find the pursuit itself enjoyable! And I agree with Julia. I hope I have decades of humiliation ahead :)Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-6131197195851278152020-04-22T13:21:00.977-04:002020-04-22T13:21:00.977-04:00Oh Edith I didn't know this about you! What an...Oh Edith I didn't know this about you! What an amazing start you had. So similar, and three books no less! I completely agree with Amanda: I'm always going to ask myself, "is this an opening not to waste?" Thanks so much for sharing!Regan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792514983945124813noreply@blogger.com