"Never miss a chance to do good"--David Stanley
Dormant Last read · last published · next check
Read 20 hours ago and current, but nothing has been published for 2 years.
On Sunday, April 14, 2024, the literary community lost one of its guiding lights when Janet Reid passed away. A New York literary agent for more than twenty years, Janet was possibly even better known for her writings about the publishing industry, especially her advice columns for aspiring authors. Janet Reid was born in Seattle, Washington, the oldest of four sisters. Her sister Cynthia…
Several years ago, when I was much stupider, I briefly interned for a reasonably well-known agent. I let her know ahead of time that I had a vacation lined up where I would be off grid about a month after I started, which she was on board with. However, due to some wires getting crossed on my end and some stressful visa shenanigans, my last email to her before I left didn't end up getting sent,…
Here's a question for the blog: does a reasonably established but not MAJOR author really need an agent? I've been querying for months with a really good project because my agent is retiring. I'm getting full requests and plenty of "this is a great project but not for me" -- and no offers. And I'm also still selling work: short stories, and probably soon a re-up from the small startup press that…
Sorry for the dreadful delay in posting this. I was beset by a foul ailment that laid me low. I'd say it was fur deprivation, but I did have a nice long week with Mx Pix the parkour puss. There's no critique on these; they're all terrific and besides, they're your furred friends. They're perfect even when they're not. That said, the entry by Fburgos was breathtaking. I read it once and thought,…
I'm still under the weather but I console myself by saying at least I don't have pneumonia (which two of my friends have now) and at least I don't have covid (which half the world seems to have now.) Time for some medicinal flash fiction! The usual rules apply: 1. Write a story using 100 words or fewer. 2. Use these words in the story: jolly roger beach bum shell If you are Steve Forti , or wish…
A bit under the weather these past few days. More to come later this week.
A friend and I were talking about her dogs and she casually mentioned she had business cards for them! Well, that made me curious so I asked to see one. Kind soul that she was, she didn't mention she'd have to go digging, but dig she did. Here it is: So this week's flash fiction contest is: write copy for your dog/cat/dragon pet of any sort and post it in the comments column of this blog post.…
Dear Janet, The question is regarding maps in novels and sample pages (In usual fashion, my cart is bopping along the rocky road pushed by the nose of my weary horse. This is for my next and as yet unfinished novel). I did read your old posts regarding graphics and maps and understand why graphics are generally frowned upon for debuts and that illustrative maps are typically outsourced. However, I…
Thanks to all of you who stepped in to assuage my pain at the shellacking I've taken from Steve Forti. It was medicinal flash fiction indeed! Here are the entries that caught my eye. Steve Forti “I mean, who mixes meerkat with warthog? Ridiculous. And don’t get me started on Pac-man. ‘Cuz there’s Ms. Pac-man. Did she have just one choice in a guy? Is there like a whole race of Pac-men out there…
I am surrendering to the brilliance of Steve Forti. I've never managed to thwart him. I slink off in shame. However, we'll have a flash fiction contest to assuage my pain. The usual rules apply: 1. Write a story using 100 words or fewer. 2. Use these words in the story: punk button thwart acme pi If you are Steve Forti , or wish you could be, just enjoy your victory. 3. You must use the whole…
