Comments on: Agents and Publishers Do Not Require My Permission http://kdjames.com/2010/06/27/agents-and-publishers-do-not-require-my-permission/ writer Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:31:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: blankslatepress http://kdjames.com/2010/06/27/agents-and-publishers-do-not-require-my-permission/#comment-1438 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:46:23 +0000 http://kdjames.com/?p=886#comment-1438 Good post, good insights, and good writing. And good luck with your WIP. I can’t wait to read more about it.

]]> By: Slave Driver http://kdjames.com/2010/06/27/agents-and-publishers-do-not-require-my-permission/#comment-1430 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:52:45 +0000 http://kdjames.com/?p=886#comment-1430 KD,
At a writer’s conference I attended a lecture by an agent and was overwhelmed with info about genre, sub-genre, micro-sub-sub-genre… anyway, you get the picture. I escaped, and ran into a wise former special ops person who, after listening to my lament, said “It’s your agents job to worry about stuff like that. Your job is to write.”

And you know, I’ve never let it bother me again.

Good post.

]]> By: Robin S. http://kdjames.com/2010/06/27/agents-and-publishers-do-not-require-my-permission/#comment-1424 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:53:57 +0000 http://kdjames.com/?p=886#comment-1424 Excellent post, K.D. Worrying about the market is not condusive to writing a good manuscript that will turn into a good book.

]]> By: KDJames http://kdjames.com/2010/06/27/agents-and-publishers-do-not-require-my-permission/#comment-1423 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:35:42 +0000 http://kdjames.com/?p=886#comment-1423 Okay, this is sort of nice, having people I don’t know come over here and agree with me. Careful, you all don’t want me getting used to this. ;)

I absolutely agree that writers need to understand the business side of publishing. Ignorance is not bliss and can hurt your chances of being taken seriously once it’s time to sell your product.

Maybe it’s my OCD tendencies, but I sometimes get so deeply mired in a topic, like this one, that really has nothing to do with the actual writing. It saps my creativity. So I need this reminder on occasion that if something is beyond my influence, I need to let it go.

The only thing I can do is try to become a better writer. While it might be true there is a surplus of writers, I do not believe there are (ever) too many really good ones.

BTW, Jenny Crusie has several other terrific writing-related essays over there. Browse around her site. Very smart lady.

Thanks, everyone, for chiming in!

]]> By: Francis http://kdjames.com/2010/06/27/agents-and-publishers-do-not-require-my-permission/#comment-1422 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:58:20 +0000 http://kdjames.com/?p=886#comment-1422 You’re right. Maybe I’m a masochist, but I do enjoy the debates (and have good memories of the high school debating team).

Writing comes first, but since writing is also a business, I feel too frail if I’m not armed with enough information to know what I might be getting into.

Thanks for a great post (and a link to a great essay!)

]]> By: Eva Ulian http://kdjames.com/2010/06/27/agents-and-publishers-do-not-require-my-permission/#comment-1421 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:07:52 +0000 http://kdjames.com/?p=886#comment-1421 You are right. I just write and get on with my life. When I want to publish, I do so, wherever I can best get it done, as can be seen on my blog… frankly there is no other answer on what you cannot control.
Blessings and good luck.

]]> By: Morgan Ives http://kdjames.com/2010/06/27/agents-and-publishers-do-not-require-my-permission/#comment-1420 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:38:37 +0000 http://kdjames.com/?p=886#comment-1420 Exactly! I get very, very tired of constantly stressing about the industry. I control me and my work. That’s it. I can (and plan to) innovate within my sphere of influence, which right now involves about 600 off-and-on readers. Fixing the publishing world is a little beyond me.

Okay, I get that the industry is evolving. Personally, when I’m not being told I should feel bitter or paranoid, I’m rather excited about it. All the doomspeakers and naysayers cut into that excitement and accomplish nothing positive.

Nice to hear I’m not the only writer tired of suffering from stress headaches over this issue. Screw meta-writing; time to get back to real writing :)

]]> By: McB http://kdjames.com/2010/06/27/agents-and-publishers-do-not-require-my-permission/#comment-1419 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:38:44 +0000 http://kdjames.com/?p=886#comment-1419 So refreshing to read this post, BCB. Of course, I’m not a writer, but I’m hearing much the same ranting and whining, regardless. The reality is, life isn’t fair and the guy who signs the check has all the power.

]]> By: KDJames http://kdjames.com/2010/06/27/agents-and-publishers-do-not-require-my-permission/#comment-1418 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 05:06:55 +0000 http://kdjames.com/?p=886#comment-1418 Thanks, Amanda, glad you liked it!

Ann Marie, I’m frustrated by the generalization (and demonization) of agents and publishers as well. And of writers. [sigh]

The thing is, I work in finance. I’m actually extremely well qualified to answer that whole “how can we increase profits” question. It’s a big part of my job, especially in the past couple years. If someone wants to turn over to me all their financial statements, we can have a meaningful discussion about it. [Not really, that would be a huge conflict of interest. But theoretically.]

Short of that, these debates over who “deserves” more money are just irritating as hell. We all deserve more money.

]]> By: Amanda Bonilla http://kdjames.com/2010/06/27/agents-and-publishers-do-not-require-my-permission/#comment-1417 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:53:17 +0000 http://kdjames.com/?p=886#comment-1417 Great post! Throw your energy into writing. That is what’s most important!

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