Comments on A literary agency that replies?

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astraldreamer
Perhaps a book of rejection slips would sell, astraldreamer?  At the moment my writing is at the back of the filing cabinet. because I'm fed up with rejection slips.  

posted by johnmacnab on June 28, 2006 at 4:54 AM | link to this | reply

Yup I'm a collector
of rejection slips. I haven't counted them yet. Maybe one day I will to work out my average of nos to yeses. but at the moment the overwhelming trend in favour of no is just too much to take. I'm sure I'll get better though. Persistance is the key. Are you sick of hearing that yet?

posted by astraldreamer on June 28, 2006 at 2:02 AM | link to this | reply

Blanche
I've got the public speaking one as well, Blanche.  Just call me neurosis.

posted by johnmacnab on June 22, 2006 at 4:01 AM | link to this | reply

Oh, now I get it, John...you were the one pushing yourself
Which is really impressive. That's got to be right up there with fear of public speaking (which some surveys insist is one of the most popular phobias) for sure panic-potential.  Good on ya!

posted by Blanche. on June 21, 2006 at 6:29 PM | link to this | reply

Blanche
Sorry, Blanche, I think I've given you the wrong impression.  The instructor kept telling me to stop.  I was the one who insisted on trying it again, and again and ..........

posted by johnmacnab on June 21, 2006 at 6:19 PM | link to this | reply

Next time, try flailing and splashing, it'll impress them
What part of "I'm screaming on the inside, you moron?"  don't these people understand?

posted by Blanche. on June 21, 2006 at 6:11 PM | link to this | reply

 woops, my bad

posted by Blanche. on June 21, 2006 at 6:10 PM | link to this | reply

Blanche
I still can't stay up in the deep end without a flotation device.....well, let's put it this way....I almost drowned 5 times trying to do it.  That was when I discoverd that the instructor and I had different meanings for panic.  The lessons will continue during the summer.

posted by johnmacnab on June 21, 2006 at 6:09 PM | link to this | reply

Blanche
That isn't duplication, Blanche...it is triplication.

posted by johnmacnab on June 21, 2006 at 6:05 PM | link to this | reply

I am so sorry about this duplication, that's about the 3rd time I've done
that lately.

posted by Blanche. on June 21, 2006 at 5:36 PM | link to this | reply

Myself, I just got back from my first visit to a pool in I can't remember
how long, years.  It's great aerobic exercise, one lap across the pool and I'm ready to order a margarita and sit BY the pool. Except of course, it's not that kind of a pool.

posted by Blanche. on June 21, 2006 at 5:35 PM | link to this | reply

Myself, I just got back from my first visit to a pool in I can't remember
how long, years.  It's great aerobic exercise, one lap across the pool and I'm ready to order a margarita and sit BY the pool. Except of course, it's not that kind of a pool.

posted by Blanche. on June 21, 2006 at 5:35 PM | link to this | reply

Well, I guess I need a little of that, John
Panic overcome by bloodymindedness...that sounds like a good thing.  Hey, I forgot you just learned to swim. and now already you're buying a pool..things are moving fast.

posted by Blanche. on June 21, 2006 at 5:34 PM | link to this | reply

Blanche
It means the same to a Canadian and a Brit, Blanche.  When I told my swimming instructor I was going to panic, and did so, he was amazed.  "That isn't what I would call panic." he said.   "Believe me,"  I answered. "That was panic - overcome by sheer bloody mindedness."

posted by johnmacnab on June 21, 2006 at 5:32 PM | link to this | reply

"Bloody mindedness" is a great phrase, John, I like that one
I wonder if it sounds as emphatic to a Canadian or Brit as it does to me.  "Sheer bloodymindednss kept him going".

posted by Blanche. on June 21, 2006 at 1:28 PM | link to this | reply

Pat
That really is cool - a personalized rejection slip?  I'm jealous, Pat.

posted by johnmacnab on June 21, 2006 at 1:14 PM | link to this | reply

I also collect rejection slips...
proves I'm a writer.  Got a great one yesterday -- with a hand-written message on it.  Too cool!  :)

posted by Pat_B on June 21, 2006 at 8:20 AM | link to this | reply

BlackPearl1
I haven't tried anything lately, as we have been busy getting ready for our guest from the UK and now that he is here, I don't have time to do any writing or submitting.  Keep on sending, BlackPearl. The law of averages says we must win one - one day.

posted by johnmacnab on June 16, 2006 at 6:22 AM | link to this | reply

Hi, johnmcnab,
Have you heard anything else, lately?  I received a "no thanks" letter within 24 hours once.  Of course, I'd emailed it, so maybe that was what put them off.  I just went the the website and it said that they accepted email queries.  Oh well, we'll keep trying.  Good luck to you, too.  :)

posted by BlackPearl1 on June 14, 2006 at 7:16 PM | link to this | reply

kingmi
I hadn't thought of it that way, kingmi. Thank you for the different point of view.

posted by johnmacnab on June 11, 2006 at 5:56 PM | link to this | reply

johnmcnab, No, but you are being productive! Love and work are the two
most written about topics.  You have it all, my friend!

posted by kingmi on June 11, 2006 at 4:07 PM | link to this | reply

naorem
Thanks for popping in, naorem

posted by johnmacnab on May 21, 2006 at 9:19 AM | link to this | reply

read the post ok..

posted by naorem on May 21, 2006 at 4:57 AM | link to this | reply

jacenta
Thank you for that compliment and vote of confidence, jacenta.  I will keep going relentlessly.

posted by johnmacnab on May 18, 2006 at 11:49 AM | link to this | reply

johnmcnab...
Keep studying the market and relentlessly keep submitting until accepted.  I remember the feeling of receiving rejection slips, but it made the contracts that much sweeter.   Your writings are great and when you find the appropriate market, they will sell.

posted by jacentaOld on May 17, 2006 at 9:57 PM | link to this | reply

Azur
Ooops.  You are more grammatically correct than fussy.

posted by johnmacnab on May 17, 2006 at 5:38 AM | link to this | reply

You're welcome
I keep wanting to change the which in the headline to that. Fussy eh? ;-)

posted by Azur on May 16, 2006 at 7:03 AM | link to this | reply

Azur
Thank you for that, Azur.  You lifted my spirits up by 100%.

posted by johnmacnab on May 14, 2006 at 6:45 AM | link to this | reply

99.9% of all that literary agents receive is not quite right for them
now carry on

posted by Azur on May 14, 2006 at 4:53 AM | link to this | reply

Blanche
Your comment was empathy enough, Blanche; thank you.  I don't know if it's pluck or sheer bloody mindedness, but I'll keep doing it.  I am still at the 'clearing my desk and ripping things up,' stage, but I have managed to calm down enough to read some of the chapters I've written.  The conclusion I've reached is that although there are things which need changed, I like my writing and it is me, and the odd way I see life, so there isn't a lot I can do about it. 

posted by johnmacnab on May 13, 2006 at 1:26 PM | link to this | reply

JohnMcNab,
Well, now it's another day, how are you feeling?  I feel as though I have nothing to offer in the way of empathy, since I can't say "Been there, done that", but I do admire your pluck in continuing to submit your work.

posted by Blanche. on May 13, 2006 at 9:59 AM | link to this | reply

BrightIrish
I am just about to do that, BrightIrish.  Thanks for calling.

posted by johnmacnab on May 12, 2006 at 1:33 PM | link to this | reply

MerryAnne
You're quite right, MerryAnne, I need to keep things in perspective.  As a friend said this morning 'So? You enjoy writing anyway, don't you?"  Or as another one said 'What makes you think they were being courteous when they got in touch so quickly?  Perhaps they couldn't wait to recycle your submission.'

posted by johnmacnab on May 12, 2006 at 1:32 PM | link to this | reply

John.. Chin Up!  Put it in a new envelope with stamps and mail it yourself for good luck.

posted by BrightIrish on May 11, 2006 at 8:35 PM | link to this | reply

At least you can feel free to send it somewhere else.
it's better than no reply at all, when you are waiting and waiting... trust me...

posted by MerryAnne on May 11, 2006 at 8:19 PM | link to this | reply