Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Don’t you think it’s time for a dose of good news? I’ve been thinking a lot about the industry lately and I think there’s more good news than bad these days. So many long for the “good old days,” but when is that last time you handwrote a whole manuscript? Or typed it on an old Underwood?
During the last century, in order to be published, an author would have to type his manuscript with a carbon copy, or in the pre-carbon copy days re-type his whole manuscript, and deliver it to one mysterious editor at a time. And wait. You’ve heard us use the term “over the transom” submissions referring to unsolicited manuscripts but in those days, the bundled manuscript was sometimes literally launched over an open transom into the cramped editorial office of a publisher.
Business etiquette was of a more genteel nature so most likely the hopeful author would have received a personal hand-typed reply. Washington Irving received the following rejection letter when he asked a long-silent editor if he could have his materials back. (Taken from the preface to The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.)
My Dear Sir,
I entreat you to believe that I feel truly obliged by your kind intentions toward me, and that I entertain the most unfeigned respect for your most tasteful talents. My house is completely filled with work people at this time, and I have only an office to transact business in; and yesterday I was wholly occupied, or I should have done myself the pleasure of seeing you.
If it would not suit me to engage in the publication of your present work it is only because I do not see that scope in the nature of it which would enable me to make those satisfactory accounts between us, without which I really feel no satisfaction in engaging–but I will do all I can to promote their circulation, and shall be most ready to attend to any future plan of yours.
With much regard, I remain, dear sir,
Your faithful servant,
John Murray
Translation: Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I’ve been swamped. No matter how I crunch the numbers the bottom line on the proforma doesn’t work for our house.
Much has changed over the years. Although, looking at the letter above, much has stayed the same. But let’s talk about the changes. . .
Since the advent of the home computer manuscripts can be printed with one keystroke and sent to legions of agents or editors at one time. For those of us on the receiving end this has exponentially increased our submissions to the point of not even being able to personally respond. They say the age of gentility ended in 1910 but in publishing, it ended with the age of the home computer.
But here’s the good news: The computer ushered in a world where the agent or editor is no longer an ominous figure locked away in a shabby walnut-panelled office somewhere in Manhattan or London. The publishing world is now transparent via the internet. Publishers, editors and agents are blogging daily, revealing all– insider secrets, systems, work-arounds and preferences. It’s all there for the taking! Can you imagine the choices Washington Irving could have made with information like this?
And there’s more good news: With social media, finding an agent is no longer a one-way street. We are constantly connecting and observing writers online. It wasn’t too long ago I commented to Janet Kobobel Grant that I was impressed by everything written in the comments section of our blog by a certain writer. I told her I was thinking of contacting the writer because if her book was half as good as her ability to connect, she’d be a great success. Janet just laughed. One of my colleagues at Books & Such had already snatched this writer up.
I can’t imagine anything like this happening a century ago unless you met an agent or an editor in person at a soiree, a salon or a dinner party. It’s an exciting new world filled with opportunities to connect in fresh ways.
Even more good news: A century ago, people didn’t travel like we do today. Writers, agents & editors gather together in person more than ever before. Forget the dinner party, you can now spend an entire week with your favorite publishing professionals, practice the craft and learn about the business of writing. Agents and editors are committed to making ourselves available at writer’s conferences. It’s my favorite way to meet writers who are willing to invest time, energy and fiscal resources in their careers.
Your turn to offer some good news. What changes have you seen that make connecting to agents and editors easier? As we become more transparent, more human hopefully, do you feel more comfortable approaching us? Do you follow any good editor or agent blogs or twitterers you’d like to recommend? Please comment below.
And yes, the first photo is my own Underwood typewriter and the second photo, my new kitty, Molly, playing on her kitty-sized typewriter.
The best news I can offer is that the age of gentility has not ended; nor will it end, as long as there are those who enshrine its importance in their hearts and maintain its vitality through their actions.
I wish that were true on the whole as it is individually.
*Way back in the Selectric typewriter era, I occasionally filled in as secretary to someone who wouldn’t sign a letter that showed any evidence of correction. It had to be right the first time. Oh, the pressure!
*Trying to get it right the first time would suck all the joy out of writing. The delete and undo keys are my friends.
*And when a critique partner or a prospective agent suggests a change . . . no problem. If I don’t like it, I can always go back to the earlier version.
Shirlee, your comment is the stuff of my nightmares. I had typing twice in high school and never mastered key location. I still cringe every time I see a bottle of White Out.
I love the delete key. Kids today have no idea how much we struggled to turn in perfectly typed papers.
Shirlee, it’s wise to keep the earlier version too. Yes, the “delete and undo keys are my friends” too–even when writing a comment on a blog. 🙂
The ease with which we can respond to edits and critique is a gift.
I remember a time when most publishing houses didn’t have a website. Talk about frustrating. It was difficult to find out what they were looking for or if they even accepted unsolicited submissions.
*The opportunity to connect with agents and other writers through the B&S blog has been wonderful. I love the wealth of information shared here as well as the encouragement. Feeling “personally connected” is what keeps me coming back for more.
I remember this as well. Send large SASEs for copies of each publisher’s guidelines.
I love the picture of your kitty playing on her own kitty-sized typewriter. That made me smile.
*As for changes, social media has definitely made it easier to connect with publishing professionals. I confess, I always enjoy seeing the posts from you ladies when they show up on my Facebook feed.I enjoy reading a bit about your “real” lives. 🙂
*The other main agent blog I read is Steve Laube’s. He and his agents share great posts about writing, life and publishing. One of the advantages of being a writer in this day and age is it’s easier to find out guidelines for submissions as well as what agents/editors are looking for.
*I so enjoyed this post, Wendy.
Amen to guidelines, Jeanne. 🙂 I’m also a fan of the Steve Laube site.
Yes, Wendy, it is so time for good news! Watching our news on television has been disturbing. I’ve been amazed at how my girls Google everything on their phones. I don’t as much because I don’t always have my readers with me, and not all font can be increased. 🙂 We were walking out of the theater the other day and one was searching for something. She asked me a question about when I was younger, and I had to remind her that we didn’t have access to such things. Information wasn’t at your fingertip. Sorrowful expressions spread over both my girls’ faces. And even when I got my first home computer … remembering the sound that it made to connect to the internet makes me laugh. We’d wait and wait to connect. And sending a letter, waiting days for a response … I still get excited when I find a letter in the mailbox (real mail, not junk mail). But … I love this place. Finding your website was a huge game-changer for me. And I couldn’t wait to meet you all at the ACFW conference last year. Words from you I’ll always cherish and remember: “Shelli, you’re like family.” I can’t tell you what those four words meant to me. I remember seeing you and Janet walk into the hotel lobby … and I started a fast pace. I couldn’t wait to hug you. You all make me want to return here every week. 🙂
Shelli, you’re one of the reasons I love this blog (and your website). You teach by example how to bless and encourage others. Reading your comments (and your blog posts) is like receiving a hug. 🙂
Thank you, Wendy. I needed that. 🙂
Hi Shelli,
I remember meeting you last year at ACFW. I still get pretty nervous, but every time our paths crossed you made me smile. I hope to see you in Nashville next month!
Jackie, thank you. I won’t be in Nashville. But I should make the conference next year. 🙂 I’ll miss you all.
We’ll miss you, Shelli!
I’m with you, Shelli. I love receiving a real letter or card in my MAILBOX. They’re nice in my inbox, but when someone takes the time to mail a letter or a card? That blesses my heart. 🙂
*And it was fun being with you and meeting Wendy and Janet. 🙂
It was so fun, Jeanne. That moment in the lobby started the weekend off so wonderfully. 🙂 I’ll miss you this year.
I loved getting to hug you– I think it was our first greeting of the convention. I’m going to miss ACFW this year. 🙁
Your cat has her own typewriter. THAT is good enough news for me!
Giggle. 🙂
Can you tell she’s changing the ribbon?
And let’s not forget John 3:16, for Good News!
* Agents certainly are more human in the years, and for me that actually pulls up a bit of restraint.
* If I were ever to attend a conference, I’d surely look for you guys, but knowing how busy you are, it would just be to say “Hi”, and shake your hand. Even though I have projects to get out there, I wouldn’t do a ‘three minute pitch’, because I figure that you’re bombarded with those all day. Might be refreshing to have someone come up and ask how you’re doing, and has the typewriter-wielding cat written her Magnum Oh-Puss yet?
Definitely … when I met Wendy and Janet in the lobby, my WIP was the last thing on my mind. 🙂 Relationships trump everything.
Groan! Good one, Andrew.
She might give Shakespeare a run for his money…”Tabby, or not tabby…”
Loved your comment, Andrew. Your humor . . . well, it made me smile. 🙂
I’m going to put that on my bucket list– meeting Andrew at a conference.
I love the picture of Molly with the typewriter.
Thanks for sharing the good news! I enjoy following your blog. Thanks for taking time to help us.
Another great place to make connections is Seekerville. They share many good tips on writing and the industry, and it’s been fun to make friends there. It’s been awesome to meet people from your blog and Seekerville at ACFW Conferences where our friendships can grow.
Yes. Seekerville. I’ve been a guest a couple of times.
“Writers, agents & editors gather together in person more than ever before.” And with that sentence, I was whisked back a few months to the redwood canopy, where my meals were cooked and the dishes were done. Mount Hermon is, by far, one of my favorite places to go, not only to connect with teachers, editors and agents, but other writers. Sharing jokes on a break, hoping the salad doesn’t catch in my teeth at a certain someone’s table and sprinting, but laughing, in the sudden downpour…the fellowship there is something I look forward to returning to (even if I break the rules and end sentences with prepositions!).
*I enjoy reading the blogs of several agents and editors. Besides offering insight, they champion the industry and authors. And there are days that every one of us need someone in their corner.
*Thanks for the fantastic reminder, Wendy! Although I don’t have a typewriter, it doesn’t stop my cat from walking across the keyboard now and then.
Yes … my cat is in my lap right now. When I sit down to work, here she comes. 🙂
My Molly also likes to jump down from her perch in my office right onto the keyboard. If I ever send off gibberish, I’ll claim it as Molly-talk.
Wendy, Molly made me smile!
***
The fact that we have the capability to connect with others through a variety of venues excites me. A great blog I’d recommend is Seekerville, a supportive writing community packed with instruction, insight, and industry tips. Here’s today’s post: http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2016/07/foreshadowing-telegraphing-red-herrings.html
I love Molly and your message, Wendy. 🙂 There are quite a few agent and editor sites I follow, but the one I want to mention today is a newer one I’ve come to appreciate right up there with Books & Such (so you know it must be good). It’s called “Write from the Deep”, and is co-hosted by Karen Ball and Erin Taylor Young. This agent/author/editor team has a podcast I love listening to. If you want to be blessed–it’s a must visit site. Thank you, B & S ladies, for all your wonderfully helpful posts too. I regularly point writers to your blog.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
Here’s a link to a post I want to listen to over and over again:
http://www.writefromthedeep.com/worry-not-friend/
Thanks for telling us about this, Wendy!
I’ve heard so much good about this site, but I haven’t had a chance (read: taken the time, sigh) to check it out yet. I also heard Erin Taylor Young talk about this last fall at ACFW.
*Thanks for sharing this, Wendy. You’ve challenged me to make the time to check this out. Thanks for including the link!
You’re welcome, Jeanne and Carol. Right at this moment I’ve got my laptop set up to listen to their latest podcast while I ride my exercise bike. Last time I cleaned a closet while I listened. Enjoy. 🙂
Haven’t seen this one yet, but Karen’s a long time buddy.
I follow Steve Laube’s blog.Very insightful.
This was most encouraging. Thank you, Wendy!
Your kitty’s typewriter looks like the pencil holder in the Victorian Trading Company catalog!
That’s what it is used for normally– glasses and writing instruments. One of my girls got it for me as a gift. Probably Victorian Trading.
Off topic again, but if I could ask for more prayers for my father-in-law – he had a major setback after a major rally.
* And prayers for Barb. She’s taking this very, very hard. She does sometimes lurk on this blog (she’ll never leave a comment) but she loves the spirit of this community.
I’m sorry to hear that. Praying now.
I’m praying, too.
So sorry about the setback. I’ll pray for Barb and your father-in-law.
You got ’em, Andrew. Give Barb a hug from all of us.
Thanks for sharing some good news today, Wendy! It’s rare to hear the positives of the current publishing industry, but I think we all need more of such encouragement.
There’s actually a lot of good news. I sense some pent up buying activity. You can only go so long without creating new product, right?
One thing that has changed how I connect with my agent is Skype.
It’s a fabulous tool to connect and maintain a very personal bond. I can be somewhat ummm, expressive, as well as sort of humorous, and I do enjoy making her crack up.
When I had my first Skype session with Mary, you can bet I behaved. Oh yes I did! I was so good, you wouldn’t have known it was me!
Now, well, I make sure I behave for at most the time.
Okay, 3/4’s of the conversation.
5 minutes?
Okay, fine.
I try to get past ‘hello’…
😉
Skype would be a disaster for me. I can ‘talk’ through the keyboard, and I seem fairly articulate, but in person or on-screen I look like someone who’s had a bunch of TBI’s. (Which is, actually, true.) Kind of like Cassius Clay in later years. Or Muhammad Ali. Take your pick, but it’s the same dude.
* Far better to be a set of evanescent pixels.
And we have a number of authors who do Skype book club appearances. I recently taught a high school class via Skype.
Before my first Mount Hermon conference I thought editors probably glowed in the dark. Agents were only with the ABA back then or I’d have expected them to glow, too. Then I met some of you in person and have considered you personal friends ever since. Thank you for all the work you do to help authors, publishers and readers. You’ll never know this side of Heaven how many lives have been touched because of books that wouldn’t have been published without you.
You even know some of us as SCUM, right, Janet? (SCUM was an amazing writing enclave in Oakland.)
Yes, and we’r planning a reunion. Hope you can be there. Check the SCUM facebook page (closed group) for more information.