tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post7504901457909106183..comments2023-05-12T06:37:48.238-04:00Comments on Manuscript Mavens: Agent myths -- you must change everythingErica Ridleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05511276393455961757noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-81484997624033038562008-06-18T09:42:00.000-04:002008-06-18T09:42:00.000-04:00Darcy said it so well, I can't really top that! An...Darcy said it so well, I can't really top that! An agent should love your work, therefore, you should send the agent YOUR work, not the work you THINK the agent will love.<BR/><BR/>And zombies...surely you jest ;)!Jackie Barbosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02904049760374126059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-62483250224726327622008-06-17T22:06:00.000-04:002008-06-17T22:06:00.000-04:00I can't imagine changing my story for every agent ...I can't imagine changing my story for every agent I queried. Ugh. You're looking for a love connection and hopefully you wouldn't change your book just as you wouldn't change yourself. Uh, right?Darcy Burkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14819984559001912841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-56340665644935416702008-06-17T19:41:00.000-04:002008-06-17T19:41:00.000-04:00How ridiculous! Changing a story to suit the needs...How ridiculous! Changing a story to suit the needs of an agent you don't even know is even interested. That'd be like me taking elves out of my story just so Colleen Lindsay would like it.JenWriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00582622561973120857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-39901411105521235902008-06-17T12:39:00.000-04:002008-06-17T12:39:00.000-04:00Oh, I totally agree with you la belle about the gi...Oh, I totally agree with you la belle about the give and take. This particular advice was about changing things before an agent offered or even considered your work. I think things def. change once you're either about to sign with an agent or have signed with an agent.<BR/><BR/>Nice analogy be! <BR/><BR/>I wish I knew, Diana! I have no idea, but I was convinced I'd get laughed at!<BR/><BR/>Bill, you're right that people switch agents for all sorts of reasons -- it's all about finding the right fit and sometimes (just in other areas of life) it takes a few tries to get that fit. I just happened to be luck the first time around :)Carrie Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16198867176033112742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-24657274909534163852008-06-17T11:45:00.000-04:002008-06-17T11:45:00.000-04:00I think it's give and take. Rather similar to the ...I think it's give and take. Rather similar to the relationship one has with a critique group/partner. If you trust your agent and they trust you, it's worthwhile to take their advice into consideration. Everything is subjective, but this is still a business.Evangeline Hollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132593133675388609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-24083975205555917802008-06-17T09:59:00.000-04:002008-06-17T09:59:00.000-04:00Should you be willing to sacrifice parts of your b...<I>Should you be willing to sacrifice parts of your book to gain agent interest?</I><BR/><BR/>IMO, no, for all the reasons you and b.e. allege. Especially if you haven't yet signed with an agent.<BR/><BR/>Once you've signed, it's a different story (so to speak). If s/he wants major changes, you need to decide whether you agree or not. And if you fundamentally don't agree, maybe you need to look for a new agent.<BR/><BR/>Speaking of that, I would *love* to see a post on switching agents. People do, you know. I have a friend who is feeling that her agent has either stopped caring about her work, or is too busy with other "bigger" clients to pay much attention to her. To me, this says "time to change." <BR/><BR/>But perhaps that's easier said than done. What do you and the other Mavens think about this?Bill Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01828998021246511869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-29216102139882971812008-06-17T09:26:00.000-04:002008-06-17T09:26:00.000-04:00After reading your post, I'm sitting here a little...After reading your post, I'm sitting here a little aghast that anyone would just randomly change key components of their manuscript on the off chance someone might not like it as is. It's their <I>work</I> for petesakes. That would be akin to a girl getting plastic surgery to please a boy she's only seen from across the lunchroom. Egads. Editorial suggestions from an agent you trust are one thing, and I agree that you should think hard before making changes you don't believe in, but out of the blue based on some misguided notion - that's just tragic. Poor little stories hacked to bits for no good reason. =o(B.E. Sandersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04336115135400388268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7981315063491687057.post-44440594270363948892008-06-17T08:25:00.000-04:002008-06-17T08:25:00.000-04:00Still not sure how you got that "zombie" notion in...Still not sure how you got that "zombie" notion in your head.Diana Peterfreundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03681841474717604660noreply@blogger.com