Blog Archive

  • Market Update

    Jun 21, 2007

    I’ve been a busy little bee the last week or so and hope I can remember all that I learned. One of the best things about meeting editors for lunch is how much you can learn. Sure it’s about connecting, networking, and getting to know each other on a more personal level. But it’s also […]

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  • Critiques

    Jun 20, 2007

    The latest trends in conferences seems to be critiques. No longer am I just expected to sit on a panel, give a workshop, and do pitch appointments. Now I’m also expected to read material ahead of time and meet the author in person for a face-to-face critique. And so far I’m hating every minute of […]

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  • Conference Workshops

    Jun 19, 2007

    A question for you. I am currently filling out my agreement and agent information forms for the Desert Dreams 2008 Writers Conference–I know, I know it’s late and I apologize. One of the things they are asking me is what workshops I’m willing to present. One is already on BookEnds–an overview of the agency and […]

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  • The Agent That’s Right for You

    Jun 19, 2007

    Almost every week you hear me talk about the need for an agent that’s right for you, and yet almost every week I get a reply to a submission that says, “Come on. If you find it interesting, why don’t you give it another chance?” Because, in truth, it’s not fair to you that I […]

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  • A Day in the Life

    Jun 18, 2007

    This is going to be one heck of a week. In fact, the next few weeks are going to be crazy for me. I’m going to be out of the office a great deal at lunches, meetings, and conferences. So while I’m going to try to keep up with my Day in the Life posts […]

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  • Who’s Representing Who

    Jun 18, 2007

    This recently showed up in Jacky’s inbox: Subject: Agents for John Grisham and/or Dan Brown Could you direct me in the right direction for these two pieces of information. If you know, I will send you $50 for the agents of the two names. Since a quick Google search can get you this information, maybe […]

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  • Pitch Secrets

    Jun 15, 2007

    Do agents often give out their cards rather than face the (hopefully) distasteful task of telling authors they aren’t interested? Or did I just have a good pitch? Also, when an agent asks for chapters, should “Requested Material” be written on the envelope? Does it get to the agent faster that way? Yes. Agents admit […]

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  • Deb Baker on Journeys and Destinations

    Jun 15, 2007

    Deb Baker Murder Grins and Bears It Publisher: Midnight Ink Pub date: May 2007 Agent: Jacky Sach (Click to Buy) Deb Baker writes two mystery series. The Yooper series features Michigan amateur sleuth Gertie Johnson. She has a stun gun in her purse and a nose for trouble. In the Dolls to Die For series, […]

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  • A Day in the Life…

    Jun 14, 2007

    It’s been a busy, busy day here and I thought I’d take a minute to drop in to share what’s going on. A rambling email if you will of all the things I’ve been trying to get done today. I think I’m going to attempt to do this more often. Just a simple day in […]

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  • Follow-Up to Query Critique #10

    Jun 14, 2007

    I received so many great comments and questions after Query Critique #10. Bear with me, I’ll be getting to all of your questions, but I wanted to respond to this comment first: Admittedly, I’m at a loss as to why this query captured you so much. There’s redemption and destiny, and a very generalized feel […]

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  • The Art of a Strong Pitch, Part 2

    Jun 13, 2007

    The Social Pitch Yesterday I told you about that conference with roughly 50 pitch appointments. Well, what I didn’t tell you about were all of the authors who also pitched me in elevators, after panels, or at the cocktail reception. It never ended, and you know what, I hardly remember any of them. Except for […]

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  • The Art of a Strong Pitch, Part 1

    Jun 12, 2007

    I was recently at a conference where I had been scheduled for roughly 50 author pitches. Yes, that’s right. Fifty. Can you imagine what it must have been like for me to sit in a cold room for hours listening to author after author tell me the five-minute version of their book? Think about it. […]

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