Something is happening with the agency. The partials and manuscripts we requested last spring and summer are of a consistently better quality than those we requested in the "early years." That's the good news AND the bad news. Now it's much harder to make a final "go or no-go" decision. Jon employs the "sleep on it" technique. If he's having trouble deciding on a partial or manuscript, he'll put it aside for at least a day or two. When he comes back to it, his head has cleared and he can make a decision based on:
- His passion for the plot and the writing
- His belief that others (in other words EDITORS) will share his enthusiasm
- The joy the work brings him; how it rattles in his head long after he's read it
If the work stands up to those judgements, he'll move forward. If not, he'll reluctantly pass. It seems to be a good method and I'm trying to employ it myself. I have two such projects on my desk today. At this point, they are both calling to me. I think I'll sleep on it.
3 comments:
This may be due to the over abundance of new writers. As everyone knows, technology has made it possible for anyone with a computer to punch out a story. Good or bad, these stories have clogged up the entire author to publication process. Fortunately, these new authors don’t have the drive, determination and patience needed to see their work through. As more and more turn to EBook and self publication, agents will be seeing a rise in quality work from staunch writers who stay the course.
Jan
Hello, I have a question. After you read a partial and decide to request the full, do you email the author or do you request via snail mail?
Thank you,
Caslin
Hi Caslin:
We don't have a strict policy on how we request manuscripts. But, because we are so behind in our reading, I usually email requests for manuscripts. Jon sometimes gets so excited that he calls authors. We have snail mailed such requests, but not lately.
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