Comments on: Do the Math https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/ Literary Agent Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:05:46 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Timothy Fish https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24497 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:45:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24497 >”Too bad there’s not some sort of filter software to run the queries…”

If we had that, we could run our manuscripts through it before sending it out and it would only improve the quality of the slush pile not make it smaller.

]]> By: Marla Taviano https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24496 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:01:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24496 >I’m with Bossy. Your workload makes me tired. Too bad there’s not some sort of filter software to run the queries through before they come to you.

]]> By: Kristi Holl https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24495 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:18:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24495 >I do think the Internet (with email, blogs, etc.) give all of us the weird and wrong idea that somehow time will magically stretch and we can add on to the end of the day four more hours for blogging, emails, free critiques, Twittering, GodTube videos, updating websites, and making book trailers. Time pressure–if we allow it–is so stressful! I’m glad you’re doing what you can to keep your life sane and priorities in order. No one can do it for you.
Kristi Holl
Writer’s First Aid blog

]]> By: The Bossy Church Lady https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24493 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:59:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24493 >Rachelle, I’m getting overwhelmed just thinking about your job, and now I need a nap! I seem to recall reading somewhere that you’re writing a book on top of everything else.

Have you ever considered getting an assistant? At least if someone could help you out with the little stuff like answering the phone, organizing requested material and non-requested, and do other stuff like that so you can concentrate on pitching books to editors and pursuing the writers you want to represent then you’ll avoid becoming burned out like the managers at Wal-Mart.

]]> By: Tiffany Stuart https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24490 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:56:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24490 >Rachelle, I continue to see you offering MORE to writers than necessary. Your blog is so important to helping writers understand the publishing business. And being rejected is part of the process for all of us.

I applaud you for spending time to type posts that offer your perspective. Even if the truth is a hard truth. I appreciate all of your wisdom and the inside look into your decisions as an agent.

300 rejections! That number shocks me. You have your hands full over there. I can see why you don’t give a reason for rejection. I’m amazed there are so many people trying to find just the right open door for their book.

Thanks for all you do. Thanks for keeping it real!

]]> By: Matthew C Jones https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24489 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:04:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24489 >This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the ACFW conference in MN, and it was eye-opening to say the least. I don’t think any of us aspiring authors realize that as hard as we’re working to get our novels down on paper, improve our craft, etc, the agents and editors in the world are working harder. PLUS they’re incredibly outnumbered. At ACFW it was 15 agents and over 500 writers, and those were just the ones who attended. Any time that an agent can give to looking at our queries or proposals is a boon from the heavens. These are some busy people, y’all.

But, as Rachelle has often said, agents and editors WANT us to succeed. They NEED us to succeed. Their livelihoods depend on it. So, if they by chance have to reject us, know it isn’t because they don’t like us or even our writing. They just need us to double our efforts and make what we’ve written better. Spend some money on an editing service. Join a critique group. DO SOMETHING. Then come back and try again. But, be nice in the meantime. The publishing world is small. Don’t burn any bridges.

Thanks for all of your time and effort, Rachelle.

Grace to you,
Matt J.

]]> By: Susan https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24488 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:24:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24488 >I accepted a volunteer editor post for an anthology recently, and WOW has it opened my eyes to what it’s like to work with my fellow writers. Some people are wonderfully talented, professional and friendly. Others are hard to believe, and even harder to work with. It makes me wonder what their real lives and relationships are like, I admit.

Good luck with those rejections and all the other work you’re doing!

]]> By: Kim Kasch https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24487 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:23:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24487 >Reading, writing (Ok) but Arithmetic – yuck!!!

No wonder people have a problem with that part 😉

]]> By: Jessica https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24486 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:19:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24486 >Hey Timothy,
Whoops, just read the rest of your post. That’s actually a pretty funny way to look at it 🙂

]]> By: Jessica https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24485 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:18:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24485 >Wow Timothy,
Shattering a dream? LOL This is one response, one no. If that’s all it takes to shatter the dream, then I’m not sure the dream was solid in the first place. That was a very strong comment to make.
Anyways, I’ve been guilty of asking for feedback. An agent said to fix the format and I was like, what? What do you mean?
LOL Now I know but I did bug the poor agent after her rejection. Sorry out there 🙂
Hope you have a nice day, Rochelle.

]]> By: Courtney Walsh https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24484 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:19:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24484 >I think it’s amazing you send any kind of response at all. Many of the agents I’ve researched simply say “If you haven’t heard from us in this amount of time, assume we aren’t interested.”

I would feel blessed to have received any kind of response at all.

]]> By: lynnrush https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24483 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:06:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24483 >Thanks, Rachelle.
You already spend so much time on those with whom you don’t even work (blogging, replying to emails, etc). There are only so many hours in a day, right?

Have a great day!

]]> By: Timothy Fish https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24482 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:22:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24482 >I see and understand what you are saying, but I think it would be a mistake to assume that the responses you receive are coming from a rational thought process. Many of these responses are a result of you shattering someone’s dream. That isn’t your fault, but shattered dreams produce grief and we can expect to see the stages of grief in these responses. The request for feedback could be denial, “she would have seen how good I write if she had actually read it.” Attempts to change your mind are probably bargaining.

]]> By: Yvonne https://rachellegardner.com/do-the-math/#comment-24481 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:17:00 +0000 http://rachellegardner.flywheelsites.com/2008/09/do-the-math/#comment-24481 >Dear Lord, I pray for Rachelle. Give her wisdom and patience and a clear mind as she handles the stress of her job. May your Spirit continue to shine through her as she strives to do her best for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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