He’s Just Not That Into You — a seven part series #2 The Reluctant Rejecter

Reluctant rejecters are not all created equal. Some wait to see if a proposal or novel heats up before pursuing. It’s like the guy who only wants you once you’re with someone else. Some really don’t know what they think, or they over think things, or they are made to feel insecure by their bosses. [...]

He’s Just Not That Into You — a seven part series

Over the decade during which I have been doing the devil’s work, I have finally become inured to rejection letters. They come with the territory. That said, the different ways editors go about rejecting projects is fascinating. I have identified at least seven types:1) The Eager Rejecter 2) The Reluctant Rejecter 3) The Avoider Rejecter4) [...]

Crow

Better than any mood altering medication is a glowing New York Times daily review for any one of my clients. And today that would come from critic Dwight Garner for Temple Grandin’s Animals Make Us Human. A rave. I would link it here, but I need someone to teach me how to link.  It’s amazing [...]

Log rolling in our time

One of the worst aspects of being an editor (and a new author) is the frenzy to get blurbs. Having no blurbs is like having no extra curriculars on your college application. Or no lace on your bra. It still fits, it still does its job, but where are the frills? Most people are highly [...]

Pluto, we hardly knew you

Media Alert: Neil de Grasse Tyson will be on the Jay Leno Show on Monday, January 19 and on Jon Stewart’s Daily Show on Wednesday, January 28 to explain why he spearheaded the decision to demote Pluto’s cold ass

LUCKY THIRTEEN

After one week on sale, Temple Grandin’s new book,  ANIMALS MAKE US HUMAN, hits the New York Times Bestseller list and at #13. I’ve worked with Temple for over twenty years, first as her editor and now as her agent. This is so sweet. Congratulations Temple! Congratulations everyone at Houghton Harcourt (talk about grace under [...]

Sushi Deluxe

Every other month I have lunch with my agents’ group. We call ourselves ETA, which stands for editors turned agent. That’s right, all of us, at one time or another, were gainfully employed as editors. And all of us joined the dark side. I look forward to these lunches because we are all like-minded having [...]

I’d Like to Thank

It’s okay if you missed the Golden Globes. They’re sort of like the PSAT’s, meaning there’s still time to prepare for the Oscars. People have often been surprised by my fanatic love of Hollywood Award Shows. It’s been this way since my childhood. In part, as an attention starved middle child, I’ve always had an [...]

FAQ — How Do I Find An Agent?

This is probably the most asked question I get at writer’s conferences. And this is my answer: when you have a perfectly polished non-fiction proposal or novel or memoir, subscribe to Publishersmarketplace.com. On this site, you will be able to search whatever category you hope to publish into and find all the recent deals in [...]

I Saw the Movie and I Read the Book

This is the season of movies based on books, plays or short stories. Doubt. Benjamin Button. Reservation Road. The Reader. Frost/Nixon. The Tale of Despereaux. Marley and Moi. This is good for writers. I know it’s commonplace to trash movie adaptations, but any additional money or exposure you can get as a writer is jam [...]