Comments on: The One That Got Away

By: Cognitive Connection December 25: A Story-focused Edition « a.k.a writer

Cognitive Connection December 25: A Story-focused Edition « a.k.a writer — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:02:23 +0000

[...] Lerner. The One That Got Away This is one of my all-time favorite posts by literary agent Lerner. Every time I read Mary Karr, I [...]

By: penny

penny — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:14:03 +0000

eugenia? its penny!
look me up on facebook

By: Buddy Levy

Buddy Levy — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:49:22 +0000

Really good stuff. RE The Liar’s Club… I still sometimes use the book when teaching memoir, and …. I just don’t believe her, either. Damn good writing, though!

Buddy Levy

By: RKCharron

RKCharron — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:47:51 +0000

Thank you for the great post.
I enjoyed reading about the ones that got away.
I think everybody knows the story about the publishers who turned down J.K. Rowling.
(Do the editors still wake up in the dead of night in a cold sweat?)
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo

By: Diana Peterfreund Blog | LIAR Release Day and Giveaway

Diana Peterfreund Blog | LIAR Release Day and Giveaway — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:49:39 +0000

[...] on the other end of the spectrum, an interesting article about “the one that got away” — the books that were NOT bought by editors and went on to become quite [...]

By: Richard Sutton

Richard Sutton — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:29:58 +0000

I should, of course , thank Betsy for compiling all these — a labor of love, to be sure!

By: Richard Sutton

Richard Sutton — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:28:28 +0000

Katherine — what a way to start the day! Writers need reminding that when all is said and done, there’s a lot of room in creation for new species! The Cold Mountain & Patterson stories were the icing on the cake!

Of course, we shouldn’t take pleasure in someone else’s misfortune. Not even a tiny, weensie bit. Should we?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:11:08 +0000

Katharine–thank you for sharing that. I needed it today. I had been awaiting word since February from an editor at a large NYC house regarding my mystery novel. I couldn’t get any response, so a lovely person who works with that editor finally emailed her today with the question (“Have you seen X? We were told it was on your desk.” Very mildly phrased.) I do so appreciate her doing that. The answer I got was, “Tell X we are not publishing her novel.” Rejectomancy may be futile, but somehow I read more into that than the usual, “Thanks, but not for us” or “I’m passing on it.” My family leapt on it as a Sign that I am NOT A GOOD WRITER and should get back to being the machine that slaves on their behalf. So hearing that you bounced back helps me, and perhaps others. Carry on with the good work!

I think it’s nice of these editors to admit where they passed on novels that became money-makers or that turned out to appeal to a wide audience. They could’ve just said, “I never make mistakes.” *grin* That’s what MY management staff would say, if they know what’s good for them. . . .

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:41:14 +0000

What’s with that spelling of Stieg? I mean, Stieg is a pretty pretentious variant ot Stig (but understandable as “Stig Larsson” was an already established actor), but at least they’re both pronounced “steeg”, whereas Steig would be “styghe”.

By: Cognitive Connection September 25 « a.k.a writer

Cognitive Connection September 25 « a.k.a writer — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:12:22 +0000

[...] Betsy Lerner. The One That Got Away [...]