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#1 |
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Ooo! Shiny new cover!
Absolute Sage
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 7,222
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Ask Lucienne Diver! Guest agent arriving week of January 15th
Here's your chance, folks! Lucienne Diver of Spectrum Literary Agency will be here the week of January 15th to answer all your questions about . . . well, agenting things!
Here's a little more about her, from her own mouth: Lucienne Diver is a long time book addict who went to work for Spectrum Literary Agency nearly fourteen years ago to feed her habit. She now represents over forty authors of commercial fiction, primarily in the areas of romance, fantasy, mystery and suspense. Clients include Marjorie M. Liu, Susan Krinard, Rachel Caine, Carol Berg and Lynn Flewelling. Her alphabet soup of memberships includes AAR, RWA, MWA and SFWA. Further information is available on the website: www.spectrumliteraryagency.com. So, get those engines revving and come up with some awesome questions to ask Ms. Diver!
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Smiles! Cathy Clamp USA Today bestselling author ON SHELVES NOW!! The Eldritch Conspiracy Dance With The Devil, 11/13 Our Website Follow me at: Twitter ![]() "As always, Adams strikes a nice balance between romance & action, continuing to flesh out Celia’s world in strange new ways."- Publishers Weekly "Think L.A. noir w/magic, supernatural beings, psychic powers, warrior priests & modern technology." - Kirkus Reviews "Fast and fun, with enough complexity in plot & characters to keep readers engaged." - ALA Booklist |
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#2 |
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Li'l Rug Bug
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Arkham Asylum
Posts: 1,970
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thanks so much! (sniff--she rejected me twice--2 queries--within a month, but i look forward to her wisdom).
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#3 |
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Will write for chocolate
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 424
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Cool.
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#4 |
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wishes you happiness
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,680
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Hi Lucienne, and thanks so much for joining us!
I'm wondering about fiction writers who cross over to nonfiction and vice versa. Am I right in assuming that writing credits in one wouldn't make a whole lot of difference when trying to sell the other? (That is, if I'd written nonfiction books, it wouldn't be of much help in selling a novel?) And as a part 2 of that question, do booksellers pay attention to that when ordering an author's new book in a new genre? (Do they take into account sales of the author's self-help book when the author's debut novel comes out?) Thanks!
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I am no longer here. If you'd like to visit me, please find me at www.jennaglatzer.com or on Facebook. Thanks! |
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#5 |
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She of Many Names
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,705
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Hi Lucienne!
You represent a variety of books from romance to SF to everything in between. Is there a particular sub-genre or plot device that you have a weakness for? Something in particular you can't stand? Thanks!
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The Girl's Guide to (Man)Hunting - Available May 1, 2012. Amazon | B&N |Goodreads www.jessica-sims.com www.jillmyles.com http://jessica-clare.com |
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#6 |
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Who's going for a beer?
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,188
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Thank you for dropping by Lucienne
I would like to know your view on whether to include the five first pages of the work in a query letter as advised in some quarters. |
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#7 |
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Girl Detective
AW Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: In cahoots with the other boo-birds
Posts: 7,271
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Hi Ms. Diver,
Thanks so much for coming. I wondered, is there anything you're really tired of seeing? Any type of character or plot point you're just not interested in anymore? Conversely, what are you particularly interested in seeing? I know it's a bit like Irysangel's question, but I'm more curious as to where you see the genre heading in the next couple of years, or what books nobody's writing but you wish someone would (Nadia Cornier posts these sometimes on her blog, as do the ladies at BookEnds. I wondered if you had thoughts in that direction as well.) Thanks again!
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http://www.staciakane.com CHASING MAGIC is available now in the US/Canada and the UK/Ire/AUS!! "I can’t recommend these books highly enough. If you love urban fantasy with an edge, Stacia Kane delivers every time."-- All Things Urban Fantasy on CHASING MAGIC/the Downside series |
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#8 |
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practical experience, FTW
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 291
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Hi Lucienne.
Can you give us an idea of the factors that you, or agents in general, leverage during negotiations to entice publishers to allocate larger budgets for promotion? Aside from an author expressing willingness to use existing platform and/or be proactive with the standard marketing stuff, are there things that might influence the disposition to be generous? Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise. KCH |
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#9 |
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Ooo! Shiny new cover!
Absolute Sage
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 7,222
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Hi, Lucienne!
One question that comes up here a lot has to do with subsidy POD/self-published titles. Are you willing to represent a novel that has already been offered for sale to the public with an ISBN, but has had less than 1,000 total sales? If so, under what conditions? If not, is there anything the author can do to turn a self-published/subsidy novel into something you WOULD represent (major edits, changing the title, changing the character's names, etc.?) Thanks!
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Smiles! Cathy Clamp USA Today bestselling author ON SHELVES NOW!! The Eldritch Conspiracy Dance With The Devil, 11/13 Our Website Follow me at: Twitter ![]() "As always, Adams strikes a nice balance between romance & action, continuing to flesh out Celia’s world in strange new ways."- Publishers Weekly "Think L.A. noir w/magic, supernatural beings, psychic powers, warrior priests & modern technology." - Kirkus Reviews "Fast and fun, with enough complexity in plot & characters to keep readers engaged." - ALA Booklist |
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#10 |
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Li'l Rug Bug
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Arkham Asylum
Posts: 1,970
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Thanks for spending time here with us, Ms. Diver!
Any favorite lines or great turns of phrases that have stuck with you from books you've sold? In addition to learning about what type of plots/characters excite you, I'm interested in what style of writing (i.e., craft) excites you. |
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#11 |
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Not harboring illegal parrot
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Parrot Cage, Alabama
Posts: 6,283
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Welcome, Ms. Diver! Thank you for your time.
Here are a few questions: 1. Do you have established guidelines on manuscript format? 2. What are your thoughts about enclosing sample pages with query letters? Are you for or against the practice? 3. Are you open to cross-genre books within your field? If so, how do you go about choosing which publishers to approach? |
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#12 |
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Five by Five
SuperModerator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Yesterday
Posts: 10,547
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Hi Lucienne, thank you for joining us!
I've seen a few discussions lately that deal with the query letter and a character's sexuality. For example, if a main character is gay but his sexuality has little bearing on the plot, would you rather see this information for the first time in the query letter or in the sample pages? I've seen similiar concerns regarding a character's race. |
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#13 |
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It's hard being green
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: trapped between my ears
Posts: 12,338
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Hi Lucienne, and thanks so much for coming by.
My question is: how do you see the author / agent relationship? We all understand that it is a business arrangement, but I was wondering if you could expand on that.
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"Hey, Steve, just because you broke into Xerox's store before I did and took the TV doesn't mean I can't go in later and steal the stereo." -- Bill Gates, Mac Week, March 14, 1989 Stories of Strength My listing in the Absolute Write Library. Support the Author Advocate Defense Fund ![]() |
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#14 |
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Gifted Goofball
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 627
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Hi, Ms. Diver - thank you so much for visiting!
Do you or your agency consider YA? I checked your website, and I'm having a hard time figuring it out (I did see your agency reps a JAM novel coming out - meaning Berkley Jam?). Forgive my ignorance, and thank you! Sincerely, Rhonda |
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#15 |
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Working In A Coal Mine...
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oz
Posts: 672
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Hi Lucienne! Thank you for taking the time to come here to answer our questions.
I have a bit of a sticky question. A few years ago *when I didn't know much better*, I published through a POD company (NOT Publish America, thank heavens) and have now decided to completely gut the story and rewrite it as a new novel. I would like to keep the same characters and general plot, but do everything over the right way. My question is, will an agent be willing to look at this story now that it has a new name, rewritten and (hopefully) better quality? Or did I totally blow it? The reason is, I would like to turn this into a series and need that particular story as the first one. Thank you so much for any help you might be able to give me! Sincerely, Monica
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The only reason for being a professional writer is that you can't help it. ~ Leo Rosten 2009 Acceptance Pledge 0/2 2009 Rejection Pledge 0/10 Current WIP 46,492/65,000 ![]() ![]() |
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#16 |
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She of Many Names
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,705
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Hi Lucienne!
(I know, I'm double-dipping by asking two questions...) What do you feel is your strength as an agent? Do you feel you're strongest at (for example) communicating with your authors, finding exciting projects, ironing out a firm contract with an editor, meticulous editing, negotiating the biggest auction...or none of the above? Is there something you wish you were better at? Thanks! I'm thrilled you're stopping by this board.
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The Girl's Guide to (Man)Hunting - Available May 1, 2012. Amazon | B&N |Goodreads www.jessica-sims.com www.jillmyles.com http://jessica-clare.com |
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#17 |
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practical experience, FTW
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Posts: 259
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Hello from New Zealand, Ms Diver.
I have heard that Americans enjoy reading about Americans. How true is that? What are the difficulties for non-American writers trying to break in to the American market? Thank you for spending time at the Water Cooler. Sincerely Dawn R |
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#18 |
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practical experience, FTW
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hollywood
Posts: 202
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Ms. Driver,
Thank you so much for coming! I would like to know your thoughts on what genres are strong in the current market. I have heard, and read, a lot of speculation and don't know how accurate the rumors are. Is chick-lit on it's way out? Is it true that the paranormal is oversaturated and no one is buying it anymore? Are there any genres that you are looking for at this time? Thank you for taking time to answer all our questions. |
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#19 |
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practical experience, FTW
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Orangeville, Ontario
Posts: 2,770
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Hi Lucienne,
I am looking forward to hearing your wisdom. How much stock do agents really put in the query letter?
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Janet Originality is nothing by judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another. Author: Voltaire |
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#20 |
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It's a new dawn. It's a new day.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: In your closet with the Boogeyman's corpse!
Posts: 736
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Ms. Diver,
Hi. Welcome to AW! My question is this: what types of novels are hot right now and relate to what you are looking for? I know urban fantasy is hot but are you tired of the genre or do you look for these types of books and how well do they sell? Thanks for your time!
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#21 |
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New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 11
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length
What is the upper word limit for most mainstream novels/romances and at what length does a novel become - let's say - cumbersome?
Would it be better to submit an overly-long manuscript and allow the editor to make the cuts, or to cut it beforehand (even if you're unsure about making the cuts) and have a book of more marketable length? Do editors or agents, if they see the words "170k words" in a query letter, automatically think "recycle bin?" Thanks so much for your time and help! |
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#22 |
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Bizzare in Berkeley
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: california
Posts: 177
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two quick q's
hello. i have two questions.
first, if i get a short story published and decide to turn it into a novel later on and want to get the novel version published, will i have a harder time doing so? do i still have first rights for the novel or do i have to offer it as a reprint? second, is there a market for novels that are retellings of greek mythology? i can't find very many for adults and am wondering why. it also seems like most publishers and agents prefer to see more original plots. is this true? thanks!! |
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#23 | |
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Now departed. Rest in peace, Scott, from all of us at AW
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,462
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Quote:
Regards, Scott
__________________
Okay, damnit, I blog http://cscottsaylorsbooks.blogspot.com/ Sword of the Dajjal e-book, Published by BooksForABuck.com May, 2007 ISBN: 978-1-602-052-2 http://www.booksforabuck.com/sfpages...rd_dajjal.html Out in print early 2008 from Blu Phi'er Jars of Doom out mid 2008 from Blu Phi'er http://www.bluphier.com/ |
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#24 |
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Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales
Absolute Sage
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,110
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Hello, Ms. Diver.
Thanks for taking time to chat with us. I have a few questions -- some seem to crop up regularly in various circles, so we'd like your take on them.#1 - 1. When you get a query letter, do you prefer to know right up front that the book is first in a series (or duology/trilogy) or would you rather take the book on as a stand-alone? Do you find it easier to sell series or stand-alone novels? Does genre impact that? (i.e. mystery and fantasy editors love series, romance eds not as much?) #2 - How important are spelling and grammar in a manuscript? Are you willing to overlook things like that and take the book on if the plot and characters are great? Or do you stop reading if you run across too many of these problems? #3 - Following on that question, do you think it's wiser for an author with grammar/spelling issues to obtain help in fixing those errors (either from a crit partner or from a paid source) or for them to learn to do it themselves? (That's not saying that all mss don't benefit from having another pair of eyes go over it before submission. I think they do. But which option do you think better serves a writer in the long run?) #4 - What do you want to see from a published author who's seeking representation? Is it okay to seek representation with just a partial, or do you prefer that a pubbed author have a completed ms before they approach you? #5 - What is your agenting style? For example, are you an "editing agent" or more of a hands-off-the-ms (pointing out only major issues, particularly issues that impact marketability) agent? Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions! Susan G.
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Susan Gable www.susangable.com As Good As His Word May 2011 - Harlequin Superromance The Family Plan - July 2010 Superromance Your online computer-fixer-upper: www.PCWebDoc.com Fixing computers via the internet! |
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#25 |
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ray of motherf#%&ing sunshine
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: the winter of my discontent
Posts: 3,748
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Hi Ms. Diver! Thanks for answering our questions.
I'm wondering a bit about cross genre novels. I know some crosses, like paranormal romance, seem to be pretty popular right now, but I'm assuming not all are marketable. I'm working on a (non-urban) fantasy-mystery mix (sort of a cozy but not really), and I haven't found anything quite like it. Could you share some insight into whether something like that has any hope of being publishable? Thanks again! |
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