Comments | fangs_fur_fey: "You Have To Know Someone..."

irysangel in fangs_fur_fey

"You Have To Know Someone..."

Feb 11, 2009 11:43

So. I tend to lurk at the occasional writing board here and there. Probably more than I should, too. And one thing constantly comes up (and surprises me!) when people say, "Well, that agent took on XYZ because of their industry connections!" or "That book only sold because he *knew* people ( Read more... )

jill myles

Comments 62

jeanne_stein February 11 2009, 17:55:04 UTC

I didn't have an "in"-- but I guess in a way, I made one by attending lots of writers' conferences, joining groups like Sisters in Crime and RWA and getting to know as many authors as I could. All of it was useful in finally getting published.

Jeanne

irysangel February 11 2009, 18:08:22 UTC

Joining groups is a great way to get an 'in', now that you mention it. I know RWA is really really helpful if you are looking to get published in romance.

anywherebeyond February 11 2009, 18:03:08 UTC

I knew no one. Zero. And I'm only just now starting to meet people, but I still managed to get published.

-Saundra

irysangel February 11 2009, 18:08:52 UTC

Same here! :) And yeah, you do start to meet a LOT of people when your book gets scheduled.

this may get lengthy.... suricattus February 11 2009, 18:03:53 UTC

I had a very...unusual route to publication: I started as an editor in the field (in 1990) and sold my first piece of short fiction in 1997. Got my first serious writing gig because my boss came to me with a "problem book" and asked if I'd be willing to ghost-write some of it.

But when I sold my first original novel (Staying Dead) it wasn't because the editor was a friend of mine -- she'd already rejected another proposal, and the book she fell in love with had been passed on by five other editors elsewhere, some of whom were also friends of mine (and still are). A good editor looks at the material, not the relationship.

As to being taken seriously...

Okay, true story. Flesh & Fire is coming out in October from Pocket. The editor, Jennifer Heddle? Was once-upon-a-time my assistant at NAL/Roc. You think I get respect? Not. A. Chance. (to be fair, I give back as good as I get ( ... )

Re: this may get lengthy.... irysangel February 11 2009, 18:11:48 UTC

I'm so glad you replied! I knew you were an editor before, so I have to admit I was curious about your path.

It makes sense that editors would be looking at the project instead of the person. I think I was more curious if there was an initial 'double-take' when your name comes up.

And that's a good point about anthologies. I never noticed that before, but it makes sense.

- jill

Re: this may get lengthy.... suricattus February 11 2009, 18:41:10 UTC

I think I was more curious if there was an initial 'double-take' when your name comes up.

I did talk to my agent about submitting under another name, but we decided that that was just silly. It's one thing not to rely on connections, it's another to diss them. This is a hard industry to crack, like any of the arts. If you have a connection, be it a drinking buddy or a BFF or a guy you met in the consuite at 3am -- use it. Tactfully and tastefully, but use it! Once you're in the door, it's the material that matters.

(Being known can be a drawback, too. I'm sure there are a number of people who were tempted to post negative reviews on Amazon, etc. because of course I must have traded on my relationships to get published. Especially if I'd rejected their work along the way.)

Re: this may get lengthy.... irysangel February 11 2009, 20:44:48 UTC

Ouch - I never considered the whole "I hate her because she rejected me!" thing. Since you didn't have enough to worry about, right?

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irysangel February 11 2009, 18:32:20 UTC

I think you are right. I think that's why I find it so bizarre that everyone thinks that we are all connected BEFORE the contracts instead of after. :)

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irysangel February 11 2009, 18:32:36 UTC

Well, see, there you go. :)