jsinsheim.bsky.social
Ravenous reader, lazy gourmet, literary agent + cheese-obsessed human. Co-creator of #MSWL, Manuscript Wish List® + http://www.ManuscriptAcademy.com. ☕📚She/her.
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That's longer than normal! Want to DM me your email address (the one you used to send) and I'll see if I can find it? If it went to spam, I'm afraid, the email may have deleted by now...thank you for checking!
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So glad to hear it! You can follow when I'm open to queries on ContextLit.com. :)
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Perhaps there are hints in her rejection? Would you like me to take a look in DMs? I can see if I can figure it out! (I love rejection interpretation. Sometimes it feels like I can psychically know things when, in actuality, it's just from time on this side of the desk.)
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I know! And it's so painful to watch people with beautiful books, but who just aren't tech-inclined or extroverted, face this discomfort as this big, unsurmountable wall.
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Ha, thank you Kayla!
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Completely agree. There are, of course, ways introverts can build platforms, but it's almost certainly going to be more difficult and uncomfortable.
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Wow! That's so cool! I bet it keeps it moist, too.
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I took my first solo trip by accident--my friend got Covid and the Airbnb was non-refundable. So, I went alone, and though I was scared (still not sure of what, but an abstract Something) it was so, so lovely. Sometimes you just have to jump in. :)
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There is something so beautiful about being on exactly one's own time--not having to think about rushing for anyone else is the best vacation.
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I had to reject two food writers I would have *loved* to work with--heck, I was having thoughts about what it would be like to cook with them!--because of platform.
I may be objectively or "objectively" wrong here, but I just don't see platform as a guarantee, and it can prevent beautiful work.
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Happy to hear more! You dissolve salt in water and brush? :)
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Focaccia! It's tabled for another day (got stuck in the email for hours) but I look forward to it, when there's time.
Plus, it's rather delicate--it needs every last bubble!--so probably best until I wait until I'm feeling a bit more patient.
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I would, too! And I think it's valuable feedback--even if it does hurt at first.
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Yes! Solo trips are the best!! I love to work on exactly my preferred schedule, eat pastries all day if I want to, and spend 20 minutes in front of a piece of art without annoying anyone.
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Yes. I'll just have to remember to be gentle with it (even if I'm feeling a bit vicious) to retain the all-important air bubbles.
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Anyway, all of this makes me mad, so I think I'm going to (after I finish work) make his bread recipe and send him a picture.
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I would also love to do away with the "every single book must turn a profit" versus "an editor's list on average must turn a profit" model.
But while we are here, yes, pointing to "But there's a platform" could potentially save an editor's job when a book loses money.
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Oh! I didn't hear about that.
I do see the logic--it seems like numbers are an objective way to judge potential.
But I just don't think it's a guarantee, and so many beautiful works get turned down for this reason.
Also, who has time/resources to build a platform? Often, those with privilege.
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There is good news on the horizon, the sort of thing that can get this beautiful work attention.
One of the recipes that caught my eye was specialty bread, and I will consider the work in the warming drawer, rising.
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You're welcome! I'm sorry our industry is so confusing, contradictory, and subjective.
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I hope so! It could go either way. I've heard a lot of writers say that if it's a "close no," the agent should just send a form because it hurts more. It's hard to know what everyone will prefer, and hard to know how to avoid hurting feelings.
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Yes! I loved the behind the scenes! Best part of the DVD format, I think. :)
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Thank you!
So, I believe the rule is technically that it's okay if the rejection is personal. But others may disagree--another publishing subjective thing.
However:
1) I appreciate a kind note back! (I know some agents say it clogs inboxes.)
2) Much of the time, it's unclear if it's a form!
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Heck, I want to be this author's friend. I want to offer her a handshake like Paul Hollywood. I want it to be one of those things where we meet for lunch and get on famously and I learn so much more about the topic.
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I went on for the equivalent of a page. It's so beautiful. I couldn't help it.
And I wish we could get over ourselves, as an industry, in terms of platform. I get the logic. But I really wish it were different.
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Ha! That's a good idea! I've since realized that I'm just too old to work on my 13" laptop - I'm considering hooking the computer to my television! (Airplay, I think?)
They have rolling stands so you can walk around with your TV. Seems worth a try!
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The irony is that the bigger the font we need, the less likely we are to know how to increase it on the screen
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Ha!
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Agree!
And if one must--perhaps it's a small bookstore's only method of adding tags?--there are some that are easily peeled off with less damage.
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So often, there are fixable mistakes.
And I feel so relieved when I know the answer, and can share it.
And yes, I'm feeling incredibly grateful that replies to my rejections have been so kind.
It's not easy to hear no.
It's even harder to reply with grace and warmth.
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I think the reason we advise sticking with standard formats is that it removes one thing that we have to learn--it takes away the friction of learning not just what your book is about, but the way that you're going to teach it.
We then need to learn where to look for what we need to know.
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In this case, it was actually a strong opening buried under a confusing subject line, a query far from standard format, and a confusing letter before the story really began.
Using a "Query for [title]" format + standard query format + starting where things get good can really make a difference.
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Oh no! I hope you feel better soon!
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5) All of this is to say that I promise I'm not taking a long time replying because I don't care. It's because I care a lot about treating each writer like a person. I know waiting is hard. I know Publishing is full of waiting, and I am part of that problem. I appreciate everyone's patience.
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4) If a writer is going through something difficult and is brave enough to send a vulnerable letter about it into the email void, it seems only fair to take a moment to imagine what they're going through and meet them with an open heart. I can't imagine the bravery sending these works takes.
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3) I can't help but mention things I like. I will be trying out an author's recipe, researching a topic mentioned--and I suggested one really interesting, unique component of a query could be a whole book. I passed all of this on. Sometimes it's a general positive impression; sometimes I specify.
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2) I go through everything twice, reading once, then reading again when I actually send my reply, unless (and this is rare) I am absolutely sure it's an amazing "Yes send this now" or a "This is definitely not a fit" (rare too). I know if I'm tired, I'm likely to miss details, hence the double read.
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If I'm interested in an author and think they are modestly understating their accomplishments, yes, I'll Google. I admire the modesty, but I almost missed it.
Remember that listing your previous books will more easily catch the eye than saying "I have written a lot of books" or similar.
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The thing is, there are sometimes multiple form letters on offer. At one point I had maybe ten of them!
Even if it's a "send me the next" form, or a line added to a form, it still counts--I thought about every single one of those, and they were sent on purpose.