Entitlement. Our society allows anyone to put anything out there in the world on social media. They don't understand there's a much higher standard when it comes to traditional publishing. Great video.
Thanks Lisa! It’s wild to me and also I get how hard it is to land any sort of communication from an agent. So I’m trying to meet everyone with understanding but lately some strange interactions have been going down.
Re: this type of content and your colleagues circulating/referencing your work... You are such a generous, intelleigent and wonderful person. So valuable and amazing. Your integrity, honesty and grace are inspiring. Thanks for sharing and for being you!
thank you so much for this. I got told exactly this, that I need to have a platform, meaning lots of followers in order to get my book published. Hopefully, one day, when I send my work to an agent, he or she will see my work and the value it brings and not the number of my followers. Thank you for sharing such great content. warm regards
Numbers are always going to be a sticking point for agents. That said, there’s lots of ways to explain and show what your platform is. I’d encourage you to focus on framing it as community. How do you reach your people and do you have a direct line to them?
thank you so so much. Finally I get some feedback and I truly love that. I have written my proposal and after waiting almost one year, I sent it a week ago to a few agents. I wish if the would reject my work, that they would give me some feedback on how to improve my proposal. The fact that you are doing this, I love that. So thank you for this feedback and for simply all you share and all you do.
It’s so generous and helpful that you give feedback, Sally, and that after the work is done, your door is open to re-submit. Looking forward to the one-year celebratory hang!
Sally! Every week, I look forward to a new tidbit from you. I feel as if I’m light years from finishing my book, let alone querying but re-inspired nonetheless.
Thank you for pulling me from my word nerd comfort zone with your video messages.
I just saw your instagram that you appreciate the feedback so I thought I'd join the chorus of thanks, especially in light of the fact that you had to deal with a troll.
I work in the book industry (albeit in IT/metadata) but I had no idea about what a query even was (and am embarrassed about an email I once sent to an editor) let alone the parts of a book proposal. I ended up taking a whole class on the book proposal topic, but I think having a good starting point from all that you've shared helped me get a lot more out of that class.
I also wonder if the people who give these kind of off-putting responses are even the same people who do the homework and read the information you share. Because it seems like it wouldn't really make sense to start a working relationship with an agent by questioning their judgement right off the bat.
But the bottom line is just another thanks. Information you share helps increase access for outsiders who don't know how to "talk the talk" and it levels the playing field.
Thanks for hopping over here to leave this comment. As you know, I welcome all sorts of engagement and the whole reason I give feedback is so that if a person looks back and thinks "gosh, I really didn't know what I was doing back then", they are met with kindness and the tools to learn/research. That said, we have ALL been in that position at least once and it really comes down to the tone and how people handle themselves.
I cannot count how often I've heard the kindest, most humane words from Sally, Jaime. I know she offered you the best advice, and however is your writing endeavor, I'm rooting for you!
I think it’s wonderful you provide constructive feedback and I cannot believe people take that as an opportunity to push back against a rejection! One of the agents I queried also said no but provided helpful feedback - I just thought it was amazing they took the time to provide feedback even when they did not want to take me on!
Entitlement. Our society allows anyone to put anything out there in the world on social media. They don't understand there's a much higher standard when it comes to traditional publishing. Great video.
Thanks Lisa! It’s wild to me and also I get how hard it is to land any sort of communication from an agent. So I’m trying to meet everyone with understanding but lately some strange interactions have been going down.
Re: this type of content and your colleagues circulating/referencing your work... You are such a generous, intelleigent and wonderful person. So valuable and amazing. Your integrity, honesty and grace are inspiring. Thanks for sharing and for being you!
Oh my gosh Emmy, thank you. Truly.
thank you so much for this. I got told exactly this, that I need to have a platform, meaning lots of followers in order to get my book published. Hopefully, one day, when I send my work to an agent, he or she will see my work and the value it brings and not the number of my followers. Thank you for sharing such great content. warm regards
Numbers are always going to be a sticking point for agents. That said, there’s lots of ways to explain and show what your platform is. I’d encourage you to focus on framing it as community. How do you reach your people and do you have a direct line to them?
thank you so so much. Finally I get some feedback and I truly love that. I have written my proposal and after waiting almost one year, I sent it a week ago to a few agents. I wish if the would reject my work, that they would give me some feedback on how to improve my proposal. The fact that you are doing this, I love that. So thank you for this feedback and for simply all you share and all you do.
It’s so generous and helpful that you give feedback, Sally, and that after the work is done, your door is open to re-submit. Looking forward to the one-year celebratory hang!
Can’t wait to see you there!!
🥳
Great advice!! Love this
Sally! Every week, I look forward to a new tidbit from you. I feel as if I’m light years from finishing my book, let alone querying but re-inspired nonetheless.
Thank you for pulling me from my word nerd comfort zone with your video messages.
Thanks so much Amie! I love when people say they aren’t ready. It means when you are, you really will be!
I just saw your instagram that you appreciate the feedback so I thought I'd join the chorus of thanks, especially in light of the fact that you had to deal with a troll.
I work in the book industry (albeit in IT/metadata) but I had no idea about what a query even was (and am embarrassed about an email I once sent to an editor) let alone the parts of a book proposal. I ended up taking a whole class on the book proposal topic, but I think having a good starting point from all that you've shared helped me get a lot more out of that class.
I also wonder if the people who give these kind of off-putting responses are even the same people who do the homework and read the information you share. Because it seems like it wouldn't really make sense to start a working relationship with an agent by questioning their judgement right off the bat.
But the bottom line is just another thanks. Information you share helps increase access for outsiders who don't know how to "talk the talk" and it levels the playing field.
Thanks for hopping over here to leave this comment. As you know, I welcome all sorts of engagement and the whole reason I give feedback is so that if a person looks back and thinks "gosh, I really didn't know what I was doing back then", they are met with kindness and the tools to learn/research. That said, we have ALL been in that position at least once and it really comes down to the tone and how people handle themselves.
Omg that’s sooo infuriating
It’s wild!
Just last weekend, you offered me the kindest, most humane rejection I’ve ever received, complete with actionable advice. Thank you!
I cannot count how often I've heard the kindest, most humane words from Sally, Jaime. I know she offered you the best advice, and however is your writing endeavor, I'm rooting for you!
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, that means a lot to me and is such a welcome reflection. I do try to give feedback and action items.
Very realistic and helpful advice… Thank you! 🚀
Thanks, I try to keep it real. And not saying engaging with a rejection is all bad. It’s just the tone that really stood out lately.
I think it’s wonderful you provide constructive feedback and I cannot believe people take that as an opportunity to push back against a rejection! One of the agents I queried also said no but provided helpful feedback - I just thought it was amazing they took the time to provide feedback even when they did not want to take me on!
Yea I mean not everyone can provide feedback and I get that too. It’s one of the reasons I try to do it!
This is so helpful. Thank you!
Very useful stuff and so rare to get feedback. Thank you Sally!
Thanks, I appreciate you being here!
Here to learn! Thank you for sharing top tips!