Workshop Transcript: Q&A with Agent Barry Goldblatt - 5/31/05

Enjoy!

*** Verla has set the topic on channel #kidlit to Workshop with Agent Barry Goldblatt IN PROGRESS
Verla: Okay everyone... our workshop is about to begin.
Verla: Welcome to our Workshop. Tonight we will be using a special moderated session. You will not be able to talk in the chat room until it is your turn. When a PLUS sign (+) is by your name, or it changes color, it will be your turn to post your question
Verla: Please have your questions typed and ready to post. We will go in alphabetical order, with latecomers and people who didn't ask a question during their turn at the end. We'll fit as many questions in as we can before the end of the workshop.
Verla: Please do not ask personal questions about a manuscript you have sent or want to send to Barry. Those questions should be asked privately, not during this workshop session. "Generic" questions of interest to everyone are fine to ask. Thank you
Verla: Okay... we are ready to roll...
Verla: Barry Goldblatt began his publishing career as a lowly but energetic rights assistant at Dutton Children's Books, and proceeded to assiduously climb the corporate ladder, moving first to The Putnam & Grosset Group, then finally to Orchard Books as Rights and Contracts Director . There he sold every kind of rights imaginable (and a few that weren't imaginable) and negotiated hundreds of author/illustrator and license agreements.
Verla: In September 2000, he decided it was time to switch to the other side of the desk, and so he opened his own literary agency.
Verla: Barry Goldblatt Literary Agency specializes in YA and middle grade fiction, but also handles picture book writers and illustrators. Barry prefers character driven work, and also leans towards the quirky, edgy and offbeat. He does not handle nonfiction (unless, of course, someone decides to write the YA equivalent of MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL). However, what matters most is the writing;
Verla: Anything else you want to add before we begin, Barry? Like maybe the address for people who want to submit to you?
BGLiterary: First, let me thank you all for having me.
BGLiterary: Second, let me apologize in advance for typos...I'm using an unfamiliar keyboard, and it's tiny!
Verla: (I'll catch as many of the typos as I can, Barry. I know you are "handicapped" tonight since your regular computer is on the blink and you're having to use a funky subsititute.)
BGLiterary: It's not funky, it's Libba's...and her hands are smaller than mine =)
Verla: (Well, funky for YOU, Barry. :-)
BGLiterary: Currently, I am only open to queries for novels (sorry, no picture books at this time). The address is 320 7th Avenue #266, Brooklyn, NY 11215.
Verla: Okay... are you ready to begin?
BGLiterary: fire away!
Aly: Hi Barry! My trouble is cover letters. What do I need to put in my letter to make you want to read my MS?
NOTE: MS = manuscript
BGLiterary: ah cover letters...the bane of writers' existence! For me, a cover letter is short and sweet, with a good brief synopsis and any relevant experience
Aly: query letters...sorry!
BGLiterary: I meant query too, sorry
BGLiterary: What I do NOT want to see is that you've published short stories in a bunch of regional magazines I've never heard of, that you're a auto mechanic or a rocket scientist (unless those subjects directly impact your mss) or any other miscellaneous personal info
NOTE: mss = manuscripts
Verla: Here's a question that was asked by someone who couldn't come tonight, Barry... "I think it would be great to get Mr. Goldblatt's perspective on the PB market going forward.... Individual MS aside, does he see a turnaround for the PB market on the horizon?"
NOTE: PB = picture book
BGLiterary: Ugh...shudder. Mr. Goldblatt is my dad, not me!
BGLiterary: As for the pb market, well, there does seem to be a glimmer of hope on the horizon
BGLiterary: I'm hearing that the novelty/board book market is on the upswing, which means very young children...who will theoretically grow up to be good picture book age readers
BGLiterary: I still think we're looking at 3-5 years down the road before we really see a pick-up, and I seriously doubt we'll ever get back to the late 80s/early 90s pb glut
BGLiterary: The final issue, though, honestly is the picture book aspect. I just don't know too many agents actively looking for picture book authors
Fizz2006: Even really, really, good ones?!!
Fizz2006: With only so many hours in the day to both write and market my work, I'm not sure if my time is better spent submitting directly to publishers, or trying to find an agent. (I sold my first picture book ms. to the first editor I submitted to, who now is focusing on, what else, YA!) What are your thoughts?
NOTE: YA = young adult
BGLiterary: Well obviously that's one of the best things an agent can offer an author...the freedom to just write, or at least write more often.
BGLiterary: That said, I'm sure you know that finding an agent is more difficult than finding an editor; it's a simple factor of numbers. Even though there are emore and more agents getting into the children's publishing arena
Fizz2006: So, if an agent read my pb ms and suggested I re-write as a chapter book, should I give it a go?
BGLiterary: Fizz: Only if it's something you actually want to write.
BGLiterary: I'll go ahead and just say here that you as a writer should never, ever write something simply because someone's expressed interest in it, unless it's what you want to be doing. If you don't it most likely won't be very good, and will just waste your time.
Fizz2006: Thanks for your help!
jengt: Do you think there is a market today for MG books of the paranormal sort? Like ghosts, witches, vampires? Something like the James Howe books for example.
NOTE: MG = mid-grade

BGLiterary: Jengt: Abso-freakin'-lutely!
Verla: LOL (laughing out loud)
jengt: Wonderful!
jengt: Thanks!
BGLiterary: Seriously, middle grade is strong, just not as bright on the radar as YA, and especially if it's mixed with humor, editors are actively looking for stuff of that sort. Kids love it!
fabulousfr: If you want to sell a YA series, but you also have ideas for novels involving adult characters in the same "world" so to speak--is that something that would be accepted in the market?
BGLiterary: fabulous frock: Let me make sure I understand your question: you mean a series set in a universe that could have both YA and adult titles? ala say Charles de Lint?
fabulousfr: Yeah, Charles de Lint is a great example, actually.
BGLiterary: fabulousfrock: Well, I think you have to establish yourself in one area first, and be successful, and then you can possibly parlay that into a switch to the other market. For example, Francesca Lia Block's new book is an adult title, featuring Weetzie Bat at the age of 40...and it works!
fabulousfr: Awesome. Thanks!

jengt: Yes, thank you from me, too.
joanclr: Hi Barry, I am wondering what kinds of writing or books do you have a particular interest in representing?--Or that you particularly are not drawn to.
BGLiterary: Joan: well, I'm not drawn to boring, same old books...ones with nothing new to bring to the table, with mediocre (or worse) writing, with nothing to say.
BGLiterary: Other than that, my tastes are fairly eclectic, though I certainly have a (somewhat warranted) reputation for handling dark, edgy material
joanclr: Cool, thanks
BGLiterary: I know it sounds trite, but I love great writing. I may say that I'll never handle a Holocaust novel, but if one comes down the pike that simply blows me away, I'll change my mind
BGLiterary: I also think people will be pleasantly surprised by a new middle grade series I represented coming out this summer, Spy Mice by Heather Vogel Frederick. It's neither dark nor edgy, but it's a darn good read!
BGLiterary: Of course, also out this summer are Holly Black's VALIANT, Libba Bray's REBEL ANGELS and Andrew Auseon's FUNNY LITTLE MONKEY, each of which definitely fit dark and edgy. =)
kdbrazil: Barry, do you log submissions into your office or keep track of them in some way?
BGLiterary: kdbrazil: I used to, but not really any more. It was just overwhelming busywork for me
kdbrazil: thanks barry
kittypye: Many agents won't look at poetry. Will you?
BGLiterary: Poetry in the form of a verse novel, definitely...poetry in the form of a collection, probably not, unless you're already an established writer.
kittypye: Thanks.
LindaUrban: I'm curious about how you spend a typical day. How many clients do you keep, how much time do you spend reading potential client's stuff, how much time is spent fighting off the paparazzi?
BGLiterary: lol, I've never even seen any paparazzi, so I guess that takes up none of my time.
BGLiterary: I have at the moment about 30 clients, some of whom are much more active than others. I spend a lot of time reading their manuscripts, and those from potential clients...mostly in the evenings and on weekends, though I have set aside Fridays through the summer as a reading day.
BGLiterary: Mostly I spend lots of time on the phone or email, getting submissions out or following up on ones already out, reviewing contracts, tracking payments and such...lots of paperwork.
LindaUrban: Thanks. And tell Libba we're looking forward to the next book
NOTE: Libba Bray is Barry's wife. Her first novel, A Great and Terrible Beauty, came out to raves by its readers and her second book is due to come out in the near future.
BGLiterary: Will do...poor thing is so nervous.
LindaUrban: silly. no need for nerves. we love her stuff
BGLiterary: There's no such thing as a secure writer =)
LindaUrban: I know. I'm sitting here fretting about whether or not I spelled paparazzi right.
BGLiterary: Verla will fix it if you didn't
LindaUrban: Almighty Verla, thank you.
Verla: Ha! I never heard of that word before!
MamaG: In writing for the pre-teen to teenage audience, I have a question about "edgy"-ness. Is there room for characters who are harder/rougher around the edges? Specifically female MC's who don't fit the typical teen mold. (PS- I had my question typed before you mentioned dark & edgy!)
NOTE: MC = main character
BGLiterary: Of course, MamaG! That's one of the amazing things about YA fiction right now, all bets are off. The rules are pretty much scrapped
BGLiterary: I don't tend to respond to "typical teen" stories, since I really think that's a ridiculous term. There's no such thing as a typical teen in my book...they're all unique and quirky
mrsFields: What if we've been published in MAIN children's magazines like Cricket or Boy's LIfe or have been rep'ped in the past for a different book by an agent you would recognize...does that sort of thing belong in the letter or is it just obnoxious name dropping?
BGLiterary: mrsFields: It's not obnoxious name dropping, but the magazine credits still don't really mean anything to me. But if you have been repped before, that's information I would eventually need to know...though not necessarily at the query stage
mrsFields: okie dokie, thank you
tgseale: Have you any interest in young adult chick lit?
BGLiterary: tgseale: As long as it is extraordinary, sure. Cecil Castellucci's recent novel, BOY PROOF, is a perfect example...I like to call it smart chick lit. And to a certain extent, that describes Lauren Myracle's work as well
tgseale: thanks :)
BGLiterary: Come on, folks, surely you've got more things you want to ask!
els: Barry, what's your favorite bribe... chocolate, dark Irish ale, etc... to sign a new author into your client list? (ok, ok, NONE- I pass)
BGLiterary: lol els...I've yet to be bribed into signing a client, but I will say my clients have sent me some really cool stuff =)
Guest157: I'm a published author of books for grown-ups. I have an agent. I haven't published for children yet. My question is: Is it advisable to have a separate agent fwho specializes in children's books? My main interst is in picture books: fiction as well as non-fiction.
BGLiterary: Guest: It depends a great deal on how your current agent feels about things. Some adult agents simply aren't interested in children's publishing, but lately, more and more of them are getting interested. For picture books, though, it's still a tough market, and finding an agent just for those will be challenging
Cassandra_: Barry, what's the best book you've read this year (that you didn't rep?)
BGLiterary: Cassandra: Ooh, that's tough...let's see, I'd probably have to go with I AM THE MESSENGER by Markus Zusak
Cassandra_: Thanks, Barry. I'm jotting it down.
Jay: What I really want to write is adventure. How receptive are editors these days? (For contemporary or SF, not Harry Potter?)

BGLiterary: Jay: Well, look at one of the Printz Honor winners from last year, Kenneth Oppel's AIRBORN. Phillip Reeve's Hungry City series is also very popular, and the Alex Rider books have been wildly successful. Ther'e's always room for great adventure stories
BGLiterary: Spy fiction seems to be the next big thing, too, or at least a lot of publishers are banking on that. And I've heard Clive Cussler has a YA novel coming out later this year or early next
Jay: Excellent (thanks).
Aly: If you submitted to an editor or agent and were rejected, but the ms has recently undergone a metamorphosis is it ok to resubmit?
BGLiterary: Aly: Only if they asked to see it again.
Guest157: My agent shows interest in representing children's books but she hasn't done anything yet. That's the reason I feel inclined to get a separate agent for children's books.
BGLiterary: Guest: As a follow-up, you of course have to be comfortable knowing your work is being marketed effectively.
BGLiterary: But as I've mentioned, the picture book market is just not currently a happy place.
Guest157: Is it unusual to have two agents? I'm not that happy with my current agent anyway.
BGLiterary: Guest: I certainly know writers with two agents, depending on the different work they create.
Deb: What are some of your all time favorite YA reads and, just wanted to add re edgy female characters...man,Skye in _Playing in Traffic_ (Gail Giles). just finished reading it...oh my
BGLiterary: Deb: All time favs are always so tough, but I do tend to find myself most often mentioning RATS SAW GOD by Rob Thomas, 33 SNOWFISH by Adam Rapp, THE FOLK KEEPER by Franny Billingsley, and STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BURNES by Chris Crutcher
Deb: oh yeah...I loved 33 Snowfish too! Just grabbed hold and would not let me look away..._thanks_ for being here btw ;)
els: actually, I do have a question- what would you suggest for an author who can't seem to write for a particular age range- YA morphs into adult- is this as much of a marketing nightmare for an agent as for the author trying to sell?
BGLiterary: els: What I always suggest...just write your story and let someone else figure out how to label it
els: thanks Barry
joanclr: I was wondering, how seriously do you consider taking on new clients? Do you feel maxed out to the extent that it would have to be a living stroke of genius to be accepted, or are you open to taking on a certain number of new authors if you find some that you really believe in and love their writing?
BGLiterary: Joan: If I love the writing, think I could actually find a good home for the manuscript, and also click with a writer on a personal level, I'm going to sign them up, period.
BGLiterary: Sure, there may come a day when I simply can't take on more work, but I'm not there yet
fabulousfr: Illustrations--I'm not really interested in illustrating my book, because I do quick sketches, but if my book is published, I'd like to have a website with art of all the characters, and I'd love to sketch people's favorite character in their book at signings (until I'm too wildly popular, heh)...should you mention this in a query at all?
BGLiterary: fabulousfrock: Nope, no need to mention it...but be aware that if you write a pb and someone else illustrates it, you'll be very limited in what you can put on a website
fabulousfr: I write YA--so, if you write YA, would there be any legal issues with having a website with your own art?
BGLiterary: fabulousfrock: Can't imagine why there would be
fabulousfr: Great--thanks!
MamaG: (Hoping I don't lose my connection again...) Are there subjects within YA that are still considered taboo? It seems as though most topics have been covered (sex, rape, drugs, etc). I guess I am worried about crossing a line.
BGLiterary: MamaG: I certainly have stomped over any lines there might have still been with some things I've sold. I really think that if the writing's strong enough, it doesn't matter...unless it's just sensationalistic for the sake of getting noticed
Susan: Do you have a web site?
BGLiterary: Susan: *hangs head in shame* Alas, I do not yet have a website up, though I plan to by the end of the year.
joanclr: Do you usually meet with an author before agreeing to sign them then? (As you mentioned the personal connection.)
BGLiterary: joan: I don't generally meet with an author in person, but I have. No, mostly I spend 2-3 hours on the phone with a potential client, and it's obvious to me after that whether we're on the same page.
Verla: Barry, what are some of the things you discuss during that long conversation that let you know if you and a client are "on the same page" or not?
BGLiterary: Verla: Think of it like you would a first date. Sometimes it's just talking about books we loved, movies, music. If I find myself laughing a lot, or getting really passionate while speaking with someone, I've likely found a good fit.
jengt: If you receive a query letter that really interests you how long would it take you to get the response out? Are you quick to act on it?
BGLiterary: jengt: I respond to query letters generally within a week or so, as long as I'm not travelling. After I get the manuscript, it can be 6-8 weeks or longer if i'm really swamped
jengt: Okay, thanks!
kdbrazil: barry, are free verse novels getting past their prime and what do you look for in a free verse novel?
BGLiterary: kdbrazil: Past their prime? No, I don't think so. What they aren't any more is a novelty, so I think they really have to be spectacular, since a lot of mediocre stuff was pumped out a few years back.
BGLiterary: As for what I look for, same thing I look for in regular fiction: great writing, an amazing character, a unique story.
joanclr: Cool Barry, thanks a bunch
Jay: (Obvious follow-up): Are you traveling now? And, are you really swamped right now?
BGLiterary: Jay: This summer is going to be crazy busy. I've got something going on just about every weekend for the next 8 weeks, which is definitely going to cut into my reading time.
Jay: Yowch! My sympathy. Hope it pays off!
LindaUrban: What motivates you? The writing? The deal? The parties? Are you just trying to get blog-fodder?
BGLiterary: lol, Linda...it's the filthy lucre of course! Oh, and the celebrity. =)
Jay: Yeah, that's my favorite TV show: Lifestyles of rich and famous AGENTS.
BGLiterary: Seriously, though, I just want to help great books get published, and every time I do that, whether it's a relatively small deal or a big blockbuster, it doesn't matter. There's nothing better than making that call to an author to tell them I've got an offer, especially if it's a first novel deal.
LindaUrban: Thanks, Barry.
Verla: So you especially love finding new authors, then, Barry?
BGLiterary: Heck yea, Verla!
Verla: :-)
MamaG: Once you sign a client, how much (estimated) time do you spend in a week, a month (?) working for that client?
BGLiterary: MamaG: I don't know that there's any way to answer that. It depends on the writer, the state of their manuscript(s), and a lot of other factors.
joanclr: Barry, when you are sent query letters, do you like to receive synopsis and first few chapters as well? Or simply a short query letter?
BGLiterary: joan: I had to cut back to just a query letter this year. I just couldn't keep up with the reading, and too many people didn't follow the guidelines any way. Now it's really easy for me to distinguish between a legit query and someone who just decided to send me a mss...in which case I just send it back unread.
Verla: If you have already turned a person down, but they have a new story they've written (or the one you turned down that has been totally changed/rewritten), how do you feel about that person resubmitting to you?
BGLiterary: Someone asked that earlier, Verla, and again, if I asked to see a revision, fine, otherwise, probably not a good idea.
Verla: yes, but what about a totally new story, Barry?
BGLiterary: Verla: I'd like to think I'd see something in the work, even if the current mss isn't there yet, and would ask to see more work in the future if I was really interested
Verla: Okay... so that means if someone has been turned down by you, unless you specificially asked them to resubmit something else later, they would be better off submitting elsewhere, then. Thanks!
Deb: is an international reply coupon okay? don't have the cc to get from us postal services (do though have a friend who can send me postage..just wondered if you would mind the other)
BGLiterary: Deb: To be honest, I really can't take IRCs, sorry. The post office has no clue what to do with them, and I end up paying out of pocket, which I just can't afford to do.
Deb: no problem! thats what I wondered :) thx..
DMarie: I have a question about query letters. I just joined in, so maybe this is a repeat. But, if a query doesn't have any sample chapters, or the full ms (like for a pb), how will the agent or publisher have an idea of whether or not the person can even write? I mean, do they look for just the query itself can spark interest, or prior published work listed, or just topic? Thanks.
BGLiterary: DMarie: The simple fact is that by looking at a query letter without sample chapters, I can quickly eliminate things that hold no interest for me. Sample chapters aren't (generally) going to change my mind.
DMarie: Thanks~
Jay: If you could convince your stable of authors to read one book on improving their craft, what would it be?
BGLiterary: Jay: I don't have to convince them...most of them have already read it. BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott
BGLiterary: Though Stephen King's ON WRITING is also quite good
Aly: Any appearances that we need to know about? ... SINCE YOU HAVE NO WEBSITE. ; )
BGLiterary: Appearances? You mean by me? Well, hey, I do have a blog, Aly, which probably has more useful info than a website will anyway. =)
Jay: BTW -- I strongly agree. Your blog has MUCH more information than most agent websites I've seen!
NOTE: BTW = by the way
els: well it would be useful if you, you know, ever updated it
els: grin
BGLiterary: els: Come fix my darn internet connection and I will! I've lost three updates in the last week
els: erk, sorry Barry!
Verla: do you have a blog addy you can share with us, Barry?
jengt: Yes, I'd love to check the blog out!
DMarie: me, too
jengt: Thanks for the address. I'm checking it out now.
els: (hope I didn't offend, Barry- was just teasing)
joanclr: On the query letter theme... if someone who didn't know you preferred queries had sent you the first 3 chapters, would that be an automatic send-back? Or do you give it a glance if the envelope isn't too fat? (There is nervous fingernail-biting going on here--LOL)
BGLiterary: umm, lemme think...it's www.livejournal.com/users/bgliterary I think.
NOTE: It is.
Jay: Pasting from my open window, I have: http://www.livejournal.com/users/bgliterary/ I think that matches.
NOTE: It does.
Jay: Hint for the new blog readers: follow the "x comments" links. TONS of discussion.
jengt: Thanks, Jay. I'm a new blog reader.
BGLiterary: I'm still not a natural blogger, but so many writers have them. Warning, though, it can be an incredible time sink reading them all
LindaUrban: Barry, what was the first author/ms you ever took on? Were you nervous? Agenting seems like a pretty scary pool to jump in to.
BGLiterary: Linda: I was very, very lucky. My very first client was the brilliant genius (official, according to the MacArthur Foundation) Angela Johnson. Once she said yes, I had a lot of confidence to move forward.
LindaUrban: Once she said yes. So, you approached her?
BGLiterary: Yea, Linda, I was working at Orchard at the time, and when Scholastic bought us, I was offered a severence package. I'd always thought of agenting at some point, but not necessarily so soon. I'd gotten to be friends with Angie, and I knew she didn't have an agent, so I just decided to ask her.
LindaUrban: Brave. and smart.
DMarie: How many queries do you get per week? Sorry if that's already been asked.
BGLiterary: DMarie: No idea...between 20-50 I'd say, depending on the week
DMarie: 20-50? That's so many. I had no idea.
ponytailmo: Which editors do you enjoy working with the most?
BGLiterary: ptm: There are a lot of editors I love working with, each for different reasons. I guess by the sheer number of books I've sold to him, I'd have to say Kevin Lewis at S&S
BGLiterary: Actually, I haven't had a bad experience with any editor I've actually sold a book to. =)
Jay: Assuming that a book IS accepted by an editor, what's the timeline? How long before the deal is *really* signed? How long before the advance? And how long (typically) before the book hits the street?
Verla: (HA!, Jay. I've never had a book out in less than four years after it was accepted. And one of mine took 6 years to come out. These are picture books, of course.)
BGLiterary: Jay: Really depends, but in general, I'd say 3 months after a deal you'll get a contract, maybe a month or two more before it's all signed and you get a check, and then it's generally 18 months after a finished manuscrpt is turned in before it sees the shelf. Picture books of course take much longer to get in print
Jay: Interesting.
jengt: Why is that? Because of the illustrations and the time it takes? Or because there is a backlog?
BGLiterary: Waiting for the artist.
jengt: Ah, I see.
LindaUrban: and waiting and waiting and waiting
Verla: and waiting and WAITING! LOL
jengt: Well, I guess you can't rush art! LOL
BGLiterary: If the publisher has managed to sign a big name artist, you could wait years...but in theory it would be worth the wait to have the big name
LindaUrban: that's what I keep telling myself as I wait and wait and wait
BGLiterary: I have one client, Andrea Beaty, whose first picture book we sold several years ago, but Kevin Hawkes wanted to illustrate it, and believe me, we were happy to wait for him
LindaUrban: I'm happy. I'm just getting old.
BGLiterary: lol
Anne_Marie: You're not that old.
LindaUrban: thanks AM
Verla: Some agents critique their clients' work... other agents don't. What is your policy on that, Barry?
BGLiterary: I do lots more editorial work with clients than I ever thought I would, but it varies from client to client and mss to mss how much is needed
BGLiterary: Honestly I don't understand how an agent can get by not doing it, but I know many do. I mean, I have to make sure a mss is in the best shape possible if I'm going to place it in this ever competitive market place
jengt: When you ask for a revision from a potential client and they come through very quickly do you see that as a good sign or that they rushed the work?
BGLiterary: jengt: Depends entirely on the quality of the revision
Verla: Also, if a client has one type of sense of humor, and an agent has another one (or none at all) it can be less than wonderful for them to work together. What is your "sense of humor" status?
Verla: In other words, would you be offended by a client who joked around a lot?
BGLiterary: Not sure I know how to answer that, Verla...I've definitely got a sense of humor. But I guess I'd say it's more sophisticated, quirkier...I don't generally appreciate fart jokes for example.
Verla: :-)
Verla: Very good. (Take note, everyone. DO NOT include fart jokes in your query letters....)
BGLiterary: Of course, I've had to cultivate an appreciation for them, with a 6-year-old boy in the house. =)
Verla: LOL Barry!
Amishka: Barry I would have taken that as a diss had V said that to me. Sounds like she didn't think you had a sense of humor at all
Verla: no no, Ami. Barry knows better!
BGLiterary: lol mish, I never even thought of it that way
jengt: Do you like books in the first person or third person? Does it matter to you? I've read a lot of YA in the first person recently.
Verla: I did meet one agent once who had NO sense of humor. The woman literally terrified me! I could never have worked with her. Ever. I was SO glad I'd never submitted to her.
BGLiterary: AS long as it serves the story well, I don't care one way or the other. I've been blown away by books in the second person, something I didn't even think was possible.
Jay: Well... concerning Fart Jokes, any idea why "Walter the farting dog" has become a mega hit, while Dav Pilkey's earlier "Dog Breath" didn't make much of a splash?
BGLiterary: Dog Breath did very well...but no, I've no idea why Walter became the runaway success that it is. Look, trying to figure out why some books work and others don't will make you crazy. Why did Harry Potter become the massive insane success that it is, when Diane Wynne Jones and Joan Aiken just hung around in midlist?
Jay: Yeah, that's a puzzler.
els: is Diana Wynne Jones any good, Barry? I've only read a Tale of Time city and hated it
BGLiterary: els: I love her work, especially the Chrestomanci novels, and Dogsbody. And Howl's Moving Castle.
els: I'll try reading more
LindaUrban: So what book has surprised you most with its success, or lack thereof?
BGLiterary: Linda: Well, if I'm honest, I never thought A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY would turn into a bestseller. Don't get me wrong, I loved the mss, and I thought it would find a small but devout following. But then Random House put that amazing jacket on it, and suddenly people noticed it.
BGLiterary: There's no rhyme or reason to it, no way to predict. Sometimes it's just a matter of being the right book at the right time, sometimes it's the packaging, and sometimes it's just sheer luck.
MamaG: Thank you for your time Barry, you have been very helpful and informative
jengt: Thank you, Barry, for your time. :)
Jay: We really appreciate it!
Anne_Marie: Thanks for coming tonight, Barry.
Verla: I'd like to say a very special THANK YOU to Barry for all the valuable time he's spent with us tonight. We can't tell you how MUCH we appreciated it, Barry.
BGLiterary: My pleasure, all, thanks again for having me.
^Miriam: thank you for you time barry
LindaUrban: Goodnight, Barry. Thanks
ponytailmo: yes, thank you Barry
tgseale: thank you Barry. g'night
els: night Barry
Aly: Thank you!
Fizz2006: 'night, John Boy
Deb: thanks very much..nite
Amishka: thanks Barry
els: yes, thanks
BGLiterary: That wasn't too bad was it? Not too many typos?
els: I didn't notice typos, barry
LindaUrban: you did sweel
^Miriam: not bad at all
LindaUrban: swell
joanclr: It was great, Barry!
Verla: I didn't see hardly any, Barry
BGLiterary: I hate Libba's keyboard )
Verla: It was a GREAT workshop
Verla: (I hate my husband's, too, Barry)
LindaJoy: yup---people will be rushing to read the achives
Amishka: she probably hates yours too Barry
BGLiterary: I'm just not a laptop kind of guy
Verla: Take care everyone... and thanks again, Barry. GREAT workshop!
*** Verla has set the topic on channel #kidlit to Writers & Illustrators of Children's Literature Meet Here Nightly - Welcome!