I surrender!

[bgliterary]

Enough already, people! I get it, I get it! You want me to update. Sheesh, I had no idea how much pressure this was going to involve.

I don't quite know what this journal is for. I got into it as a lark, primarily to read many of my other clients' LJs. I didn't initially think I'd post much, and I didn't. Then I got into the whole question of

Comments

[literaticat]

This is not a question, exactly.

I understand being frustrated with half-wits. (See my post-before-last and the frothing indignation?)

Also, professional people reading it is discomfiting. (Exec. from Major Publishing House: "Oh, sure. I read your blog" ME: "Umm... why? Seriously? Err... DON'T! PLEASE!")

Still, y'know, we miss you.

Maybe you could do a teaching topic on "How Not To Behave"?

[bgliterary]

Awww, it's nice to be missed.

I think I've done the behavior rant a few times, but if I can think of a new angle on it, I might give it a shot.

Have fun tonight with Emily, Rachel and David!!

[arcaedia]

I'm a bit tired of sounding angry all the time (and I'm not really, just significantly stressed of late), although I do find I'm more easily annoyed by unprofessional behaviour from writers approaching me. (I mean, come on, querying me in my journal? That's just idiotic.) I haven't really had any good "teaching" topics I wanted to sound off on. I suppose I've also become a bit self-conscious knowing a lot of my professional colleagues are aware of this blog.Hi. *waves* The thing that solved my feeling of being self-conscious about people reading my blog (other agents, other editors, writers) is go read everyone else's (if you have the time) and comment on them. I also admit that I stopped posting a lot of personal details outside of my agent stuff after I got a really creepy letter that made querying me in my journal look simply tame (still rude, but tame). And I get what you mean about sounding too angry all the time. I've been thinking lately that I sound too negative and I've been trying to come up with positive things to post

[bgliterary]

*waves back* Thanks for the encouragement...I do like the interactiveness of this journal, just trying to figure out how to make it more comfortable.

Let's see, as for your question, I went to a book launch party recently for two writers I don't rep. They're both well known writers in the NYC writing community, so there were lots and lots of writers there; some I knew, some I didn't. Several writers there (again, none of whom I rep)came up to introduce me to writer friends of theirs whose work they thought I'd like. While to some this might feel weird and a bit pushy, to me it reminded me one of the things I love the most about the kids/YA writing community: it's incredibly helpful and supportive as a general rule. Most writers look out for other writers, and if they see a chance to help someone, they'll take it.

Plus, to have writers I respect feel that I'm a good choice for agent tells me that I'm at least doing something right.

MG Question

[bravebethany]

Hi Barry,

Thanks for opening the blog to questions. We've met a time or two at events around the city, the last being Lauren Myracle's signing at Books of Wonder where we chatted about VC (I'm an alumna.) so howdy again.

YA is still going hot and heavy. How're you finding the need for the middle grade market right now? Also, what are some of your favorite middle grade novels--your clients or other writers?

And there is still talk of the turn around in the picture book arena. Are you finding this is so?

Re: MG Question

[bgliterary]

I certainly hear plenty of calls for good middle grade and chapter books...there's always a need. And yes, it does feel like there's an improvement in the picture book market, but it's still rather tentative.

As for favorites, ugh, I'm always so bad at this, because as soon as I make a list I remember all the books I left off it. But let's see, from clients, there's Heather Vogel Frederick's SPY MICE series, Jennifer Richard Jacobson's WINNIE books, Lauren Myracle's ELEVEN and THE FASHION DISASTER THAT CHANGED MY LIFE, and Angela Johnson's BIRD and A COOL MOONLIGHT. From authors I don't rep, just off the top of my head: THE LIBERATION OF GABRIEL KING by K.L. Going, AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS by Gennifer Choldenko, and EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS by Deborah Wiles. I could list dozens more, but I'll stop.

Re: MG Question

[bgliterary]

Oh, I knew I'd forget something, darn it! Lindsay Lee Johnson's WORLDS APART, which just came out last November. Her first book, SOUL MOON SOUP, also qualifies as middle grade, I think, though some might say it's older.

Loved Soul Moon Soup

[bravebethany]

one of my face verse novels of the last few years. Is this new one verse, too?

Thanks for the list of good books. There are always too many to mention.

[robinellen]

When you read your clients' blogs, what do you like about them? What do you hate about them?

[bgliterary]

I don't think there's anything I hate about my clients' blogs. Most of them crack me up, and I do learn the oddest things about them at times.

good questions

[djwarrior]

Now where do I go to view the response, if a response is sent? Navigation for this newbie is kin to learning how to navigate the universe.

[bgliterary]

I think blogging is an excellent promotional tool, especially for writers. After all, it's a written form of communication, so it's another chance to reach a reader community. Also, I think most young readers today, especially those 12-18 year olds, are quite comfortable with blogs, use them to speak to each other, and thus really can relate to writers who use them as well. I think it makes writers seem more approachable, more like ordinary people. I know I love getting to know writers this way, and to be able to "talk" to them easily...it's great!

I think I've encouraged a few clients who didn't to try blogging, but I also have a few for whom it would be a horrible experience IMHO.

Let's see, I don't have a lot of time to keep up with too many blogs, but I do read the other agent LJs and the editors too, and I enjoy bookslut and Ms. Snark. I wish I could keep up more with all the cool teen librarian and booksellers who blog, since they're on the frontlines and I want to know what they have to say.