Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Why Isn't There A Lit Agent In The Family?

We've got a wide range of careers represented by our family, both immediate and extended: Nurses, Air Force, electricians, Wal-Mart associates, a private investigator, a plastic surgeon, computer programmers, teachers, musicians, a police officer, an airline employee, a government contractor, and jacks of all trades, etc.

But not a single one in the literary field. No one to help me get my foot in the door.

I was even willing to throw the family's annual cheesecake contest. As a judge this year, I'd have chosen Crazy Uncle Jeb's Mussels and Sprouts Cake* for winner, if he'd had an in with an agency. But I couldn't find any relative, even the most distant, who could help me.

Which, I guess, is okay. In the end, reaching my goal of publication all on my own will make the reward that much sweeter. Right?

*We have no Crazy Uncle Jeb. And I wouldn't have voted for a mussels and sprouts cheesecake. Ucky!


ETA: New count, as of two minutes ago: 6 rejections, 5 queries out

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

This may sound cheesy but think of how much better it will feel when you get published on your own accord and not from having an 'in'! You and I (along with most aspiring writers) are don't have any connections and therefore must go at it the old fashion way.

Hang in there!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Cheesy? Did you use that word because I'd mentioned cheesecake? ;)

No, I agree with you. Thanks for the comment, and good luck to us both!

Jen said...

Keep on truckin', Janna. :)

That cheesecake sounds quite...interesting, btw. LOL!

Gary Eby,MSW said...

So, I appreciate your frustration. Thank you for greeting me on Absolute Write Cooler. Feel free to post a sample of your work on my lense:
http://www.squidoo.com/groups/publishingclub
Sincerely: Gary Eby, author and therapist

WendyCinNYC said...

I have a couple of connections, but I'm terrified to use them! What if my writing is just not "good enough" for them? That's entirely possible. What if they decline, and then we still have to make polite conversation at cocktail parties? Awkward!

I'd rather be rejected by someone who doesn't know me.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Well, yeah, I guess you do have a point, Wendy. It's kind of a generalized pressure when dealing with a stranger, whereas someone you know puts it into a whole new playing field.

Joshua said...

it will be that much sweeter when you do get it published. and on another note, uncle jeb kind of creeps me out lol :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

My ONE connection said she can read my MS in November, lol. I don't expect anything to come from her, but it is something.

I agree with everyone about how proud you'll feel to accomplish this on your own. My first job out of college was through my uncle, but my second job.. I got that without references. It was all me and I loved it.