Speak up . . . at your own risk.

Over at agent Rachelle Gardner’s blog, she discusses how to sabotage your efforts at procuring an agent. In a word she states that “negativity” can be the weapon which kills your chances in the realm of agent hunting. She then goes on to break down exactly what kinds of negativity will thwart a writer’s endeavors.

At last check, she’d received 80 responses to her post which concluded with a question about attitude. I read a few of the early comments but have no idea what the majority of responders had to say.

Negativity is a killer word. No doubt. We’ve all been around others who make it their mission to complain about every aspect of their lives and ours if we’ll allow them. Most of us have a relative who qualifies and we do our parts in keeping visits to or from this person to a minimum because it’s such a downer to be around them. It weighs and wears on us to listen to negativity.

Rachelle’s points made sense, common sense. She did allude to the networking of the publishing professionals, the availability of all “published” material on blogs or others’ sites, on Facebook, Twitter, et al. In other words realize if you happen to impress a professional with your submission, they’ll be looking you up on the internet. Be conscious of what they might find.

I found her post to be an honest assessment of establishing relationship in the publishing arena. And beyond really. Who among us wants to work with someone who has nothing but criticism for what we do? Makes no sense.

There have been a couple of times where I responded directly to an editor at a publishing house who used one too many platitudes in a post, and I admit there was bona fide snark in my commentary. He asked me to email him, and I did, and we discussed some things. I can still email him on any given day, and he’ll respond. He’s a true gentleman, and I look forward to meeting him in person one day. Another time I “confronted” an agent in a private email because I thought her post insulted a particular topic. She responded to my email and thanked me for challenging her point of view.

There are times when something posted rubs me the wrong way. Usually, it’s only when the platitudes come out about excellent writing getting published, writing “the best” story, and that kind of gibberish. While it can definitely be true, it certainly isn’t always the case.

Anyway, I don’t think I’ve written anything that would warrant being put on the “bad list”, but who knows? I’ve tried not to be negative but motivated from a place of honest observance. The industry isn’t perfect like so many other businesses aren’t perfect. And like any other business it should seek ways to improve.

So use your head. Be honest. Speak the truth in love. At your own risk.

Lord, keep our hearts pure, our mouths honest, our eyes open to our own faults above those of others. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Comments

[Kristen Torres-Toro]

I really try to be positive too. I think the difference between what you've done in the past and what Rachelle was talking about is Matthew 18. You directly confronted someone without putting it out there for the entire world to see (and for them to feel cornered, embarrassed, etc). There's space in life for challenging someone else, but using internet access to vilify someone can have long reaching effects.

[Nicole]

Kristen, you are an amazing upbeat encourager. I hope you will stay that way as the years are added.
I think most of us ignore a lot of things on the 'net that we disagree with, but some things just don't cut it. They need an alternate opinion to balance them. I'm far more confrontational with the "pen" than I am in person, but I've found that anymore I will speak up in person if I truly disagree with a topic. I'm not a good debater, and I don't like to argue. But I will stand up for what I believe in.

[Jessica Thomas]

I think we (myself included) need to be careful not to resort to flattery in our attempts to be positive. It is interesting to read comments on a well known author's or otherwise-successful-person-in-the-publishing-industry's blog entry. The comments often include praise and confirmation, and/or conjure the image of a needy puppy begging for food. "You're great, you're great, notice me, notice me." Heh heh. I say that because I've observed myself falling into that trap, having to delete my comment and start over from a more honest and respectful place.

And I'll be honest, it sort of gets me when an agent expects to be addressed in such and such specific way, in this exact format (or else they'll throw the submission out). But then...they send out generic rejection letters. Isn't respect a two-way street? I know not all agents are like this, but I've observed "the attitude" at some writers conferences.

[Nicole]

You're absolutely right about the flattery and "needy" approach we see in comments on certain publishing professionals' sites. Been there, done that, too. Ridiculous to make idols of people.

Jess, what gets me is no response at all. "If you don't hear from us within a two week or 30-day time frame, we're not interested." I'd rather get a form letter so I can move on.

There are several issues in the publishing industry as a whole which make it unique. No other business could survive with some of their chosen ways to conduct business. But they've made it this far.