We’re now three years into the lifespan of this blog, and in that time it has seen many changes. I’ve gone from breathlessly discussing what is happening on the Hills to seeing an ad for it the other day and thinking, “Wait… there’s another season? I thought it was over a year ago!”
The world changes so much in three years.
But that’s not what this post is about – I thought I’d check in to see what you’d like to see more/less of on the blog and to solicit feedback. I aim to please!
More/less queries?
More/less writing?
More/less publishing news?
More/less Nathan’s writing life?
More/less Nathan speaking in the third person?
More/still-more/no-really-I-mean-way-more monkeys?
The last time I checked in people asked for Forums, so this isn’t an idle exercise. I am definitely curious and very much appreciate your thoughts.
And I can’t thank you enough for reading and commenting – some of you have been around since the beginning and it really means a lot! Thank you thank you thank you.
Mel says
Definately more queries…more third person…and who doesn't love monkeys?
Anonymous says
Love the links you add in your blog – I've found many interesting things that way, so please keep it up! Always love query stuff and it's sick, but I love hearing about the horrendous ones (Craig's List…etc) makes me feel better about mine. More on the writing life too please! Gotta bring out the monkeys from time to time also-everyone needs a laugh.
John says
Less about TV shows and more about writing.
How about something for a writer who will publish a one-and-only novel.
Roselyn says
I am not a blog person. This is the first time I have posted a comment on someone's blog. This is a compliment to you—I think your blog is terrifically helpful.
Great tips for a first time author like myself.
Write a blog on how a previously unpublished author of fiction, who has written a first-time novel, can even have a glimmer of hope in getting a) an agent and b) a publisher.
The one thing I've learned is that this is a cutthroat business.
Thanks for the tips and the HUMOR.
PS Not interested in monkeys.
Patrice says
Your blog is pretty tremendous now, so I wouldn't change much. I come here before other sites, which tells me something. I like the way you aggregate publishing info on Friday, so we can figure that any big news will end up here and we will be able to learn about it from a reliable source.
Love the contests, etc., and your own journey through publishing (thanks for taking that on, BTW, to help all of us learn about that side of the biz). But I think the most valuable thing you contribute is writing in a tone that is both enthusiastic and realistic as a smart, curious, and in-the-know agent.
Okay, that sounded very suck-up. But I meant it anyway.
Marti says
Happy blogiversary from one of the old-timers who's been here since the beginning. Best wishes to you for many more years. I love your blog, I learn so much. I really appreciate the query and synopsis advice.
Victoria says
I'd like to see more ways we would win feedback on our first pages or our queries. You know, not who is up first in the morning or anything (hard for those of us downunder) but… I don't know, some other way. And you know, not like at an auction, where one can buy a critique for a billion dollars, which would be awesome if we weren't a struggling starving writer in a garret.
I can't think. My brain has frozen.
BG says
I'd definitely love to see more competitions, and the occasional 'Nathan's autopsy' of selected samples. Another nice touch might be an occasional 'What I'd love to read right now' post. I've often seen similar on other agent/editor blogs, and sometimes it sparks an idea. I'm sure you'd love to read about the invasion of the cloned weremonkeys for instance.
Sorry if this is a repeat. I can never get my posts to stick.
Nathalie says
I love this blog, I'm never bored and always learning something from you or the other readers.
That said, more query everything – especially samples of ones you like enough to request pages. And then what makes you reject them…
I appreciate the links throughout the posts, all very informative.
Anything on the writing process, maybe more suggestions on books about this?
The only thing I might say less of is the publishing news. I can't remember the other things on your list so there you have it.
Just keep it fun and thanks for taking the time to do this.
Steve Fuller says
More nudity.
Dawn Maria says
I fully expect Monday, May 24th's post to discuss what the heck happened on LOST.
Haylee says
More talk of books and authors you love on a regular basis who aren't necessarily your clients. Projects that you wish had come across your desk? Projects that you would like to see land in your inbox?
Francis K7 says
Ink,
I have no doubt you translated it correctly! 😉
karen says
i'm with the querie crowd. And maybe some time spent discussing synopsis writing in depth…with examples. That would help.
Thanks, Nathan, for all you do for us.
Kathy M. says
I want more query, less nothing. I love it all and read you more than the New York Times. LOL I'm from Florida, so I don't read the New York Times. I read you daily, suffice it to say. I want more on the publishing world and its changes. I love being kept uptodate on everything that is important and will educate me and help guide me through the publishing maze. I love your third person writing and I am thrilled you care enough to take time out of your busy work schedule to help, and definitely more monkeys. Thanks Nathan.
Ted Cross says
I like it when you keep a good mix, but it would be nice to see you do more critiques of both queries and perhaps short partials, as I think that could really help us more than most things. I imagine it is tough to find time for such things, though. If you do this, I hope you will rotate between genres so we will see a variety.
Joy says
I like hearing about industry trends, where the industry is, what's cutting edge. I realize most people want the fast-track pill to publishing, but I want to know what's going on in the industry. Anyone can look up info on queries and publishing, you know?
Suzan Harden says
Monkeys. Definitely more monkeys.
Lucy says
This is such an enjoyable blog; I can't think of anything I'd want to see changed.
(I really, really hate when food manufacturers keep trying to improve their product, which happens to be one of my favorite brands, and, um…. mess it up. Not to name any names, Worthington Foods, but you know who you are.)
Oh, and space monkeys are always good. Reed N. Lurk is into the space monkey thing. 😀
Thanks for keeping this blog going, Nathan!
mkcbunny says
I think you maintain a really good balance between all of the proposed subjects. A little query, a little pub news, a little Q&A, and monkeys. Most of what you post is business, so I do enjoy the funny monkey/TV/other stuff as a fun aside.
But what are you going to talk about when Lost is over?
JulieanneReeves says
Speaking of monkeys…
My kids were watching Zula patrol this evening and of course I'm not. Well not really, I was feeding the baby.
Anyways…
The narrator starts his shpeal(sp sorry it's late) and I hear the words. I kid you not. SPACE MONKEY OPERA. Seriously. No. Seriously.
I still have no friggin clue what it had to do with the show, but I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. Poor DFS (dear foster son) started crying, I scared him so bad.
Steve says
Maybe this exists on the FOrums, but It's all I can do to keep up with blog reading, so I don't normally see the forums.
But I'd like to see the occasional "Ask Nathan" post where blog readers can ask their burning questions about topics you may not have directly addressed.
-Steve
(For example, I'd love to hear what your response would be to the possibility of professional query-writing services).
-Steve
Vacuum Queen says
I think there's enough query info out there. You don't have to end yours, just don't add to it. I'm curious about writing process and agenting in general. Publishing too. I wouldn't mind hearing about Jacob W and where he's at in his publishing life right now. Just to sort of follow him along to learn about it all.
I'm not so much inclined to linger when it's a post about eBooks. No offense.
I'm really sort of a non-writer since I don't know if I'll ever pursue publishing for anything I write, but I enjoy learning about the industry here. "Someday" I'll write more seriously, but I enjoy this world. 🙂
Vacuum Queen says
Hey, here's a suggestion (and I'm sorry I'm taking up two comments):
I know you've printed your 2 line blurb for Jacob W, but I would love a post that has your 2 line blurb, your back flap summary, your 1 page synopsis, your 3 minute pitch, etc. etc. Am I right in thinking a person needs to summarize their book in many ways for many reasons? I'd love to read them all in one post. Do you start with the biggest one and pare down? Or start small and go out?
Just curious. And I think it'd be a great example since you've already successfully pitched it.
Zoe says
Yieks, comment 176! Well I might as well put in my 2 cents. I always love to hear your perspective on what's going on in publishing over the pond so I'd be for more publishing news, but then again I'd be a bit bias in that regard. 🙂
Joe G says
I like that you measure your life in reference to the evanescent popularity of The Hills.
Jovanna says
Rather no monkeys
Rather opinions of person
Rather whatever you feel like writing cos that's what will be most intersting at the time.
Mind me not, had a bad day.
wendy says
I enjoy visiting this blog and think everything you post is spot on, Nathan. As others have suggested, I'd be interested in hearing more about your writing life as obviously you're onto something that works. I love the contests, too. So more of those, please, if you can spare the time. Also I agree with Bamboo Grover's suggestion of more real life examples of what and what not to do in the querying/writing process.
Thanks, Nathan!
Alexandria Gilbert says
More about your writing please!
Claire Vorster says
Thanks for your Blog Nathan. More on your life in Publishing, queries, helpful stuff, funny stuff. And monkeys 🙂
Elena says
I say more of everything! This blog is the highlight of my day! ^_^
dennis says
More queries….publishing news….whatever happened to the winner of the "first paragraph" contest???
Bi-Annual "first paragraph contests"……love that one….great blog.
Dennis
Anonymous says
With book sales coming down, I'm curious if agents like yourself are changing what is considered good writing. There seems to be a mismatch between what the public wants to read and what people are reading. What has replaced the low-brow pulps of the 30-40's?
I am also curious about the agent/editor relationship. We don't often hear about it. How does that query process work?
Lisa R says
I'd like to hear more about reasons for rejecting manuscripts you've requested.
Kim Batchelor says
Echoing what a lot of people are saying (monkeys aside), I really want to thank you for the time you take to write these as frequently as you do. Almost all the information is very helpful, query information especially. I can't recall if you've addressed market trends, but I could always use some information on whatever you're hearing. I have several projects to market and that would help with planning (I already know not to try to write to market).
Malissa says
I would definitely say more about queries and more about your writing life, the slush pile and what not to do.
Less monkeys
One thing I am curious on is first person vs third person and if there is any way to use both in a novel.
Glynis says
Query tips would be helpful. . . with some real life examples of what to write and what not to write.
More of what you go through as a writer, first or third person.
Carpy says
I agree that writing tips and queries are always welcome. Sometimes suggestions I read from the comments section will send me skittering to a new writer's or literary website. More pictures, please. I'll always remember the llamas. Friday's publishing news keeps me informed. I think you do a great job and I recommend your blog to others.
Tim Brandhorst says
You should publicize the "Connect with a Critique Partner" section of the forums more often–this could be a really cool service/community if enough people took advantage of it.
Chuck H. says
More monkeys. Monkeeeys Innn Spaaace! No wait! Pigs. Piiigs Innn Spaaace! Yeah, that's the ticket.
goldchevy says
More on queries and writing
FantasticFiction says
More queries!
More writing!
less publishing news!
less Nathan's writing life!
ess Nathan speaking in the third person!
Anonymous says
I'd love to hear more about your experience as a soon-to-be published author, as I am one too. But specifically in relation to the kind of advice you give your own clients, for example, in the contract negotiating phase, or how to promote once a book comes out. It's VERY interesting how you live in both sides of the same world…talk about that more.
Marsha Sigman says
More query info, more writery info, more personal info (cause thats damn funny) but less Kindle/Ebook/Ipad blah blah blah.
It depresses me.
Backfence says
Anything on queries is invaluable.
Also your insights into the minds of agents (in general – and yours, in particular) are extremely helpful.
Blogs that help us understand the process, trends, writing and querying no-no's … And always, ALWAYS with that wonderful sense of humor that is your "signature."
heather says
I clearly missed this blog – on accident of course!
Is it too late to weigh in and vote for an inordinate amount of monkeys? Perhaps even ones with guns?
Oh, and more on your writing habits and tips, and, hmm. Ooo! How 'bout something on punctuation? Do's, don'ts, and the like?
Love your blog! Oh, and can't wait for more monkeys. And contests! Yes, more of those.
🙂
~heather
Allison Morris says
Hi Nathan.
Thanks so much for your blog. And thank you for asking us all.
I usually find concrete examples most helpful. Using real queries, synopses, books as examples to illustrate your points. Helps me wrap my head around your insightful advice.
Thanks!
Christina says
I'd say:
More tips on- queries,synopsis writing, and writing in general because its always good to hear what an agent thinks about these things.
More- your writing life because I always find it interesting to compare methods.
definitely more- monkeys. Who doesn't love monkeys?
Less- publishing news because that's easy to find out there.
jongibbs says
I wouldn't change a thing 🙂
Tawny Taylor says
I'm a lurker. I don't comment much but always read your posts. In particular, I enjoy your publishing/industry news. Speaking of which, I'd love to hear your thoughts on agents/agencies launching digital publishing ventures. I've heard of two now. Is this the start of a new trend?