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My book is still forever away, it seems, but I may have some AMAZING NEWS regarding the book cover soon, so keep an eye out for my announcement on that.
I gotta say, I CAN NOT FRICKIN' WAIT TO SEE MY BOOK COVER!!!!
Ah but just the same, all is well and good and fantabulous on the Cindy front. Why? Because I have the absolute HONOR to say that I have the most INCREDIBLE PUBLISHER ever to walk this green and blue watery little marble we call home. So great is he that I thought it only right and honorable and Just for me to dedicate an entire blog to him and his out-of-this-world publishing company, TRIAD Publishing Group.
I'm post dating this because if not, I have to tell everyone about what VERN FIRESTONE has done not only for me, but for so many authors whose dreams have led them to TRIAD.
Vern Firestone is such an incredible person. And you should all know that I would not blow any kind of smoke here for the sake of blogging...even if I love blogging, which I do, but you all know that...
No. I really wanted to tell everyone what an amazing person Vern is. He is the owner and publisher of TRIAD, and in the time I've known him I can honestly say that not a single conversation with him has gone by without my being absolutely blown away by not only his attentive, caring, and knowledgeable nature, but also his ability to make me laugh and give me hope for a bright and prosperous future with the best and most incredible company I could have ever hoped to be part of and dream of being welcomed into.
I mean, I don't even think HE knows what he has done for so many authors. I just don't think he really grasps the amount of dreams he has made a reality, how many hopes he has brought to light, or how many lives he has forever changed. You see, Vern Firestone has cultivated this force to be reckoned with...the force that is TRIAD Publishing Group. Not to mention the force that is the man himself.
You know, before December 10, 2007 (yes the date is burned into my memory forever), I was a writer struggling to find my place in this world. I always wondered which publishing house I would wind up with, if any at all, and what it would be like. I'm not one for formality or stuffiness, so I always asked myself if I would even ever "fit in" with the houses out there. And I was most certainly terrified about what someone from those houses would do to my book. You know, the one I spent five years of my life writing and rewriting a million kajillion times?
I was desperate to find a home for my books; a home I could be proud to be part of; a home I could feel exhilarated to know even exists. I spent about 2 years (give or take) trying to get this close-minded industry to look at my book. So I did what every aspiring writer does. I searched and searched and came up either empty, or came up to a door that quickly closed on me because certain agents and editors didn't and/or wouldn't consider certain genres, or wouldn't look at manuscripts unless they came from someone they knew. And forget that old and tiresome story of "Well, you have to catch an editor or agent on the RIGHT day" with the "RIGHT" letter..because we all know how easy it is to gage the quality of a book by a freakin' letter!
Yeah! Whatever!
You know how many great authors have been overlooked because of some "Agent" or Editor" who thought the book would never sell? I can tell you this, my dear friends, isn't it fun to try and picture the agents who turned down J. K. Rowling and Stephen King?
But then came what is still today the most interesting email I have ever gotten in my life. One that categorically changed it forever. It was from one Mr. Vern Firestone, a man who not only scoffs at the proverbial "BOX", but flat out turns away from it with an intelligent grin. And in his wake he draws the attentive eye of an industry that has carved its own path in a tight, exclusive little BOX made of stone. You know the kind, the ones that refuse an entire genre, or a certain book because of this or that.
Well, I say PISHAW to them all! They can keep all the rights they strip of their authors, and all the time and energy they spend on books they have no intention of marketing in any way, and all their frustrating red-tape that eventually gives some authors a new dream, that of hanging themselves with said tape.
But Vern Firestone is different. TRIAD is different. Out of the vision of publishing mastermind, Vern Firestone comes the sweet sounds of doors forever opening for authors who might otherwise spend years of their life watching their hopes slip away. With TRIAD comes the realization of the dreams and passions we as authors hold dear. And with Vern and TRIAD came an army of authors who one by one have come together to form, not merely a publishing company, but a true and caring FAMILY.
This is what I'm so shocked by...the amount of support and encouragement they all share for one another. So to be able to say I'm now part of that just leaves me speechless at times. And the times it doesn't leave me with nothing to say…well...I have to blog about either TRIAD itself, or their amazing authors if for no other reason than I am beyond proud to be part of such a Publishing House.
Now onto the gravy, my dear friends. As I said, every time I speak with Vern, or he emails me, he's got incredible news, new contacts in so many new and exciting directions, and each conversation falls in line with that of a great time spent with a great friend. Truly, that's what it feels like to know him. He is not just a publisher, he is a friend…and FATHER to us all. And when he talks, even if it's not in his words, the term, "A Deal You Just Can't Walk Away From" is always dancing in the air.
So I thank Vern Firestone. I thank him, and TRIAD, and all of its authors because if not for their eye on the future and their ear to the grindstone, so many people and so many books might never be who and where they are today.
I know, because now I'm one of them.
HUGS and Unending Admiration,
Cindy
What a blast that would be! OMG! And yes, I realize he might one day find out I suggested this, and he might laugh his mighty laugh and say, "Hey, see. I wasn't surprised."
But (insert wicked hand-rub) he won't know WHEN it would happen..LOL
You aren't the only one who misses Ms. Snark. I think it's great no one ever found out her real name. Anyone can pick up as Ms. Snark anytime (hint hint).
I can't believe how much I miss her. She was always there with good advice and her blog was a great place to vent.
Maybe her Christmas present to all her snarklings would be to return on a much more limited basis, maybe post once a week, answer fewer questions and absolutely no contests of any kind.
I know you're friends with her, so maybe you could put a bug in her ear and tell her we need her back.
Sign me,
Still sad in the midwest.
I used to think I'd like to have Miss Snark as my agent, except that I'd be scared of her.
I looked forward to her wit, too. And, though she didn't always post all the questions she was asked because there simply wouldn't have been time, she did get back to readers on a personal basis...with some damn good advice. Several times, when I didn't even expect a reply (and that would have been fine and I would have understood)she surprised me with e-mails. To be honest, I don't know how she took the time to do all she did...But it sure would be nice to get her back on a limited basis once in a while.
Didn't you mean "set your hair on fire"? :)
I miss her, too. Periodically I'll do a Google search for some kind of agent-related issue and a post or two of hers will come up. I always go look, not just for the snark but also for the great advice.
I wonder if she'd ever want to guest blog here and/or at other blogs?
Miss Snark has been on many lips the last few days. Uh ... maybe that's not the way to put that. She's been on many tongues. Wait ... everyone is talking about her. Yeah, that's it. I miss her, too. Her wit is sharp as George Clooney in a tux, isn't it?
I've been wanting to set my hair on fire all day, so let me just say that I honestly admire your ability to always hold it together. I'm more the snarky type, but without the ability to be funny about it. If you have a secret for smiling when you'd really rather just go off on someone, please share it!
ver: egawds
appropo!
Considering the way she treated my Crapometer entries, I don't think she'd like anything I'd ever submit to her.
However, I enjoyed her responses whenever I emailed her Clooney alerts or anything that might amuse her.
Her occasional lapses in snarkiness were always welcome.
Yanno, she did make an appearance just a coupla months ago. I wish I could remember, but I think it was on EE's site.
She taught us well, as do you, Agent Kristin.
Well and let's not forget, Miss Snark flung her wit behind the screen of anonymity. I'm not sure how well she would have been received, or how professional she would have been perceived, without the character persona.
Snark is more fun, but it's a dangerous gamble when your trying to run a business. Remember the time she publicly filleted that elderly, albeit clueless, lady who sent her a query about her spiritual, rainbow, cowboy novel? Miss Snark had even provided a link to this woman's site.
Most of her fans, myself included, thought it in very poor taste. A mistake? Yes. But everyone moved on because Miss Snark is not real. But what would have happened if she blogged under her real identity?
Blogging nice (under your real name) is blogging safe.
I miss Miss Snark too, but Janet Reid just couldn't keep up with the volume of mail she got for Miss Snark, plus she had her own blog in her own name, so after 2 years of two blogs and two billion writers emailing her, she decided to call it quits.
But I do enjoy Janet's own blog just as much as I enjoy her Miss Snark blog.
Laura Elliott said...
You aren't the only one who misses Ms. Snark. I think it's great no one ever found out her real name. Anyone can pick up as Ms. Snark anytime (hint hint).
Laura,
No dice on that. Janet may have the Miss Snark persona copyrighted. We wouldn't want to infringe upon that!!!
There's value in all approaches. Your blog is cool as it is.
There's still a snark-sized gap in my day, though.
Beg her to come back! You know who she is. We all miss her. I know, I know, it was my writing that got me an agent, but it was her advice, and yours, and Dia's that got me a GREAT agent instead of the first one who offered. The writers of the world need her...and miss her.
We'd be happy if she just commented on George Clooney once in a while. I just KNOW all those hospital workers that got suspended for 4 weeks for looking at his confidential medical records were on her payroll.
Guest blogging - now that's something I'd love to see Miss Snark do!
I'd bet my house that Janet Reid is NOT Miss Snark. Her wit is not nearly as clever as the snark's. She gets an A for effort, but she ain't the snark.
As much as I love your blog, Kristin, I do miss Miss Snark to no end. Still. Probably always will.
For Christmas I would like a clue gun. And Miss Snark back.
Say hi to her.
You may not be snarky, but you’re prescient. Right after reading your blog about full manuscript requests by snail mail, I received a full manuscript request from an agent in Canada. I put it in the mail the next day without a whimper. You have great timing. :)
Miss Snark made a brief appearance on Nathan Bransford's blog when he did a First Line contest. (Maybe last month? Time flies.) It was lovely to see her!
But frankly, Kristin, one of the things I like best about you is your niceness. I'm snarky enough on my own so it's nice to get some fresh air once in a while.
Oh Ms. Snark. Yes, I miss hers too. But yours, highly enjoyable as well. =)
Christine, Maryland
I know that Miss Snark is gone, but I will have to check out her website.
The next time I see you Kristin, I'll bring some matches and gin so you too can set your hair on fire as needed.
How nice to see the blog is missed.
Thank you all for your comments.
Blog posts hang around for a long time. Looong time. You can google something today and get a link to a snark post from years and years ago. Therefore, nice will probably win out if you're blogging under your own name. You wouldn't want some off-hand comment, made in a very temporary fit of snarkiness, to hurt you later.
Therefore, it was great that Miss Snark was blogging under an assumed name. Who cares what her real identity was? I was grateful that she was willing to tell us snarklings the truth as she saw it.
And I'm also happy to get Kristin's perspective too. Heidi the Hick says she's attending "blogiversity," learning about the biz from agent's blogs. With more teachers, we'll all need the clue gun a little less.
She lurks.
If only Miss Snark could return for one month each year!
Perhaps it would be appropriate if that month started on Halloween (hint, hint). ;)
She delighted my days.
I loved her blog and miss it quite a bit.
She actually commented a good friends blog about a month ago and it threw all of us into happiness and mourning at the same time.
Maybe Kristin is Miss Snark.
Oooo, Miss Snark! :-) I read her posts all the time, usually laughing my butt off (no hair set on fire, though).
And, Kristin, it's gin PAIL, not gin tumbler! For shame. ;-)
~Nancy aka jerseygil
http://writerlystuff.blogspot.com
(yeah, I know I'm lazy for not signing in to my blogger account ::shrugs::)
Bah, my internet moniker is jerseygirl, not jerseygil.
Seems my fingers is all tied up.
~Nancy aka jerseygirl
Without Miss Snark's identity to ponder, I'm left to wonder who the heck Evil Editor is and how even a freeleance editor could have so much time to devote to the various EE blog enterprises.
I like EE, but still.
We all miss the venerable Miss Snark, but we appreciate your willingness to blog about topics that will assist us in the writing and publishing process.
I heart Miss Snark.
So totally.
Blogging's not the same...
My monitor says thank goodness no more Miss Snark -- but I miss the burning sensation of coffee shooting through my nose.
I almost started crying when Miss Snark said she was hanging up her hat. PLEASE COME BACK, MISS SNARK.sa
I miss Ky and Miss Snark every day. The guest blog idea is great!
:lifts gin in toast:
thanks to Miss Snark again and again for leaving her snarkives up and running.
I too bemoan the departure of Miss Snark. Just last week I saw a giant red stiletto and my heart leapt with joy! "She's back!" Alas, it was just Minney Mouse. We were in DisneyWorld."
If she posted an entry on her blog how quickly do you think the writing world would know it and click over? I'd love to see the stat counter on that day.
That said, your blog is fabulous Nice Midwestern Agent. Like having chocolate chip ice cream to Miss Snark's Oreo cookie ice cream. Both delish.
Miss Snark and Janet are high on my list of favorite people. I've never personally met either of them. (We all have our secret identities, don't we!)
Snarkie was responsible for keeping me writing and for encouraging me to persist in submitting. If it weren't for her, Pixie Warrior would have gone into a drawer with The Man Who Knew (shudder) and assorted other icky stuff.
Though she's not my agent (doesn't rep fantasy, does she?), she is directly responsible for Pixie Warrior finding a publisher. Indirectly Rachael Vater (not my agent either) is responsible too because of a hand written paragraph of suggestions. I took them all. It made Pixie Warrior a better book. (Painful process, though, ain't it. Yarrr!)
Janet is Miss Snark? Who cares! Janet Reid has her own things to say. He blog serves a different purpose. It's fun and informative.
You just be havin' bunches a fun up there in the wild Canadian north. I wish I could go, but who'd baby sit my children and the goats?