Should an Author Quote From an Editor's Rejection Letter?

The answer to this question rests with the author. I would posit the following question to the author: What do you hope to accomplish from this approach? When I receive a query letter from an author who quotes positive statements from an editor my immediate thought is that the quote is taken out of context. In many cases I already know that the editor's statement is part of a rejection letter. An author quotes an editor stating that the work is "...a masterpiece." This is true but the full sentence reads, "This work is hardly a masterpiece."

As an agent, editorial quotes give me clues as to where the manuscript has been and subsequently rejected. While some may disagree with this advice, I suggest that editorial quotes be avoided altogether, as they do not enhance the author's chances of an offer of representation.

Francine Edelman Joins Schiavone Literary Agency

Francine Edelman, former President of a very successful publicly held ad agency in NYC for over 10 years, has joined the growing Schiavone Literary Agency, Inc. Now in its 15th year of operation the agency continues its reputation as one of the nation's top, exclusive, highly selective literary agencies. Professor Schiavone, CEO, is excited about Ms. Edelman's valuable contributions to the agency. With her background and expertise in sales and advertising, she will focus on books of exceptional quality from established authors with impeccable credentials and outstanding platforms, in the areas of marketing and advertising.

With Francine Edelman on board, we encourage submissions of email queries relating to her area of expertise. Please note that we accept only email queries. Ms Edelman's email address is:
francineedelman@aol.com

Academy Award Winning Actor George Kennedy/Memoirs

Releasing October 11, 2012, and available for pre-order from Amazon, B&N, Books-A-Million, and all major outlets, Trust Me: A Memoir, by George Kennedy, Academy Award winner for best supporting actor for his compelling performance in the classic Cool Hand Luke, with Paul Newman.

From the preface:

These are memoirs of a kid born in New York City in 1925. His dad, George Senior, was a pianist, composer and orchestra leader at Proctor's Vaudeville Theatre, and his mother, Helen, played in a classic dance troupe. Hanky-panky ensued. They married, and I soon was the result...

I write like I talk. A long time ago I tried making 'talking and telling the truth' one and the same. That isn't just difficult; it means painfully reviewing things you've been led to believe since you were a child. That's very hard to do. Like many, I have marched along adhering to conventions (sex, color, church, party, gang) without examination. There's a wonderful protective 'togetherness' in that anonymity. You obey or are damned, less joined together than stuck together. You become an echo rather than a voice.

This book is about what happens when you stop fearing and think.

I like writing, but warmed-over BS is not on the menu. You are the most important thing in life. Every phrase in the book - awkward or not - is how I think and question everything. I wrote every word as if we were sitting together. I want you to think, too"
George Kennedy

Back From Hiatus

It has been a couple of months since my last post. This is primarily because I was unable to login to my account for whatever reason. Now that I'm back I wanted to bring my readers up to date on new releases that I have brokered. First, the debut, LEAVING JACK, will be released by St. Martin's Press on February 15th as previously announced. I'm excited about this potential best seller and I have noted that Amazon has what they call their VINE program. Vine sends out advance reading copies of a forthcoming work to selected customers giving them a jump on pre-publication reviews (step aside Publishers Weekly, here come real reviews from the ranks, or from people who buy and know great literature when they see it). While I have high hopes for JACK, I'm delighted to see the favorable reviews from real customers, most of whom were overwhelmed by the impact of this powerful story of a brave yellow Lab serving in the Vietnam War. The lucky prepublication reviewers give insights into a novel you will not want to miss. Advance orders are being taken by Amazon, B&N, etc., and will be shipped for receipt on the release date. When you get your copy let me know your thoughts as I would like to post a few on this blog. Of course your local book store will have plenty of copies on hand to fulfill the demand.

Nostalgia and movie buffs will be delighted to know that come the Fall, Academy Award winning actor George Kennedy (Cool Hand Luke with Paul Newman) will have his memoir released by Applause Books, entitled: TRUST ME: A MEMOIR. This is a must have book for Hollywood fans as George reveals behind the scenes action embellished by vignettes of such iconic figures as Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Henry Fonda, James Stewart, and many others who came to know George Kennedy, who himself played more than 200 roles in movies and TV. More about this later.

Last year I was correct in my prognostications regarding the enormous escalation of ebook sales. Readers love their iPads, Sony's, Kindles, Nooks, you name it. Once purchased, readers have placed millions of orders indicating healthy gains for publishers and authors. The outlook for books is very promising in spite of the current economic crisis.

Books by my Authors

Above is the jacket cover for FINDING JACK by Gareth Crocker. St. Martin's Press will release the book on February 15, 2011, and will be available through all outlets (bookstores and online in hardcover and ebook formats).

Books By My Authors

Our agency looks forward with great anticipation for the release of the debut novel, FINDING JACK, by South African author Gareth Crocker, in February, 2011. When the war ends, how do you leave your best friend behind? This is the premise of FINDING JACK. After losing his young family in a tragic accident, Fletcher Carson joins the flagging war effort in Vietnam. Deeply depressed, he plans to die in the war. But during one of his early missions, Fletcher rescues a critically wounded yellow Lab whom he nurses back to health and names Jack. As Fletcher and Jack patrol and survive the forests of Vietnam, Fletcher slowly regains the will to live.



At the end of the war, The U.S. Government announces that due to the cost of withdrawal, all U.S. dogs serving in the war have been declared "surplus military equipment" and will not be transported home. For the hundreds of dog handlers throughout Vietnam, whose dogs have saved countless lives, the news is greeted with shock and disbelief. For Fletcher, he knows that if he abandons Jack, then he too will be lost. Ordered to leave Jack behind, he refuses - and so begins their journey.



Based on the actual existence and abandonment of canine units in Vietnam, Gareth Crocker's FINDING JACK is a novel of friendship and love under desperate circumstances that will grab your heart and won't let go.

Advance Praise:

"Gareth Crocker writes vividly and from the heart.... Crocker has avoided all temptations of sentimentality on the one hand and political pontification on the other."
The Star (South Africa)

"Rarely have I read so moving an account of the heroism of animals, the compassion of the humans who love them, and the transformational relation ships that can spring up between the two. This is a story that will continue to live with you long after you've turned the last page."
Gwen Cooper, Author of The New York Times Bestseller Homer's Odyssey

Gareth Crocker has worked as a journalist, copywriter, news editor, public relations manager, publishing editor and, most recently head of communications and spoksperson for a multinational corporation. Finding Jack, is his first novel.

Schiavone Literary Agency, Inc. promises more to come from this exceptionally talented author.

The Author and Book Publicity

Reader G.M. McGowan said... "It's true to have something to sell. However, public relations, promotion, marketing and distribution are what make money for the publisher. And that's something the publisher has to do... not the new or established author."

G.M. is certainly correct when he/she avers that publicity is something the publisher has to do. His assertion that somehow the author is not responsible, in my opinion does not ring true. All of the large mainstream publishers indeed have publicity departments, and in most cases have several full time publicists within the department. These personnel work diligently to get the book noticed through national print publicity and advertising, sending ARC's (advanced reading copies) to booksellers, reviewers, TV producers, newspapers and magazines. They also schedule book signings and radio and TV interviews, as well as promotions on social networking sites, blog campaigns, and reading groups.

Through all of this the author is key in rounding out the efforts of the publicity department. Today's author needs to have or to establish a platform, which is evidenced by the fact that most authors, even those who remain unpublished, now have Web sites as well as blogs. Gone are the days when an author concentrates on writing with little or no concern given to publicizing his book. The author's input with regard to marketing is especially crucial when the small publisher has little or no capacity to do so.

I believe a large part of the excitement of being a published author is in the marketing of the book through signings, interviews, and appearances. Today's successful authors are multi-talented!