My career as a writer

[amalia]

Here am I again. I wrote on this forum some months ago about the possibility of consulting a literary agency in order to have my new novel evaluated. You interpreted my hex, told me something was surely going to come and you also gave me some good advices. So good, that, at the present moment, I received a (modest...) proposal. A lit agency asks me (even with many a "maybe" and a "though") to become one of their clients. I am hopping with happiness, of course: but, as it never rain but it pours, there is another agent who is reading my novel, and I dare say it is not impossible even his judgement can be positive. So I asked the i-ching if I must explain to both of them that they are both on competition. My first question was: what if I tell the first agent I am to be read by the second? The answer was hex 52, changing lines 6 at the 1st place, 6 at the 4th place and 9 at the 6th place=55 (seems everything goes right). Problems came with the second question. I asked: "what if I tell the second agent I have just been positively judged by another?" The answer was hex 20, no changing lines. I was not persuaded (I waited for a more positive answer), so I asked: "What if I just keep silent?" The answer was hex 1 (hurray!), but changing to 43 ("you'll pay for it, afterwards!"). Than I asked AGAIN the i-ching: "what if I tell the second agent?" (I know, one is supposed NOT TO CONSULTE the i-ching as a madman!), and I had hex 18 changing to 46. As I consider the situation dispassionately, I think truth could be the more brilliant move: but it means putting myself in the "position of the contended one" - and I am not famous nor important - in a word, I am not right for the role... So, what is your opinion? Thank you for your kindness and your patience in reading all this. Kisses, Vassilissa.

 

[peace]

Truth is always best Vassilissa.
Don't play games.
It seems to me that if you want a career with integrity - and to be able to focus on your talents - trust the truth and don't get into gameplaying and manipulation.

Rosalie

 

[Frankelmick]

Vassilissa,

What a beautiful name - straight out of a Russian fairy tale.

For me, Hx 52 is about knowing when to stop. It's about becoming an expert in knowing when you've said enough.

If you haven't signed anything with agent 1 then why not just wait and hear what agent 2 has to say?

Best wishes,

Mick

 

[amalia]

Hi Mick, thank you for your answer. The core of the question is, agent 2 will take, let's say, about two months to have an opinion (to be optimistic! Literary agency are never in a hurry...), and I do not want to lose agent 1 in between. Neither I want to sign with agent 1 before agent 2 says what he has to say. This is therefore a question of high diplomacy.
Peace, thanks. But I am really sorry to delude you: I do not care very much about ethics, regarding this specific matter. I am simply asking what is the smartest thing to do - I think truth could be smart, in this case, but I am not perfectly sure, and so I am asking for your advice and interpretation of my hexs. Got the point? Kisses, Vassilissa.

 

[bruce]

Vassilissa, congrats on the attention your work is getting. Great news.

A bone of competition may up the ante, but it may also piss off the dogs. I'd keep your cards close to the vest.

Btw, 43 doesn't mean you'll pay later. It means you have your chance to be heard, or read, and your creativity (1) will be seen. If you tell the second agent of the positive review by the first agent, you will be seen (20). The question is, what would you be seen as?

Better to hold still, it looks like.

 

[rosada]

I don't think you need worry you had deluded Peace, Vassillissa!

 

[amalia]

Thanks to you all for your help - Bruce, in Italy we'd say you are "a mine of wisdom". I think we reached this conclusion: I must tell the truth to the first agent (that sounds reasonable, for how could I possibly take time if I don't? I have to answer him, somehow), but I also must hold still with the second one, at least until he expresses his thought. Does it makes some sense to you all? Kisses, Vassilissa.

 

[bruce]

Thanks, Vassilissa.

Hard to say what the effect might be of letting one know of another's offer or interest.

Once, when I was in the radio business, I wrote an article on negotiating, and submitted it to two industry magazines. One was considered the industry standard and leader, the other was a small up-coming magazine. The small company called and wanted to go with it, as it was. The large magazine also called, later, and said they would publish it - if I'd rewrite it according to their format. Both offered the same amount of money, and each insisted on exclusive rights to publish. I was faced with something similar to what you described, and decided to let each know about the other's interest and proposal. It seemed not to offend either one, but neither did it raise the ante of what they'd pay. Nothing lost or gained, in that case. I decided to do the rewrite, and it was published in the more prestigious magazine. It looked and worked great on my resume, and helped land a more lucrative job a year later.

As for telling the truth, my policy in business is: people have a right to know the truth, but not always the whole truth.

It doesn't sound like a deal maker or breaker either way, but discretion is the better part of valor, they say.

I wish great success with your writing career.

 

[amalia]

Got the message, Bruce: be sincere but... vague. Hear what I did: I have just written to agent 1 telling him agent 2 is evaluating my novel. Just that. I did not give out names, dates or circumstances (seems I am a secret agent...). I told I am willing to discuss the matter (whatever it means - but, as they say: "keep on talking, things'll come up"). I wrote nothing to agent 2. I must add (I forgot to tell you) agent 2 contacted me after I sent my novel to agent 1, and so I told him (I was perfectly sincere, then - quite transparent!) I had previous contacts with someone else. Therefore, what he does not know is that I just have had a positive judgement. He can wait. Now let's see what happens in the next two months. I'll tell you, Bruce, be sure. Kisses, Vassilissa.