“So nice that Friday is here.”
“Yes, Little One. After all, you and I have to work so hard all week. Where’s that cabana person anyway?’
Ah, Friday……*crickets* Hello. Anybody here? here? here? Well, notwithstanding the echo, I’m going to assume somebody’s out there.
Not much going on here. Been sending out queries and actually got a response. “Thanks, but no thanks.” I wrote back and thanked them for at least letting me know. I think if every agency could somehow let you know it would be a help. Of course, who said agencies were in the business of having to let those who query them know the outcome. After all, they were sitting there minding their own business when some interloper like me bothered them with a query. I think I will revise my thinking on this item. If I haven’t heard anything, I’m going to assume they are having trouble deciding if the literary or mass-market agent should represent me.
Oh, wait. Let’s take this one step further. With my query letter in hand, the agent took the initiative to contact Harper Collins. Harper Collins is having a difficult time determining whether or not a $50,000 advance will be enough to keep the book from Hachette. Of course, the agent thinks a six-figure advance will be required. So until they work out the details, no one is going to contact me. Yes, this is better.
I hope everyone is doing okay now that the states are starting to open up. This particular old guy is going to take his time to embrace my fellow humans. I’m going to wait until I see the net result of people congregating again. Today’s JohnKu talks about caution. I hope you all have a super weekend.
Rush by John W. Howell © 2012
Let’s go bar hopping,
Or into a crowded store . . .
Not to worry, Right?
Fiction Favorites 
I hope you have a super weekend too, John, with birthday candles and all! With your three lovely ladies, it should be really special. Big hugs and Happy Birthday! 🙂
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Thank you so much, Gwen. It is always nice to have a birthday when one is 79. The only thing that has to be watched is that the candles don’t set the house on fire. We are holding off the cake and dinner until Sunday when Abigail can be here. (A social distance visit totally outside) Have a great weekend as well. ❤️
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I love where your mind travels, John! 🙂 Happy birthday to you! Enjoy your special day and have a great weekend! ❤
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Thank you so much, Jill. Here’s wishing you a super weekend as well. ❤️
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Happy Birthday, John! Have a wonderful weekend. Sorry about your queries. J K Rowling had 21 rejections on her first HP book … just sayin’ 🙂
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Thank you, Harmony. I’m just plugging along with the process. 🎶 If nothing breaks come this here July,🎶 I’ll go the usual indie route.
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Dear Interloper. It’s Obama’s fault.
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Of course it is. That is exactly how I was thinking of ending my query letter. “I understand that if you are not interested Obama is at fault.” Thanks, Frank.
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Query letters and replies were always a test of patience. Think I was told that 6 months is the best time to wait before figuring it’s not going to get a response. This was years ago though, so it might be a shorter timeframe.
With you on waiting to see what happens. They’re opening the beaches here for the weekend. I already see a lot of friends posting their plans to go out. Kind of hoping it rains.
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We are seeing people crowding together too much. I think the rain option is the best. Thank you, Charles. Hope the weekend is good.
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You too. Happy birthday as well.
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Thank you.
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That six-figure advance is going to buy Lucy and Twiggy a lot of treats and toys. I’ll bet they can’t wait!
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I’ve kept the plan from them. I don’t want to raise expectations above normal. Thank you, Liz.
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Ha ha! 😀
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I know right?
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Right!
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I don’t go bar hopping or shopping in crowded stores anyway, so it’s not my issue, but I do intend to be out and about this weekend: mostly in places where I’m surprised to see anyone, and spend most of my time lecturing the mosquitos about keeping their distance.
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Those mosquitos have a very short attention span. Talk softly and carry a big swatter. Thanks, Linda.
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I’m betting it’s that second scenario. Have a great weekend, John (aka cabana person)!
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Thank you, Teri. You have me pegged.
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Enjoy your birthday and the entire rest of the weekend, John. 😀 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. 😁
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First off, let me join the others on wishing you a very happy birthday, John! Wouldn’t that be a gift? To get the agent to take you on and before you know it, Oprah gets a copy of the book, talks to her buddy Spielberg and there you have it… the movie!
Nothing wrong with dreaming, right?
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There you go. Thank you so much for the birthday greetings. I hope you got my reply. Thanks, again.
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Love it. And yes, I did, thank you.
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😊
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Don’t intend to hug anyone – but I’ll still wave at pickup trucks as they roar past on the dirt roads.
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We had the name Crazy Bob for guys in bib overalls waving at traffic.
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I’m here! Happy Birthday. I love your imagination. I stopped sending inquiries to agents because I don’t approve of their rude behavior in not responding, one way or the other. But now thanks to you I realize what the real problem was – trying to decide how much to offer for my bon mots. I feel much better now.
But not enough to go “out” and celebrate. I’ll be sitting on my front porch rocker, sipping on a glass of cabernet, toasting to the squirrels and chipmunks and wild turkeys dining on our (expensive) bird seed! 🙂
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Thank you, Pamela. I like the vision of the wild turkeys. Hey, they have to live too.
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The ones who visit us are nicer than others (who tend to be possessively aggressive). Our turkey visitors will share the dropped bird seed on the ground with squirrels. They also gobble gobble gobble a LOT (I realize the sound is not a stereotype, it’s what they really do.)
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Called a gobbler for a reason I guess. 😁
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Oh dear. The worries of queries. I’ll bet it’s the second scenario — wouldn’t that be grand?!! I think you aren’t the only one cautious to get back out there and see whether anything’s changed. My guess is, no. Have a happy, safe birthday, John!
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Thak you, Debbie. Such a nice wish. 😁
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Absolutely on those queries, John. They’re probably already thinking ahead to the blockbuster movie deal, too! 🙂
Have a great Friday and a happy Memorial Day Weekend and holiday!
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Thank you, Mae. Have a super weekend.
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Happy birthday John. Bar hoping – as in able to leap short bars with a single stumbling bound ? Here hold my beer – watch this ! On second thought let’s just move on to the second round. Have a great weekend.
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Hahaha. Good idea the second round. Thanks, John
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I like your versions of what’s behind the delay, John. It’s fun to think about.
I’m going to continue virtual bar hopping. Actually, bars aren’t open here but outside dining is. I’ll skip that for now.
Take care.
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Take care as well. Have a great weekend. See you at the bar.
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Happy birthday John. Electricity is off here. Trying to send.
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Thak you, Geri. i got the message. Bless you.
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John, it’s hard to believe that you, a bonafide writer filles my stuff, my ‘musings’, as my sister calls them. But, I appreciate your support. How many books have you written, John? It must be a hard task, getting them published. Keep up the good work!
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I have written seven. Five ar in print and one is in the final stages. There is one that is so bad a rough copy of it holds the laundrey room door open.
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I like the second verison of why there is no response. I’ve never approached an agent, but many publishers years back. They were good about form responses, unless you got that personal one, that meant a little more at least to me. Sometimes it would take up to a year….Don’t give up:) Happy Birthday.
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Thank you, Denise. I have patience. 😊
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You’ve got tenacity by the bushels, so I trust you’re gonna score, Boss.
And hey! I heard some young buck has got a birthday going on today! So Imma toast to you this evening. Have fun and be safe, 🙂
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Thank you, Marc. I’ll toast you as well.
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🙂
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Happy Birthday, John, and a boatload of good wishes…
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Thank you, Lori. 😊
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A very apt Johnku — particularly with the holiday weekend. John, I like your alternative scenario a lot. 😀
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” Napoleon Hill. I need to work on that. Hugs on the wing!
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Thank you, Teagan. Have a super weekend.
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Happy Birthday, dear John! Chin-chin! Oh, these agents! Maybe you should contact your Minister of culture? I believe that it will work out easier! My best wishes & stunning celebrations at the Twiggy resort! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you, Maria. Twiggy resort has a big celebration in mind. 😁
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I hope the dogs will dance & sing Happy Barking Birthday, dear John! С днём рождения! Cin-cin!
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Большое спасибо за пожелание дня рождения, Мария. Enjoy the weekend.
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Your Russian is getting better! Well done, dear John! 🙂
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Thank you, Maria. Always the student. 😁
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You are! 🙂 Cin-cin!
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😊
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Happy Birthday John, and I second the boatload of good wishes. I think your approach to breaking shelter in place is solid.
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Thank you, Rob. So nice to see you back. 😁
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Thanks John. 🙂
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😊
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Stay the course and Happy Birthday, Good John!
Julie was out yesterday and said every restaurant she and daughter Robin passed had their parking spcaces filled, and, in some cases, lines of people waiting to get in…now, my sweetie does have hyperbolic tendencies…but she is right most of the time…
For me, poor me, ‘Isolation’ is just a way of life…no sympathy card, please, just money! Actually, I could go for a little bar-hopping, but falling off a barstool is so embarrassing… 🙂
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Yes you need to stay at home. Thanks for the birthday wish.
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🙂
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What, me worry? I never embraced humanity in the first place. I’m in no rush to do so again.
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Hahaha. I’m with you.
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Happy Birthday, and best wishes from the team at Simon & Schuster! I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until you receive your $50k royalty advance! What a nice birthday gift that would make, eh? Birthday hugs, my friend! And pets for the pooches. I wonder why, all of a sudden, I have to enter my email address, name and website before this comment will post? Sigh … WordPress again.
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Just click the WP icon or reboot your browser. Thanks for the lovely birthday wishes.
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Hi John! Happy Birthday! Good luck with your querying. I hope it works out for you. I’m also feeling cautious about the opening of businesses here in Florida.😕 Enjoy your birthday weekend!😘
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Thak you so much, Vashti. 🤗
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Happy birthday, John! Keep on going with those queries.
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Thank you, Mark.
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Right, John. Caution is the word of the day. I fear Texas has relaxed a bit too much too soon, but time will tell. I hope you have a SUPER Birthday Weekend!!!
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Thank you, Jan
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Caution is an excellent word thee days. We don’t have to be hermits, just keep a distance and wear a mask. I like your thinking on Lit Agents. If you have heard nothing, they very well may be thinking. Best to you, John.
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Thak you, Jennie. 😁
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You’re welcome, John.
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I’m being cautious too. I want to go to the garden center, but keep putting it off, and I haven’t scheduled a hair appointment yet either. I’m content to be out birding and hiking for now.
If you haven’t heard from the publisher yet that must be what happened. 😀
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Thanks, Deborah. I think caution is the word of the day. Stay well. 😷
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You stay well too! 😀
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Will do.
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