TriadaUS Literary Agency

Good luck

Good luck with that, Triceratops. What genre of fiction is it in?

Hi, Sakamonda. Planet Janitor is an off-world science fiction thriller that is a cross between Star Ship Troopers and Robinson Crusoe on Mars--that's how I explained it to Uwe, anyway. I've never quite had such a positive reaction like that, unless this is the type of book that he and his associates like to read a lot. I dunno.

I was about to ask you the same question. Perhaps you are one of the fiction authors listed, and do you also have an excerpt?

The only problem that MIGHT be perceived with this agency is that Uwe is the president and front man, who is very personable in the initial contacts. Then when your book is handed over to a reader/sub-agent, and negative comments or a rejection comes back, Uwe probably relays this news in a polite way, serving as the buffer or the apologist. I can see something like this possibly happening. For instance, you start off with Uwe, thinking that he will be the one actually reading and evaluating, but he has to hand the submission off to a reader because he is involved with all the heavy promotions, connections, conference and events attendence. You know, the figurehead stuff?

So, I could immediately see where one's feelings might be hurt in not dealing directly with him through the entire process. This is quite normal and happens all the time in agencies--nothing new. I'm certainly impressed with Uwe, and like my association with him already. The thing I notice is that I would most likely regret losing him as a friend, like a soldier buddy dying in the trenches. I'm just guessing, mind you, but I have a gut feeling that there is a psychological trama associated with a split that might happen this way.

Perhaps one could accuse him of being overly nice (if that's possible), and finding out that he is actually not involved at all in the critique process, thus when the hammer falls, it's that much more devastating.

Sorry to over-think this issue, but I think I see what's going on, and that's only my opinion.

Tri

It varies. . .

I think the level at which Uwe gets involved in reviewing manuscripts depends on the genre of the book. My first novel (the one that he signed me for) he handled everything himself. My second novel, a category romance, he read himself but also is using a "reader associate" for copyediting. I think he does pretty much everything himself for certain genres of fiction as well as most nonfiction. The genre where I think he farms it out the most is science fiction (perhaps he feels the need for outside expertise more in that genre, I don't know). He is courteous and professional at all times, much more so than most other agents I have encountered. I think the bottom line is, regardless of what happened with the people on this thread who were complaining about him, they were rejected, and they are bitter at that rejection. I don't really think it has anything to do with Uwe or his associates personally or professionally.

Sakamonda said:

I think the bottom line is, regardless of what happened with the people on this thread who were complaining about him, they were rejected, and they are bitter at that rejection. I don't really think it has anything to do with Uwe or his associates personally or professionally.

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We're going to do this again, are we?

I'll ask you you once again not to discount other member's opinions and experiences that are just as valid as your own. If you're going to bait me, why don't you do it with the sale of your book, not the incessant questioning of my motives. At least it would be a solid point to make, rather than snide commentary which you have worked about to death in here.

Triceretops, there has been some time between our earlier complaints and your dealings with TriadaUS. Hopefully, the kinks and bugs that were problems have been erased with sales experience. I think Uwe is terrific and as I have stated before, wish him much success.

Well, I've known Perks for a long time and I don't think she is "curl-toed" because of a rejection--this happened some time ago and it's quite possible that there was an associate/reader who was put in a position in where their skills were lacking. We always have to keep in mind that the writer has rights of refusal too, and that we are not obligated to re-write complete manuscripts at the whim of another, unless we feel that those additions, subtractions, and changes are truly going to improve the script. This has to do with the "fit" issue. Most writers know instinctively when an associate is on the same page with them, then there are others that have no clue as to why suggestions are being made. So this can go either way in a heartbeat.

One problem that would solve this issue would be if Uwe runs bios of his associates on his web page--the "agency players." I've seen this done with a lot of agencies, and this is where you can discover backgrounds, likes, dislikes, and genre specialists. Uwe, himself, has an extensive background and education in the arts and literature--he almost looks over-qualified in some respects, and this can only help him in the final decision making process. However, I'd love to see his "players" just out of curiosity just to know who I MIGHT be dealing with in future negotiations. Then again, there is certainly a privacy issue to contend with--some sub-agents don't want any spam or are fearful of attacks and reprisals.

Now, I did not know that Uwe gets actively involved, and this is very nice to hear. Although I might take in on the chin since he farms out SF--my only hope would be that he sees it first, or enough of it to form a solid opinion. All books go through a small panal of individuals anyway, unless it's a one woman/man operation. The majority vote counts for acceptance or denial, and rarely does the president overide or veto the popular vote.

In any event, I'll revisit this thread and give my impressions as best as I can while going through this process. I'll attempt it with a detached and unbiased viewpoint, if I can distance myself from any personal impressions.

Best to all,

Tri

Do y'all want me to close this thread again?

I will if I have to.

Tri, your observations as you go through this process will be welcome.

- Victoria

No offense intended. . .

I meant no offense to anyone. I was merely providing observations in response to Tri's queries based on my interactions with Uwe and his associate over the past year. They are overwhelmingingly positive. I hope Tri has a similar experience.

Sakamonda, you reiterated the statement you made earlier in the thread--that the people who reported negative experiences with the agency did so out of bitterness because they'd been rejected. This is untrue; it's also inflammatory, as evidenced by Perks's response. Since this fight has already been fought here, in almost identical terms and with you as a prime participant, I wish you had not felt it necessary to dredge up the issue yet again.

I understand that you're sticking up for an agent you have high regard for. That's great, and I welcome any information you want to provide about the agency itself--such as letting us know about new sales. But please, let's leave the old arguments behind.

- Victoria

Acknolwedged and understood, Victoria. Thanks for all the work you do to moderate the boards. I will be happy to keep folks posted here on my novel sales. Uwe does a pretty good job of posting his new sales on PM and his own site as well.

I'm glad we're at peace here--remember that all writers are the most beautiful people in the world, and we are are own support team.

I too will let y'all know how my dealings with Uwe go. I have to quickly revise my manuscript with a third polish before I send it in to him and he won't be back until Monday, so I have some time and am just about finished with it. Now I have to contend with my brand new Lexmark that is throwing cartridge jams at me so I'm in a blind panic about how to remedy that. Like my novel plot, it's just one damn thing after another.

Tri

triceretops said:

Now I have to contend with my brand new Lexmark that is throwing cartridge jams at me so I'm in a blind panic about how to remedy that.

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Ok, obvious question: Surely it's under warranty?

Yes, Three, it is. I've just been studying the online manual for it. It appears that I have to shut everything down--disconnect, then go through the hookup process again, which include the primary cartridge alignment "test" that serves as a default setting. I should also disengage the ink cartridges, then snap them back into their cradles again while the power is on, so this shows a clean start up mode. I think I'll have it solved in two days or so before I have to print and send.

Tri

My very first post on the Water Cooler. Wrote one book, 344 pp. 85,000 words. After reading all the good & bad about Uwe, I decided to send him a query about my POD true crime, The Murder of Andrew Sigler. I'll keep y'all up-to-date on my success or lack of same with Uwe.

Uwe has requested my third novel.

I'll keep you updated.

Eric-

Best of luck to you.

Great, Vipersmile. He asked me for my second and I'll be sending it in the next day or so. It looks like were hanging out with the same agent and book publisher too--Black Death. Good luck to both of us.

Tri

Good luck!

Good luck!

Grampa Joe said:

My very first post on the Water Cooler. Wrote one book, 344 pp. 85,000 words. After reading all the good & bad about Uwe, I decided to send him a query about my POD true crime, The Murder of Andrew Sigler. I'll keep y'all up-to-date on my success or lack of same with Uwe.

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I got an email rejection from Dr. Stender. At least he had the courtesy to reply to my email. Said it was not what he was looking for at this time. I guess he meant true crime. So, it is back to the drawing board.

I think Mr. Stender needs to clarify a little better on just what it is that he is after. After looking through this thread it seems that quite a few people have received the same message.

I believe that "not what we're looking for at this time" is the generally-accepted polite way of saying "no thanks" among agents, and that's all absent further information.

What Dr. Stender is looking for

What Dr. Stender is currently looking for is stated on his website, as follows:

"We are looking for nonfiction, especially how to and pop culture and strong fiction projects!" (from his rolling "News" blurb)

Fiction: "We are interested in all kinds of commercial fiction, including thrillers, mysteries, children's, romance, ethnic, and science fiction. We are also interested in literary fiction, but only if it has a strong narrative."

Nonfiction: "We are interested in education, current affairs, health, psychology, cookbooks, travel books, pop-culture, sports, adventure, true crime, biography and memoir. TriadaUS is also open to reviewing other genres and topics, as long as the material is for a trade or general audience and not scholarly."

I know he is overstocked on fiction right now, so he is more likely to show interest in nonfiction.

Reject because it's a POD??

True Crime certainly is something he is looking for. What a shame he won't even give my book a look-see. I thought I had written a decent query, too. I even offered him a freebie.
Could it be that I had it published as a POD by a small press? I own all rights, so I can turn the book over to whomever I want.
Oh, well. I've been rejected by some of the best, and I'll keep on plugging!

Yep, Grampa Joe, that sounds like it's now a reprint.

POD is the Kiss of Death. . .

Grampa Joe, most legit agents will reject POD books on principle, because commericial publishers will also reject them on principle. The only exception is if you managed to sell 5,000 or more copies of your POD, which would be roughly exquivalent to the number of copies a debut author sells with a traditional publisher. Dr. Stender just did what any other agent would have done with a POD.

Sometimes 5,000 sales isn't good enough -- the publisher may figure that the book has already sold all the copies it's going to. I've also heard 10,000+ as a number that will get you picked up after self-publication.

It's a hard road, this writing. Previous publication with a POD may label your book "proven failure" based on sales numbers.

Bookstores are important to publishers. Bookstores base their orders on the author's previous sales history. An author who sold 500 or a thousand books may not get big pre-orders, which may kill a book's chances.

It's a dance. Agents know the steps.

My suggestion: Write a new book. Sell it. Piggyback a reprint of your current work onto the sales of that new work.