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