Tom Holt's Agent

Tom Holt <lemming.co RemoveThis @zetnet.co.uk> wrote:

 > I doubt very much whether anybody on this forum (a) has the relevant
 > information (b] would consider for one moment passing it on in answer to
 > such an enquiry. However, just in case, please *don't*.
 >
 > My agent, who was also one of my oldest and best friends, died very
 > recently. His widow would not appreciate unsolicited manuscripts at this
 > time.

I don't, I coulldn't, and if I did, I wouldn't, and Please accept my
condolences.

Elizabeth<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent 

Tom Holt <lemming.co.RemoveThis@zetnet.co.uk> wrote in news:2003090721571276639
@zetnet.co.uk:

 > My agent, who was also one of my oldest and best friends, died very
 > recently. His widow would not appreciate unsolicited manuscripts at this
 > time.

The Village Villain offers sincerest condolences and wishes lots of
strength to all those who were close to this man.

TTFN,
B.

VV<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent 

Sympathies to all.
Au Res.,
Paul

--
http://www.efbenson.co.uk/
http://www.users.waitrose.com/~paulbines
http://www.convergent-diversity.co.uk/
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent 

"Elizabeth Fusina" <fusina.DeleteThis@radix.net> wrote in message
news:1g0z5d4.1ef5dyx8qr1ogN@ip157.sns.du.radix.net...
 > Tom Holt <lemming.co.DeleteThis@zetnet.co.uk> wrote:
 >
 > I doubt very much whether anybody on this forum (a) has the relevant
 > information (b] would consider for one moment passing it on in answer to
 > such an enquiry. However, just in case, please *don't*.
 > My agent, who was also one of my oldest and best friends, died very
 > recently. His widow would not appreciate unsolicited manuscripts at this
 > time.
 >
 > I don't, I coulldn't, and if I did, I wouldn't, and Please accept my
 > condolences.

Exactly what Elizabeth said

Melody<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent 

Thanks, all.

On reflection, my post was an over-reaction, since nobody on this ng
would even consider doign wha the poster asked. Seeing the thread title
was, however, something of a shock in the circumstances.

If it hadn't been for James, I'd still be working for those evil
bastard solicitors, and only a few years away from a fatal coronary.
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent 

The Squoire noted in a most heartfelt fashion:
 > If it hadn't been for James, I'd still be working for those evil
 > bastard solicitors, and only a few years away from a fatal coronary.
In that case, we have a lot to thank him for, and I'm certain he's in
Literary Agent's Valhalla right now, asking if Thor is interested in a 3
book deal with Harper Collins...
Au Res.,
Paul...



--
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.efbenson.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.efbenson.co.uk/</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.users.waitrose.com/~paulbines" target="_blank">http://www.users.waitrose.com/~paulbines</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.convergent-diversity.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.convergent-diversity.co.uk/</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent 

Hi All,

I just wanted to set the record straight regarding the initial posting
I asked my wife to make.

I had no idea that Tom had recently suffered a loss, how could I know?

I had no idea that Tom himself would take the trouble to reply
personally, for which I am both appreciative, and expressed my thanks
to him directly off this list.

I was not looking for a personal recommendation from Tom, or anyone
else for that matter.

When looking for an agent, you want someone who 'gets' what you have
written, and it is a good idea to find a published author in your
genre, find the name of their agent (which was all I asked for after
all) and approach them, as I said, with a query letter and not a mss.

All I was looking for was the name and possibly address so that I
could take the first, profession step in querying said agent. I was
not trying to take any short cuts, trick a personal recommendation out
of Tom, or anything else. I was simply trying to do what any halfway
intelligent person would and research the potential agents that would
best serve my work.

I apologize without reserve for any upset or pain I may have
inadvertently caused Tom. That was never my intention. I do not
apologize for attempting to research the best possible agents that I
might be able to get to work with (and obviously Tom's agent was of
high calibre).

If anyone wants to still be angry, then aim it at me and not my wife.

My apologies and sympathies to Tom, I will leave this list alone and
continue my search for an agent elsewhere.

Regards

Dale
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent 

In article <2003090721571276639.RemoveThis@zetnet.co.uk>, lemming.co.RemoveThis@zetnet.co.uk
says...
 > The message <5200be4f.0309061900.727ddf8a.RemoveThis@posting.google.com>
 > from lisa_mettam.RemoveThis@hotmail.com (Lisa Mettam) contains these words:
 >
  > > My husband has recently finished writing a sci-fi /comedy novel that
  > > seems to fit with the general style of Tom Holt's work and I was
  > > wondering if anyone had the name of Tom's agent so we could send him a
  > > letter.
 >
  > > Thanks in advance.
 >
 >
 > I doubt very much whether anybody on this forum (a) has the relevant
 > information (b] would consider for one moment passing it on in answer to
 > such an enquiry. However, just in case, please *don't*.
 >
 > My agent, who was also one of my oldest and best friends, died very
 > recently. His widow would not appreciate unsolicited manuscripts at this
 > time.
 >
 >
That must have been a terrible blow, both as a friend and as a writer.
I've seen how badly losing a good agent can affect a writer.
A couple of times it's happened to people I know. One friend of mine lost
his agent when she decided to give up agenting and do the writing
herself, just as the negotiations for his contract with publisher were
coming up. He ended up with no agent, no publisher, no contract. A mess
for a couple of years. It must be a hundred times worse when your agent
is a friend, too. Please accept my condolences.

--
Diem
Guardian of Gargoyles and Woodlice

(email dm at diemzone not news)<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent 

Lisa Mettam <lisa_mettam.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote:

 > My apologies and sympathies to Tom, I will leave this list alone and
 > continue my search for an agent elsewhere.

Better yet, why not hang about here. You might enjoy it, who knows?

I think what annoyed people most was that you were a stranger to us and
looking for rather personal information, if you see what I mean.

I am pretty sure there are volumes of books at the library of agents,
not to mention publishing houses that you could send your manuscript to
and have it at least read, even if they don't accept it. I know they
exist for poets, I have a smallish collection of rejection letters
myself. Not sure if I am a lousy poet or just not finding a good market,
but there you are. Anyway, submit, submit, submit. And don't forget, for
every story sold, there are countless ones that are rejected for one
reason or another. (Okay, usually because they are unrelieved **@*.)

Elizabeth<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent 

"Paul Bines" <paulsnobinesspam RemoveThis @4waitroseme.thankcomyou> wrote in news:4-
Gdnfk9HpYPY8GiU-KYuQ RemoveThis @brightview.com:

 > In that case, we have a lot to thank him for, and I'm certain he's in
 > Literary Agent's Valhalla right now, asking if Thor is interested in a 3
 > book deal with Harper Collins...

On Vintage Traction Machines?

TTFN,
B.

VV<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent 

Unless my newsserver has dropped a load of messages, I don't think anyone
has expressed or directed and angry comments at you or your wife - it's just
unfortunate timing that your request should be posted at such a time.

As Elizabeth suggested, stay and post (or, at least, stay and read along!)
If nothing else, you mihgt enjoy some of the inconsequential conversations
we sometimes have.

You might want to check out the Writers and Artists Handbook (I think that's
the title - if it isn't it's something pretty similar) - most larger
libraries will have it in stock, and it lists contact information for
authors and their agents, publishers etc. You might find some useful
information about suitable agents in there.

--
http://www.efbenson.co.uk/
http://www.users.waitrose.com/~paulbines
http://www.convergent-diversity.co.uk/
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent 

In article <2003090821570876639 DeleteThis @zetnet.co.uk>,
Tom Holt <lemming.co DeleteThis @zetnet.co.uk> wrote:

 > Thanks, all.
 >
 > On reflection, my post was an over-reaction, since nobody on this ng
 > would even consider doign wha the poster asked. Seeing the thread title
 > was, however, something of a shock in the circumstances.

I must admit, my first reaction was "spammer", but there's another post
in DejaGoo, so they look legit. (Just very, very, new to usenet.)

 > If it hadn't been for James, I'd still be working for those evil
 > bastard solicitors, and only a few years away from a fatal coronary.

Doesn't bear thinking about. Especially since we wouldn't have all those
books (that we mustn't discuss in the village because they're Off Topic)
to enjoy reading.

Best,
Chris.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent 

In <1g10n61.1iy4trj1a18bemN.TakeThisOut@ip188.sns.du.radix.net> Elizabeth wrote:

 >Lisa (but it was Dale really) Mettam <lisa_mettam.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote:
  >> My apologies and sympathies to Tom, I will leave this list alone and
  >> continue my search for an agent elsewhere.
 >Better yet, why not hang about here. You might enjoy it, who knows?

Yes, seconded! Shall I post the Welcome Poem? I did that really quite
recently, but I can always do it again....

 >I think what annoyed people most was that you were a stranger to us and
 >looking for rather personal information, if you see what I mean.

Not so much annoyed, I don't think, as taken-aback and therefore inclined
to be Prickly about it. I hope you didn't find my email offensive -- I
wanted to suggest alternative ways forward, since the request here had been
a bit of a frost, I certainly didn't mean to sound as if I were castigating
you.


Oy, Dale!

Come on down the Lundy and have a drink, man, and your good lady too.

"If anyone wants to still be angry, then aim it at me and not my wife."

BB, put one on my tab for them, would you? I like this bloke's style.
Even if that is a split infinitive.

("to still" is a perfectly good verb but I don't think it *works* in that
sentence.)

Pedantic Beetle

Cartographer, Bombardier, Weather Witch and Village Storekeeper
Selling atonal apples, and amplified heat, and Pressed Rat's
collection of dog-legs and feet. Coffee mornings a speciality.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Tom Holt's Agent