"Personal" question(s) to John Jarrold

[Paradox 99]

Hi John,

I read Apartment 16 a couple of weeks back and happened to notice you were instrumental in its arrival to the book shelves. Loved the book.

I know that you're the type agent that has to be totally smitten with what you see in the first few chapters. What particularly struck you about that particular manuscript?

 

[John Jarrold]

I'd known the author, Adam Nevill, for some time and loved his first novel, BANQUET FOR THE DAMNED. I took him on because of that and we discussed future projects. I was not surprised when I loved the final version of APARTMENT 16, which he worked on for a long time (and on which I made some editorial suggestions ). We had offers from three publishers, which is very unusual these days...it's reprinted three times already. And he's just delivered his next novel, presently titled BEAST, which will be published in 2011.

 

[Ian Whates]

I'd known the author, Adam Nevill, for some time and loved his first novel, BANQUET FOR THE DAMNED. I took him on because of that and we discussed future projects. I was not surprised when I loved the final version of APARTMENT 16, which he worked on for a long time (and on which I made some editorial suggestions ). We had offers from three publishers, which is very unusual these days...it's reprinted three times already. And he's just delivered his next novel, presently titled BEAST, which will be published in 2011.

Good for Adam, a truly nice guy who has put himself through all sorts of discomforts in order to be a writer and has gone to extremes of dedication in order to improve his art and become a better one.

Someone who genuinely deserves all the success he gets.

 

[John Jarrold]

Too right! But then I only work with the good guys, Ian...!

 

[Paradox 99]

Thanks, John.
For some reason I though Apartment 16 was his first. Good to know he has other stuff out there. I'll check it out.

 

[John Jarrold]

You may find a Virgin Books paperback of BANQUET knocking around, though it's pretty much out of print.

 

[John Jarrold]

Just a general point: some of my clients, like Adam Nevill, Ramsey Campbell, Eric Brown and Chaz Brenchley, I knew and admired as writers before I took them on. Others, now published sucessfully - like Jasper Kent, Mark Charan Newton and Stephen Deas - came as unknown submissions via e-mail. So yes, it can be useful to have contacts, to go to SF conventions, network and meet publishers, agents and authors, but it's going to be the prose that does it, in the end...

 

[Anne Lyle]

Are you doing any of the UK cons this autumn, John? I saw you on the list for World Fantasy in Columbus, and I thought I might bump into you there, but fiscal emergencies ate my holiday fund so I've had to cancel

But hey, who needs to visit the US when you can go to Northampton Fishmarket instead?

 

[J-WO]

But hey, who needs to visit the US when you can go to Northampton Fishmarket instead?

Now there's a venue.

 

[John Jarrold]

Sadly, Eastercon 2011 will be my next UK con - can't make Newcon, Fantasycon or Novacon.

 

[Cayal]

Hi John,

I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind answering them;

1. Do you find the quality of writing/submissions/ideas have improved or regressed during your time as a literary agent?

2. Do you think it is easier or harder for a prospective author to get published now then, say when you started?

3. What's more likely to get published, a great story with average writing skills or great writing skills with an average story?

4. As a young would-be writer, if I ever finish a novel and prepare to submit it, would it be best to send it to a small publisher or just send it to anyone who is taking unsolicited submissions?

Thank you in advance.

 

[John Jarrold]

1 I'm not sure there is a major difference, but places like this on the net have helped some authors look at matters more professionally.

2 Again, not much different. I'ts always been very difficult.

3 You need great writing skills and a great story - and great characters, wonderful dialogue, terrific invention...

4 When you finish your novel (be positive!), put it away for at least a month, then look at it again editorially. You'll be able to do so more objectively after that pause, and see problems that would not have occurred to you immediately. It's about getting it right, not getting it fast. You must submit the best possible version of your work. Any new writer should aim high - you need to look at mainstream agents and publishers who deal with your area first.

 

[John Jarrold]

Just to follow up on that - an agent or editor has to be hooked by your prose and grabbed by your story in the first few pages of the book...

 

[Cayal]

Thank you for your time, John. I appreciate it.

 

[John Jarrold]

No problem!

 

[Anne Lyle]

Sadly, Eastercon 2011 will be my next UK con - can't make Newcon, Fantasycon or Novacon.

Tant pis! Still, at least I won't have to worry about facing you after you've kicked my submission to the curb.

Obviously I think it's pretty damned good, but I'm trying desperately hard to rein in my nervous enthusiasm as I approach the final straight. “Pride goeth before destruction, and a high mind before the fall.”

I might try to make Eastercon next year, though. I've been promising myself for twenty years that one day I'll buy Dave Langford a drink for all those fantastic book reviews in "White Dwarf".

 

[Erin99]

Hiya, John! Nice to see you back. I'm glad things are going well with you and your agency.


Just a small query here, and one you've often been asked...

After a year's hiatus I've picked up my novel again and I'm nearing the end of the vast changes and new POVs I've done since your (eye-opening and excellent) critique. However, when this first edit's complete, my word count will be over 150,000.

Should I aim to reduce it to 125,000-130,000 for the UK market? (I've no idea how I can do that. I'll have to remove lots of description, possibly, and see if the pace sags anywhere.)

We've had a thread here recently about manuscript lengths from wannabe fantasy writers, and the consensus was that you should aim for 120,000. Is this correct, from your experiences this year?



And I have to say, your critique helped me see my novel's flaws and give me a new level to strive for with my writing. Thank you so, so much! To anyone thinking about hiring John, he comes highly recommended from me.


Anne, a couple of us from this forum are going to Fantasycon in September, which will hopefully include the great Pyan...

 

[Paradox 99]

Hi John,

Do you ever accept and comment on ARCs?
You know what's coming, don't you?
My publisher has asked me who I'd like to send advance copies of my novel to. Naturally, you're one person that came to mind. You're an authority in the publishing world I respect (not least by what you do here), and a word of commendation from you (if it's something you enjoyed) would do wonders to kick-start the marketing.

Again, it's probably something you get asked of a lot - so I completely understand if it's not something you ususally get involved in - but then again, you do love to read!

 

[John Jarrold]

Hiya, John! Nice to see you back. I'm glad things are going well with you and your agency.


Just a small query here, and one you've often been asked...

After a year's hiatus I've picked up my novel again and I'm nearing the end of the vast changes and new POVs I've done since your (eye-opening and excellent) critique. However, when this first edit's complete, my word count will be over 150,000.

Should I aim to reduce it to 125,000-130,000 for the UK market? (I've no idea how I can do that. I'll have to remove lots of description, possibly, and see if the pace sags anywhere.)

We've had a thread here recently about manuscript lengths from wannabe fantasy writers, and the consensus was that you should aim for 120,000. Is this correct, from your experiences this year?



And I have to say, your critique helped me see my novel's flaws and give me a new level to strive for with my writing. Thank you so, so much! To anyone thinking about hiring John, he comes highly recommended from me.


Anne, a couple of us from this forum are going to Fantasycon in September, which will hopefully include the great Pyan...

Books have a natural length - but you have to be BRUTAL when editing, taking out padding, and unnecessary information. I have sold a debut fantasy novel of over 170k in the last four years, but in general I'd say 120k to 150k is fine. As always: there are no absolutes...


And thanks for the kind words!

 

[John Jarrold]

Hi John,

Do you ever accept and comment on ARCs?
You know what's coming, don't you?
My publisher has asked me who I'd like to send advance copies of my novel to. Naturally, you're one person that came to mind. You're an authority in the publishing world I respect (not least by what you do here), and a word of commendation from you (if it's something you enjoyed) would do wonders to kick-start the marketing.

Again, it's probably something you get asked of a lot - so I completely understand if it's not something you ususally get involved in - but then again, you do love to read!

If I'm honest I have never been asked before - not surprisingly, because it's much more important that you get quotes from authors the general public know, rather than an agent within the hothouse of SFF publishing, who no one else has ever heard of!


But thanks for the thought, I'm very flattered!!!