Who knows what and how much of a Literary Agent named Jack Byrne? Reputable? Desirable? I encountered his name on sff.net, I believe, and queried him. He's the first agent I've ever queried who asked for a partial based on my query (although I did have a small publisher -- BayCrest Books) ask for the MS based on a query about a year ago. They rejected me saying something to the effect that only "Kevin J. Anderson" can get away with writing books with as complex a world-building as mine -- and only then cause people were already familiar with "Star Wars."

I never was sure what to make of that comment! Frankly, it sounded rather like a complement. Anyway, this fella is wanting a partial. I found an interview he gave on Absolute Write in which he states he'll ask for a partial out of about one in every 100 queries. Well, that sounded good. I made that first cut. Hmm.

So any insider knowledge on this guy would be appreciated.

Bye!

There are some sites you can use to help check on literary agents and see if they are recommended or warned against.

Here are some of the links:

http://www.sfwa.org/beware/

http://www.sfwa.org/beware/agents.html

Preditors and Editors provides lists of agents and publishers, with "not recommended" notations to indicate those who charge fees or engage in other writer abuses.

http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pealj.htm

He's listed on P&E and DOES NOT have any disparaging remarks against him. So that's a GOOD thing.

Another place to look is The Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR) website which includes a list of member agents, the Canon of Ethics to which members subscribe, suggested questions for an agent who's offered you representation, and links to writers' resources.

I checked there and he's not listed, which only means he's not a member of AAR, not anything else.

I hope htat helps.. looks like you have a legitimate agent who may be able to help you out with getting your work published. I'd say, go for it.

Best of luck!

Thanks Vicki. So how are sales going? I don't know if I ever mentioned it, but I thought they did a nice job with the cover of your book. It's eye-catching. I'll double-check the sites you recommend, though these I was aware of and didn't think there was any alarm being raised about the fella. I just thought someone might have some anecdotal info on him.

Okay, well, hope to get back a bit later. Gotta go do literature with the boys. Right now we're reading Harry Potter IV (last novel of our year, which "unofficially" ends at the end of March. Egads! Now I've got to spend April working up their homeschool portfoliios for review, and tomorrow the youngest boy needs to go take his 5th grade WRAT. Sigh. It never ends.

Bye!!

-- gar

Thanks, Gar about the comments on the cover of my latest novel, NOT WITHOUT ANNA. It's been a great conversation starter and like you said, it's eye catching.

The cover artist passed away last year and I think I was the last cover she did. We worked really well together.. she understood my concepts exactly and pulled together a cover that stood out and made you want to pick up the book.

I commend you for homeschooling your children! What a sense of accomplishment!

Peace.