Oct 21 2011
P. Mac really liked Wearing the Cape
PM thought Wearing the Cape had convincing characterization, a superpowered world that still felt believable and even one realistic-sounding Supreme Court controversy. He was impressed that the main character sounded very much like a female even though the author is a male. I’ll read it and let you know.
UPDATE: He’s having second thoughts about the romance. He thought that the two characters had about as much reason to fall in love as an abusive ~100-year old vampire and a vapid teenager without any redeeming qualities.
I also enjoyed the book. I haven’t taken the plunge into the sequel as it is a 4 part story being released in chunks. Probably going to buy them soon and then wait to have all 4 to actually read.
Among other things, the main character also manages to come across as faithful/religious without it coming across as preachy. It is just part of who she is. The world is very well developed, and takes a number of cues from other – less mainstream – super hero worlds such as White Wolf’s Aberrant and Straczynski’s Rising Stars. Least, I thought it did – could just be coincidence.
I agree with Anthony, the book is an interesting read. Worth the price, IMO. At times the debutante nature of the protag is a little much for me, though I could see it being popular with some.
What i thought was interesting, too, was that the author tried to interest literary agents, (submitted to 100 of them) and gave up after three months. A)no answer after 3 months–many take 6 or more just to get to your submission; its too early to give up,IOW. B)What about simultaneous submissions? You’ll get in the doghouse with many agents over this, especially the major agents.
I keep meaning to read this (it’s currently collecting dust on my Kindle) and review it for SN. Looks like I got beaten to the punch, huh?
(On a similar note, I should also start polishing up my Other Peoples’ Heroes review.)
– Wings
“What about simultaneous submissions? You’ll get in the doghouse with many agents over this, especially the major agents.” I have very little practical experience in this, but my impression is that most agents know that it would be extremely difficult for authors to avoid simultaneous submissions. For example, literary agent Miss Snark says, “I NEVER ask for exclusives and most of my fellow agent buddies don’t either. I figure if you want to work with me I’d better be able to tell you why I am a great agent for your book and what I bring to the table that those other sloths in the industry do not.”
If it usually takes an agent months to evaluate a submission and an author usually needs to submit to AT LEAST 10 agents (frequently 30+) to get an offer, it would take 5+ years if you couldn’t submit (or at least query) simultaneously.
I have plenty of practical experience with this. Simultaneous submissions are the norm. But if you don’t get any interest (even mild) in three months after a hundred submissions, something’s wrong. Could be just the query letter, but.
You’re right, I’m wrong. They do accept simsubs(a couple want exclusives if they ask for the full ms). They’re not like publishers after all.
Speaking of which, I wonder why he (apparently) didn’t just submit straight to the publishers anyway? Several of the biggies don’t require an agent to submit.
Publishers accept simultaneous submissions all the time … from agents!
The agent route is, in my experience, a much better option, for many reasons. There are more of them. They’ll help you shape an ‘almost-there’ manuscript if they smell money in it. They know which editors are looking for which genres/voices/stories at which times. They know how to extract the maximum amount of money and how to not get fucked on the contract.
(Though I’d never give an agent an exclusive for more than a week or two, even if they asked.)
Yeah, and we all have agents, eh? Believe me, I have nothing against agents, and you’re right on about the advantages. If I could interest a publisher in my work, the first thing I would do before signing anything, would be to try and land one. If I hadn’t before, of course.