tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post2292231810994126373..comments2023-11-06T13:07:23.645-05:00Comments on The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment: A Bittersweet Goodbye.Matthew MacNishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-87315242414320122592011-03-05T03:49:41.876-05:002011-03-05T03:49:41.876-05:00I lost two or three hours the first time I visited...I lost two or three hours the first time I visited his blog, but I learned so much. His posts are just as fantastic as they ever were.Myrna Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13534358757278599925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-84955820907023891432010-11-13T18:52:50.182-05:002010-11-13T18:52:50.182-05:00Wonderful tribute, Matt. And thanks for sharing y...Wonderful tribute, Matt. And thanks for sharing your story.<br /><br />I know how it is - it's like when CBGB's closed, or Kirkus Reviews was said to be closing. You get that feeling of, "I'll never play there now, never get a review from them." Definitely depressing.<br /><br />But fortunately, it's just a change of course for Nathan, and I wouldn't wish to hold anyone back from sailing into new waters.<br /><br />And he's already given you the best thing he could - shown you how to build a community with goodwill and how to pass along what you've learned.Steve MChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15026970188928733645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-73992223480548922632010-11-12T12:11:12.864-05:002010-11-12T12:11:12.864-05:00So you know, I didn't write a damn thing after...So you know, I didn't write a damn thing after high school either. Don't know why, just didn't. Life got in the way.<br /><br />Then I rediscovered writing, and by hell, it turns out this is what I'm meant to do.<br /><br />I do believe I understand you, good sir.<br /><br />Also, best of luck to Nathan. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-25420869879574067602010-11-10T09:26:43.982-05:002010-11-10T09:26:43.982-05:00Aw, Matt, *hugs*! Great post, and it's evident...Aw, Matt, *hugs*! Great post, and it's evident that it comes straight from the heart. You (and Nathan) are awesome.Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-74566505870397901032010-11-09T23:21:40.731-05:002010-11-09T23:21:40.731-05:00Wow,wonderful post Matt. I think Nathan will be v...Wow,wonderful post Matt. I think Nathan will be very missed. I think I'm still in shock that he's leaving agenting entirely. I wish him success in all his future endeavors.Lisa_Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17238496789960349077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-16292853463261215142010-11-09T23:03:33.686-05:002010-11-09T23:03:33.686-05:00What a great story and tribute to what Nathan has ...What a great story and tribute to what Nathan has done for the writing community. He was definitely one of the first agent blogs I found when I jumped into this whole writing thing too and learned so much. I wish him all the best in his new position. <br /><br />And Matt, don't despair. Yes, you don't necessarily need to have a "friend" relationship with your agent to get your book sold, but you definitely can have that. There are a lot of very friendly and personable agents out there. My agent (Sara Megibow) is so easy to talk to and laid back. Our interaction is definitely more casual and friendly than anything else. And I know my friend Julie who's with Suzie Townsend has said the same about her agent relationship. <br /><br />I think there's something to say for someone who "gets" your book will probably "get" you. I personally would hate to have an agent who was uber formal and all business all the time. That would totally stress me out, lol.Roni Lorenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02719679344024635326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-80174199424215107722010-11-09T22:29:04.788-05:002010-11-09T22:29:04.788-05:00Wow, thank you so much for this post Matt, and to ...Wow, thank you so much for this post Matt, and to everyone for the comments. I am so touched. So so so touched. I don't really know what to say to everyone, except thanks for being a part of my life! I'm lucky to be a part of such a supportive writing community. <br /><br />Luckily we aren't saying goodbye, and I know we'll continue to see each other around the Internet and hopefully in person! But really, everyone, thank you so much it means so much to me.Nathan Bransfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17938449789819847825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-47877344320133964142010-11-09T22:07:43.334-05:002010-11-09T22:07:43.334-05:00This is a great post, Matt. Thank you so much for ...This is a great post, Matt. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I like learning more about you. =)<br /><br />Nathan has made a profound impact on the writing community. I'll miss his presence, too, but in the same vein, I'm really excited for him!Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11640509596922335617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-31852556202267938192010-11-09T21:45:26.018-05:002010-11-09T21:45:26.018-05:00The poignancy of your post has left me in awe. You...The poignancy of your post has left me in awe. You're absolutely right in the one underlying message you implied without ever really saying. "You never know what you have until it's gone."<br /><br />And I too have at times given up on my writing. It never gave up on me, though, and I will never make the mistake of giving up on it ever again.Jeff Beeslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17935580053176710609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-80958433091635313992010-11-09T21:37:11.737-05:002010-11-09T21:37:11.737-05:00You said this beautifully. I wish Nathan all the b...You said this beautifully. I wish Nathan all the best in his future endeavors - and I am grateful for all that he has done, and continues to do, for the writing community.<br /><br />Odd that in one sense I feel like some major shift has happened, but at the same time, Nathan's blog is still there, and it is still as good as it ever was. It's just a writer's blog now, instead of an agent's blog. Nothing has really changed for me, even though it feels like it has. I'm sure that will wear off, though, as time marches on and the blog continues to be as brilliant as it has always been.<br /><br />I never knew your story before now - thanks for sharing it.Ishta Mercuriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17776946702988283453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-81636289534400721592010-11-09T21:30:54.474-05:002010-11-09T21:30:54.474-05:00Awesome post Matt. I know Nathan's announcemen...Awesome post Matt. I know Nathan's announcement rocked many when they read it, and I think the publishing industry will miss him deeply. Fabulous, fabulous way of honoring all of his contributions, and even though I knew a lot of your story, it was nice to learn even more. Thanks for sharing!Shannon Messengerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08003607156860716462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-13493614414172923952010-11-09T21:12:08.902-05:002010-11-09T21:12:08.902-05:00Great post. Nathan leaves a big hole in the publis...Great post. Nathan leaves a big hole in the publishing side of business, but at the same time I'm happy to see him move forward in a direction that makes him happy. Too, now that he's no longer an agent, I think he'll be able to really enjoy the aspect of being an author when his children's book comes out soon.Angela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-20491240459395069382010-11-09T21:05:47.954-05:002010-11-09T21:05:47.954-05:00wonderful post, Matt :) I let out an audible gasp ...wonderful post, Matt :) I let out an audible gasp when I read he was leaving agenting :) I read several agents' blogs but his is the only one I have delivered to my mail box every day and I am very grateful he has decided to keep that going. :) this is an awesome tribute to a truly awesome agent :)Michelle McLeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08730366330276974943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-78881720415307683482010-11-09T19:50:40.997-05:002010-11-09T19:50:40.997-05:00Anytime Quill. I hope you know that you are one of...Anytime Quill. I hope you know that you are one of my very favorites from the forums, even if you don't blog!Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-44054011854840552192010-11-09T19:36:38.465-05:002010-11-09T19:36:38.465-05:00Nice post, Matt. I join others feeling emotional a...Nice post, Matt. I join others feeling emotional about the transition -- yeah, I know Nathan's going to still be around!! -- and your post makes it all go down a little better. Feel for Bryan and others who have worked closer with him than I. All I can say is that when I stumbled onto Nathan's forums, I had a profound feeling of coming home. I'm sure it will remain my writing home and that the writing community Nathan attracted around himself will continue, and for that I am glad. An amazing bunch of people, not the least of which is you, Matthew. I enjoy popping in here, too, and seeing what you're doing. Thanks for all the honesty you put out and the networking you do, too.Quillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16171968118460814001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-11681851731398319772010-11-09T19:32:14.261-05:002010-11-09T19:32:14.261-05:00Sounds like he's following his calling.Sounds like he's following his calling.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-52946219329544547802010-11-09T19:23:44.945-05:002010-11-09T19:23:44.945-05:00I was a total & complete newbie when I stumble...I was a total & complete newbie when I stumbled onto first Agent Query & second Nathan's blog. Heaven sent, both of them. I totally agree with everything you said. Nathan's kindness, humanity, and willingness to help have given us all so much. I wish him the best - he so deserves it!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-47022803269954972052010-11-09T16:50:42.478-05:002010-11-09T16:50:42.478-05:00this world need more people like Nathan!this world need more people like Nathan!DEZMONDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127166104359407763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-17806696114765681962010-11-09T16:25:04.600-05:002010-11-09T16:25:04.600-05:00I can't tell you how much I feel the same as y...I can't tell you how much I feel the same as you. He has taught me more through his blog than I thought I would ever know. It is like having a mentor and never knowing them.M.A. Lesliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00345656231366226417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-36377439365494587772010-11-09T15:56:09.854-05:002010-11-09T15:56:09.854-05:00Thanks for the kind words, Matt. Much appreciated....Thanks for the kind words, Matt. Much appreciated.<br /><br />And maybe you'll just have to start wearing orange shirts everywhere. Problem solved.Bryan Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09555071335245492790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-89568152233766148432010-11-09T15:20:35.160-05:002010-11-09T15:20:35.160-05:00Awesome post. Nathan is still a legend in my mind....Awesome post. Nathan is still a legend in my mind.Nicole Zoltackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07464800543376449290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-21469853115161024442010-11-09T15:16:06.347-05:002010-11-09T15:16:06.347-05:00Awww but NB is still gonna blog and keep up with h...Awww but NB is still gonna blog and keep up with his forums and be a really nice super sweet guy so all is good!! And he'll be writing books too - so that's great!!! And his knowledge and expertise that he has kindly shared with everyone is enshrined digitally so that to is all good! <br /><br />Thanks for sharing a little bit of history about yourself Matthew Rush!!! <br /><br />Take care<br />xOld Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-78985560825378104012010-11-09T14:42:40.346-05:002010-11-09T14:42:40.346-05:00That was an amazing post.
You're right. It&#...That was an amazing post. <br /><br />You're right. It's great to find a professional with the time (even if they have to invent it) and inclination to answer questions. I've found a couple like this, and their input and answers have helped me immensely.<br /><br />I think most of the people who frequent Nathan's blog had him on their "to query" list, so we're all a little (selfishly) bummed that querying's not an option anymore. <br /><br />The advice and confidence you reaped from contact with Nathan and those on his forums still maintains its value, and will come in handy no matter who you choose to submit to.<br /><br />YAY for finding your love of writing again. I know how hard it can be to summon a muse or even the want for one when life gets dark. It takes a lot to realize that part of that darkness comes because we've shut off our own light by distancing ourselves from what we love most, which is writing. <br /><br />Writers are lucky that way. Yes, we're weird and eccentric and routinely talk to people who don't exist, but we can create our own happiness. When the world doesn't provide it, we have the option of creating a new world to hide in for a little while.<br /><br />(And I'm totally jealous that it's Machu Picchu in the background of that pictures. That's one of my all time "places to see before I die".)Josin L. McQueinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05751043333147850336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-13342198258776953042010-11-09T14:27:23.801-05:002010-11-09T14:27:23.801-05:00This post is amazing. I'm going to read it aga...This post is amazing. I'm going to read it again. <br /><br />And to be honest. I'm probably going to read it once more after that.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12096764010151024050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-62116985149251907262010-11-09T14:03:52.613-05:002010-11-09T14:03:52.613-05:00I applaud your openness and sincerity - it shines ...I applaud your openness and sincerity - it shines through every word in this post. Nathan will be missed by many!K. M. Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07167022736028223997noreply@blogger.com