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Monday, August 25, 2008
Exclusives and Literary Agents
First off, definition: an exclusive means just what it sounds like. You are giving an agent the opportunity to consider your work exclusively and you are agreeing that you will not submit to another agent until you've heard "yea" or "nay" from that agent. Sometimes exclusives are open-ended, sometimes there's a time period attached.
Feelings about exclusives vary wildly among agents, so please take my feelings as my own and not as any kind of industry standard. There is no standard when it comes to exclusives. It's a veritable Wild West run by nonconformist anarchists.
I'm going to break down my thoughts on exclusives based on the different stages when they might arise and give you some dos and don'ts along the way:
Query stage: Agents expect that you're querying simultaneously and widely, and frankly, if they don't, they should. If you're querying agents one-by-one I hope you plan to live as long as Methuselah because that's how long you're going to be querying. Remember to target your agent search, personalize your queries, and don't query the entire agent world all at once, but also don't needlessly slow down your search by waiting on exclusive queries.
Now, you might give your first-pick agent first crack, say.... oh, I don't know, a certain agent who will get back to you within 24 hours if you submit on a weekday, and you might mention that you're querying them first, but mentioning that it's an exclusive is not necessary, and don't give them forever to get back to you before you move on to the other agents you plan to query.
Partial or full manuscript request stage: Some agents will ask you for an exclusive when they ask for your partial or full. Whether you choose to grant this is up to you, but I would strongly, strongly advise against granting an open-ended exclusive that ties you up forever. 30 days is a reasonable time period for an agent to consider a partial or full exclusively, after which you should feel free to send your manuscript to any agents who have inquired in the meantime (and keep in mind that submitting your partial exclusively does not preclude you from continuing to query other agents, although it does mean that you have to put any agents who ask for a partial on hold until the period of exclusivity is up).
You are within your rights to (politely) decline their request for an exclusive, in which case you may simply write that you would prefer to continue sending your manuscript to interested agents but hope they will still consider your work. Or you can decide to grant it. Up to you. But keep in mind a few things: 1) You can't grant an exclusive if another agent is already considering your partial or full manuscript (and you should let the inquiring agent know this.) 2) Some agents feel that if they are going to take the time to read a manuscript they want to do so with the understanding that the author is not going to be swept away by another agent in the meantime (thus wasting the time they spent reading that partial), and they may well decline to consider your partial on a nonexclusive basis.
So when faced with an exclusive request, you have a decision to make: possibly alienate the agent or try and keep your options open? That's a decision only you can make. No matter what you decide though, be exceedingly polite, and always notify any agent considering your work when you have an offer of representation.
Revisions: I don't generally ask for exclusives at the partial or even full manuscript request phase. But there is one situation when I often will. And that's during a revision.
It's very time consuming for an agent to read partials and fulls, although I see it as going with the territory. But a revision with a prospective client takes time-consuming to a whole new level. It means a serious commitment on the part of the agent without a sure prospect of success, it means committing to reading a manuscript multiple times, taking notes, thinking about the manuscript during most waking hours, and for me it means writing 10-20 page e-mails full of suggestions on each draft.
I don't know if there would be anything more gut-wrenching than to embark on a time-consuming revision to improve the manuscript only to have an author take that improved manuscript to a different agent who gets to benefit from my hours of hard work. Quel horreur! The mere thought of this happening gives me dry heaves.
Fortunately this hasn't actually happened to me, but just to make sure we're all clear what a full manuscript revision means, I often ask for an exclusive before embarking on a revision, and I think this is fair. When the author is done, if either of us aren't happy with the manuscript or how we've worked together in the process then we're still free to go our separate ways, but while we're working on that revision we're going steady, pinning each other, and any other serious dating metaphor you can find. If we are happy with the manuscript at the end, then it's time to move on to formal representation and submissions.
Ultimately, the thing to remember about exclusives is that agents mainly ask for them for peace of mind and efficiency. Agents are busy and they want to know that when they are reading something they don't have to worry about having an author swept out from under them and having that time wasted. But they aren't always advantageous for an author because they can limit an author's choice and stall the process.
Be selective about how you grant exclusives, and make sure there's a time limit affixed.
67 comments:
- Renee Collins said...
So, if an agent asks for an exclusive while reading a partial or full, how do you go about setting the terms?
Do you email them and say, "Sure, you can have a one month exclusive."
Or would you send the partial and include a line in the cover letter that said they have a one month exclusive?
- August 25, 2008 at 1:46 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I'd put it in the form of a question, because the agent would need to agree to a time limit as well. But unless you hear differently from the agent in response to your question, that's how long the exclusive lasts.
- August 25, 2008 at 1:50 PM
- Joanne said...
Thanks for the agent's viewpoint. Knowing these things helps the writer to make an exclusive decision as well. I think it gives the writer a certain peace of mind too, knowing the agent is serious enough about their work to request this.
- August 25, 2008 at 1:51 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I don't know that I would always characterize an exclusive request as a reflection of seriousness on the part of an agent. For a manuscript revision absolutely, I don't embark upon those lightly, but other times agents ask for exclusives as a matter of course, not because they think they're looking at a hot property. It's sometimes tough to know the difference, but I wouldn't always see them as a sign of extra-seriousness.
- August 25, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Very informative! Thanks, Nathan.
And totally off topic - anyone ever have a day when they are super excited about getting a lot done on a manuscript, only to have your area of the state bombarded by tornado warnings? I've been glued to the tv/computer/radio all morning and have only written a few lines of dialogue in between the tornado warnings.
Who can write with the weather radio alarm sounding every 20 minutes?? It's very distracting and VERY unsettling.. thankfully, none of those tornadoes have touched the ground yet!
anyway.. sorry.. the storms make me nervous, so I felt the need to vent. :)
- August 25, 2008 at 2:02 PM
This isn't directly related to exclusivity, but it is of a similar nature. When you/your agency offer a writer a contract for representation, is it standard wording to say that representation of said work is 'irrevocable'?
- August 25, 2008 at 2:05 PM
- Elyssa Papa said...
Joanne, I'm seconding Nathan here. (Not that his comment needs any further validation). Last year, I queried an agent on manuscript #1, and she asked for an exclusive to read the first one hundred pages. There were no sample pages, and I didn't want to grant an exclusive because a) I was still querying and b) it was out with other agents. She had no problem in not granting me an exclusive and still asked to see the pages. So most times it's just that particular agent's policy to ask for an exclusive.
However, I wouldn't hesitate to grant an exclusive to agent who wanted revisions done on the manuscript. My hope would be that he or she would sign me after those changes were made.
Nathan, some of my friends have signed with an agent who then suggests revisions for the manuscript to get it ready for submissions. So what makes one agent want to sign a client (knowing that revisions will need to be made)m and another agent asking for revisions before anything is signed? Have you signed clients then had them revise before the submission process?
- August 25, 2008 at 2:08 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Truthfully I haven't seen very many author/agency agreements because I haven't really had cause to, but what I understand to be standard is a situation where if an agent sells your work they are entitled to commission for the lifetime of that contract, whether you leave the agency in the meantime or not. That's standard, and prevents situations where an author just leaves an agency to get out of the commission on a deal the agency negotiated fair and square.
Now, from what I also understand there is varying language about what rights an agency has to works they have submitted on your behalf, but I'm probably not the best person to ask about this because I haven't seen very many different agreements.
- August 25, 2008 at 2:10 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
That's a very good question, and opinions vary. Typically I prefer to work on the revisions first because it's a learning process for both of us, and I personally think it's the most fair way of going about things. At the end of the revision process we'll have a much better sense of how we work together and whether the manuscript is in a shape we're both happy with, so it's an easier decision about whether to proceed with representation. If it's not working for one or both of us, we can go our separate ways. If it is working then we can both feel very confident about moving forward with formalizing the representation.
But attitudes towards this differ. Some agents prefer to sign up the author first and revise second so they know they will see the fruits of that revision, others are like me and take a wait-and-see approach.
- August 25, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Oh, I see. Thanks, Nathan. What option does an author have if his or her work isn't sold by said agency? S/he can't look anywhere else for a publisher if the agency has the rights. Correct?
- August 25, 2008 at 2:22 PM
- Dan said...
Nathan, was your open forum blog on Thursday was just an excuse to avoid working?
And, you should develop a reality TV show for aspiring authors. I'm thinking a cross between AMERICAN IDOL (gotta have talent) and SURVIVOR (because I need to be amused somehow by starving artists). What do you think?
- August 25, 2008 at 2:26 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
It depends on the specifics of the agreement, so as always, know what you sign.
- August 25, 2008 at 2:29 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I never use the blog to avoid working!! Everything you're seeing here is in addition to working, and I never dally. I know you were joking, but just want to make sure to mention that.
I'm afraid a reality show based on my life would be terribly boring. "Here's Nathan staring at his computer. Oh! He's typing! Here's Nathan reading his Kindle. (Six hours later....) Nathan is still reading his Kindle."
- August 25, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Hi Nathan -
Slightly tangentially, but still on the subject of exclusives, can I ask what factors is an agent considering when deciding whether to submit their clients' work exclusively to one editor, or simultaneously to several editors?
I've done a quick search and don't think this has been covered in a previous blog-post, but please feel free to point me in the right direction if it has. Thanks!
- August 25, 2008 at 2:46 PM
- Ulysses said...
Assume that a writer has granted an exclusive to one agent as a response to one of a number of queries, but then another asks for a partial. Is it alright to say, "I'm sorry, but I can't send you the pages right now... someone else is looking at them. I'll send them along as soon as I can?"
Does anyone feel slighted by that kind of response?
- August 25, 2008 at 2:55 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
That depends a lot on the particular project, and it's tough to generalize, but I'll try and make that a subject of a future post.
- August 25, 2008 at 2:56 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Yes, that's what you have to say, and I don't think the agent would be annoyed at you directly (they might annoyed at the other agent or just frustrated they don't get to look at your work immediately, depending on their stance on exclusives).
- August 25, 2008 at 2:57 PM
- Dan said...
Your work ethic is commendable, though coming from me that admittedly doesn't mean much, as I am the still easily impressed with shiny things and parlor tricks.
However, your vanity leaves something to be desired! The reality show wouldn't be about you, it'd be about a group of writers.
Though if you wanted to pull a Simon Cowell (or Donald Trump, or any other ego maniacal TV personality) and hijack the show, you probably could. And you could make them play an NBA team (here's your chance to meet the Kings!) to learn some talent is just natural.
- August 25, 2008 at 3:06 PM
- Joanne said...
Seems like it's usually policy then, except for the revision exclusives. Thanks for the insight, Nathan and Elyssa.
- August 25, 2008 at 3:11 PM
But what happens when you are involved with an agent for 9 months, doing endless revisions (3 rounds) w/o formal representation.
At what point is it okay to say, ENOUGH is enough and still have your dignity?
And will there be forever a black mark next to your name if you say you are done with revisions and go out on your own?
- August 25, 2008 at 3:33 PM
- April said...
This is sort of related...to the query stage. If I query an agent who says they normally respond within 24 hours, and I've heard nothing in over 2 weeks, should I send an email requesting whether or not they've received the query, or should I resend the query? I know that, since it's an equery, the chances of something crazy happening in cyber space are good. I'm just not sure what the proper etiquette here is. Thanks!
- August 25, 2008 at 3:41 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Well, first, I'd hardly consider 3 rounds of revisions "endless." I'd call that "standard" or "average."
But ultimately, if you're not satisfied working with the agent, you can leave whenever you want. You just need to let the agent know you wish you take the manuscript in a different direction. Exclusive just means as long as you and the agent are working together on the manuscript. An agent may be miffed that they are losing out, but if you haven't signed anything it's up to you to end the relationship if you want.
But an agent's attention can be a precious thing, and if they've worked with you for that long it shows a great deal of commitment. Don't get so caught up in the rush to get your work published that you give up on a good thing.
- August 25, 2008 at 3:42 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
First, make sure and check your spam filter. If it's a query you sent me, re-send the query with a note that you originally sent it on X date and hadn't heard back. If it's a query you sent another agent, unless they specifically say to follow up, they might be following the "I'll respond if interested" policy.
- August 25, 2008 at 3:45 PM
- Elyssa Papa said...
April, requery the agent and let them know you queried them at such and such a date.
- August 25, 2008 at 3:46 PM
- Elyssa Papa said...
Of course make sure it's at an appropriate time frame you query them (usually six weeks).
- August 25, 2008 at 3:47 PM
re: Anon 12:33's comment on endless revisions -- while I don't consider 3 revisions to be "endless" I do think an agent continuing to revise with you for a whopping NINE months without giving you a clue if they are going to represent you is a little obscene.
*Nathan -- I love the new "Churchill" book cover on the side of your blog. Really nice composition and colors.
- August 25, 2008 at 3:58 PM
- JES said...
Thanks for another in a chain of informative posts!
About exclusivity during revisions: no doubt it ranges all over the map, but just out of curiosity -- what scope of revisions are we talking about here? Is there a rule of thumb an author can use to gauge, y'know, "This agent wants to represent an entirely different book than the one I offered"?
Another commenter mentioned three rounds of revisions spread over several months; you didn't seem to think that was excessive or unusual. Still, even though the agent is surely "committing" at some level -- i.e., assuming part of the risk -- and that's not to be sneezed at, it seems that the writer is assuming a disproportionate part of the risk in the event the relationship doesn't work out.
(Thanks again.)
- August 25, 2008 at 4:03 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Glad you like the cover of CHURCHILL BY HIMSELF!
Although disagree slightly about the agent not letting anon know about whether they will represent them. An agent can't send something out until they are 100% comfortable with a manuscript, and if they're working with the author on revisions the book might just not be there yet. Given the uncertainty of the revision process, the agent may be fervently hoping the manuscript will get there, but they might not be certain, and promising that they will represent a manuscript that they might not feel would be ready would be disingenuous.
This may absolutely be the topic of a future post, because sometimes the most serious agents are not the ones who are banging down the door offering representation, but rather the ones who are being up front with the author that they don't think the manuscript is ready and think the author should take some more time with the manuscript.
If an agent has spent 9 months with an author on a manuscript, they're serious. It's the author's prerogative to decide whether to stay or go after all that time, but it's not the agent's fault for not yet offering representation.
- August 25, 2008 at 4:05 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I also slightly disagree about the risk factor involved in revisions. With an extensive revision, at worst the author is getting extensive free professional advice from an agent that most likely will result in an improved manuscript. Even if the author spends all that time and it doesn't result in an offer of representation, 90% of the time they've left the manuscript in a better shape. I don't see the downside for the author -- it's the agent who is out that time if the author walks.
- August 25, 2008 at 4:06 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
Hi, Nathan,
Thank you so much for your blog post today. That answers so many questions for me, and I like your flexible policy regarding exclusivity. I've read so many agents' and publishers' statements warning against simultaneous submissions that I really have wondered how old I might be by the time I find an agent if I literally follow that approach. Love your statement about an author ending up as old as Methuselah...because that's exactly how it feels to an author. :)
- August 25, 2008 at 4:09 PM
- H. L. Dyer said...
I'm glad I 'fessed up to the agent who requested an exclusive partial that I had other partials under review.
But, do you consider exclusives for partials and fulls to be... mutually exclusive? *snort*
This hasn't come up for me personally, but I've seen others puzzling over this... if someone has an exclusive full manuscript request, is the author allowed to honor other requests for partials?
This feels a bit shady to me personally, but I've heard people argue that an exclusive on a full only applies to requests for the full manuscript.
- August 25, 2008 at 4:16 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
If an agent has a full manuscript exclusively, no, the author wouldn't be able to then send out partials. Full means full -- they have an exclusive over the manuscript, essentially.
- August 25, 2008 at 4:21 PM
What if you didn't think to ask for a time line on an exclusive? Is there a set amount of time that I should wait before following up, or should I just be patient until they get back to me. This particular agent is a dream and the fact that they wanted the full from a query and sample pages makes me hopeful enough to not mind pausing in the query process, but I also have a few queries out from before the request and I'm a bit nervous about burning bridges if those agents request more material.
Any thoughts?
- August 25, 2008 at 4:57 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
If the agent has had it a couple of months there's no harm in politely checking in and say that you hope the agent will take all the time they need but that you would like to query other agents in the meantime and wonder if you may be released from the exclusivity. Then see what they say. Chances are they're going to be understanding.
- August 25, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Hi Nathan, enjoyed your podcast. In reading about exclusives for revisions, it makes me wonder something. I was invited into an agent's office where he suggested revisions, all of which I made. Right after this, I had a request from a top agent somewhere else and with the advice of Editorial Anonymous, I let him know this, telling him my loyalty was with him, even though no exclusive was mentioned. But after two months of his having the revisions, I put a tad of pressure on him, saying I needed an answer. Was this the wrong thing to do? He advised me to go with the other agent, who rejected it in two days! We are now in touch and perhaps he will consider it again. What's your opinion?
- August 25, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Time is tricky. To a writer working to get published, nine months seems like forever.
While it is very generous for an agent to offer revision notes, there is risk on both sides w/o formal representation.
The agent can also say, "not for me" after all the revisions are finished.
Yes, the writer has (hopefully) a better book, but also has to start over with the search for an agent. What if a new agent on the scene wants something entirely different? And to go a little further, what if an editor sees the book differently, but the writer is so worn out with revisions by then, she can't see the story for all the words?
I would very much love a whole blog post on the subject of revisions w/o representation.
Thank you, Nathan!
"endless revisions" anon
- August 25, 2008 at 5:04 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Usually it's not necessary to let an agent know another agent is considering your material unless you are dealing with an exclusive or you have an actual offer of representation. As long as you handled everything professionally and politely I doubt you burned any bridges though.
- August 25, 2008 at 5:04 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
All due respect, nine months feels like a lot to an author, but it's an eye-blink in this industry. I'll definitely post soon on unagented revisions.
But sure, a future agent may want something different, but that's true with any version of any manuscript. An agent's attention is a valuable thing!
If you disagree with the suggestions for revision, then that's one thing. But if they're good, keep at it. Impatience isn't a reason to pass up on a good thing.
- August 25, 2008 at 5:08 PM
- Jude Hardin said...
This isn't directly related to exclusivity, but it is of a similar nature. When you/your agency offer a writer a contract for representation, is it standard wording to say that representation of said work is 'irrevocable'?
The contract I signed is binding for one year. After that, either party can bow out with a registered letter giving 30 days notice. Correct me if I'm wrong, Nathan, but I think that's a pretty standard author/agent arrangement.
- August 25, 2008 at 5:32 PM
- JES said...
Nathan --
Even if the author spends all that time and it doesn't result in an offer of representation, 90% of the time they've left the manuscript in a better shape.
That's a good and important point. Thanks for mentioning it!
- August 25, 2008 at 5:32 PM
- Jude Hardin said...
I should have said either party can bow out after a year if the book doesn't sell in that time.
If it sells, then of course the agency gets commissions on it forever.
- August 25, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Hi Nathan,
I posted a question about exclusivity in the query phase under the open thread forum, and just wanted to make sure I was clear on your thoughts.
Two specific questions--do you think an agent takes a query more seriously if she's been designated as a writer's "top" agent choice and given an exclusive?
Is six weeks too long (or too short) for an exclusive, given an agent who wants to see a lot of pages (50) in the query phase? I wouldn't want to annoy her by not giving her enough reading time.
- August 25, 2008 at 5:47 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I think an agent may give something slightly more of a look if they know the author targeted specifically and they're the author's first choice, although I think you can convey that without offering them an exclusive.
Personally I don't think an author should grant an exclusive longer than a month, but the requesting agent has to agree to that as well.
- August 25, 2008 at 5:50 PM
I've never had an agent ask for an exclusive, however I did have one ask to "be notified immediatly if another agent requests the manuscript". Now I had taken that to mean my full, but if, as you said, the full and the partial are essentially the same, should I notify her that someone has asked for a partial?
- August 25, 2008 at 5:53 PM
- Kimber An said...
Mr. Bransford said: "2) Some agents feel that if they are going to take the time to read a manuscript they want to do so with the understanding that the author is not going to be swept away by another agent in the meantime (thus wasting the time they spent reading that partial), and they may well decline to consider your partial on a nonexclusive"
It seems to me if the agent is really interested she won't decline to read the manuscript even if the author declines to grant the requested exclusive. If she's truly interested, she'll make the time to read it in a timely manner. She won't let it get away. Since I want an enthusiastic agent, I wouldn't be bummed if she passed because I wouldn't grant an exclusive.
I'm not saying I wouldn't grant an exclusive in any case, but Ms. Snark always said to put a time limit on it.
Highly educational post today, Mr. Bransford. Thanks!
- August 25, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Great post Nathan - Here's a question that's somewhat off the subject, but related. Let's say a nonfiction author sends selective queries and receives positive responses early on, including a few proposal requests and further partial requests... One of the agents who requested the proposal and partial was author's first-choice agent -- the author thought it would be a long shot to land this agent but was thrilled to get into a spirited back-and-forth during a very positive query process... Anyhow, that agent ended up declining in the end, though was quite apologetic and complimentary to the author.
Then, in round two of querying, a fourth agent thought of a new way author could approach the project. Author likes the new idea and is rewriting the proposal and some sample chapters. Agent #4 did not ask author for an 'exclusive' per se, but now that author has a hot new proposal, author wants to bring it back to the first agent who was really interested in the beginning (that agent has said that it's OK to re-query a revised project the agent has previously showed interest in).
So: What responsibility does author have to Agent #4 who thought of the revised new angle for the project? With great effort by the author, the project is taking a new and better turn. Author wants to send the revised project back to Agent #4, but also wants to revive query process with Agent #1 ... Does the author have a responsibility to say anything more to Agent #4 than the fact that "other agents are still considering this project..." ?
Sorry so long winded!
- August 25, 2008 at 7:37 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Well, let's just say you're lucky I'm not Miss Snark because I suspect she would have gone to town on you for that one.
Are you under any technical or legal obligation to Agent 4? No. But taking Agent 4's advice and then running back to another agent would be a seriously classless move, and Agent 4 would be royally (and justifiably) pissed off at you forever. Unless you come to the good-faith and honest conclusion that you can't work with Agent 4, you owe it to them to see it through if they gave you the suggestion that put the proposal over the top. If you took the advice and ran, not only could Agent 1 very well still reject you, but you would be burning a bridge and your name would be sullied in some parts of a small business. If Agent 4 in the end declines to rep you? Then you can go back to Agent 1 and keep going with the new proposal.
And yes, all of this still applies even if the words "exclusive" were never exchanged. This is actually precisely why I ask for an exclusive, just so we're all clear on the scenario. Some agents trust that authors won't ditch them for another agent if they give good advice, but I tend to be more cautious.
Don't lose sight of the Golden Rule in the rush to get yourself published. I suspect if an agent took your idea and gave it to another author you wouldn't be pleased. Same goes with the reverse.
- August 25, 2008 at 8:00 PM
- Adaora A. said...
This really clears things up greatly. I've always wondered the difference between being asked for exclusivity at the partial stage and further on from that. It really is great to hear your perspective. Thanks a lot for this.
- August 25, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Good advice nathan and thanks for not pulling my eyes out of their sockets. This is the answer I suspected you'd give and needed to hear it. I'm not going to get greedy. I like the analogy of not wanting an agent to take my idea to another author. Fortunately, I'm not in a rush, which is probably why the new package is looking so good. Thanks for the honesty!
-Author with Egg on Face
- August 25, 2008 at 8:31 PM
- Lynne said...
Hi Nathan, moving to a different topic, do you think you could address two questions?
1 - a preface is needed, less than a page. Annoying?
2 - in terms of 'time' the book is not truly historical, due to amalgamation of kingdoms. Does this put the book into the genre of fantasy?
Thanks always!
- August 25, 2008 at 9:09 PM
- Bethanne said...
Speaking of Churchill. I watched an really cool PBS program hosted by his granddaughter... about travelling through his last days[or years]. It was really good. I even got a little teary-eyed at the end there.
Sooo, if I query asking about the color of your Letter Jacket, is that too obvious??? LOL
- August 25, 2008 at 9:24 PM
- Kara said...
Hi Nathan,
This post couldn't have come at a better time. I received a letter today asking for a completed manucscript for 4-6 weeks exclusively. I'm super excited because it's my first request for anything more than 10 pages. I do have a question. While I've finished the novel to the best of MY ability, I had a copy editor look it over while I was waiting to hear back from agents. I have made revisions to the first 1/3, have the middle 1/3 being looked at now with the final 1/3 on deck. The changes have been minor; commas, subject/verb agreement, ver tense shifting, typos, that sort of stuff. Should I wait until ALL of it is finished, or send what I have now? What are your thoughts?
- August 25, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Thanks, Nathan, you're a star. :)
- August 25, 2008 at 10:36 PM
- Robin Connelly said...
speaking of queries...Is it a good idea to mention how long you've been working on the book? I could see advantages and disadvantages to mentioning the time, from being seen as consistant and seeing believing in your own work or being seen as a slow writer who will produce work only once in a blue moon instead of on a consistent basis. I was wondering what your thoughts were.
- August 26, 2008 at 12:21 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
No, you could have taken 10 years or 10 days, the only thing that matters to me is whether the book is good.
- August 26, 2008 at 12:56 AM
- the Amateur Book Blogger said...
This is a real insight - I had no idea that agents worked so hard with potentially unsigned authors on revisions - kudos to all those selfless hours.
- August 26, 2008 at 4:49 AM
- Tracey S. Rosenberg said...
Thanks so much for this post. I still feel a bit bewildered at the 'revisions, then representation' sequence - that an agent would invest so much time in asking for specific revisions when there's no guarantee that the ms will end up in sellable condition. On the other hand, I suppose that protects the agent in case the final version of the ms doesn't float their boat (or if the writer turns out to be difficult to work with). Seems to me that the bulk of the risk lies with the agent.
I would be thrilled for such close attention to the ms. I know it has flaws but I'm not sure how to fix them! Even if I don't agree with what the agent says, I'd respect their critical opinion.
- August 26, 2008 at 6:37 AM
I'm chming in late, but thought my story might be of interest:
I had a few friends give me referrals to their agents, so I queried those agents first--several weeks before I officially started querying (because of the time of year, I wasn't in any particular hurry).
Then I started querying in earnest. I was lucky; I got a few full requests very quickly.
Then I queried "Agent B". Agent B responded within three hours of my query asking for the full with a week's exclusive.
The fact that it was only a week made me very hopeful; I liked that Agent B wasn't going to hold my ms indefinitely. Also, Agent B was one of my dream agents, a big mover at a big important agency.
But of course I couldn't grant Agent B the exclusive.
So I sent the full ms anyway, with a note saying unfortunately there were several other agents reviewing the full, but that I would hate to miss the opportunity towork with her/him so I hoped s/he would be willing to still read.
Agent B replied that s/he would still read but that it put him/her in a slightly difficult position as s/he generally only read exclusives because s/he couldn't devote time to reading if the book was going elsewhere.
Obviously I had a choice to make. And since the future was uncertain I made it.
I replied, assuring Agent B that I was not interested in playing agents off each other and I would of course take any offer from him/her extremely seriously, and that I hoped to hear from Agent B soon.
I had an offer from Agent B by the end of the week, and although it still makes me feel a little guilty, and although there are people who would say it was the wrong thing, I took it. It was obvious Agent B was tearingly enthusiastic, and that was important to me. It was also obvious Agent B would view a "Can you wait a week" as a sign that my enthusiasm wasn't there, and I could possibly lose the offer.
Of course if I hadn't liked Agent B on the phone and liked her/his enthusiasm for the project and for me as a writer, I might have gone the other way. But I didn't, and while I feel guilty I certainly don't regret it.
(BTW, two of the agents who had the full responded to my "I've accepted representation" with cheerful congrats and "Keep me in mind if you're ever looking for a new agent", which was very nice of them.)
Anyway. That was my little story.
I still suspect that if I hadn't gone ahead and sent the ms with my "Can't give an exclusive" email, Agent B might have gone the other way. I could be wrong. But man, s/he had requested it and I was going to shove it into his/her hands, you bet! Lol.
- August 26, 2008 at 6:48 AM
- Kim Kasch said...
Just wanted to pop by and say I listened to the Podcast at Bleaker Books. Thanks for doing these sorts of things for all us wannabe writers.
- August 26, 2008 at 10:19 AM
I had an agent read my full ms, give me a lot of great suggestions and then agree to read a full revision. The agent loved the revised draft but wanted to put together more comments/concerns before going any further. The agent then took me along when he started his own agency as a potential client. It's been two years and he has not gotten back to me although still says he is interested. He did not ask for an exclusive so I have been querying other agents and two have asked to see the full manuscript. Do I need to tell the new agents about the first one who is still considering me? Or is this a don't ask, don't tell situation? Or do I just wait till someone actually offers representation? Thanks. Lisa
- August 26, 2008 at 10:43 AM
I had an agent ask for a four-week exclusive on a partial. It's been six weeks and I haven't heard a thing, despite sending them a self-addressed stamped envelope. Should I email to inquire as to the status, assume they're not interested or give them more time?
- August 26, 2008 at 11:06 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
If it's been two years, pretend like it's a "no," even if he hasn't really said so.
Check the FAQs on the front page for information on following up with agents.
- August 26, 2008 at 11:15 AM
- RED STICK WRITER said...
I once passed on granting an exclusive. The primary reason was that I had at least one partial out and didn't think I really could grant the request. As soon as I declined, the agent passed on giving me a read. I realize they get to chose, and I'm okay with that, but this one was sort of haughty about it, as if I didn't also have a choice in the matter.
- August 26, 2008 at 12:30 PM
I think it's a little sad-having to ask for exclusivity during a revision. As a writer, I've accepted your professional help and you, you've bought my loyalty by helping me and my manuscript. And unless major conflicts arise and we don't fit-I'm going to accept an offer you make over others. It should have been implicit when I agreed to accept your help, no?
- August 26, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Nathan, I can't find a clear answer one way or another for this and I'm stressing out about it. The first agent I queried requested my full ms (which was wonderful!), but since I'm expecting it to be a couple months at least before the agent gets back to me, should I keep sending queries out or should I wait? If I keep sending them and I get another request for a partial or full ms, do I tell the newer agent that someone already has the full ms even if they don't request an exclusive? If so do I also tell them who the first agent is?
- September 9, 2008 at 3:56 AM
- Phil the subject-verb guy said...
I wonder if the same is true in the screenwriting world...
- April 13, 2011 at 5:46 PM
Hi Nathan,
I recently granted an agent a one month exclusive on a partial, but followed your sage advice to continue querying other agents. Today I received a request for a FULL (first time this has happened, still in shock!), and my question is: do I let this agent know that I will not be able to send it to her for several weeks, because another agent currently has an exclusive?
Or, is it better to simply wait until the one-month exclusive is up, and send it to her at that point? I don't want to leave her hanging, but I have read elsewhere that an agent might be insulted to be told that they'll have to wait on getting a full because the MS is currently out on an exclusive.
- June 14, 2011 at 7:24 PM


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[Date Index]
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How to introduce a Functional with the results with Solve command?
I get the expression of urm which is a function of rom.
sol3=Solve[sol2 == 0, urm];
sol4[rom_] = sol3[[1]][[1]][[2]];
Because rom is a function of x1, I want to take the derivative of the following functional with respect of x1.
sol5[x1_]=3*rom -sol4[rom]
How should I do it?
If convenient, please send an email to
kaibinfu at gmail.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Jan. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Bloomberg Television's "Lunch Money" Host Matt Miller looks at the trustworthiness of big banks. (Source: Bloomberg)
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DHS officials confirmed for the first time that Russian hackers tried to penetrate voting systems in 21 different states in the run-up to the 2016 election, but said the hacking did not affect election results.
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Buying a vehicle is obviously a tough decision. Not only must consumers worry about the upfront cost, but sales taxes and registration fees can also blind-side the unprepared. Fortunately for buyers in Nebraska, the state government helps take some of the mystery out of car shopping.
In October 2005, the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles launched the Online Vehicle Tax Estimator, an application that lets users preview what they're in for if they make the purchase. The site is a Web form where people submit vehicle information, including the vehicle's year, identification number, purchase date and price, and the buyer's city and county of residence. The application then returns an estimate of the taxes and fees for the vehicle. A back-end module performs the calculations based on users' entries. The process takes only a few minutes.
"It's key to make sure that the consumers or the people that we'll be interfacing with understand all of the expenses related with purchasing that vehicle, and the registration and titling of that vehicle," said Keith Dey, manager of the DMV's Information Systems Division. "By allowing them to go online and see what the personal property tax bill is estimated to be, it helps them have a clear picture and make better purchasing decisions."
Nebraska's motor vehicle tax and fee system was implemented in 1998. Before that, citizens paid a state property tax levied annually at registration time. The tax commissioner assigned a value based on the average sales price of each vehicle's make, year and model, and then local governments determined a vehicle's tax rate against that value.
Today citizens pay both the tax and fee during registration, and the tax proceeds are shared among the city, county and school system where the vehicle was registered. Taxes decrease on a vehicle during its first 14 years, and then the owner pays nothing. But fees must be paid throughout a vehicle's life. The taxes and fees vary depending on a vehicle's weight, type and the manufacturer's suggested retail price etc. They apply not only to cars, but also to trucks, farm vehicle sand motorcycle owners.
With all this information to consider, it's no surprise citizens have questions for their county treasurers and the DMV. But the online estimator spares them from asking as often and cuts down the workloads for state and county employees.
"We've tried to give the citizens the opportunity to access information 24/7," said Beverly Neth, director of the DMV. "They don't rely upon us being here to answer the phone [and it] frees up our staff."
In 2007, the Nebraska Office of the Chief Information Officer nominated the estimator for the year's best government-to-citizen application in the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Recognition Awards. According to the submission, staff in county offices and the DMV reported receiving fewer calls from people requesting tax and registration estimates. County and state staff saved about 160 hours per month between the 2005 launch date and 2007.
The state receives comments and inquiries about the system through the DMV's Web site, Neth said.
"We've added a survey, so we're asking people, 'What kind of services are you accessing when you're on our Web site?' And lots of times, we're hearing, 'I use the Motor Vehicle Tax Estimator,' or 'I'm looking for it,'" she said.
How Things Came to Be
The application is managed by Nebraska Interactive, a subsidiary of NIC, a company that builds e-services for government clients. According to Nancy Beaton, NIC director of communications and investor relations, the company has relationships with 21 of 22 states that outsource their enterprise portals and is responsible for about 38,000 electronic applications. Nebraska


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After more than 80 years, the cars that bear the Porsche name still manage to give us goose-bumps every time. We spotted this "meteor metallic grey" 997 series (2005-present) trying to blend into the cobblestones of Soho. But it's pretty hard to miss those bright red brake calipers peeking out from behind 19″ Turbo wheels. And with a sub 4-second 0-60 time, this guy will be in Tribeca before you can blink.
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Easy Celery Root and Potato Puree
This easy side dish is an impressively tasteful (and uncomplicated) addition to any holiday meal.
- Prep:
- Total Time:
- Servings: 8
Source: Everyday Food, December 2008
- 4 pounds celery root (about 2 large), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 pound new potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Coarse salt
Set a steamer basket in a large pot. Fill with enough water to come just below basket; bring to a boil. Add celery root and potatoes; reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
Working in batches, transfer celery root, potatoes, half-and-half, and butter to a food processor; puree until smooth. Season with salt.


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If you want to live long, prosper, and have lots more sex …
posted at 2:22 pm on January 27, 2013 by Ed Morrissey
… get married, says Steven Crowder. In his latest column for Fox News, the newlywed reminds readers why the institution of marriage matters to adults, children, and society as a whole:
1. You'll be richer – Yes. Not only do married couples make more, save more, have a higher net worth and qualify for more benefits/financial incentives than lonely, single folk… but your kids will be richer too. Which brings me to my next point
2. Would somebody please think of the children!! – The single biggest indicator of child poverty is whether both original parents are still together. Not only that, but children in married households get better grades, are less disruptive in class and less likely to develop behavioral disorders than children from non-married households. So be married long and prosper. Your kids will too.
3. You'll have more sex… A LOT MORE SEX – Okay so you may not want kids. You may despise them. I get it. Sticky hands. Let's say you're just another selfish, narcissistic bachelor (or bachelorette) who quite frankly, isn't deserving of the unconditional love you may oh-so-luckily find. You just want the sex. Statistically, not only do married people have more sex, they have better, more satisfying sex. If the two of you should hold off on sex until marriage, those statistics become even more promising. Here's a perfect example of where Hollywood gets it wrong. In the real world, while Alfie fruitlessly toiled away at picking up harlots from the bar, suffering a mean case of whiskey-wiener, Mr. Cleaver was getting busy on the regular. Them's the real breaks.
4. You won't be such a pathetic sloth – Married people are more productive. Married men in particular, have higher employment rates, work longer hours and receive better wages. It's time to stop wading through puddles of your own filth as you reach for the hotpockets and have a dame whip you into shape. You're welcome..
I've always thought marriage was an incredibly good deal for both men and women. Be sure to read it all.


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Here's a Tip
Big tipper stops for lunch
By GRETYL MACALASTER
Union Leader Correspondent | December 11. 2013 7:12PM
Seth Collins of Lexington, Kentucky, right, surprised Portsmouth Gas Light Co. Pizza Pub waitress Taylor Dube with a $500 tip during the lunch buffet on Wednesday. (GRETYL MACALASTER/Union Leader Correspondent)
Collins has been traveling the country since June 18 giving $500 tips. His goal is to visit all 50 states.
Dube lives at home with her parents and 15-year-old brother in Dover. She has not yet figured out what she wants to do with her life, but it may involve working with children or in a health care setting. For now, she plans to put the gift away in a savings account.
"This is how we make our living, waitressing, and there are people who don't even tip, so it means a lot," Dube said.
Collins said he tries to pick affordable restaurants where an average family of four could dine. That often lands him in pizza places. In Portland, Maine, on Tuesday he tipped a waitress at the local Flatbread Pizza Company.
Before his life changed in 2012, Seth Collins said he was living a rather staid life as an IT professional in Kentucky. but always enjoyed traveling.
"If it inspires people to do good for other people, then that's enough for me," he said. "I don't have any expectations."
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Might get time to attach my Cruzer back armor this weekend. Been scanning over some old threads and getting some general ideas of how to attach the back armor. Are you guys using snaps and/or velcro like the rest of the armor?
Also, how many JP attachment points are you using? I always see the top two attachments but also see a bottom one at times.
Finally, what kinds of harness systems are you making for the JP and how are your wearing it? Of those, which one is considered movie accurate for Jango?


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NM to release records on Martinez husband's travel
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Department of Public Safety says it will release work and vacation schedules of officers who at taxpayer expense accompanied Gov. Susana Martinez's husband on an out-of-state trip.
DPS spokesman Tony Lynn said [auth] the records will be released as directed by Attorney General Gary King, the Albuquerque Journal reported Friday (http://bit.ly/XpvErK ).
Two state police officers accompanied Martinez's husband, Chuck Franco, on the 2011 hunting trip to Louisiana.
The documents had been requested under the Inspection of Public Records Act by the executive director of Independent Source PAC, a union-funded political group that has been sharply critical of the Martinez administration.
The department previously refused to release the records, saying protection of the governor and her family allowed the records to be withheld.
However, King said a state Supreme Court in June no longer allows records to be withheld when the government decides disclosure isn't in the public interest.
The June ruling stemmed from a request by the Republican Party for public records from the administration of former Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat.
"There was a major change in open government law this summer, and so while this exemption may have been allowed in the spring, that's no longer the case," said Gwyneth Doland, executive director of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.
Doland said records related to the state police officers' work must now be made public because there is no specific exemption related to the governor's security detail.
Corwin originally requested the records in April, after news reports that officers traveled with Franco.
While Franco paid his own trip expenses, the officers' travel costs, including expenses related to the car the three drove, were taxpayer-funded.
Martinez's office has said it is standard practice for a state-funded security detail to accompany the governor or her family on out-of-state travel for both state business and personal matters.
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text: Stylish Zig-Zag Carly Duster Style: 570065902 Out of Stock Love it? Everyone else did too. This item sold out! Use our search tool, chat online or call 1.888.855.4986 to find something equally desirable. Crazy for color in the drama of a duster. Scalloped cuffs and hem. Ribbed trim. Length: 35+". 60% cotton, 35% rayon, 5% Lurex ®. Machine Wash. Imported. Read More… Share on Facebook Tweet Pin


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I thought I'd share a recent thought I had about one of my favourite computer games (right now). The game is Fallout 3 and is set in the year 2277, 200 years after the world is destroyed by an atomic war. The creators of this game were suprisingly insightful it seems.
In the game you play the role of a young adult who was raised in a vault (an underground sealed community, locked away before the war. The door of the vault had never been opened since). I don't want to spoil the story so I'm not saying more
At an early point in the game you are forced to leave the vault and face the remains of Washington DC and its surroundings. The place is known as the 'capital wasteland' and you find the humanity had survived, but it is in a bad way. With no justice or government system io place humanity had settled into small cities dotted around the wasteland. There are people trying to do good, and people trying to survive by doing bad things. A key theme in this game is that you have to decide what sort of character you play as: good, neutral or bad. This is measured in the game by 'karma'. If you do unskillful things (like stealing food or killing) you get negative karma, if you do skillful things (like giving clean pure water to someone who is lost in the wasteland) you get positive karma. What's interesting is the the karma affects how people interact with you.
In the game there are LOADS of quests, and you get to decide whether to be good or bad, or neutral. The outcome drastically changes the game and your karma drastically affects how people interact with you. I love it.
What I find strange is that whilst playing as a bad person is easier (just steal what you want and kill anyone in your way), I find it harder to do. I find it much more enjoyable to play as a good person. It's one of the few computer games I've found where you get that choice and, if you want, you can practice the brahmaviharas electronically
Anyway, relating this back to the old 'is playing computer games bad kamma' jazz, I'd love to see more games like this where we get the choice, just as in real life, to do the easy thing or to do the hard thing that offer more longterm enjoyment.
Yeah, I recommend Fallout 3


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On Friday, January 24, 2014 ten officers were sworn in as members of the Lakeland Police Department at a 3:00 p.m. ceremony. The ceremony was held at the First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Drive in Lakeland.
The recruits have now completed the seven-week Mini Academy, and will begin the next phase of their training as Lakeland Police officers. During the next 16 weeks, the officers will be on the streets with a Field Training Officer learning more about the department and community they have been sworn to serve.
In attendance at the ceremony were the family and friends of the officers, Lakeland Police Department staff and personnel, the City Manager, city personnel and Commissioners.
Police Chief Lisa Womack welcomed the new employees during the ceremony and told them "I look forward to the great work you will do for our community, and I know you will be an asset to the department."
For information on each of our new employees, go to:
Congratulations to the newest Lakeland Police Department employees!


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SO EXCITED that we finally get to talk about this! If you're a fan of The Walking Dead, take a deep breath, and get ready for the VERY FIRST details on The Walking Dead: Season Two... screenshots, trailer, and pre-orders, oh my!
We can confirm today that The Walking Dead: Season Two – A Telltale Games Series continues Clementine's story. Not only that, you'll actually PLAY as Clem, struggling to outwit both the dead and the living in situations that will test your morals and shape the flow of the story through your decisions and actions. Assuming the role of an orphaned young girl left to her own devices in the undead apocalypse, this is a season that will challenge your expectations of how to find safety and survive in a world where no one can be trusted.
Check out the reveal trailer for a sneak peek at the situation in Season Two...
As fans familiar with our episodic model might anticipate, The Walking Dead: Season Two – A Telltale Games Series will consist of five episodes that will be released for digital download over the course of the season, expected to premiere later this year and conclude in 2014.
The season is available for PC/Mac pre-order RIGHT NOW through the Telltale online store and Steam, and as a pre-order bonus, you'll save 10% off the usual season pass price. We're also bringing the season to home consoles and iOS, with additional platforms to be announced.
That's not enough news on The Walking Dead for you? We have more! This November, we're releasing a special Game of the Year edition of Season One for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series – Game of the Year Edition will include all five episodes in the season, the 400 Days DLC, and access to the series' original score and exclusive behind the scenes video. It's currently available for pre-order at retailers across North America for $29.99 USD or equivalent.
Not long now 'til we begin another season of tough choices and life-or-death decisions… stay tuned for more details coming very soon, including a more formal release date for the season premiere. We can't wait to share the journey with you, our fellow survivors!


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Guys, I'm new to the trade and have only just completed the CELTA. I really enjoyed the course and love teaching. I'd really like to make it a permanent career.
Unfortunately, I wanted to look for a job (in Syria) via British Council. They however have told me that I need at least 2 years experience (which I dont have).
Can you advise, the best place I can go to get some teaching experience in the evenings (as I work full-time). Like, maybe, sit in as a classroom assistant?
Better still....Can you advise the best route to take in order to develop my career in teaching English?


text:
Katie L. Burke
In this roundup, Katie Burke summarizes notable recent items about scientific research, selected from news reports compiled in the free electronic newsletter Sigma Xi SmartBrief. Online: https://www.smartbrief.com/sigmaxi/index.jsp
Water under Moon's Surface
The 2009 discovery of water on the moon came as a surprise, since current thought was that the moon was dry. At that time most scientists concluded that the moon's water originated from an external source: the solar wind blowing across the lunar surface. But a new study using data from NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper shows that the moon also has water underneath its surface. The space probe scanned the central peak of Bullialdus crater, which consists of material excavated from deep below when the crater was formed by an asteroid collision. Bullialdus is near the lunar equator, where water would not be found if it were produced only by the solar wind. Researchers found a local concentration of hydroxyl, a molecular fragment formed when water loses one oxygen atom. The discovery is leading to new ideas about the moon's formation.
Klima, R., J. Cahill, J. Hagerty, and D. Lawrence. Remote detection of magmatic water in Bullialdus Crater on the Moon. Nature GeoScience doi:10.1038/NGEO1909 (Published online August 25)
Super-Heavy Element Confirmed
Between the newly named flerovium (element 114) and livermorium (element 116) at the far end of the periodic table, element 115 lingers, anonymous. Because this highly radioactive, short-lived element was observed only once, it had to be independently confirmed before official recognition. That day of corroboration has now come. Researchers produced more of element 115 by hitting a target coated with americium (element 95) with a barrage of calcium atoms (element 20). Not only did they observe a radioactive decay of element 115 similar to the first observation in 2003, but they also detected flashes of emitted light during the decay. Measuring the energies of these flashes further validated that they started off with element 115, a method that paves the way for new studies of super-heavy elements. The new element awaits official verification before it is named. Such elements, which exist only in the laboratory, offer a way to advance nuclear physics.
Rudolph, D., et al. Spectroscopy of element 115 decay chains. Physical Review Letters 111:112502 (September 10)
Brain Myth Debunked
Popular belief describes artistic people as right-brain dominant and analytical people as left-brain dominant, but neuroscience has never had convincing support for this notion. With the advent of a technique called functional connectivity MRI, which measures changes in blood flow in the brain, the case can be settled. After analyzing brain activity in 7,000 brain regions of more than 1,000 people while they were resting, neuroscientists found no evidence that people favor one hemisphere over the other. Although certain functions occur mostly in a particular hemisphere—for example, speech stems from networks in the left side for most right-handed people—it does not follow that people who are more proficient in that function use that hemisphere more than the other. Overall, participants' brains showed equal connectivity on both sides. The concept of a dominant side makes no sense, the researchers note. If both hemispheres do not work in concert, a person cannot function.
Nielsen, J. A., B. A. Zielinski, M. A. Ferguson, J. E. Lainhart, and J. S. Anderson. An evaluation of the left-brain vs. right-brain hypothesis with resting state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging. PLoS One 8:e71275 (August 14)
Record-Breaking Spin
The new record for the world's fastest spinning object is 600 million rotations per minute—500,000 times the rate of an average washing machine. The project arose out of a desire to study the no-man's-land between classical physics of large objects and quantum theory of subatomic particles. Physicists predict that a phenomenon called quantum friction could slow particle motion in the absence of external friction, but so far they have not observed it. To investigate, researchers fabricated a calcium sphere four micrometers wide, about one-tenth the diameter of a human hair. They levitated the sphere using laser light inside a vacuum, and then exerted a spin on the object by changing the polarization of the light wave. Because no air friction hindered its spinning, the sphere kept speeding up until it flew apart. Before that happened, the centrifugal acceleration at the equator of the sphere was one billion times that of gravity on Earth. This breakthrough sets the stage for follow-up experiments that could prove quantum friction exists.
Arita, Y., M. Mazilu, and K. Dholakia. Laser-induced rotation and cooling of a trapped microgyroscope in vacuum. Nature Communications 4:2374 doi:10.1038/ncomms3374 (August 23)
New Carnivore Species Found
Earth is full of undiscovered species, but it is rare to hear about the discovery of a new mammal, especially an unknown carnivore—such animals are generally big and cute enough to attract notice. The scientific community was astonished at the discovery of a new species of American carnivore—the first since the Colombian weasel (Mustela felipei) in 1978 in the Andes. The newfound creature, which the researchers called the olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina), is in fact a compatriot of this weasel. It is one of several olingos, relatives of the raccoon, native to South and Central America. The olinguito is morphologically and genetically distinct from other olingos. Its nocturnal habits in the remote Andean cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador explain how it avoided notice until now. Because of the limited and fragmented nature of its habitat, the authors recommended that the olinguito be listed as "Near Threatened" on the IUCN Red List.
Helgen, K. M., et al. Taxonomic revision of the olingos (Bassaricyon), with description of a new species, the Olinguito. ZooKeys 324:1–83 (August 15)
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Feature Article: The Challenge of Survival for Wild Infant Baboons
Engineering: Traffic Signals, Dilemma Zones, and Red-Light Cameras
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Discussion in 'Pistons and NBA' started by roscoe36, Apr 21, 2007.
Anyone who lets Hubert "Hairy Back" Davis play is a bigtime go-to-the-bench coach.
I'll let you know when I don't.
How did I know?
THAT is a viewpoint one will never be able to debate.
I REALLY thought that going into Tuesday night...only to be disappointed by an even WORSE game than game 4. Hopefully the Pistons left their pantyhose & high heels at the Palace for tonight's game. These guys gotta play some SERIOUS D, get on the glass, get in the paint to open the perimeter, and stay outta foul trouble.
They actually have to put in effort to win an NBA game. I hope Flip was going over it daily after games 4 and 5. They need that constant reminder.
Daddy Rich was interviewed on 1270 today and commented that when the players show up unwilling to play at 100% there is very little a coach can do. He also mentioned that to break players out of a funk he would change up the routine i.e. no practice, short drive etc. He thinks the Pistons will win tonight having been stung by their two losses.
The problem with Pistons is that there is no catalyst. No one knows what it takes for them to play at 100%. Flip, for sure, can't figure it out. And I don't think as well that he can influence it in any way shape or form. He will definitely try, but it's not gonna work unless the players do it on the court.
We are not free and clear of that bloody switch. Great game to put away the Bulls but I am sure we will see more of this to come. For quite awhile the Pistons did not have much of a bench. We are getting one back now but did not have much of one for the past 2 prior seasons. So i believe the Starters had to pace themselfs in the regular season and thats where all this started. Problem is if they are conditioned to pacing themselfs then its hard to turn it on at will in the post-season. So far its really only been about 4 quarters in all 10 games of the post season so far.
The only true sweep these Pistons have allowed us to enjoy was the 5 game sweep of the 2004 championship. Now that they've won the whole thing, they will continue to tease us with the switch. Orlando doesn't really count in my book, cause they rolled over for us.
So the only true sweep was a faux sweep, and the only real sweep doesn't count?
Just loved the effort we saw in the 2004 finals. The switch was constantly on. Now that they've won the prize, they'll keep teasing us.
I've gotta hope the ECF is enough incentive ro keep the switch somewhere near 'on'. Maybe it's a dimmer switch. I didn't see a lot of let down in 05', a couple mental gaffes but not a lot of poor effort. On the happy shiny rosy side, the only time they've lost a series since 04 was when they were pushed to 7 in the preceeding series. (MIA) SAS in 05' and (NJ) MIA in '06. So that bodes well with this series, and hopefully the Finals.
We're ready for the ECF. I predicted a 6 game series loss though, for the Pistons, against the Spurs in the NBA Finals. Against Cleveland or the Nets......We'll see if we can do better to prepare ourselves for the finals. At this point, I'd rather see the Suns in the finals. I like their effort against the Spurs.....
If you were speaking about 05' I thought they'd lose games 5 and 6 to the Spurs, but convinced myself they'd get game 7 once they got there, could hardly have been more wrong. I forgot to factor in that in no way were the zebras going to let the pistons win game 7. NEVER. This year I'd give them (showing some respect for NJN and CLE) about 40/60 odds vs SAS and 50/50 vs PHX. They matchup well with PHX, compared to most teams (see season results), and the Spurs have the pistons number (see last 3 seasons results). The spurs ability to get to the tin would be the deciding factor, and they play better D. PHX can be had in a grinder game.
Your odds look good, both historically, and switch wise.........
I just hope I don't have to see Sheed again do his impersonation of the Old Darren on "Bewitched" with his face contortions................ :Cry:
Wow, no wonder Sheed doesn't get the love from the refs. How would you like to have that coming at ya umptee times a game?
Separate names with a comma.


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"I am very pleased with this invitation. I chose the blue backround and added a photo on the reverse. The RSVP cards had special instructions which were followed and those also came out well. Although, this invitation is listed as a corporate event invitation, I used it for a personal party invitation. What I am not pleased with is the print on the return envelopes. The ink is clear but the print is weak and looks cheap. I feel a bolder print would look better as well as nicer lettering style."
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National Archery in the Schools Program announces "Beyond NASP"
If you love archery and want to take youre shooting to the next level, then Beyond NASP is the DVD for you!
Beyond NASP is here and can be purchased exclusively at www.archeryintheschools.org
For the first time ever, the proven techniques and philosophies used by some of the countrys best-ever competitive archers is now available on DVD.
Whether youre just starting out, or have been shooting for years, Beyond NASP is the instructional DVD for you. In Beyond NASP, former U.S. Olympic team coach Tim Strickland shares his unique insight into bow shooting. Combined, Coach Strickland and his students have won numerous U.S. National titles, World Championships, and Olympic medals. The Beyond NASP DVD contains the exact same methods these elite shooters used to achieve their archery dreams.
Coach Strickland developed the 11-Steps to Archery Success, which is at the heart of the NASP shooting curriculum. The Beyond NASP DVD reviews and expands upon the 11-Step program. It also gives an in-depth look at the mental aspect of archery, provides a comprehensive overview of archery-related equipment, plus much more.
As an added bonus, joining Coach Strickland in Beyond NASP is one of his most successful students, Olympian Denise Parker. Denise shares her own insight into archery and offers her unique perspective into Coach Stricklands shooting philosophies,
If you love archery and want to take your shooting to the next level, then Beyond NASP is the DVD for you!
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'"I'm satisfied with my season because I've made some strides," Campbell said. "They still had questions coming into this season whether I could play at this level. But I've proved I can. I want to get better and better each year. I believe there's still another level that I've got to step up to. I feel that I can. It's just more confidence and more ice time. It'll come."'
Campbell's game rises from Sabres' ashes
March 4, 2003 Submitted by
Via: Buffalo News


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No 'official' Winni Derby big catch winner announced yet
By DAN SEUFERT
Union Leader Correspondent | May 22. 2013 9:41PM
Derby volunteers are meeting Thursday to determine the time and place where 17-year-old Bishop Brady High School junior Dakota Wright will take a polygraph test to assure that he caught his derby-winning 22.5-inch, 3.7-pound salmon in Lake Winnipesaukee.
Derby officials decided this year to enforce its Rule 15, which requires a polygraph test for the winner of the salmon contest.
Derby chair Diane LaBrie said the polygraph administrator is from Ossipee, and the derby staff are volunteers with day jobs, so scheduling of the test has not been done yet.
LaBrie also said the polygraph operator's procedure does not permit photographs to be taken during the test.
* e-Edition subscription required


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My friends and I are in the process of planning a Canada Goose hunting trip out to Missouri this next September. We have never been out there and would like some guidance as to where is a good general area to go, If we should try to get on some private land, or if we should try and find some state land to hunt. We are planning on field hunting. Any and all information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks everyone!!!


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i find that the edges on the sides and bottom of the comb aren't always attached so that when you pull the frame to inspect you have to be real careful if you hold it flat because gravity will bend your comb and maybe break it off the frame. how do i know this? :-X
Hi Annette ~I think Linda (beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com) has pictures of this on her blog. I went there to look at her pictures of how she set-up the frames & starter strips. She also talked about the wax tip thing to drizzle the melted wax into the groove to hold the strip in place. If you do a search on her site it should come-up.FG
I extracted 40 gallons a couple of weeks ago, all foundationless and I've never wired anything. My frames look like the center one here.....
Thanks everyone for responding. This is awesome information.So my next question is: Is anyone using foundationless/starter strips in the brood chamber deeps (for natural cell size and better mite control), but using "normal" (wax or plastic) foundation for the supers? My thinking is that going natural in the brood chamber helps with pests and diseases, but using wax or plastic for the supers makes for more durable extracting. Not sure if the bees would go for it, but it seems like a good idea. Anyone care to comment on that idea?
I use popsicle sticks in the top, never thought about the bottom. It encourages them to attach to the bottom, eh?? Better try that.


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By Giuseppe Muro
Theo Walcott says Arsenal's season effectively starts against Swansea after a disappointing start to the Premier League campaign.
Arsène Wenger's side welcome the Premier League new boys to Emirates Stadium this weekend and the England forward believes the game represents a new chapter for the team.
Walcott could line up alongside some fresh faces in the shape of Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun and Per Mertesacker on Saturday and Walcott says the players are determined to put the result against Manchester United firmly behind them.
"We need to start our season against Swansea," he told Arsenal Player. "We need to forget about the games against Liverpool and Manchester United.
"We need to react in a positive way. We need players to stand up and be counted because, if we're honest, it wasn't good enough against Manchester United.
"I'm not dwelling on it and hopefully none of the other players are dwelling on it."Copyright 2017 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source


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Office of Residence Life
The Office of Residence Life houses students in a variety of living arrangements, from on traditional residence halls, to suites, to on and off campus apartments. The office is dedicated to providing a living/learning environment that promotes personal growth and encourages students to meet their full potential. The prevailing philosophy is that students who are actively engaged, respectful members of a college community,will become more engaged and productive as citizens upon graduating from Merrimack.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide a student-centered learning environment in which students are actively engaged in their educational experience. We endeavor to assist students in creating a home away from home while supporting them in gathering a deeper understanding of different ways of thinking, leadership, mutual respect, friendships, personal responsibility, and accountability for one's actions. This is accomplished within a framework that supports the institution's Statement of Community Standards and Augustinian tradition and promotes personal growth for every student.


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'"Everybody knows what happened this year," Sabres forward Daniel Briere said after his team dispatched the New York Rangers in six games Sunday. "All I know for sure is it's going to be a battle."'
What brawl? It's postseason for Sabres, Senators
May 8, 2007 Submitted by
Via: USA Today


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Mar 01, 2014
The continued, high frequency of successful cyberattacks against today's enterprises has made it abundantly clear that traditional, perimeter-centric security strategies are no longer effective. The failure of resulting architectures is a product not only of the outdated assumption that everything on the inside of an organization's network can be trusted, but also the inability of legacy countermeasures to provide adequate visibility, control, and protection of application traffic transiting associated network boundaries.
This paper discusses the need for and details of a Zero Trust approach to network security. It also itemizes the essential criteria and capabilities required of a Zero Trust solution, explains how the Palo Alto Networks next-generation security platform delivers on these requirements, and provides guidance on how to progressively migrate to a Zero Trust design.
Benefits available to organizations that employ Palo Alto Networks solutions to implement a Zero Trust network include:
� Dramatically improved effectiveness in mitigating data loss via visibility and safe enablement of applications, and detection and prevention of advanced threats;
� greater efficiency for achieving compliance with security and privacy mandates;
� increased ability to securely enable transformative IT initiatives-such as user mobility and infrastructure virtualization; and,
� substantially reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) for IT security.


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Items in Cart:
Cielo CMC-009 Massage Chair
Colour: BLACK
A great compact massage chair with all you need for a relaxing massage in the comfort of your own home!
This funky designed massage chair features:
Neck Massage - Two kneading massage balls with vibration and adjustable height to suit different bodies relaxes the neck muscles and work away stress knots.
Back Massage - A unique set of eight spread out massage rollers in the back offers a relaxing kneading massage of the overall back.
Seat and Calf Massage: A built-in air pressure system massages the seat and calf position with adjustable intensity levels provides a unique feel of your legs being squeezed by a masseuses hands. The air-bag massage has been designed to imvpove blood circulation in calves and thighs resulting an a sensation of lightness in legs and also reducing circulation problems.
Back and Leg Recline/Incline Both the backrest and leg rest can be inclined and reclined to a desired positions. Back and leg sections can be included or reclined independently.
Auto / Manual Program The massage chair features an automatic massage program or alternatively it can be operated in manual mote.
Easy to Operate Remote Console The remote console is easy to operate and can be stored away in a pocket on the side of the chair.
Manufactured from a quality PU soft executive leatherette.
Colour of Chair on Auction: BLACK


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|Immigration: The Family Factor
What happens when an entire family immigrates together? What kinds of challenges do they face? Let's take a closer look:
Sending for kids. Sometimes, parents choose to move first, leaving their kids behind with a relative. They're hoping that once they find work and housing and save up some money, they can send for their children to join them. As you can imagine, this sort of separation can cause lots stress for everyone.
Chain immigration. Entire extended families often move to a new country, little by little, in what is called "chain immigration." Once a few people establish themselves in a new place, they can help their uncles, cousins, grandparents, and even neighbors move there too. In some cities in the U.S., there are whole communities made up of people who used to live in the same village in Central America or Mexico!
Kids as translators. When families move to new countries, adults can have trouble adjusting, especially if they don't speak the language. Often, immigrant kids become fluent in the new language before their parents do, since they're the ones going to school. Kids can then end up serving as interpreters and translators for the older members of their family and take on added responsibility, like going with them to doctor's visits or handling the bills. Young people often feel proud that they can be this helpful, but it can also make them grow up too fast and take time and energy away from their schoolwork and social lives.
Sibling differences. Older and younger kids can have very different experiences with immigrating, even within the same family. People who move to a new country in their tweens or teens will still have many ties to their old home, like strong friendships and cultural traditions. They may have a tough time seeing themselves as true citizens of their new nation, and will often move back to their original country as grown-ups. Kids that immigrate younger, on the other hand, will remember less about where they came from and may have an easier time "fitting in" to the new place. These differences can be even more obvious if some children in a family were born in the old country and their younger sibs were born in the new.
Next up: Living Undocumented


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Posted by Tina Moffett on the B2C Marketing Professionals Blog on August 22, 2013
More news from Mountain View on Tuesday, where Internet powerhouse Google released the much-anticipated Data Driven Attribution (DDA) feature for its Premium users. The release of Google's DDA approach comes as no surprise to the analytics and measurement community. The world of attribution measurement is constantly evolving and new attribution approaches, new players, and new tools regularly enter the market, enabling marketers to select the right attribution tool for their business needs. It was only a matter of time before Google released a persuasive, more advanced measurement offering.
First, the Data Driven Attribution feature is only available for Google Analytics Premium users. It has several notable features worth highlighting:


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I have decided to put the 1987 Scirocco up for sale...as I have another project in my eye, and have a daily. This way the Rocco will get the attention it needs, as I just don't have the time...it kills me to put it up, but with a wedding and another project that fell into my lap, no chance I can keep them both.
1987 16v VW Scirocco w 92 Passat 16v Swap
Mars Red
Manual Transmission
2xx,xxx km
No accidents
I purchased it from VWSlegato last fall and would love to get close to what I put into it and purchased it for.
$2800 obo
The Good:
- Original paint
- No accidents
-Polyurethane mounts
- Centre console with gauges
- Nardi leather steering wheel
-Stainlessmsteel brake lines
-Solid Motor Mounts ( custom front motor mount with subframe reinforcement)
-Extremely mint floor plan and body panels
-16v body kit in GREAT condition
-Corrado Leathers (normal wear and tear)
-CRACK FREE dash (extremely rare in these beasts)
-Had a 1992 16V Passat Swap a couple owners ago (Pulls Strong)
-Solid transmission linkage (Short shift kit with solid links)
-Original Sunroof Car with working sunroof
-Aftermarket suspension-rears are Koni Springs (Know idea what the front has but was put on by P.O in the hopes of autocrossing the car)-stiff ride
-Original "bench like" bumpers
-New windshield
-New starter
-New battery
-New alternator
-Aftermarket stereo with AUX (already wired for amp and box)
-Corrado steelies-Flat Black Rustoleum (winterized)
-Euro grill, Euro Fogs, Euro Headlamps
The Bad:
-Small oil leak (typical VW)---looks like a low end seal, never a major issue, just marking its spot.
-Rear Brakes will need done ASAP
-Will need summer tires
-Sunroof section needs a headliner
-There is about 5 small (penny size) surface rust examples on the front of the hood (I am sure from rock chips)
-Small spots of rust (5 on the rest of the car) from a dime size to a loonie, only surface..has been rust protected.
**That is all I can think of!.
Shoot me an offer...low ballers will be ignored, and if you ask me what the lowest I'll go is before you even see the car...it will go up $2000 for you!
These were taken today...so this is how it sits!


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Well, how do you fare compared to the Zeitgeist?
Chat up your fellow wooters and let us know how lame this poll was or what obvious choices we missed.
For example: Was this poll a) STUPID, b) DUMB, c) POINTLESS or d) ALL OF THE ABOVE?
Well, it depends. The 14 year old is getting pretty good. But the 1 year old gets bored of coloring after about 48 seconds.
my kid doesn't need lines.
One can, for the other, depends on mood.
My ex's genes passed on great artistic ability to our kids. I have trouble drawing a straight line.
My kid(s) color between the lines, then outside the lines and back in the lines and then maybe a wall, tv, window, or floor.
Wooter to blame for sellout: SumDuud
Sellout time: 8:11:25 AM Central Time
My kids are like me ... they do what they want because they can (unless I tell them otherwise). So they color how they want. LOL!
I never gave the kids lines in which to color. Just lots and lots of blank paper and color implements (crayons, markers, pencils, paint). The results were unpredictable, messy, and marvelous!
My kid is just now learning to hold his bottle so that's a no.
My "free thinking" cat craps outside the box xD
My children are both budding artists so for them there are no lines! I'm so glad they didn't get my stick figure artistic skills ;)


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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (April 19, 2010) ─ The National Center for Safe Routes to School is now accepting applications for 25 mini-grants of $1,000 each. These mini-grants support the goal of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs, which is to enable and encourage children to safely walk and bicycle to school. SRTS programs are implemented nationwide by parents, students, schools, community leaders, and local, state, and tribal governments. Applications are due Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
The National Center's SRTS mini-grant program, now in its fourth award cycle,seeks creative ideas that match a school's needs and interests together with ways to help improve safety and/or increase the number of students walking and rolling to school. They may fund activities ranging from the nuts and bolts that help start or sustain a program to new ideas that explore the range of benefits of safe walking and bicycling.
Selected mini-grant proposals will fit a school's identified needs and interests. It may help to engage a variety of student and adult leaders to decide what kind of changes the school would like to accomplish and the types of activities that could support these changes. The goal of this program is to support schools' and communities' needs related to walking and bicycling programs, as well as to involve students' creativity and leadership at an age-appropriate level. There are many right answers, and creativity and innovation are encouraged.
Mini-grant activities should occur between August 1, 2011, and the end of the Fall 2011 semester. The National Center encourages applicants to use student creativity along with student and adult leaders to identify their school's needs and interests and to propose safe walking/bicycling activities that address those needs and interests.
For more information and to submit a mini-grant application, visit minigrants.saferoutesinfo.org.


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Posted by Nigel Fenwick on the CIOs Blog on June 26, 2013
This week's Customer Experience Forum was far more than just an event for customer experience (CX) professionals. It was an event for any business leader who truly cares about customers. And this includes many CIOs.
As far as I'm concerned, the best CX presentation by a guest speaker was given this morning by a former CIO, Paul Heller. Paul is now Managing Director of the Retail Investor Group at Vanguard. While his session was energetic and full of humor, it also conveyed his message about the business of delighting clients very clearly. Paul suggests we all need to get in touch with the why, how and who of our business:


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Aston Villa 3-0 ArsenalReserve League South Walsall FC Monday, Mar 19, 2007, 7pm
By Adam Clark
Aston Villa's experienced performers dealt Arsenal Reserves a lesson in winning games, according to Matthew Connolly.
The Captain of the Club's Reserve team saw his side slip to a 3-0 defeat at Walsall FC on Monday night despite proving the equal of their hosts for much of the match.
Villa's ability to turn possession into simple goals proved the difference and Connolly urged his team-mates to heed a lesson from such ruthlessness.
"I think we all worked hard, even though the scoreline wasn't the best," the 19-year-old centre back told Arsenal.com. "We gave away early goals - and they were sloppy goals to concede.
"I thought we played quite well but just didn't break
through or make chances. I think their experience showed. They know
how to win games even when they're not playing well and
that's what we need to learn."
"I think we're all learning from every game because when you're young you learn from all situations, whether the team is winning or losing."
Aston Villa handed starts to five players with Premiership experience including former Arsenal goalkeeper Stuart Taylor and two-goal striker Luke Moore. After seven defeats in eight games Connolly said the young Gunners could benefit from a similar mix of youth and know-how.
"Of course experience is a massive help," he said. "If you had replaced their experience with young players I think we would have won the game.
"Obviously when the more experienced players are available it's good. Ours were at the beginning of the season and I remember Emmanuel Adebayor, Theo Walcott and Ashley Cole all playing for us. You learn from players like that.
"But we're all young and want to play at this level and we're all fighting to keep our places."
150/1 - Emmanuel Adebayor to win the Premiership Golden Boot - FREE £10 BET
Copyright 2017 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source


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Animal Welfare Events
Get additional updates about adoptable pets on the following TV and radio programs:
- KOB-TV Eyewitness News 4 Adoptable Pets. Watch every Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
- KOAT TV's Pet of the Week. Watch at 8:40 a.m. on Saturdays.
- KIOT-Coyote 102.5 FM and KKSS, 97.3 FM: Pet of the Week on their websites
- KKNS, 95.9FM La Ley: Pet of the Week on their website
- 770 KKOB - Adorable, Adoptable Pet of the Week Presented by Mayor Richard J. Berry at 8:40 a.m. on Saturdays.
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My Springfield Trophy Match
Complete with an idiot scratch and a little dirt.
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My Springfield Trophy Match
Complete with an idiot scratch and a little dirt.
Very nice- I think Springfield ships with the "idiot" mark from the factory.
Stuff happens. That was done long before I figured out the right way!
Guns are meant to be shot. They get flea bites here and there.
Nice gun.. How does it shoot? any issues? what kind of groups can you get at say 15yds..
Also.. you know what they say about the idiot mark.. if you dont have one you will sooner or later so dont let it bother you.. if it does try some blue or green Scotch Bright pad on it.. works well taking off the scratches on the polished parts.. probably wont work on the flat grey areas..
The very first time I took my brand new Kimber Eclipse apart I put a nice scratch on it and almost died.. someone told me about the scotch bright pads and it cleaned it up nicely.. good luck thats a very nice gun..