I don’t think I ever claimed, ONCE, anywhere on this website or on other websites, that my opinions are the end all and be all. If you have some time to waste, I invite you to check.

As for the other comment you posted, it IS very easy for any person to hang a shingle out as an agent. It’s a bit harder — infinitely harder — to get brought on board as an agent, not as an intern or reader, at a reputable agency. If you check my bio on the Andrea Brown Literary Agency website, you might learn that I not only have a degree in English but am earning my MFA in creative writing. Not only have I worked for Chronicle Books, a publisher, in their children’s editorial department, but now I work for ABLit, a nine-person literary agency representing children’s books for 28 years. We’ve been #1 in terms of juvenile sales, according to Publishers Marketplace, an industry deal reporting service, for the last three years. If you check Publishers Marketplace, also, you’ll see my reported deals from books I’ve sold.

While I’m relatively new to this business (two years), I was hired to do this and am surrounded by people who aren’t. I know some people want to “out” agents who aren’t reputable or who don’t have a background in book publishing or, more specifically, children’s books, and that’s very valuable for writers, who may not know the difference. With me, though, these efforts are appreciated but unnecessary.

But just because Mary likes a story doesn’t mean that other agents and publishers would agree. She’s expressing her “personal” opinion, only. It is not carved in stone. BTW, what kind of credentials does Mary have? I know you don’t need any to hang your shingle out as an agent, but does she have a degree in English lit? Hey when you’re pontificating like this, as if you were the cat’s pyjamas, you better have something to back it up.

Laughing about the male writer thing.

I awarded you a One Lovely Blog Award too (I know Samantha did too, but couldn’t resist because your blog is great!)

Whether it is a teaser opening or a scene-based opening, I think these winners all provide a voice and the beginning of a story that compels the reader to read on, and that is the common element.