A roundup of the most helpful posts from my favorite anonymous literary agent:

"Lifted wholesale from PW today is a list of upcoming book festivals: Fall 2006 Book Festivals" (and then lifted wholesale from her blog)

Heads-up on a so-called contest that's actually a call for reading fees.

On etiquette: "Being pushy is an art form and most people don't do it well. If you just can't stand to not know, ask specifically "when should I email you if I haven't heard from you". Do NOT just email cause you're "pro-active". That's not a persuasive tactic from where I sit."

"Editors have a wardrobe of form rejection letters (no dictation required) based either on the first letter of your last name, or the number of gin martinis served at lunch." Which one did you get?

Answering a question on querying agents: "How would you incorporate your research into an unsolicited query to an agent?"

Before you go mentioning in that query letter that your mom thinks your book is really good and she would know: "Experts you have researched claim endorsements are very helpful...with what? I don't give a rat's ass who read and liked this book unless it's Sessalee Hensley."