From today’s Publishers Lunch:
“BookEnds Literary Agency co-founder Jacky Sach will retire from publishing after 10 years as an agent for “new opportunities.” Sach began her publishing career in 1985 at Berkley. BookEnds will continue operating under the ownership of Jessica Faust.”
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Back in December I copied out the Cranberry Daiquiri recipe from the BookEnds’ pre-Christmas blog entry, went about my holiday pursuits and then somehow managed to miss the initial announcement of this on the January 4 blog. Fortunately the Publishers Lunch article caught my attention.
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I met Jacky at the first writers’ conference (SiWC) I ever attended and she was the first agent to invite a submission of my first novel. Hers was also the first rejection letter I ever received. When I look back at that novel now I am overwhelmed at my audacity in thinking it was ready for an agent to see, but because of the gentle and personal nature of Jacky’s response I was encouraged to continue writing. Not all novice writers have such a good first submission experience. I hoped some day to have something else to send her way, but her retirement now precludes that.
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Whatever her “new opportunities” are, I wish Jacky continued success.
MUSINGS 
Carol, Jacky isn’t old enough to retire! This is a great post—she sounds like a sweet, caring person. I can’t remember my “first” rejection—so it probably wasn’t that bad or maybe that’s just something else I’ve forgotten!
Hugs
Katt
I don’t know that I would describe her as “sweet” because she was very business-like but pleasant. Her retirement is just from BookEnds, but she’s obviously not putting out to pasture. Jessica Faust mentions that Jacky has another dream to pursue.
I bet anything she’ll reemerge in some facet of the industry. It’s hard to give up the love of books. Being agent is probably a lot tougher than even I can imagine though.
I don’t know what her “dream” is so have no idea what her career move is, but even if it isn’t in the publishing industry I can’t imagine she’ll ever stop reading.
What a wonderful memory of an agent. It’s amazing the various people that can touch our lives and help shape our writing, even if they don’t know they did!
That’s so true. Some of our encounters are extremely brief but can have a long-lasting effect.
I’m impressed with Jacky’s sweet encouragement and helpful advice to you, Carol.What a blessing!
As I said to Katt, I don’t think I could call Jacky “sweet”… just doesn’t suit her… but her rejection was kind and encouraging. Definitely a blessing, since I’m still writing. 🙂
You mentioned that you couldn’t believe you had the audacity to think your novel was ready for an agent to see but you realize that had you not jumped at that opportunity you’d likely have kicked yourself for not giving it a shot. I sometimes think we have to take the opportunities that are handed to us and say to heck with it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I understand what you’re saying, Laura, but at that point my ms hadn’t even been seriously critiqued. If I had spent a little more time researching submission advice I would have soon learned it wasn’t ready. I’m not convinced now that there was anything to be gained by rushing the process. I still have that novel hidden away.