on Jane Friedman site:
About a week before my nonfiction debut went to auction, I received two requests from editors who planned to bid if I did what they asked.
The first editor wanted me to take my 4,000-word writing sample and rewrite it in a purely comedic vein.
The second requested a rewrite, too, only he wanted me to make the book ultra-serious.
No jokes.
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 