| Author |
Message |
    
Pacwriter
Unity Member
Post Number:
2264
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 10:32 am: |   |
I'm thinking of going to Ridgecrest for the Christian Writer's conference in May. It costs about $400 not including room and meals. With such an investment, any thoughts on what you as an author shoud do?
1. Should you take a proposal for each unpublished work (several copies??)
2. Bring several copies of finished work?
http://www.perrycomer.com
|
Gloria Marlow
Unity Member
Post Number:
1695
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 11:04 am: | |
I'm no expert on conferences. I've only been to one, but it completely won me over. It was a great networking/learning experience.
I would take both proposals for unpublished work and copies of finished work.
If there are any editor/agent interviews going on, I'd sign up for one -- it may cost extra, though. I know at least three people who were picked up by agents and/or publishers and/or got book deals (or made the contacts necessary) at the FWA conference in October. That's pretty good since I only knew about ten people there.
I know there are folks here who have more experience than me with conferences, so maybe I'm off base, but I don't think it could possibly be a bad idea to be prepared to present your work should the opportunity arise.
Gloria Davidson Marlow
**The Butterfly Game***Shades of Silence***Flowers for Megan**
|
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1764
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 05:22 am: | |
Perry...
If there are going to be agents and/or publishers accepting pitches at the conference, it's best to come totally prepared. One thing to keep in mind is that most of them will be traveling to get to the conference and will not be interested in accepting full manuscripts to haul back home. If they're intersted they'll invite you to submit and most of them are now asking for email submissions
What they will be looking for is a very concise and bright looking presentation. Wear your best smile and be upbeat and positive but not arrogant. You will probably have no more than five or ten minutes.
I generally put together a very small package that includes my query, a very brief bio/biblio with contact information, and a long and/or a short synopsis. I put it in one of those brightly colored folders that has a slot inside to display your business card. Using a folder allows you to add or subtract pages from your presentation to suit the situation. I also usually have one copy of the manuscript in a professional mailing box just in case. (I did have a request for one once) I carry everything in a book bag that I can just set by my feet during the pitch session and it's unobtrusive but handy.
Agents and publishers are there because they want new clients and fresh material. They are usually friendly and attentive and will listen to around a hundred pitches on a weekend and probably request five or six submissions. You will be selling both your manuscript and yourself and it may be about a 50/50 split. Try to be relaxed and confident, tell them why your book is different and be prepared to sum up the entire story in one sentence.
Dennis Collins
Moderator
www.theunrealmccoy.com |
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1765
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 05:27 am: | |
One more thing...
NEVER try to sell more than one book at a time. If it's part of a series, mention it but agents are only interested in one pitch for one book. If they're looking for a multi-book deal, they will tell you.
Dennis Collins
Moderator
www.theunrealmccoy.com |
Mike Manno
Hunger Member
Post Number:
98
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 10:28 am: | |
Perry, I think Dennis has given you some very good advice. Remember, at a writers conference you sole goal is to get the agent or editor to request your manuscript. They will not want it at the conference, but will give you directions on how to submit. Listen to the specific submission directions they give -- they often differ from the general submission directions given on their web pages. The reason, of course, is obvious, they want to separate invited material from everything else. Think of your pitch session as a kind of mini job interview, be professional and have a one-minute synopsis of your book ready. Someone once said if you can't pitch your book to an agent in an elevator ride you are doing it wrong, so keep the initial presentation brief and try to peak the agent's interest right off the bat. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.
Mike |
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page