tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post1188475341806745839..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Writing conferencesJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42895192500273073252016-03-03T01:58:14.228-05:002016-03-03T01:58:14.228-05:00I pitched a few agents. The first time I shook lik...I pitched a few agents. The first time I shook like a Jack Russell, even my voice. The agent's terror of me was obvious. Like I was going to fly around the room and zap him. The second was an agent from Foundry Media. She was fantastic and instead of pitching I showed her my query. She seemed genuinely interested and asked me to query her.<br /><br />As EM said, "always leave with renewed enthusiasm for my writing" <br /><br />After pitching I finished my first draft and revised.<br /><br />I'd love to go to the US writing conferences. The networking. Buy a drink for Janet, assuming she's wearing her name tag and it's not someone else. In another life.<br /><br />Carolynn, What a beautiful essay. I loved working in retail. But bartending was more fun. We were authorised to kick people out of the bar. I even kicked my future husband out.<br />angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-72616676673679187362016-03-03T00:37:50.107-05:002016-03-03T00:37:50.107-05:00Thank you kdjames, That means a lot to me that you...Thank you kdjames, That means a lot to me that you took the time to watch those videos. Glad to be here. <br />Brian M. Biggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12496003737348924995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16382229341022664452016-03-03T00:27:51.470-05:002016-03-03T00:27:51.470-05:00Brian, what magnificent gardens you have. And what...Brian, what magnificent gardens you have. And what a talent for oration and storytelling. I especially loved The Black Horse and your Scots accent while delivering it, and was moved to tears by the tribute to your friend John (yes, I watched all your videos). Welcome, new friend. *slides a glass of bourbon down the virtual bar* I hope you'll become a regular. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7412167748648676382016-03-02T22:29:56.011-05:002016-03-02T22:29:56.011-05:00Thank you Colin,
I appreciate the welcome and wil...Thank you Colin,<br /><br />I appreciate the welcome and will investigate.Brian M. Biggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12496003737348924995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-29129640063595919512016-03-02T21:56:53.657-05:002016-03-02T21:56:53.657-05:00Since EM refuses to do the newbie welcome, I guess...Since EM refuses to do the newbie welcome, I guess it's up to me:<br /><br />Welcome to the comments of Janet's blog, <b>Brian M. Biggs</b>. I hope your experience will be fun and rewarding, and not simply an extension of the pit of despair in which you currently reside, if you are a writer like the rest of us.<br /><br />On the top right of the blog, you will find some useful links. If you want to understand some of the odd, seemingly meaningless words we like to throw around (e.g., "QOTKU", "Carkoon", "synopsis"), there is a glossary you can use for reference. If you wish to become further identified with the regular commenters, there's a list of Blog Commenters and their Blogs. Please contact me to be added to that list. Christina Seine has created a lovely Pintrest page you can be added to, and if you want us to know generally where you are in the world, you can add yourself to the map.<br /><br />On behalf of my fellow commenters, and Mighty QOTKU herself, I hope your time with us is both pleasant and... um... educational.<br /><br />Seriously, welcome, Brian! :DColin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-80360596625911646472016-03-02T21:51:08.502-05:002016-03-02T21:51:08.502-05:00I’m fairly new to this blog and I would like to th...I’m fairly new to this blog and I would like to thank you Janet for all the work you do with the Friday prompt contests, your answers to posts, comments here, and for all your time spent with this group.<br /><br />I agree with Adib, Conferences are a great place to meet and network with other writers. <br /><br />It’s so cool that everyone here seems like they’re friends. Maybe you all have been to that bar for a bourbon. <br /><br />Brian M. Biggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12496003737348924995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16905060740803075752016-03-02T19:18:53.076-05:002016-03-02T19:18:53.076-05:00I am geographically challenged. Unless a conferenc...I am geographically challenged. Unless a conference shows up in the Perth Metro area, it can cost me a lot of money and time to go to a con.<br /><br />Still, I do my best to get to them when I can.<br /><br />The value of attending cons/workshops/etc: <b>networking!</b><br /><br />Honestly, you can't beat the value of networking for helping you in your career path. Networking is so much more than first-level help in your career advancement. It's the opening of opportunities you might not have considered. It's the human connections that could open doors, or at least point to windows. It's the raising of your brand awareness.<br /><br />I go to cons to sit in the corner and have a conversation with someone. Everyone has something valuable to offer. The conversation with a potential reader is as valuable as nattering about life over a bourbon in the bar with Her Sharkness.<br /><br />I once had a lovely conversation with a PhD about the process and value of pursuing my own doctorate. She gave me info I would never have thought to ask for or google on my own.<br /><br />This is the value of networking. People will tell you the things you didn't even consider asking about.<br /><br />Also, never underestimate the value of putting your charming self on display. Yes, social skills are a useful tool for the author's toolbox.<br /><br />Be nice to people, listen to them, have a ready laugh, be pleasant. When people learn you're a nice person *and* they learn you're an author, the chances of them reading your stuff increases. You definitely want this. (Fr'ex, look at how many of us headed off to read 2Ns' retail post. It's because we know her as an interesting and nice person.)<br /><br />F2F pitches with agents, for me, is more a networking opportunity, rather than convincing them they want to read my book. How often have we dreamt of getting answers over why an agent would reply to an email query with a form letter? A pitch is an opportunity to get just that kind of feedback.<br /><br />Okay, workshops and panels and other official programming tracks can have first-level benefits to your mastery of the craft. But do not think that this is the only benefit (or the best benefit) of a conference. Sometimes establishing your reputation as a smart, funny, nice person is invaluable.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-31893888088713527672016-03-02T18:59:11.743-05:002016-03-02T18:59:11.743-05:00Christina, I know what you mean about the workshop...Christina, I know what you mean about the workshops. I went to a conference a couple of years ago, and while the overall experience was positive, the workshops were disappointing because they didn't fit my particular needs. But at least that told me what I need are actual classes or workshops. I signed up for one of those this coming June--five blissful days of writing and critiquing in a small group.<br /><br />2NNs, that was a fabulous column. I worked retail in high school and college, and moved into retail management after I graduated. In less than a year I decided I needed to go to graduate school. My sister has made a career of retail, though, and what you've written is just spot-on.Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18165072684559960801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28845904096325780222016-03-02T18:20:18.644-05:002016-03-02T18:20:18.644-05:00BJ,
I'm sorry, I missed your comment earlier....BJ,<br /><br />I'm sorry, I missed your comment earlier. I hope you get to make it this year. Looking forward to seeing you.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69785547827422887282016-03-02T17:01:41.464-05:002016-03-02T17:01:41.464-05:00I met Janet very briefly at the Midwest Writers Wo...I met Janet very briefly at the <a href="http://www.midwestwriters.org/" rel="nofollow">Midwest Writers Workshop</a> last July, and very much enjoyed hearing her speak on querying (I had read most of it on QueryShark already, but she's at least as funny in person as she is online, so I went to her panel anyway, and it was definitely worthwhile!). I also pitched to Brooks Sherman, and he was delightful (I had signed up to pitch before finding QueryShark--whoops!). The questions he asked while gently rejecting my pitch were very helpful in revision. :)<br /><br />Anyway, that conference was GREAT, with lots of practical advice and networking opportunities (and a big contrast to a writers' retreat I had attended earlier that year at Bard College, which was more of the "100-level" stuff, as Christina Seine put it). I highly recommend MWW for anybody in the region! <br /><br />I would love to go again this year, but cost is an issue and I'm using it as a reward to myself for actually finishing my MS--no more conference until the MS is done! I don't regret paying to go once without a finished MS, but I think I'll get more value out of a conference like MWW once this MS is done (and I've started on the next one, of course!). Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14482921874963872735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27662469838361429272016-03-02T16:12:14.316-05:002016-03-02T16:12:14.316-05:00Wowzers. Loads of comments again today. Just don&#...Wowzers. Loads of comments again today. Just don't have time to read them all =( Apologies if I restate what's been said.<br /><br />OP, I go to a writing conference every year and always leave with renewed enthusiasm for my writing. We're an isolated profession and, while it is wonderful having cyber connections with other writers, it's lovely to chat face-to-face with others who 'get' everything you are going through. Even if you don't know anyone, the perfect ice-breaker is to ask 'what do you write'.<br /><br />We're always learning in this profession, so go to a conference for everything else you can take away. Pitching is just one tiny part.<br /><br />On pitching... I've pitched at most conferences. At first I pitched in the traditional sense. Than I became a Reider. Now I 'pitch' to have 5 mins 1-on-1 with an editor/agent who reps what I write (how brilliant is that!). I tell them upfront I want to Q&A rather than pitch and to-date they have all been perfectly happy to talk/answer questions. Much less stressful as well!<br /><br />On the flip side, without fail they've ended the time asking for a submission. In fact, I think I've had a better success rate since I stopped pitching.AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23360897677006492732016-03-02T14:44:39.863-05:002016-03-02T14:44:39.863-05:00Joe,
I can be A-Musing in person I guess.--
Yes...Joe,<br /><br /> I can be A-Musing in person I guess.--<br /><br />Yes, you can.<br /><br />I'm sorry you didn't get much out of your conference.<br /><br />"The panelists repeat the basics."<br /><br />I think it depends on which conference you go to. I usually get something out of every place I go. It really helps if you can network so you have others taking notes in workshops you can't attend.<br /><br />One workshop I attended in Surrey was kind of interesting because she had us write flash fiction from the point of view of an object. Write down ten words and the emotion they evoke. Then write sentences where we come into a room, look around, and said hello to each object then wrote a sentence or two about it and the emotion. Then write a paragraph and finally expand it into a flash fiction. It was amazing at the difference between the first flash fiction with the ten words and the second after the emotion exercise. <br /><br />It was a little thing, but kind of eye-opening.<br /><br />Anyway, I always come away with something. Perhaps I'm the Christmas puppy and it's just taking a while to paper train me. Writing is the craft no one ever masters, as Hemingway says.<br /><br /><br />Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26175891761908105992016-03-02T13:56:57.785-05:002016-03-02T13:56:57.785-05:00In my experience, both at the bar and the session,...In my experience, both at the bar and the session, agents/editors/Hollywooders are more likely to ask for a send simply because of the face-to-face interaction. After that it's pretty much like any query; they either ask for a full, partial or whatever, decline, often with a note, because they've actually met you, or, you hear nothing at all. <br /><br />I pitched Ladder Memory to a big-time agent at a conference once, and her note said, "I don't see a big enough market here for representation, but I enjoyed reading your manuscript, and it came at the perfect time...I was painting my apartment the weekend that I read it." Mark Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262292085318047939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59343140517130951452016-03-02T13:46:53.727-05:002016-03-02T13:46:53.727-05:00Carolynn, I loved your blog post. Both of my kids ...Carolynn, I loved your blog post. Both of my kids and my daughter's boyfriend work or have worked in retail for years. The stories they tell! At our house, Thanksgiving is for gathering strength for Black Friday (and don't get me started on stores that start the sales on Thanksgiving Day). Bless you, and all the others in the retail trenches. Invisible, but vital. Celia Reaveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14477769617945528997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1895650324420966242016-03-02T13:32:03.095-05:002016-03-02T13:32:03.095-05:00Not all conferences are created alike, either. The...Not all conferences are created alike, either. The Writers Digest NY conference last summer was wonderful (Oh gawd I love NYC!), but the emphasis (I found) was really on pitching. Meeting Janet was the highlight of the whole conference for me, and her session on querying was the best and most informative there (no, of course I'm not biased). And I got to meet other Reiders and become friends with Julie (hi Julie!). But many of the workshops (and this is only MY opinion) were geared more toward ... well if it was a college these would be the 100-level classes. Other conferences I've attended, like the Willamette conference in Portland, offered workshops that would fit more into 300-level classes, if that makes sense. <br /><br />I hope that doesn't come across as snobbish; that's not my intent. But there is a definite difference in the kind of workshops offered at different conferences, and if you're going to fork over a LOT of money to attend one, make sure you really research what speakers will be presenting and what kind of presentation they will be doing. Look at other talks they've given if you can, and make sure they will really be speaking to the kind of things you're there to learn. <br /><br />And lastly, back to the pitch sessions. Agents REALLY, REALLY want to say yes to you at pitch sessions. Sure I've seen people get lots of rejections, and I've gotten them too. But understand that you're usually only pitching the concept and maybe the premise of your book, not your ability to carry it off. Sort of like saying, "My restaurant serves Mexican food." Who doesn't love Mexican food? An agent at a pitch session can't tell if you know a tortilla from a tamale, and they're thinking, "Damn! Margaritas sound perfect right now." So they're going to say, "OK, send me your query and a couple of chapters," and then go hit the bar. But if you just queried that same agent from the comfort of your own desk chair, in your own comfy bunny slippers, you'd probably send them your query and first few chapters anyway. Now if you can say, "My restaurant serves Mexican food made using ancient Mayan and Spanish recipes handed down from the mistress of Jaun Valdez, and our margaritas are served with gold salt on the rim," an agent might say, "Holy guacamoli! This is what I've been searching for all my life! Send this to my personal email - I'll be holding my breath!" or something like that. And you might go to the head of the line. That's pretty much the best case scenario at a conference. <br /><br />Unless, of course, you have a fairy godmother. If you do, email me.Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-87973994935893259042016-03-02T13:27:40.211-05:002016-03-02T13:27:40.211-05:00Lovely blog entry, Carolynn. All the rushing and f...Lovely blog entry, Carolynn. All the rushing and following of mental to-do lists makes it far too easy to forget to treat people like people!Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17301936980049346654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77935126883831525842016-03-02T13:13:44.520-05:002016-03-02T13:13:44.520-05:00Just the thought of a conference makes me excited....Just the thought of a conference makes me excited. So hoping to go to one some day. I'd be too starstruck to carry a pitch appropriately, though, so I'm glad there doesn't seem to be too much support for that portion here. <br /><br />Cool article, 2N's - if your boss fires you for that, she ought to be fired. And sent back to retail. And maybe spanked by her mom. <br /><br /><br />Lennon Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03570629350169504234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85381396473681163772016-03-02T13:00:55.373-05:002016-03-02T13:00:55.373-05:00Em-Musing
Similar experience. I can be A-Musing i...Em-Musing<br /><br />Similar experience. I can be A-Musing in person I guess.<br /><br />I’ve been to two writing conferences (a weekend affair in Austin and a one day meeting in Birmingham). I pitched to three agents in Austin and none in Birmingham.<br /> <br />Yet somehow four agents in Austin and one in Birmingham ask for my manuscript (and I'm terrible at social hour networking). The four in Austin rejected it. I told the one in Birmingham it’s not ready for submission.<br /><br />I’ve sent a dozen query letters with no request for pages. <br /><br />So I see a benefit to pitching at conferences if you've really got your manuscript in super-great shape.<br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58971600594819965712016-03-02T12:51:01.234-05:002016-03-02T12:51:01.234-05:00Compared to other professional conferences I’ve at...Compared to other professional conferences I’ve attended, writers’ conference panel discussions don’t add much. The panelists repeat the basics. Though at each conference I attended there was one session that proved beneficial (Karleen Koen in Austin (a workshop, not a panel) and the brutal one page reading session in Birmingham)<br /><br />To me, it is worthwhile to meet and speak with other writers struggling to create something. Their personal stories often are more fascinating to me than their books.<br /><br />I would like to attend the WD conference and Thrillerfest someday.<br />Joseph S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07437663031050410028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-61066872216365779892016-03-02T12:46:20.324-05:002016-03-02T12:46:20.324-05:00Top Five Reasons to Go to Writing Conferences:
#5...Top Five Reasons to Go to Writing Conferences:<br /><br />#5: Ribbons! Just kidding. You don't want to be that guy who wears a joke ribbon to the conference only to find out that the conference isn't even DOING ribbons. Then the joke is on you.<br /><br />#4: Making friends and connections. I've gotten to meet authors I admire—and find new authors to admire—at conferences. And I've met other writers who are on the same journey as me, and we still stay in touch via Twitter and things. Writing is a lonely business, but it's better with friends.<br /><br />#3: Workshops! Keynote addresses! Critiques! There are so many incredible opportunities to hone your craft.<br /><br />#2: The search for an agent (and, I imagine, for an editor) is incredibly impersonal. All you do is stare at your screen and wait for emails. But getting to meet agents and editors and put a face on that side of the business is, dare I say it, comforting. One of my favorite experiences at Midwest Writers was sitting next to Janet discussing Thai food.<br /><br />#1: Where else can you go where everyone* around you is as passionate about writing as you are? Even if you stay in the corner by yourself and never interact with anyone, the atmosphere alone is incredible.<br /><br />*Except that one guy who walked around with his shirt half-unbuttoned, chewing gum and evading every question asked of him. Apparently his boss at the add agency made him come.Adib Khorramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836332867898941638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73690689887683890792016-03-02T12:36:48.724-05:002016-03-02T12:36:48.724-05:00Susan,
We, meaning the B&W crew, visit with t...Susan,<br /><br />We, meaning the B&W crew, visit with the volunteers, wait staff, hotel people all through the Surrey conference. I'm sure other people do at other conferences. Everyone appreciates the volunteers so much, especially. <br /><br />There's always a volunteer or two in each class or panel, so you get to listen to those. You get to meet great people, agents, authors, editors, other volunteers.<br /><br />Please do see if you can at least volunteer. The excitement if nothing else will do you good. Of course, after all the hard work you'll need a vacation, but it's worth it.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17546193389851489272016-03-02T12:10:24.715-05:002016-03-02T12:10:24.715-05:00*pushes a shot of Pappy van Winkle across the bar*...*pushes a shot of Pappy van Winkle across the bar*Stephen Kozeniewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185600045044927669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1246964974659728522016-03-02T12:02:41.661-05:002016-03-02T12:02:41.661-05:00Wow, great information to read. I'm gawking. T...Wow, great information to read. I'm gawking. This helps me set expectations as I'm planning to hit a conference (or two) this year. I like the idea of learning about craft, questioning people in the field and finding inspiration. Anything else, like discovering an agent, is just a bonus.<br /><br />Anyone here thinking about the Chicago Writing Workshop in May? Just curious as it's on my radar and looks to have several interesting workshops among its offerings.John Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01702305890462479118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-77743274988814565302016-03-02T11:58:47.914-05:002016-03-02T11:58:47.914-05:00I've attended the Emerald City conference a fe...I've attended the Emerald City conference a few times now and while I had some luck with the 'pitch' session, the panels and discussions were invaluable as well as the speakers they'd brought in. Spending money on conferences for learning experiences and networking is one thing. I would definitely encourage that. But spending money for a pitch session? Query, query, query! More effective in the long run. And way cheaper. At least, I think so.nightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-75754023914041580812016-03-02T11:52:23.848-05:002016-03-02T11:52:23.848-05:00I wonder if people still have unrealistic expectat...I wonder if people still have unrealistic expectations about face-to-face encounters with agents? Certainly, pitching an agent could get you a request for pages. And agents are more disposed to requesting at conferences. But you still have to write a novel they want to represent. Offers of rep happen at conferences, but from what I understand, it's not common, and it's never without the agent being impressed with the work offered. In other words, you still have to write a cracking good novel, whether you query, pitch, or buy the agent drinks.<br /><br />When I had my 15 minutes with Jessica Faust at Bouchercon, given the nature of the event, I was taken completely off-guard when she asked me about my WiP. Miraculously (and I mean that quite literally) I was able to rattle of a quick pitch totally off the top of my head. We talked a bit about it after, and she offered some suggestions for the novel. As we were parting ways, she didn't ask for a full, neither did she whip out a BookEnds contract for me to sign. I asked her if I should query her, and she said yes. Would I have queried her anyway? Probably. But it was nice to hear that. :)<br /><br />So, echoing what's been said before, I wouldn't go to a conference expecting to get an agent or a pub deal. I would go for the opportunity to meet people, learn things, and be encouraged and inspired. Anything else is the cherry on the icing on the cake. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.com