tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post4158635220996927975..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Conference question: taking a one-sheet to pitch sessionsJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30695395695755284672015-04-10T22:58:19.052-04:002015-04-10T22:58:19.052-04:00I can never keep up with all your comments... I...I can never keep up with all your comments... I'm too busy shredding all my "synopses" and headshots. <br /><br />Seriously, though, this is encouraging. I'm going to my first writers conference in forever and I'm glad I don't have to bring a suitcase of "pick me" materials.JEN Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11223454346963493011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91515386072791580422015-04-09T01:52:30.769-04:002015-04-09T01:52:30.769-04:00Dena, Now that you mention it I remember that comm...Dena, Now that you mention it I remember that comment. I'll hop on over to your blog.angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-10916227127712772222015-04-09T01:02:26.804-04:002015-04-09T01:02:26.804-04:00AMANDA - The old adage, "When one door closes...AMANDA - The old adage, "When one door closes, another opens." Here's hoping it will be an even better one!<br /><br />JANET - Congratulations for being on the "101 Best Blogs for Writers" list. Most deservedly earned. Thank you.<br /><br />COMMENTERS - Thank you for your regular input of helpful and interesting comments.Gingermollymarilynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15684318210445109786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-75228468871405141262015-04-08T23:50:59.382-04:002015-04-08T23:50:59.382-04:00Here are Dena's links:
http://jetreidliterary...Here are Dena's links:<br /><br /><a href="http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2015/01/query-question-fear-of-others-reading.html" rel="nofollow">http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2015/01/query-question-fear-of-others-reading.html</a><br /><br />And to her awesome blog (if you aren't reading her legal definitions this month, you're missing out):<br /><a href="http://denapawling.blogspot.com/2015/02/non-existent-after-hours-courthouse.html" rel="nofollow">http://denapawling.blogspot.com/2015/02/non-existent-after-hours-courthouse.html</a><br /><br />:)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36967976163174254762015-04-08T22:28:06.492-04:002015-04-08T22:28:06.492-04:00Angie - I posted how I learned about public speaki...<br />Angie - I posted how I learned about public speaking here<br /><br />http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2015/01/query-question-fear-of-others-reading.html<br /><br />So you don't have to go there and search for it, I'll copy the relevant portion here. The skill works for all public speaking for me, not just court. Before that class, I was the skittish woodland creature with twitching whiskers who would rather die than speak in public. Which I guess begs the question of why I wanted to be a lawyer in the first place. This class was wonderful for a few reasons, not just this one. But this one is a biggie.<br /><br />~~~<br />I've never wilted or cried in open court, a skill I thank a former law professor [who not coincidentally was also a judge] taught me a loooooong time ago when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and I was in law school. He made all of us second-year students stand in class to recite Constitutional Law cases while the other students stared at us [thankful it wasn't their turn] and he grilled us on what the cases stood for. And we had to know the names of all the justices who were on the supreme court at the time the case was decided, which president appointed them, their political persuasion, etc. Then we had to recite our opinion on how the CURRENT supreme court would have decided the same case, and why. We stood on shaky legs and did our best. I did fight back tears in this class the very first time I was called to stand and recite. After about the fourth recitation, I was actually able to [nervously] argue back with the judge/professor.<br />~~~<br /><br />After that class, I was brave enough for two semesters of Trial Practice class. If you're interested, here's a taste of what I did in that class [this was when I was too brave ie stupid for my own good lol]. I won't copy this one here, too long, but you can read it on my blog if you want:<br /><br />http://denapawling.blogspot.com/2015/02/non-existent-after-hours-courthouse.html<br />Dena Pawlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14444683810125395220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-42639919841068168412015-04-08T21:19:49.576-04:002015-04-08T21:19:49.576-04:00Congrats Janet on being on the 101 list!
Amanda- ...Congrats Janet on being on the 101 list!<br /><br />Amanda- I'm sorry to hear your news. Sending thoughts your way!<br /><br />Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84853222546462012042015-04-08T20:29:59.155-04:002015-04-08T20:29:59.155-04:00Amanda, I'm sending many prayers and blessings...Amanda, I'm sending many prayers and blessings your way as well. :-)<br /><br />Congratulations Janet for being on the 101 best blogs for writers list! <br /><br />I'm under the influence of matza bread (a cracker that we eat during Passover instead of bread), and my night dyslexia is kicking in (it's after 3 O'clock in the morning in Tel-Aviv) . <br /><br />I'd better not write too many incoherencies (just a few ;-)), but I have to say this: great post and comments, as always. <br /><br />Goodnight Janet and lovely commenters. I can at least dream about meeting you all in NC. <br />Lilachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08150029612208267342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-6616032551058962952015-04-08T18:37:41.494-04:002015-04-08T18:37:41.494-04:00Hello, Leone! Nice to see you. :) I would love to ...Hello, Leone! Nice to see you. :) I would love to get to a conference for that reason--to be in a roomful of other writers. If this little corner of cyberspace is anything to go by, it would be a lot of fun. While Bouchercon is more a convention than a conference, there will be a number of writers (as well as a smattering of agents) there, so it'll be kinda sorta like a writers' conference. Close enough for me, anyway! :)<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You should do it more often. ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-86778511049031312012015-04-08T17:47:14.393-04:002015-04-08T17:47:14.393-04:00I rarely comment on this blog (though I read it da...I rarely comment on this blog (though I read it daily), but I felt I needed to say something on this post.<br /><br />I've been to PitchFest (and CraftFest) twice. I agree with bjmuntain that the experience is valuable in sharpening skills and I did get requests from agents - though I realized later that I needed to work on the manuscript more. So it could be helpful for.<br /><br />But the most amazing thing I saw there was author Jon Land, who spent THREE HOURS of his time meeting with a long, long line of authors who wanted advice on how to pitch. He made the offer during CraftFest and promised to stay until everyone interested had a chance to run their pitch by him. And everyone did. <br /><br />Not only is Jon a successful author with plenty of other things to do, but he was in the middle of negotiating a publishing contract and several times had to interrupt the session to take a call. Yet he still stayed until everyone had pitched.<br /><br />Why do I share this? Because writers are a community and the most valuable reason to go to a conference is to be part of that community. The rest is nice, but that is pure gold. <br /><br />That is also why I love this blog, because it's such a vibrant part of that community. Amanda, as you can see from these posts, everyone here is pulling for you and/or praying for you and that is what it's all about.Leonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13803251635902910126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60748664084146156732015-04-08T15:07:50.640-04:002015-04-08T15:07:50.640-04:00Always great advice here. The Shark's blog mu...Always great advice here. The Shark's blog must be N.1 of the 101. Congratulations.<br /><br />Amanda, they say in Italian, non tutti mali vengano a nuocere. Translates vaguely to not all bad things are harmful. Not that they're easy. <br /><br />I've never been laid off because I've worked for myself since ever. I did get fired though once from barmaid when I choked a client. Hands on neck. They hired me again the following day. You can fill in the details.<br /><br />I've pitched two agents. Five minute sessions, once in a room alone. Andreline made me shake like I'd been electrified. My was voice was someone elses. The agent looked like he thought I might stab him. That was for a picture book. Instead of showing the illustrations, which are the best part, I just blathered. No interest.<br /><br />The second time I read the query letter that I'd prepared with the knowledge I've learned mostly here and Query Shark. The agent redlined some parts and asked me to send when ready.<br /><br />I'd love to go to ThrillerFest or Bouchercon. US Writer conferences are worth crossing the world for. And NYC is to die for.<br /><br />Dena, what's your secret? I mean talking in front of all those emotional people. The last time I had to talk in front of a crowd, they were 80 scientists. When they told me how many people were going to be there I lost my cookies. But on the big day I was so ill I wasn't phased.angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-13776827735029280772015-04-08T14:38:58.544-04:002015-04-08T14:38:58.544-04:00bj: Thanks for presenting the argument FOR pitchin...bj: Thanks for presenting the argument FOR pitching. I'm still not convinced, though. Yes, you get your work in front of an agent quicker, and you are more likely to get requests for partials and fulls. But often this just serves to raise hopes unnecessarily since the agent isn't going to take you on based on where s/he saw your work. The only difference between a partial request at a conference and a partial request via a regular query submission is one of timing. For some that matters. But a no is still a no, regardless of how long you waited.<br /><br />That's my take. But you do raise good arguments. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-20863317196414491512015-04-08T14:33:20.988-04:002015-04-08T14:33:20.988-04:00Amanda, so sorry to hear about your job. I've...Amanda, so sorry to hear about your job. I've been made redundant twice in the last two years, so I feel your pain. But in the end, I've wound up with a much better job that I enjoy far more, so it's actually been a good thing.<br /><br />I've never been to a writer's conference. I hope one day I might get the chance, but New Zealand is a long way from anywhere….Kate Larkindalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06202347563426692610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64775153583990828632015-04-08T14:25:18.012-04:002015-04-08T14:25:18.012-04:00Not unusual at all. It's a special talent, tho...Not unusual at all. It's a special talent, though, to get a tiny bit of water all the way up through the ice to the top of a tall glass - without trying to take a drink at the time. <br /><br />Don't try this at home. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24717119428984147182015-04-08T14:18:53.062-04:002015-04-08T14:18:53.062-04:00bjmuntain: oh good, that's not an unusual prac...bjmuntain: oh good, that's not an unusual practice then (spilling liquid all over oneself). Thank you for the calming reassurance. I'll remember that (writing down in notepad: Go to bar the night before to watch Amazing Agent interact with OTHER people) Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-76540390663357426282015-04-08T13:55:21.167-04:002015-04-08T13:55:21.167-04:00Amanda, I'm so sorry about your job. It's ...Amanda, I'm so sorry about your job. It's always a disappointment and inconvenience, but I know you'll find something. And you're right, the loonie sucks right now. Would it be more affordable to share a room with 2/3/more other people? Did you already have your Thrillerfest conference paid for? If you're interested in knowing about a couple of less-expensive Canadian conferences, e-mail me at bjmuntain(at)sasktel.net.<br /><br />I love New York. I've been a few times now (I'm so lucky I've got a free place to stay in the East Village), and there's always something new to do. Even if I spend most of my time visiting my friend there, we get to go to museums and Broadway plays, and I even had a couple chances to go to the BackSpace Conference, when it was still a physical conference.<br /><br />Brianrschwarz: If you look like a young George Clooney, you don't need a picture. The agent will remember you.<br /><br />Colin: You've given a few good reasons to pitch at conferences - your query/pages might get seen sooner, or you can pitch an agent otherwise closed to queries. <br /><br />Other reasons: <br /><br />1) You have five, maybe ten, minutes to convince the agent to look at your work. That's about 4–8 more minutes than you would get with a query letter.<br />2) You can answer the agent's questions right then and there, if they want to know something else.<br />3) Agents will often request partials or fulls at a pitch session, when otherwise you'd send a query letter and maybe a few pages first, before being asked for a partial. <br />4) If you're at all good at selling (I'm still learning this skill), you'll have the chance to really sell the agent on your novel. And to offer to buy them drinks later at the hotel bar.<br /><br />Yes, the agent is still going to choose depending on your writing, no matter how many drinks you buy them. But you've got more time to convince the agent to read your writing. Plus, when a writer spends hundreds of dollars (and often flies many miles) to go to a conference, it's clear they're serious about their writing and about bettering their craft -- and this gives them more credibility.<br /><br />When I go to a conference, I'll often take some printouts, just in case. Sometimes an agent will ask if you have one, and I will have it. Many times, they're not interested, so the printouts stay in my business-like leather binder. I also have business cards printed up, and the agents I've pitched will often take one if offered. (They might just throw them in the trash can afterwards. I don't know. But at least they get to see my clever-yet-businesslike cards. I've had a couple agents comment on them.)<br /><br />The year I pitched one Amazing Agent, I actually took two copies of my first few pages: one printed in Times New Roman and one printed in New Courier. When AA asked if I had some pages handy, I asked which font. He was pleasantly surprised when I actually had a Courier font chapter handy. But this is NOT the norm. I'd researched this agent very well.<br /><br />And Lisa: An aquaintance introduced me to this AA in the bar, the evening before my pitch session. I wound up sitting there, listening to my acquaintance bantering on, the AA politely listening, with my shaking hands managing to spill the 1/2 inch of water left in my glass all over myself. The pitch the next morning was MUCH easier.<br /><br />And for those considering attending a pitch session - I highly encourage it. For one thing, the agents and editors are (usually) very nice people who WANT to like your work. For another thing, you develop skills in selling your writing. After several years of conferences, I now no longer dread the 'tell me more' after I give my elevator pitch. I'm much better able to elaborate according to the agent/editor's question. At first, it can be terrifying. After awhile, it gets to be simply scary. And then, once you learn to run off at the mouth about your novel, it's almost bearable. I still can't read my fiction out loud, but I can blather about it under stress.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-34596950758546118962015-04-08T13:51:44.297-04:002015-04-08T13:51:44.297-04:00Amanda, I am so sorry about your bad news. But it ...Amanda, I am so sorry about your bad news. But it sounds like your sense of humor is fully operational. Good for you, girl. I hope something new turns up quicker than you ever hoped.<br /><br />I will admit, the OP's question had me shaking in my custom baby seal leather boots as well. I’ve been to exactly one conference where pitching was a thing, and the first five minutes of my first 10-minute pitch are a blur. All I remember is me telling myself, “Don’t throw up, don’t throw up.” Fortunately, I didn’t throw up, so I counted that a win. I practiced my pitch with the expert pitch perfectifiers on hand and pitched a few more times. Each time went a little better than the last, and I actually got requests. I did print out a copy of my query and a bullet list of things I wanted to remember to tell the agent (like my name, which was surprisingly easy to forget at the time, as was how to speak English), but by the end I didn’t need them. <br /><br />The very best pitch practice I got was sitting on an airplane stuck on the tarmac in Pensacola. When my seatmates asked me what I did, I said, “Heh, heh! (gulp) I’m a writer.” When they asked what I wrote, I rattled off a near-perfect 30-second elevator pitch. I thought, holy cow, where did that come from? And where was it hiding when I was at those pitch sessions? I wished I’d written it down. The person in the row in front of me actually turned around and said, “Hey, I’d read that!” (woot woot!) I think they key was that I was relaxed (nice warm Florida + glass of wine), and hadn’t planned it out to the nth degree. <br /><br />Good luck at ThrillerFest, OP - I hope your pitch sessions go well! <br />Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50637010676790702522015-04-08T13:02:27.092-04:002015-04-08T13:02:27.092-04:00Dena: I know that feeling. I'm a pastor--lead ...Dena: I know that feeling. I'm a pastor--lead worship and do the sermon (the talking bit) in front of people. Nowadays I even walk away from the pulpit (it's allowed) and ask questions to weave responses together to end the sermon. BUT put me with these same folks in the social time that follows. man alive... If I can just remember, as you wrote, to listen and ask questions. <br /><br />I'm hoping within the next year to get to a conference. Not to pitch but to learn more about the craft of writing, meet peers IRL, and admire agents and published writers from afar (and maybe accidentally at a bar too). Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-25840645846904904312015-04-08T12:37:37.593-04:002015-04-08T12:37:37.593-04:00I did a pitch slam a hundred years ago. Picture a ...I did a pitch slam a hundred years ago. Picture a classroom set-up with a half-dozen agents sitting at desks in front of long rows of nearly puking writers. Every 60 seconds, a bell goes off. The writer gets 60 seconds to pitch, followed by the agent’s 60 second response. As a very new, unprepared writer, it was terrifying. I still get the flop sweats thinking about it. It reminded me of a particularly evil biology prelim in college: 120 stations with various dissected life-forms splayed open for identification of all the slimy, stringy, mucky parts, a bell going off every 15 seconds. <br />On the other hand, I always try to do a 15-minute critique session whenever I’m lucky enough to attend a conference. It usually costs an extra $40, but the one-on-one feedback is priceless, and I’ve developed some ongoing relationships with some of the editors and agents I’ve met.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12350212589821497010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37217345096549000152015-04-08T11:34:54.272-04:002015-04-08T11:34:54.272-04:00Colin: You win again.
We're all mostly artic...Colin: You win again. <br /><br />We're all mostly articulate via written word over spoken word. Heck, I toured and played music all over the US as my full time job for a few years and my band always got green in the face when I started to talk...<br /><br />So apparently i'm only affluent if I'm singing previously memorized words... <br /><br />I'm not sure if being outgoing but strange is better or worse than hiding in the corner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85320075512101197832015-04-08T11:26:01.202-04:002015-04-08T11:26:01.202-04:00Literally every time I see Bouchercon, I read it a...Literally every time I see Bouchercon, I read it as Boucheron (aka Bûcheron), which is one of my favorite cheeses. And then I become sad.<br /><br />The thought of pitching anything is absolutely terrifying to me. Querying is hard enough—the thought of doing it live in front of an audience makes me want to go and bow at the altar of the porcelain god.<br /><br />I haven't been to a conference with pitch sessions—yet—but I am attending MWW this year, which has them. Quite a few conferences seem to offer them, so someone must be getting something out of them.<br /><br />Amanda: Best of luck! Adib Khorramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836332867898941638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28252964249727816342015-04-08T11:17:05.575-04:002015-04-08T11:17:05.575-04:00You'll come out okay, Amanda. I got laid off d...You'll come out okay, Amanda. I got laid off during the recession, and--okay, to be brutally honest, my income has still not recovered. But I'm teaching at a college now, which allowed me to start writing, and even though that's still not taken off, I'm still hopeful.<br /><br />Damn, that was the worst motivational speech ever. Sorry, but it really is true that most everyone I know who got laid off eventually ended up happier for it.<br /><br />On conferences, bring business cards with your contact info--not for agents, for the other writers you'll meet.Jenzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11652680551107638557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62527255811729556042015-04-08T11:10:27.940-04:002015-04-08T11:10:27.940-04:00Yes, Amanda! Bouchercon 2015 is in Raleigh, NC thi...Yes, Amanda! <a href="http://www.bouchercon2015.org/" rel="nofollow">Bouchercon 2015 is in Raleigh, NC this year</a>!! Janet will be there, Donna will be there, Terri Lynn Coop will be there... and some others (Kathy Reichs, Donna Andrews, Karin Slaughter, et al.) Oh, and I'll be there too. :)<br /><br />If you can find the funds, it would be wonderful to see you there too. :DColin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-76784766797177859292015-04-08T10:58:08.598-04:002015-04-08T10:58:08.598-04:00Wow, thanks everyone for their kind words and pray...Wow, thanks everyone for their kind words and prayers. I'm a big girl, I can handle disappointment. Eventually, after I stomp my feet for awhile.<br /><br />Colin, Bouchercon is in N.C. this year? Must check that out... Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11543685541225544175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71906027773835899512015-04-08T10:24:22.222-04:002015-04-08T10:24:22.222-04:00I'm not easily intimidated but I am gullible. ...I'm not easily intimidated but I am gullible. This sort of thing would have me peeing my pants on the train heading for NYC. But I would face my fear, have every conceivable needed-packages in my HUGE purse, and throw up afterward.<br />God bless the talented and the brave.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45023267241174807792015-04-08T10:13:54.921-04:002015-04-08T10:13:54.921-04:00Colin, glad you included your wife in your itemiza...<br />Colin, glad you included your wife in your itemization of the number of mouths you feed. I'm sure she appreciates it.<br /><br />Almost every weekday I stand in front of a courtroom full of people, and a judge, and sometimes even a jury, and argue motions and/or conduct trials. I do NOT have difficulty with public speaking lol<br /><br />I'd still get some butterflies if I was pitching an agent, though, because the “rules”, if there are any, are different rules than those I work with every day. So I would definitely bring a sheet of paper or note cards or something, just so I didn't get off-track. [Hint: only ONE note card or pre-number them. It helps when you're nervous and you accidentally drop them lol. Yes, I've done that.]<br /><br />My local RWA meeting had an editor speak a few months ago, and she took pitches after her presentation. She didn't acquire what I write though [she wanted erotica], so I didn't pitch. I haven't yet been to a conference.<br /><br />I don't drink when I'm out for dinner, altho I can keep up a social conversation. [Hint: listen more than you talk, there's less chance of inserting your foot in your mouth, and when someone else is speaking, they generally tend to think you are a great social companion and will walk away with a favorable impression of you.] The last time I drank while out at dinner was when I was just 21, and I did the cliche of falling asleep in my mashed potatoes. Yes, this happened, face first. Alcohol makes me really sleepy.<br /><br />I was laid off in 2012, NOT a fun time of my life. I was very fortunate that I found another job only five weeks later. The pay is less and I drive more, but the work is more interesting. Good luck to you, Amanda. I've been there. It's not fun.<br />Dena Pawlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14444683810125395220noreply@blogger.com