It is getting that time again. I am sure it is already a huge topic on all of the loops out there. Anaheim and the RWA National Conference is closer than we think. So, with that in mind, I thought I would toss out a few things to remember for the upcoming festivities.
AN INVITATION
First with the business... If your writing group or chapter is getting together during nationals, please make sure to send out an invite to the professionals attending the conference. This is a chance to really get to know who these people are in a casual setting. As for me, this is also a chance to pitch projects to me. I know getting an appointment is tight so take advantage of any opportunity.
If you want me to visit, all you have to do is ask!
ELEVATOR PITCHES and Q & A's
I have always laughed at this. You all practice your elevator pitches but A) never give pitch to those editors and agents outside of official pitch sessions; B) Don't know who the editors and agents are; or C) can't pitch because the editors and agents say not to.
Well, I don't say that.
If you see me out and about at the conference, come by and say hi. If you have a story, then pitch it.
PITCH IF YOU ARE READY TO SUBMIT
Do not...(I repeat)...DO NOT pitch a story that is not ready to be handed to the editor or agent right there and then. No, this doesn't mean that you will do that, but the story needs to be that finished. Telling us that you still have work to do, or that the story is still out with your C.P's is not ready. Along the same lines, DO NOT pitch a story that is still in the planning stage.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
If you one of the fortunate few who can get an appointment with an editor or agent, please do your research first. If your story doesn't fit with what they want, CANCEL!!!! Pitching a project that is a certainty to get a rejection sucks up the time for someone else who might have a better chance.
THIS IS A PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE
Look, if you want to simply party, find another conference. This is a professional conference and we expect professional behavior. Dress appropriately. Act appropriately. Simply be professional. Yes, there are times and places to have fun, but even here, keep it professional. You never know who is watching.
ATTEND THOSE SPOTLIGHT SESSIONS
This is a chance for you to ask editors questions and also a chance to find out what these people are looking for.
DO NOT ATTEND SESSIONS JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE FAMOUS IS THERE
Sure, these sessions are fun, but you should be here to learn and grow as an author. Remember that these writers have likely been in business for A LOT of years. Their approaches to writing and their approaches to business will be different than yours simply because they are at a different stage in their career.
HAVE FUN BUT LEARN
Hey, you paid a lot of money to attend this conference. Air, Hotel, Conference fees, and so forth do add up. Don't blow it being stupid!
Scott
Showing posts with label RWA Nationals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RWA Nationals. Show all posts
Monday, June 4, 2012
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Off to New York
I'll be out of the office beginning today, June 28th for the RWA National Conference.
Remember, while at the conference, I am open to pitching if you see me in the hallways. Invite me to sit at your table during meals, I am available.
Remember, I am actively looking for those category romances that I posted about a day or two ago. Bring them to me. New or established authors are VERY welcome.
Also, I am very much actively looking for SINGLE TITLE contemporary romances. I have several editors who have me on a search for the next great thing! Bring it on!
See you all there.
Scott
Remember, while at the conference, I am open to pitching if you see me in the hallways. Invite me to sit at your table during meals, I am available.
Remember, I am actively looking for those category romances that I posted about a day or two ago. Bring them to me. New or established authors are VERY welcome.
Also, I am very much actively looking for SINGLE TITLE contemporary romances. I have several editors who have me on a search for the next great thing! Bring it on!
See you all there.
Scott
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Scott's picks for RWA Nationals - Recommended Workshops
I know, you all have a ton of places to be and only one body to get to all of the sessions. For this reason, you really have to target what you NEED and not so much of what you WANT.
When you pick your workshops, it is crucial to pick it based on where you are at in your writing career. For many who attend, you are still at the craft level. You're still trying to find your voice and personal style. For this reason, skip the sessions marked CAREER and PUBLISHING. Stay only in the CRAFT sessions. I know you might see some editors or agents running sessions, but if you don't need it, then don't waste your time.
I would also like to add, I would honestly skip the CHAT sessions. While these might be fun to hear from your favorite author, writers always tend to come away with some huge misconceptions about their own writing. What they fail to remember, and many times the presenter fails to remember this as well, is that the published author has been doing this for some time. The rules have changed. How they approach their writing really does change. In othe words, what works for them, will likely not work for you until you have reached their level, and by then, you will have found your own way of doing things.
So with that said, I am going to pick my top 5 for each of the categories
CRAFT
CHAT
When you pick your workshops, it is crucial to pick it based on where you are at in your writing career. For many who attend, you are still at the craft level. You're still trying to find your voice and personal style. For this reason, skip the sessions marked CAREER and PUBLISHING. Stay only in the CRAFT sessions. I know you might see some editors or agents running sessions, but if you don't need it, then don't waste your time.
I would also like to add, I would honestly skip the CHAT sessions. While these might be fun to hear from your favorite author, writers always tend to come away with some huge misconceptions about their own writing. What they fail to remember, and many times the presenter fails to remember this as well, is that the published author has been doing this for some time. The rules have changed. How they approach their writing really does change. In othe words, what works for them, will likely not work for you until you have reached their level, and by then, you will have found your own way of doing things.
So with that said, I am going to pick my top 5 for each of the categories
CRAFT
- The Big Black Moment - Deb Dixon
- Creating Three Dimensional Characters - Cherry Adair
- Familiarity Breeds Success - Sarah MacLean and Lauren Willig
- In the Beginning - Connie Brockway, Eloisa James and Julia Quinn
- Variety and Unpredictablity in Category Romance - Bryony Green and Meg Lewis
- The Agent Search - Deborah Blake, et. al.
- Contracts - Donna Bagdasarian and Mel Berger
- Everything You Wanted to Know About the Path to Publication - Lori Foster and Kay Stockham
- Getting past "So close" - Maureen McGowan and Molly O'Keefe
- How to Thrive in a Changing Market - Stella Cameron, et. al.
- Writing the English-set Historical - Jo Beverley
- World Building Through Your Characters' eyes - Adina Senft
- Fact into Fiction - Beth Adams
- (sorry, only 3 on this one)
- 25 Years In Romance - Paula Eykelhof
- The Contemporary Romance Market - Susan Anderson, et. al
- In Inspriational Romance Market - TBA
- (sorry, only 3 on this one as well)
CHAT
- Just pick your favorite author. Remember though. What they do is what THEY do. It may not work for you. Remember also, they have been doing this for a while.
- Attend them all. Listen, take notes and ask a lot of questions that are normally not found on the FAQ sheets.
- Personally, I would skip these. You aren't going to walk away with much other than some feel good stories and motivation.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Don't Rush Into Your Pitch Appointments at RWA Nationals
It is time for me to once again make a plea to authors heading to Nationals and wanting to get pitch appointments with editors and agents.
DON'T RUSH!!!
I am always frustrated at all of the writers that rush out and "snag" appointments to anyone they can get their hands on. You have heard me say this before and I am going to say it again. Your story doesn't fit with every editor or every agent. Do your research before you sign up and really think. Does your writing and does your personality really fit with that publisher or agent. If not, don't sign up.
I guess this message is really going out to all of you writers who get to sign up early for appointments. I hate to break it to you, but many of you writers really should be signing up for some of the Harlequin slots instead of those other houses. You may have a 110,000 word manuscript but the plot, voice and structure screams Harlequin.
For those of you signing up for publishers and agents without doing your research, I hate to break this to you but you better be braced for that rejection letter. Now, if you sign up for someone that would actually appreciate your writing, you might have a better chance.
Now, for those of you who don't get the advance signing in privledges, you also need to do your research. Don't just sign up for the sake of signing up. If there are no publishers or agents on your "well-researched and well thought out list" then don't sign up. Find another way to get that story to them.
Scott
DON'T RUSH!!!
I am always frustrated at all of the writers that rush out and "snag" appointments to anyone they can get their hands on. You have heard me say this before and I am going to say it again. Your story doesn't fit with every editor or every agent. Do your research before you sign up and really think. Does your writing and does your personality really fit with that publisher or agent. If not, don't sign up.
I guess this message is really going out to all of you writers who get to sign up early for appointments. I hate to break it to you, but many of you writers really should be signing up for some of the Harlequin slots instead of those other houses. You may have a 110,000 word manuscript but the plot, voice and structure screams Harlequin.
For those of you signing up for publishers and agents without doing your research, I hate to break this to you but you better be braced for that rejection letter. Now, if you sign up for someone that would actually appreciate your writing, you might have a better chance.
Now, for those of you who don't get the advance signing in privledges, you also need to do your research. Don't just sign up for the sake of signing up. If there are no publishers or agents on your "well-researched and well thought out list" then don't sign up. Find another way to get that story to them.
Scott
Thursday, July 29, 2010
RWA Orlando update 8:50 am
For those of you here at the conference, I need to remind you of something.
If your chapter or group has organized a get together and invited professionals, take advantage of it. They spent a lot of time, money and energy to get the agents and editors there to talk to you. Sitting in a corner, staring at the person and saying to yourself, "I bet they don't want to be disturbed," is wrong. They came for that reason.
The same goes for the editors and agents you see in the hallway. Now many of them are waiting to run some place or meet with people, in most cases, they do have time for you to introduce yourself and say hi. If you are at the bar and someone comes in looking for a table, offer to have them join you. Take the initiative. Wall flowers do not make it in this business.
Scott
If your chapter or group has organized a get together and invited professionals, take advantage of it. They spent a lot of time, money and energy to get the agents and editors there to talk to you. Sitting in a corner, staring at the person and saying to yourself, "I bet they don't want to be disturbed," is wrong. They came for that reason.
The same goes for the editors and agents you see in the hallway. Now many of them are waiting to run some place or meet with people, in most cases, they do have time for you to introduce yourself and say hi. If you are at the bar and someone comes in looking for a table, offer to have them join you. Take the initiative. Wall flowers do not make it in this business.
Scott
Thursday, May 6, 2010
RWA and Mickey Mouse
First of all, big thanks to the RWA staff. AMAZING work!
Just wanted to let all of you know, I am still going. Working on new flight arrangements right now!
Query Fest is still on (but will confirm with the other members to make sure but I would be there is no change).
Appointments are still on!
See you there!
Scott
Just wanted to let all of you know, I am still going. Working on new flight arrangements right now!
Query Fest is still on (but will confirm with the other members to make sure but I would be there is no change).
Appointments are still on!
See you there!
Scott
Monday, February 15, 2010
Query Fest, #RWA10
More details will come on this as they develop, but I thought I would let you all know about this. Great opportunity for those of you coming to nationals. Photo of flyer is not the biggest but I think you can increse the size on your computer.
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