Today is Monday and it's the first opportunity for me to get some internet access. To blog on the road is sometimes a challenge.
On day 4 and last day of the conference, I saw the energy run out a little. The combination of late nights, challenging workshops and a few cocktails (for some, but not for me ;-)) dwindled the enthusiasm for many of the attendees. That is why it's a challenge for workshop presenters on Saturday afternoon: how to keep people alert.
Margie Lawson did that very well. She made her workshop interactive, though her fashion choice was a bit odd: she wore surgery scrubs! In her attempt to make our manuscripts free of clichés and full of fresh writing, her assistants performed an operation on poor Raggedy Ann who had a stomach full of flat words. Well done, Margie, you kept us awake the whole hour.
At the book signing, I had the pleasure to see Lisa Kleypas, one of my favorite historical writers. I went to St.Martin's spotlight and the editors there repeated what all others said before: write the best manuscript you can.
Then it was time to prepare for the gala. Everyone wore their best clothes and perfume. I like the importance RWA gives to the Golden Heart and Rita Awards: it's the Oscars of the publishing world.
Before I conclude this series of blogs, here's what I'm taking away from the conference. In the business world, it's called a post-mortem.
On Agents and Editors:
Every writer dreams about landing an agent and/or an editor, and every writer knows how hard it is to get the attention of one. Writing conferences are the perfect opportunity to make an appointment with one. Agents and editors WANT to find a new talent to work with. Let me repeat: agents and editors WANT to find new writers.
But (there has to be the proverbial but), they want someone professional to work with. What does professional mean? It means working with a manuscript that is as close to publication as possible. What does that mean? It means having a manuscript that is clean of clichés, has an almost perfect grammar, a plot that grips the reader, a VOICE that is compelling. It means a manuscript that follows the guidelines of the targeted publishing house.
I heard many writers complain how the agent/editor world is a clique and is hard to penetrate. Sure it is. I was a food buyer for many years and it was hard for any new supplier to attract my attention. If they did, that was because they had a damn good product. Same with publishing. The product is the manuscript. And it has to be damn good.
As big as the RWA conference is, the publishing world is small and it can be real easy to get a reputation, good or bad. Approach agents/editors with professionalism or risk being labeled.
On the Craft:
There is always something new to learn.
On the sisterhood of RWA:
IT'S AMAZING
On my to-do list:
Any good post-mortem is never complete without a set of new upcoming goals. Here are mine, based on what I learned in Orlando:
1) Revise my first manuscript and make it the best it can be
2) Work on my second manuscript
3) Submit to contests
4) Diversify my writing (other genres, short stories, magazine articles...)
My personal conclusion: I will submit to an agent only when I am truly ready. Ready with a polished manuscript and a second one in the trenches. If asked for a full, I can send it right away. If asked for anything else I've worked on, I can send that right away.
My long term goal is to become a career writer, thus my short term goal is NOT to quickly land an agent. My short term goal is to get ready to land the best agent for me, who will help me achieve my long term goal. Hurrying the process can only hurt me in the long run.
So there you go. I hoped you enjoyed my Orlando posts. You can look at the latest pictures at http://www.facebook.com/carolestlaurentRW
Keep writing!!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Day 3 at Orlando: Friday
I'm back in my room after a full day. I didn't go out at all, I was too exhausted. And my feet hurt.
The first workshop I attended, at 8h30, was Spotlight on Kensington. This was the first time I attended a Spotlight, for a very good reason: I'd never had a completed manuscript before, so what was the use of seeking editors' advice when I didn't have a book to sell?
Kensington: the editors offered many tidbits and everything is simple really, and I've heard it all at the other conferences I attended, but somehow it's comforting to hear it again:
A) have your manuscript in the best shape possible
B) don't say in your query that your book is a little scary and a little sensuous and a little funny, have your book be one thing only, or at least mention in your query the main angle of your book; it's necessary for the editors to know where your novel belongs
C) query only when your revisions are done (this refers back to A but I think the editors wanted to drive the point home)
D) the Kensington editors want to acquire more than a book, they want to acquire a writer, so that means be prepared to have a backlist (I know what that means... write, write, write!)
E) go see what the guidelines are on their website and query your book accordingly
F) get an agent
G) have a marketing platform ready, i.e. website, FB, Twitter, etc...
H) before submitting, do your research: look at their lines and their writers and you'll see what they want
Kensington is actively looking for YA paranormal and military romantic suspense. I thought some of you might be interested!
After the Spotlight on Kensington, I went to the Avon book signing: many of my favorite writers were there. See my pictures at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=237318&id=758700571
After lunch, I jumped into the Spotlight on Avon, which has always been my target, only to read, black on white, they want historicals set in England only. ONLY. IN. ENGLAND. NOWHERE. ELSE. I turned tail and went to Belle Books Spotlight.
Amazing little publishing house, headed by Debra Dixon. If you wonder at the name, think GMC. Goal, motivation, conflict. She wrote the darn thing and it's quasi a bible now. It's on my shelf and quite used.
I loved Belle Books. They were very direct and open about their operation, and even shared what they pay their writers. A writer doesn't need to be agented, and most books are ebooks, though they do run small and large print runs. They are mostly southern fiction, but they also touch everything else.
There was another book signing and I met more favorite writers.
The last workshop I attented was another Spotlight, this time on Pocket Book. Similar to Kensington in the how-to approach them. They are actively seeking YA for their MTV line which is edgy teen fiction (sweet Disney stories are out) and book club fiction, or aptly named commercial literary fiction.
So there you are, I hope you'll find this information useful. Now it's time for bed because workshops are starting tomorrow morning at 8h30, there's one on YA and later I'll be seeing the ever energetic and lovely Margie Lawson. Plus more book signing!
The first workshop I attended, at 8h30, was Spotlight on Kensington. This was the first time I attended a Spotlight, for a very good reason: I'd never had a completed manuscript before, so what was the use of seeking editors' advice when I didn't have a book to sell?
Kensington: the editors offered many tidbits and everything is simple really, and I've heard it all at the other conferences I attended, but somehow it's comforting to hear it again:
A) have your manuscript in the best shape possible
B) don't say in your query that your book is a little scary and a little sensuous and a little funny, have your book be one thing only, or at least mention in your query the main angle of your book; it's necessary for the editors to know where your novel belongs
C) query only when your revisions are done (this refers back to A but I think the editors wanted to drive the point home)
D) the Kensington editors want to acquire more than a book, they want to acquire a writer, so that means be prepared to have a backlist (I know what that means... write, write, write!)
E) go see what the guidelines are on their website and query your book accordingly
F) get an agent
G) have a marketing platform ready, i.e. website, FB, Twitter, etc...
H) before submitting, do your research: look at their lines and their writers and you'll see what they want
Kensington is actively looking for YA paranormal and military romantic suspense. I thought some of you might be interested!
After the Spotlight on Kensington, I went to the Avon book signing: many of my favorite writers were there. See my pictures at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=237318&id=758700571
After lunch, I jumped into the Spotlight on Avon, which has always been my target, only to read, black on white, they want historicals set in England only. ONLY. IN. ENGLAND. NOWHERE. ELSE. I turned tail and went to Belle Books Spotlight.
Amazing little publishing house, headed by Debra Dixon. If you wonder at the name, think GMC. Goal, motivation, conflict. She wrote the darn thing and it's quasi a bible now. It's on my shelf and quite used.
I loved Belle Books. They were very direct and open about their operation, and even shared what they pay their writers. A writer doesn't need to be agented, and most books are ebooks, though they do run small and large print runs. They are mostly southern fiction, but they also touch everything else.
There was another book signing and I met more favorite writers.
The last workshop I attented was another Spotlight, this time on Pocket Book. Similar to Kensington in the how-to approach them. They are actively seeking YA for their MTV line which is edgy teen fiction (sweet Disney stories are out) and book club fiction, or aptly named commercial literary fiction.
So there you are, I hope you'll find this information useful. Now it's time for bed because workshops are starting tomorrow morning at 8h30, there's one on YA and later I'll be seeing the ever energetic and lovely Margie Lawson. Plus more book signing!
Day 2 at Orlando: Thursday
This is Friday morning and yesterday, day 2, was filled up to bursting. First I had a meeting with other Online Workshops Coordinators and we came up with exciting stuff for the next year. Then I met with buddies from my DSDB alumni group. What is DSDB? I took Margie Lawson's online class, Defeat Your Self-Defeating Behavior, and as it finished, she told us there was an online group formed by a previous attendee. It's a very active group and I met with Lizbeth and Heather. It's so fun to put faces on a person.
Next, Nora Robert gave her keynote speech. She rocked the house? Her message: quit whining and just do it. She says she's told all the time by aspiring writer that it was easier back in her days. Bullshit! she says. She started on a typewriter with carbon paper. That was not easy!
Then it was the workshops. My first one was "How to finish the damned book!". Even if I finished my first manuscript last Friday, I'm thinking ahead of my next project. The presenter, Colleen Thompson, finished on one good piece of advice: those who succeed are those who risks failure. So true.
After, I went to "Eleven Senses - Who knew?". Marilyn Kelly discussed the traditional sense: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. But did you know there are six more senses scientifically accepted? Those are pain, balance, joint motion and acceleration, sense of time, and temperature difference. All those are great to incorporate into writing. The room was so full, I sat on the floor.
The last workshop I attended was "Paranormals". And yes, paranormals are here to stay. Six presenters discussed the subject, three NYT best sellers and 3 up and coming writers: Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost, Terri Garey, Colleen Gleason, Juliane Stone and CL Wilson. At first the discussion lagged on all the labels in the genre: paranormals, urban fantasy, urban sci-fi, horror, paranormal with romantic elements... Until one of the presenters said these labels were slapped on by the "business", not the writers themselves and not the readers. A good book is a good book.
Once the workshops were done, I changed and headed for two Chapter Events: The Hearts Through History and Young Adult chapters. And I witness something amazing!
The Hearts Through History announces the winners of their RTTA writing contest, and one agent was on sight. She gracefully announced the winners, and offered representation right on the spot to one of the winners!! Then the winner, Heather Snow, (watch that name, she'll pop up somewhere in the near future), went on to say she just joined last week! A shiver went through the crowd and it's a miracle she made it out alive. I'm kidding, of course. Mostly.
The Young Adult Chapter presented their new board and discussed the market. That chapter is so alive, it's brimming with energy.
And last, until late last night, I spent the rest of the evening with my CRW buddies. So much fun! And - drum roll please - Robin Weaver won the Daphne!! Way to go, Robin!!
Later, Martha Catt sang Blue Bayou! For pictures, go to http://www.facebook.com/carolestlaurentRW
Next, Nora Robert gave her keynote speech. She rocked the house? Her message: quit whining and just do it. She says she's told all the time by aspiring writer that it was easier back in her days. Bullshit! she says. She started on a typewriter with carbon paper. That was not easy!
Then it was the workshops. My first one was "How to finish the damned book!". Even if I finished my first manuscript last Friday, I'm thinking ahead of my next project. The presenter, Colleen Thompson, finished on one good piece of advice: those who succeed are those who risks failure. So true.
After, I went to "Eleven Senses - Who knew?". Marilyn Kelly discussed the traditional sense: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. But did you know there are six more senses scientifically accepted? Those are pain, balance, joint motion and acceleration, sense of time, and temperature difference. All those are great to incorporate into writing. The room was so full, I sat on the floor.
The last workshop I attended was "Paranormals". And yes, paranormals are here to stay. Six presenters discussed the subject, three NYT best sellers and 3 up and coming writers: Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost, Terri Garey, Colleen Gleason, Juliane Stone and CL Wilson. At first the discussion lagged on all the labels in the genre: paranormals, urban fantasy, urban sci-fi, horror, paranormal with romantic elements... Until one of the presenters said these labels were slapped on by the "business", not the writers themselves and not the readers. A good book is a good book.
Once the workshops were done, I changed and headed for two Chapter Events: The Hearts Through History and Young Adult chapters. And I witness something amazing!
The Hearts Through History announces the winners of their RTTA writing contest, and one agent was on sight. She gracefully announced the winners, and offered representation right on the spot to one of the winners!! Then the winner, Heather Snow, (watch that name, she'll pop up somewhere in the near future), went on to say she just joined last week! A shiver went through the crowd and it's a miracle she made it out alive. I'm kidding, of course. Mostly.
The Young Adult Chapter presented their new board and discussed the market. That chapter is so alive, it's brimming with energy.
And last, until late last night, I spent the rest of the evening with my CRW buddies. So much fun! And - drum roll please - Robin Weaver won the Daphne!! Way to go, Robin!!
Later, Martha Catt sang Blue Bayou! For pictures, go to http://www.facebook.com/carolestlaurentRW
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Day 1
Sorry for the delay in posting: the internet is at best spotty at the WDW Beach Resort. I've called support 4 times already! But here goes for my first day:
For a while it looked like I might not make it to Orlando. The night before I left, I played tennis with my husband (DH); it was our first official match playing together. We won - big time. But during the night, DH started to get real sick. He had been procrastinating seeing the doctor for a cough and it finally caught up with him: I had to bring him to the hospital in the morning, after a no-sleep night.
He's fine. He has bronco-pneumonia and now he has to take a bunch of meds. Talk about bad timing.
But I made it to my flight in time and though we waited 75 minutes a yard away from the gate in Orlando due to lightning (with many children on board 'cause let's not forget this is Walt Disney World, twas no fun) I finally reached my hotel at 6 pm. The Literacy Signing was almost over when I got there, after registering.
The writers were still there, signing away. Many known faces and many new ones, too.
I bought Kelley Armstrong's latest, Waking the Witch. I saw our own Angela Knight and her handsome husband. I also met with Linda Gerber, who will be CRW's October presenter of the Online workshop. And CRW's Amy Clipston.
TTYS
For picture, since it's impossible to download them in this post with my poor connection, I finally was able to put them on FB. Go to my page to see the latest: http://www.facebook.com/carolestlaurentRW
For a while it looked like I might not make it to Orlando. The night before I left, I played tennis with my husband (DH); it was our first official match playing together. We won - big time. But during the night, DH started to get real sick. He had been procrastinating seeing the doctor for a cough and it finally caught up with him: I had to bring him to the hospital in the morning, after a no-sleep night.
He's fine. He has bronco-pneumonia and now he has to take a bunch of meds. Talk about bad timing.
But I made it to my flight in time and though we waited 75 minutes a yard away from the gate in Orlando due to lightning (with many children on board 'cause let's not forget this is Walt Disney World, twas no fun) I finally reached my hotel at 6 pm. The Literacy Signing was almost over when I got there, after registering.
The writers were still there, signing away. Many known faces and many new ones, too.
I bought Kelley Armstrong's latest, Waking the Witch. I saw our own Angela Knight and her handsome husband. I also met with Linda Gerber, who will be CRW's October presenter of the Online workshop. And CRW's Amy Clipston.
TTYS
For picture, since it's impossible to download them in this post with my poor connection, I finally was able to put them on FB. Go to my page to see the latest: http://www.facebook.com/carolestlaurentRW
Monday, July 26, 2010
I am getting ready for Orlando 2010. The first National conference I attended was in Dallas in 2007, I went alone and I didn't know a soul. Fast forward three years. I now have a completed manuscript and tons of writing friends, most met on many writers' loop.
I am armed with my camera and my voice recorder. I will roam the conference on the lookout for many things: agents and editors (of course), my favorite writers, unique online workshop presenters and current trends in the industry. Is there anything you'd like to hear or see? Any questions you'd like to ask someone?
Leave me a comment with your preference, I will try to hunt down the answers as best as I can.
I am armed with my camera and my voice recorder. I will roam the conference on the lookout for many things: agents and editors (of course), my favorite writers, unique online workshop presenters and current trends in the industry. Is there anything you'd like to hear or see? Any questions you'd like to ask someone?
Leave me a comment with your preference, I will try to hunt down the answers as best as I can.
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