Monday, October 27, 2008

Writing Conference Secrets



Chance favors a prepared mind


These are the words of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) keynote speaker and author Elizabeth Partridge. Partridge is the author of biographies of John Lennon, Woody Guthrie, and Dorothea Lange, which is an SCBWI Golden Kite Honor book; winner of the Jane Addams Peace Honor; an ALA notable book and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. The tranquil campus of Mills College in Oakland, CA was the perfect setting for a wonderful conference.

Writing conferences are the best way to meet and network with other writers and meet editors, agents and publishers from houses that do not accept unsolicited submissions. However, editors, agents and publishers graciously accept manuscripts from writers who attend an SCBWI conference. What an opportunity!

When you attend a conference and hear the presentations, you will learn more ways to get your proverbial foot into the door. Editors and agents know a writer is serious about their craft when they attend writing conferences. Also, editors and agents are more likely to read queries from conference attendees.

Editors and agents are also serious about their business. However, issuing rejections are the least favorite part of their job. Another little bit of information I learned was that we are all equal until the first page is read. How well your first page is written will determine if that first page is turned.

A query letter is the first sample of your writing an editor or agent sees. This is why queries are so important. Also, remember to research the agent. Find out what kinds of work they want. Do they want queries by email or snail mail and what about professional stationary? Should you use it or not? Make your cover letter and your query stand out from the manuscript you send in. Show your professionalism and show your knowledge of the market to agents.

Julie Romeis, editor at Chronicle Books related the story of first-time author, Lisa Klein’s Ophelia from acquisition to development and publication. A two year process that was satisfying and successful for editor and author. Romeis also took us behind the scenes and gave us a detailed look into the cover design process.

Write it down,
Carma

8 comments:

  1. Hi Carma...great post and links. The info you provide is always immensely helpful. Keep up the great work!

    Warmly,
    Donna McDine
    www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com
    www.donnamcdine.com

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  2. Best post. Very informative and reminder of what the priorities are. So glad you went. I've got to plan a conference, you reminded me of that, too. You just sound better balanced all the time.

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  3. Hi Donna,
    Thank you for the kind words. I value your input.

    Carma

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  4. Lisa,
    I am glad the information was informative for you. yes, get to a conference when you can. Southern CA should have a few. Thank you for the compliment. I look forward to your comments all the time.

    Carma

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  5. Hi Carma,

    What a wonderful experience for you. I agree with Lisa - you seem to be finding "your place" and my wishes for you are that it feels great to be there.

    Your tips are helpful and I will add them to my list. Queries just scare me and I need to get past that.

    Thanks as always,
    Judy
    http://www.localfoodconnections.com

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  6. Hi Carma, I agree with the others, you always give us needed information. I will try to get to a SCBWI conference in 2009 as a priority for me.

    Warmly,
    Terri Forehand
    http://heartfeltwords4kids.blogspot.com
    http://freewebs.com/heartfeltwords4kids/

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  7. Hi Judy,
    Queries are my stumbling block too. I get stuck because a query letter needs an idea, which I can't seem to find, and then you must be prepared to send "something" in if by chance an editor says YES send me the ms. Yikes. So I have an idea but nothing is written down. On and on. A work in progress and I know you can do it.


    Carma

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  8. Hi Terri,
    I know you will enjoy a conference once you go. For me it is a little over whelming at times but everyone is so friendly and all the presenters are wonderful. You learn so much.

    Carma

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