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Post by Admin on Apr 6, 2017 13:06:24 GMT
Yes, I did it for Cosmic Shift. I got a request for a partial and it came to nothing. I mainly went in to it so I could gain some experience. I wanted to know what kind of questions get asked. Where my query letter was and what I could do to make it better. I know that writers occasionally get lucky but most don't. So I wasn't going in with any false hope.
How long would it take you to get your mystery ready if they requested the whole thing? Could you pull it together in six weeks, or less? If you can't, then go with Vetrix. There have been authors who went the indie route and ended up selling their product to the traditional publisher. It happens. I'm not sure what is required but if you do Vetrix, I might have the proposed series package in mind too in case they ask for the over all story arc from beginning to end. You might not need it but it would be good to have just in case.
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Post by bill on Apr 7, 2017 2:51:34 GMT
I could have the mystery done in six weeks, especially if someone specifically asked for it! My fear was I might have to produce it the week after the conference. Would they really give me that long? That would be ideal.
I would sell the the Flipper series if someone was interested. I just figure since I've now published the first book that would be a hard sell.
I don't have high expecatations. I'm like you - I want the experience and information. I also don't want to be embarrassed if they happen to ask for a manuscript.
I think I've decided to give the mystery a good shot at being picked up, so getting input into the query letter could be valuable.
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Post by Admin on Apr 7, 2017 12:42:08 GMT
Just make sure that your first 3 chapters are as tight and good as you can make them. You might go to the website of whomever you are set up with and look at their submission guidelines. Six weeks isn't a long time in the writing world. And they usually ask for partials first. I suspect mine was what I call a sympathy request and they didn't really want it anyway. Just wanted to give me the experience but there have been deals made during a pitch. You just never know.
Your synopsis needs to be as good as you can make it. If they ask for a complete, and I've never had that happen, thank them and then get it done as soon as you can and out the door. If they ask for a partial, send that and while you're waiting polish the ms. so its ready when they ask. You usually get bad news back faster than you get good news. And sometimes, as happened to me, you never hear back from them at all. I find that a rude way to do business and I make sure I don't send to that particular person again. I don't want to work with someone who can't take the time to send even a form rejection.
I don't even mind getting rejection slips because it means I did my job to the very end. I'm so finish challenged that having that confirmation that I did it is actually a source of pride for me. Enjoy the experience and learn as much as you can. Take advantage of the meal times. Every table will be hosted by somebody in the industry. They will have the names of the host on a card in the center of each table. Look to see who you want to rub elbows with and try to get a seat at that table so you can get some face to face time. I'm at a point where its the networking opportunities that draw me rather than the workshops and panels.
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Post by bill on Apr 10, 2017 2:27:12 GMT
I got an e-mail today that I get to read my first chapter to a panel that will critique it. While this is intimidating I know I need the experience and the feedback.
The whole conference will be a learning experience. I am looking forward to it even though I don't feel prepared. Things are happening so fast right now and I don't feel ready to go this speed. I have a book signing on May 6 and spoke with a librarian from Newton who thought we could get one there. With the conference and YC Days at the end of May I feel a bit overwhelmed.
Are we allowed to record our sessions with the query and chapter reading. I know I won't be able to takes satisfactory notes, and would rather not bother writing when I should be listening. Plus I don't tend to remember things I hear audibly very well.
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Post by Admin on Apr 10, 2017 4:06:04 GMT
I'm not sure about the recording. There are lots of people around willing to answer questions. I'll let you in on a secret. You'll never feel ready. You just have to jump in and do it so the uncertainty goes away. Doing it takes the apprehension away. Most of the nerves come from not knowing what to expect. Once you do it, those nerves don't come back. You'll go through a series of firsts and then suddenly, you realize that you know what you're doing. Confidence blooms and you know that you are an author working in your chosen field. Now if we could just figure out how to make a living at it.
Pikes Peak is known as one of the friendliest conferences you can go to. They pride themselves on nurturing and building writers. Its going to be a lot of fun. Think about what Joshua is going through. He barely has speech, let alone writing. He's really worried and I think Kathy is a bit nervous too. I've blundered so many times that I've lost my fear. I figure if I goof up, and I will, I'll just smile, apologize, and carry on.
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Post by bill on Apr 16, 2017 1:58:20 GMT
Have you done the read and critique before? It's the first page of the manuscripts - 16 lines. I'm working on my beginning but unsure how I should end the 16 lines. Do I stop where it ends, even if it's in the middle of a sentence or paragraph? Or do I try to get a good stopping point. Sixteen lines is not much!
I can't imagine what Josh is feeling. I hope he's able to focus on the excitement and enjoy the experience!
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Post by Admin on Apr 16, 2017 3:33:54 GMT
He's pretty nervous. We're working on getting his book dummy put together this weekend. He also needs to finish his query letter and then we want to write up a series proposal. Not that he'll need it but I'd like to see what he's got and how much is left to do. I'm using the conference to see where we are in the process. Holly told me that if I'll send her the proposal she'll look it over for us and help us make it as strong as possible. If she thinks its ready she'll introduce us to her agent. We are no where near ready for that but I need some way to gauge what we have and what we need.
She's doing this because I've been with her so long and done what I could on the boards and moderating. She can't pay any of us so she tries to pay it back as she can. And I have no clue whether Joshua can do this but he's trying and as long as he tries I'll help him. I think he's got a real shot at making this work.
We'll head for Kansas on Friday. Get in Sat. morning. then head for Colorado on Wed. Looks like Marilyn will be going with us. She'll stay at Rhonda's. She doesn't want to miss out and I'm sure Rhonda will enjoy the company.
As for the sixteen sentences I think they will let you finish the sentence. I don't think you have to stop in the middle. I did a read and critique but when I did it we broke into groups and each table had a leader. The leader was in the industry either as an author, agent, or publisher. Each person got to read their first page, or whatever it was, then the table discussed it as a group. It was very helpful and insightful to get reactions and professional feedback.
I don't know how this one will be conducted. There is a new group of people in charge of the conference since the last time I attended. It will be interesting to see how it holds up compared to previous years.
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Post by bill on Apr 27, 2017 11:43:25 GMT
Good luck today! Enjoy, we'll see you tomorrow morning!
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