Poets and Writers tools for writers
Source: http://www.pw.org/conferences_and_residencies
The link takes you to a searchable database where you can find conferences and residences across the U.S. There are also links to those events, so you can investigate them further.
Sample of the Poets & Writers database.
And don’t forget about this database to search for competitions: http://www.dystopianstories.com/writing-competitions-2016/
Filed under 2016, writing tip, Writing Tip Wednesday
The Writers Conference for Mysteries, Thrillers, Espionage, Suspense, Romance, Young Adult (YA), Fantasy, Adventure, Historical, Science Fiction, Horror, True Crime.
Guests of Honor: Anne Perry and D.P. Lyle
Starting at $119 for full conference
Conference: August 22. 25, 2013
Conference Hours:
Thursday, August 22 — 6 PM – 10 PM
Friday, August 23 — 8 AM – 7 PM
Saturday, August 24 — 7:05 AM – 11:30 PM
Sunday, august 25 — 8 AM – 3 PM
Over 60 session and 7 tracks
9 breakout session for intense small group session
Agent / Editor / Publisher Roundtables — free with registration
Manuscript critiques
Special Sessions: Synopsis Writing: Query Writing
Prizes and free giveaways
Many more things. To find out more,
call: 615-599-4032
contact@killernashville.com
www.KillerNashville.com
Filed under writing conference, Writing Tip Wednesday
More about agents and queries and pitches in future posts, but I thought I would toss in a quick aside on attire. No, I am not going to tell you to wear plaid pants or flowing scarf around your neck. And I don’t think a tuxedo or strapless evening gown is necessary.
I would recommend casual business attire. After all, as I heard over and over, publishing is a business, and if you’ve come to pitch to agents or editors, looking clean and neat will help create a good impression. Think of it as you would applying for a job. I did see some guys in ties and blue Oxford shirts. I’m not sure a tie is necessary, but it certainly won’t hurt. (And if you’re wondering, I didn’t wear a tie. I did, however, almost pull the floor-length-and-more table cloth off one of the small circular tables I sat at to make a pitch to an agent. It was my attempt at a poor imitation of Buster Keaton or Chevy Chase. We do what we can to make an impression.)
But if nothing else, when attending a summer conference in the South, bring a sweater or at least one long-sleeve shirt. Why? It was over 90 degrees F outside the conference hotel. Inside the conference rooms it was somewhere in the mid-60s to low-70s. Not cold enough to hang meat, but cool enough at times to make you wonder. After all, the conference was called Killer Nashville.
Filed under agents, conference, hotel, humor, Killer Nashville, Perils of writing, publishers, Random Access Thoughts, writing, writing tip
Killer Nashville badge
At least don’t send one to an agent you are trying to get to represent you.
I recently attended a writing conference, Killer Nashville (www.killernashville.com) and will be posting some of what I learned, along with some impressions and comments.
One agent talked about receiving a query for representation that included an Indian charm in it. He said he didn’t know what to do with it. While he was not superstitious, he was afraid to give it away or even throw it away. In the end, he tossed into the back of his desk drawer, where it still resides.
Other items received by agents included a large plastic cockroach wrapped up and included in envelope along with a letter saying how the author was just buggy to have the agent represent him. Another writer sent a query letter in a large envelope “bulked up” with shredded paper to increase the chances the agent would see it.
Photoshoping the agent’s head on top of the body of a friend, with your arm draped over your agent/friend doesn’t work either.
Also, sending in a query on colored or scented paper, or in envelopes marked “urgent” or “time sensitive” won’t help you.
And lest you think that it is only the magical or the madcap you shouldn’t send, don’t send the more mundane or mouth-watering either. No homemade goodies; no store-bought ones. And certainly don’t send cash.
Life might be like a box of chocolates, and your mama might have told you that, but also remember the rest of the quote, particularly from the agent’s point of view: “You never know what you’re going to get.”
So, surprise the agent with a memorable query letter pitch he or she can’t forget, and not a surprise the agent will pitch into the trash or back of the desk drawer.
Filed under agents, how to, humor, Killer Nashville, Perils of writing, publishers, writing, writing tip
Booker's Blog 