Randi Samuelson-Brown's Blog, page 2
July 14, 2018
Agents and Editors - What to Expect from Writers' Conferences
Panels - Make a point attend these! These offer varied perspectives from Agents, writers, publicists, readers - etc. You name it, they might be represented. I have found these particularly useful when dealing with the business aspects of writing.
Agent and Editor Pitch Sessions - Still don’t like these, but recognize them for a great opportunity. It is best to have a prepared tag-line, an enthusiastic attitude and talk to them as regular people. Others may disagree - but I’m sticking with this position. Memorizing long-winded pitches that you have practiced etc may work, but the person sitting across the table from you is just that - a person. Snippets of the Gong Show keep running through my mind. You WILL get a good sense if you will like the person, and can see how enthusiastic they are about your project. All worth the temporary discomfort of pitching. Go for it!!
I tend to pitch to Editors, because they make the decisions (before editorial panels) of the books that will do well for their publishing house. I still don't have an agent, but I do have editors in my corner and that arrangement seems to be working just fine for the time being.
Agents are kind of like real estate agents for literature. But you can buy a house with a lawyer, but most people prefer to use agents.
I think more paths are emerging over time. Regardless of which is best for you, you still need to know how the business works - and that is what you get at Writers Conferences.
Agent and Editor Pitch Sessions - Still don’t like these, but recognize them for a great opportunity. It is best to have a prepared tag-line, an enthusiastic attitude and talk to them as regular people. Others may disagree - but I’m sticking with this position. Memorizing long-winded pitches that you have practiced etc may work, but the person sitting across the table from you is just that - a person. Snippets of the Gong Show keep running through my mind. You WILL get a good sense if you will like the person, and can see how enthusiastic they are about your project. All worth the temporary discomfort of pitching. Go for it!!
I tend to pitch to Editors, because they make the decisions (before editorial panels) of the books that will do well for their publishing house. I still don't have an agent, but I do have editors in my corner and that arrangement seems to be working just fine for the time being.
Agents are kind of like real estate agents for literature. But you can buy a house with a lawyer, but most people prefer to use agents.
I think more paths are emerging over time. Regardless of which is best for you, you still need to know how the business works - and that is what you get at Writers Conferences.
June 5, 2018
What to expect from Writers' Conferences Part 2
The Conference - I have experience with small, specialized groups and large wide-reaching organizations. Conferences are not inexpensive, and throwing accommodation and travel costs on top of the Conference fees adds up to an investment! Conference fees run from $275 to $550 (I’m not talking about Writer’s Digest Conferences - I have no idea about those).
As stands to reason, smaller conferences lead to more interaction and lasting relationships between participants. Larger conferences are like a larger city - nice people on the move!
Pick your experience based on your personal preferences and what you need.
Larger conferences will garner bigger names and better-known participants and presenters, but (in my experience) it is the people that I have met through the smaller venues who have supported and helped me along the way.
Craft Lectures - usually presented by published authors. Often they bring new perspective and sound advice to the attendees. This, however, is based upon the individual presenter’s skill at public speaking and organization of subject matter.
Panels - Make a point attend these! These offer varied perspectives from Agents, writers, publicists, readers - etc. You name it, they might be represented. I have found these particularly useful when dealing with the business aspects of writing.
Next segment - Agents and Editors (oh my!)
As stands to reason, smaller conferences lead to more interaction and lasting relationships between participants. Larger conferences are like a larger city - nice people on the move!
Pick your experience based on your personal preferences and what you need.
Larger conferences will garner bigger names and better-known participants and presenters, but (in my experience) it is the people that I have met through the smaller venues who have supported and helped me along the way.
Craft Lectures - usually presented by published authors. Often they bring new perspective and sound advice to the attendees. This, however, is based upon the individual presenter’s skill at public speaking and organization of subject matter.
Panels - Make a point attend these! These offer varied perspectives from Agents, writers, publicists, readers - etc. You name it, they might be represented. I have found these particularly useful when dealing with the business aspects of writing.
Next segment - Agents and Editors (oh my!)
May 22, 2018
What to Expect from Writers Conferences - Part 1
What to expect from a Writer’s Conference
Strangely enough, my attendance at my first Writer’s Conference snuck up on me. I entered a short story contest and placed - as fortune would have it. The winners were scheduled for announcement at this group’s Writer’s Conference - which happened to be taking place in a town fifteen miles down the road. Of course, I signed up - and had no idea what to expect!
While each Conference will have its own nuances - I am drawing from my experiences at conferences to present a broad outline.
Breakout Sessions - these normally happen the day before the Conference really gets going. They usually have an additional cost in the region of $40.
The first breakout session I attended (at Women Writing the West) was an advanced submission critique group . Worth -its weight in gold to me - it was the best $40 dollars I have spent for Writing Craft. The leader was an editor from a non-fiction publisher, and although I write fiction, she got me straightened out and well on the path toward a better book.
The second breakout session I attended was at a huge conference, and I confess, it was just another college lecture from a presenter who was making a lot of money.
Historical or Site of Tourist Interest - worth a look if you haven’t been to the location before. Couldn’t speak to how these go, but seem an option if you have time to kill, and don’t want to overload on writing.
Part 2 - next week!
Strangely enough, my attendance at my first Writer’s Conference snuck up on me. I entered a short story contest and placed - as fortune would have it. The winners were scheduled for announcement at this group’s Writer’s Conference - which happened to be taking place in a town fifteen miles down the road. Of course, I signed up - and had no idea what to expect!
While each Conference will have its own nuances - I am drawing from my experiences at conferences to present a broad outline.
Breakout Sessions - these normally happen the day before the Conference really gets going. They usually have an additional cost in the region of $40.
The first breakout session I attended (at Women Writing the West) was an advanced submission critique group . Worth -its weight in gold to me - it was the best $40 dollars I have spent for Writing Craft. The leader was an editor from a non-fiction publisher, and although I write fiction, she got me straightened out and well on the path toward a better book.
The second breakout session I attended was at a huge conference, and I confess, it was just another college lecture from a presenter who was making a lot of money.
Historical or Site of Tourist Interest - worth a look if you haven’t been to the location before. Couldn’t speak to how these go, but seem an option if you have time to kill, and don’t want to overload on writing.
Part 2 - next week!
April 12, 2018
Three Cheers for Librarians!
I just wanted to give a quick shout-out for those fabulous people who work in libraries - and especially the librarians! I have been remarkably fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some great professionals who go above and beyond to make sure their libraries have engaging speakers, great rotating exhibits and a fabulous community environment.
Well done!!
Well done!!
March 16, 2018
Social Media for Writers
Good Morning!
Yesterday a Facebook group I'm a part of did a "Twitter follow" for members to like and follow other members of the group. One thing came to mind as I was looking at some of the other's websites was how the individual authors dealt with their twitter account. Some were interesting and I was happy enough to follow...others were...well...just self-promotion. Over and over they tweeted their book covers and filled their tweets with hashtags for exposure. I would say that tweets can have an element of self-promotion (mine do) - but they should display the writer's interests beyond their own particular book. That's how you join in communities and find like-minded individuals. If someone follows and all they ever see is the same book cover or tired self-promotion, the tweets are not doing what you want them to do!
Yesterday a Facebook group I'm a part of did a "Twitter follow" for members to like and follow other members of the group. One thing came to mind as I was looking at some of the other's websites was how the individual authors dealt with their twitter account. Some were interesting and I was happy enough to follow...others were...well...just self-promotion. Over and over they tweeted their book covers and filled their tweets with hashtags for exposure. I would say that tweets can have an element of self-promotion (mine do) - but they should display the writer's interests beyond their own particular book. That's how you join in communities and find like-minded individuals. If someone follows and all they ever see is the same book cover or tired self-promotion, the tweets are not doing what you want them to do!
March 5, 2018
In the Company of Writers and Readers
The Colorado Book Festival was this last Saturday - and again I was struck by the myriad of wonderful people I met. The first hour and a half was spent checking people in, setting up displays and . . . visiting. I ran into a fair number of friends I had met through various writing organizations, and there we all were, gathered in one place. In my area, I was seated in close proximity to another historical fiction writer - Jennifer Kinchloe, a fantasy writer, young adult writer, science fiction, espionage and another author who writes about Colorado and of a gay young man coming of age.
Then the readers came in. Fabulous people - some of whom I have met before at talks I have given and various other activities. They were able to ask me about writing, I was able to give recommendations, I sold a fair number of books and made some new friends.
My takeaway is this - that writers and readers tend to be pretty awesome folk to hang around. I'm always surprised by the generosity of spirit and general helpfulness I encounter, and I try to pass that along. Don't ever be hesitant to go to festivals or workshops or conferences by yourself - you'll make acquaintances of some pretty good people.
And you'll find some pretty good books as well.
Then the readers came in. Fabulous people - some of whom I have met before at talks I have given and various other activities. They were able to ask me about writing, I was able to give recommendations, I sold a fair number of books and made some new friends.
My takeaway is this - that writers and readers tend to be pretty awesome folk to hang around. I'm always surprised by the generosity of spirit and general helpfulness I encounter, and I try to pass that along. Don't ever be hesitant to go to festivals or workshops or conferences by yourself - you'll make acquaintances of some pretty good people.
And you'll find some pretty good books as well.
February 9, 2018
The importance of joining critique groups
I was reading a craft writing book last night (not sure I'm supposed to admit such things - but there I go...) and I am developing a few insights about how I view the entire writing process.
Lots of people want to write a book - that's (surprise!) where I started. I was an avid reader, and that helped a lot. What that did was show me that my writing sounded clunky, definitely non-lyrical and my heart kind of sank. So I signed up for a writing. class. I don't exactly know that I wanted to BE in a writing class, but there I was. Something had to be done. I started out in the beginner class and learned the art of constructive feedback - both how to give and take.
I honestly don't think many (if any) people can write in isolation and have a publishable piece unless they know what they are doing. If they haven't taken a class for FEEDBACK purposes, I think their chances of success are much lower.
Let me know posts like this are helpful, and I'll continue on....
Randi
Lots of people want to write a book - that's (surprise!) where I started. I was an avid reader, and that helped a lot. What that did was show me that my writing sounded clunky, definitely non-lyrical and my heart kind of sank. So I signed up for a writing. class. I don't exactly know that I wanted to BE in a writing class, but there I was. Something had to be done. I started out in the beginner class and learned the art of constructive feedback - both how to give and take.
I honestly don't think many (if any) people can write in isolation and have a publishable piece unless they know what they are doing. If they haven't taken a class for FEEDBACK purposes, I think their chances of success are much lower.
Let me know posts like this are helpful, and I'll continue on....
Randi
February 3, 2018
Writing about a specific location
I was one of the lucky recipients for the Artist in Residence berths at Caribou Ranch last summer. The only obligation I had (besides leaving the place clean) was to write a piece formed by my time spent there. It's interesting, in a way, because I write Historical Fiction. There I am, surrounded by lovely mountains and terrain, trying to think what it would have meant to people 125 years ago. I doubt they would have seen it exactly the same way. Then I decided it would depend on the purpose/reason of the person's being in a specific spot.
Hint: Colorado had tourists in the 1890's :-)
Hint: Colorado had tourists in the 1890's :-)
January 1, 2018
More travels in search of History
I find that traveling around to historical sites really allows for a sense of time and place, and the hardships our ancestors faced. I have posted some new pictures on my web:
http://www.randisamuelsonbrown.com
It was a humbling experience to see the ruts wagon wheels carved into the stone along the Oregon Trail in Wyoming, and to see their names carved on Register Rock. Ft. Laramie was the only "civilization" in the area - and its site feels so remote and forlorn.
Although I've never written one - I would love a suggestion for a good westward journey novel - preferably in a covered wagon.
Has anyone seen Meek's Cutoff? Fabulous!
http://www.randisamuelsonbrown.com
It was a humbling experience to see the ruts wagon wheels carved into the stone along the Oregon Trail in Wyoming, and to see their names carved on Register Rock. Ft. Laramie was the only "civilization" in the area - and its site feels so remote and forlorn.
Although I've never written one - I would love a suggestion for a good westward journey novel - preferably in a covered wagon.
Has anyone seen Meek's Cutoff? Fabulous!
November 18, 2017
Staff Pick at Tattered Cover
I'm am please to be included on the "Staff Pick" shelves at Denver's Tattered Cover!
The write-up reads:
"Darkly engaging historical fiction set in the underworld of lower downtown Denver at the turn of the last century. The author interconnects the stories of 3 women on other sides of society as they navigate the grit of addiction, prostitution, murder and corruption as their city boomed."
Thanks for this, Daron!
The write-up reads:
"Darkly engaging historical fiction set in the underworld of lower downtown Denver at the turn of the last century. The author interconnects the stories of 3 women on other sides of society as they navigate the grit of addiction, prostitution, murder and corruption as their city boomed."
Thanks for this, Daron!
