LDStorymakers Midwest Conference: The Funnest Little Conference Around

You should know by now that I have a thing for conferences and conventions. They tend to scratch my social itch in a way nothing else can quite reach. Because of this, I have been to lots of them. More often as an attendee than a presenter, but with a round view of both, I think.

Over the years, my favorite conference has always been the LDStorymakers conference in Utah. During my very first one, I made some lifelong friends and found myself welcomed into the loving arms of the writing community, even though I was 100% green at the craft. The foundation I found with these people has become a rock to which I have clung through my journey as a writer, and also as an evolving person.

That said, it’s slightly possible I may have some bias toward conferences sponsored by the LDStorymakers. But if that’s true, then it stems back to my first conference with them, in which we had only around 70 people in attendance, and James Dashner taught a class about writing strong supporting characters (during which we had a fascinating discussion about Star Wars—but I digress). If you can picture small classrooms in a small-ish hotel, crowded with hungry, eager soon-to-be authors, that’s what I remember.

And it’s also what I found again at this year’s LDStorymakers Midwest Conference held in Kansas. Small, intimate, and attended by hungry, eager writers who are fighting through the bottle neck of publishing.

Guys. I have SO MISSED that intimate setting. I didn’t realize how much I missed that until I was there. Of course, as always, the classes were stellar, the bookstore run professionally and with a large selection of books, and the offerings fantastic. But even more, the social time was killer.

What else can I say, other than YOU SHOULD GO! If you live anywhere in or near Kansas and are wanting to learn more about writing and publishing, go. If you have to travel a little distance to get there, it’s still worth it.

I could keep trying to convince you, but instead, I think I’ll let some pictures do the talking.

Authorpalooza at the library the Friday before the conference. So fun!

Agent Sarah Negovetich and I entertaining ourselves by organizing Danyelle's bookshelves (thanks for being patient, Danyelle!)

Because it just wouldn't be right without a specialized treat run.

And seriously, what better people to spend the opening night of The Maze Runner than the people who I met the same weekend as James?

And after it was done--late night snacks at Denny's. Because, obviously.

Traveling buddies.

Our authorpalooza panel.

This one is my favorite. It kind of says it all! (aka You will sing, you will dance, you will make forever friends!)

You can learn more about the LDStorymakers conferences (Utah and Midwest) at www.ldstorymakers.com.

Guest Post: Jeffery Nicholas, My New Agency Bro.

Hey guys! I'd like to introduce you to my new agency brother, Jeffery Nicolas, here to say hey and tell you all a little about why he chose to sign with his new agent, the lovely, amazing, wonderful Sarah Negovetich, who also happens to be my agent. (You see why we're agency siblings?)

Please give him a hearty welcome, and if you feel inclined, he could use some blog-love, or at least some followers for his new blog. So once you're done reading his story, feel free to click on through.

Jeff:

First, thanks to Nichole for having me as guest on her blog. I just signed with the same agent, and as a newcomer to the agency, I appreciate the support. In fact, that’s what my blog post is about today.

My main goal in pursuing an agent for my book was probably the same as every other writer: sell my book to a publisher. There are benefits of signing with an agent beyond just the big book deal, however, that I realized almost immediately. Many relate to networking.

Signing with an agency opens the door to a host of literary types (agency staffers and other authors whom your agent represents are two who come quickly to mind). Use this network! I got a nice welcome from many of the people at my agent’s agency. If they offer to help (like Nichole did) accept it graciously! Your new network can provide:

-          Information on the publishing process. You may have already asked some of the people in your new network for references about your agent when you were in the pre-signing phase. Beyond that, they can provide input on what to expect during the next phase of your career because they’re going through it right now.

-           Support through the post-querying phase of your writing career. Writing can be solitary, especially when you’re querying. It can seem like you’re one blade of grass in a giant field, with no way of ever gaining notice. After signing with an agent, writing is, well, still a solitary process. However, it’s nice to know you’re on a team full of other literary types who want to see you succeed as much as you do. Just being part of a bigger group can make the Sisyphean task of publishing seem a little less daunting (or at least make the boulder a little lighter). If you ever need a kind word, there’d be no better place to look than the agent who saw something in your work, and the other writers at the agency who know just how you feel.

-          Help building your career. Okay, there isn’t an agency out there that will provide people to do the writing for you. But, many of them are willing to help with other aspects of your career, such as expanding your social media presence. Look for tweets, retweets, guest blog posts (like this one!) as ways to put your new agency support system to use. They can help build your social profile, even opening up some of their own network to you.

-          Your agent may also be able to provide you with help marketing. I’d guess many agents are strong marketers, particularly online. If you have no idea where to start, ask your agent. She can get you going with a few simple recommendations for marketing, such as: channels (websites, blogs, Twitter, Facebook…you don’t have to be on all of them!), frequency, and content (Because, in the life of the internet, there have been a few rare, isolated, once-in-a-blue-moon instances of inappropriate social media posts that have landed the poster in some mildly hot water).

The above are just some of the added benefits of working with a literary agent. There are certainly more, including sniffing out those million-dollar book deal s for you. As far as putting your new agent-writer relationship to good use, be proactive. If you would like help, your agency is there for you, but you have to ask! It’s your career, and you own it—but you don’t have to go at it alone.

You can find out more about Jeffery Nicholas and his work on his website or follow him on Twitter @jnwrites. 

A Cherry Flavored Slush-Pile

*Dear non-writer readers, sorry for all the writing posts this week. This is what happens after certain conferences. Can’t be helped. Still, be sure to enter the awesomesauce contest to win a doodled and signed advance copy of Possession by Elana Johnson.*

At the conference last weekend, Becca Stumpf from Prospect agency said something profound, something that put the slush pile in a whole new light for me. She mentioned that writers often ask what they can do to avoid the slush pile, but then she said, “Why would you want to avoid it? The slush pile is this really amazing place to be.”

And you know what? She’s totally right.

I mean, from an agent’s perspective, it must be like sifting through the racks at a one-of-a-kind clothing boutique, or looking for a single pair of custom-made shoes that fits them just right. It must be like…looking for the perfect piece of jewelry. So exciting! Thrilling. A sheer mind-spinning, heart-pounding, limb-shaking adrenaline rush.

If you’re a guy (or a girl who is not a big shopper) you might not get that analogy. So here’s another one. It must be what it feels like getting ready to play a championship sports game. Like a buildup of energy just waiting to explode out of you.

And then—then, when an agent finds that one special book—it probably feels like winning that championship game or finding a sparkly, perfect gem (for an unbelievable price) which you then buy and take home to keep forever and ever.

So yeah, I get that. Maybe the question is not how to avoid that amazing, wonderful, cherry-flavored slush, but rather how to make our work sparkle enough so an agent or editor will want to snatch it up and take it home (to their agency or publishing house) like a trophy.

Our work will get read. Agents and editors are always reading, reading, reading. It’s what they do. Our job is to make sure that once they see OUR manuscript, they will know how special it really is. That, my friends, is the real trick.

Do you agree?

Today

I will laugh and be happy.

I will attend classes that enrich my mind.

I will learn from my peers, mentors, and other knowledgeable people.

I will smile through disappointment, fear, or self-doubt.

I will give of myself.

I will meet new people and make new friends.

I will believe in myself and my work.

I will spend time with other writers/authors and absorb their greatness.

I will party with like-minded peeps.

Today, I will pitch my book to an agent—in person. And f she loves the idea of my book (or my pitch) I will smile. And if she doesn’t love it, I’ll smile anyway because hopefully, I will at least have made a new friend.

Wish me luck.

What are you doing today?

Dreaming About Agents

I think everyone has a dream agent. You know. The one who will make them rich and famous bestsellers, right? Some authors know all the names and details about all the agents they’ve ever queried, or hope to query, and even have them listed in order of ideals or whatever. (Talking about in the author's heads, here, not just a spreadsheet.)

And that’s all good and fine. Except what if that dream agent at the top of their list doesn’t end up being a good match? Agents can look great on websites and Publisher’s Marketplace, but what if your dream agent and you have totally different personalities? Different plans? Different individual ideals that clash?

Signing with an agent is a big deal. An important, big deal. And while it’s only one more step in a writer’s journey, and certainly not the last step.It’s...you know what? It's kind of like getting married. You want to be really sure you’re making a good decision, that the agent and you are truly a good, lasting, beneficial match. 

So. My dream agent?

1. Loves my manuscript. Seriously loves it.
2. Has good insight about how to improve the manuscript we both love.
3. Enjoys working with me, talking to me, exchanging emails with me, etc. (But not excessively or obsessively.)
4. Gets my voice, my style, my characters, and maybe even my ideas.
5. Has a sense of humor, a good heart, and a realistic view of the publishing world.
6. Is patient enough to be tolerant when I have a breakdown (which I promise won’t happen often, but might happen occasionally).
7. Is also patient when I have an idea that excites me to the point where I just have to discuss it.
8. Wants to sign me and get right to work.

Some people would say that’s a tall order, a long list, a lot to hope for. I know. Just like I know it’s unlikely that I’ll get all that. But you know what? Just like when I was younger and dating—you have to have some kind of standard, some kind of criteria for the guys you go out with. I think it’s the same with agents.

What do you think? Am I hoping for too much? Thinking too hard about it? Messing up my chances just by posting my thoughts on this subject?

Win Lunch With Two Agents!

Yes, I already blogged once today. But I just have to share a link to an awesome contest. Sarah with a Chance is celebrating her contract with an incredible giveaway. Click here to find out how you can win a 40 page manuscript critique from Suzie Townsend, a query critique by one of three agents, a writer's survival pack, or...

LUNCH WITH THE JANET REID AND THE SUZIE TOWNSEND!!!!

Yes, I so totally want to win this contest. Any of the prizes, but lunch with two agents? Ahem. Yeah.

Now go enter and get back to work.

Flash Update: First Page Contest

Yes, it's Friday. And Easter weekend. And the beginning of spring break in our school district. But. I just came across a way cool contest all my writerly friends might find interesting. Click here for the important deets. Or visit the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, which is listed on my blog roll in the agent/editor section.

Go. Enter. Join!

Good luck, kids. You'd better hope your beginning is better than mine. Well, according to one agent anyway.

And now back to my previously scheduled weekend off.

Win a Query Critique from a Literary Agent!

My good friend, Elana Johnson is hosting an incredible contest on her blog. Not only is Elana one of the contributing authors on the querytracker blog, she's also the author of the e-book From the Query to the Call. That reminds me, she's giving away copies of her book as prizes. This woman has some fab advice for all authors, so this is a contest you don't want to miss. 


But that's not all, oh no. By entering her contest, you'll have a chance to win a query critique by one of these top five literary agents!

1. Kate Testerman-Shafer of KT Literary (critique will be posted on her blog, Ask Daphne)
2. Michelle Andelman of Lynn C. Franklin Associates (my fabulous agent!)
3. Mary Kole of Andrea Brown Literary Agency
4. Michelle Wolfson of Wolfson Literary Agency
5. Joanna Volpe of Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation

Seriously. How cool is that? If you ever wondered what you can do to make your query better or strengthen your query writing skills, this is a great opportunity. Check out Elana's blog for information about how you can win. 


Good luck!

A Contest for Authors, Deadline Jan 31st!

I just found out about an awesome contest for authors. Submit the first 500 words of your novel to Mary Kole, who is an agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and have a chance to win a critique of up to 15 pages of your manuscript. Every one of my author friends better be entering this one! No excuses, people.

Click here for more information.

Back to edits!

Which One Would You Pick?

Okay, so I'm probably out of my mind to do this. But I need some help. I'm taking a poll. (See sidebar to vote->)

In my quest to find an agent, I've come across a little contest. And being myself, I can't resist entering. I have to come up with three compelling sentences (150 words max) that describe my finished novel. This goes into an email for the agency. The agents will then pick the twenty most compelling entries and request more of the material--meaning a jump over the slush pile. So, I kind of figure what the heck, right? An opportunity to skip that well known pile is something I just can't bring myself to pass up. Click here if you're interested in learning more.

So, now I get to reduce my 104,000 word book to three sentences. Can I do it? You tell me. The following are what I've come up with so far. My question to you is: Which one compells you to want to read the book?

1. Abigail Johnson has Healing powers, and the Gift of Sight. Though her heart bleeds for the loss of people she has loved, she’s duty bound to protect the secrets of the Gifted People. But first, she has to learn them.

2. Abigail Johnson has Healing powers, and the Gift of Sight. Abby must find ancient Keys to an underground prison and keep them from falling into the hands of those who seek to harm Abby, her people, and the rest of humanity. All this, and she finds the time to fall in love, be chased around the country, kidnapped, wounded, betrayed, and then face her worst nightmares to emerge triumphant over not just evil, but also death.

3. Abigail Johnson has Healing powers, and the Gift of Sight. Though her heart bleeds for the loss of people she has loved, she’s duty bound to protect the secrets of the Gifted People. During her quest, she finds the time to fall in love, be chased around the country, kidnapped, wounded, betrayed, and then face her worst nightmares to emerge triumphant over not just evil, but also death.


Which one would you choose? Don't forget to vote!