AFN #136 Conference A Go Go
Hi all! A few weeks ago I attended the James River Writer’s Conference as a (paid) presenter (and also celebrated my 39th birthday.) It was a lovely weekend, full of conversations about the industry and the craft of writing, and it got me thinking about what writers can and should expect to get out of a conference like this one.
I elected not to take pitches at the conference, instead offering “Ask An Agent” sessions where anyone who signed up to talk to me could ask any questions they wanted. Some of these ended up being about pitches, but most people wanted to know more basic information—how do I find an agent? What category do you think this book falls into? Is there market interest for this kind of project? How do I balance self-publishing versus pursuing traditional publication?
I love talking about this kind of stuff, as evidenced by my nearly five-year efforts with this newsletter and the past efforts with the podcast. (Which I’m still trying to figure out how to bring back, btw.) The publication process is bewildering and opaque, or it can be, and anything I can do to demystify feels like a good use of my time.
That being said, I think that there is a particular utility to doing pitch sessions with an agent, which is that they are an excellent opportunity to practice talking about your book in a professional setting. Do I love that this opportunity costs money? No, but professionals’ time is valuable, and also capitalism exists. Getting the chance to pitch your book to a pro—you can gauge the reaction in real-time, as well as hopefully getting feedback from them about it.
Conferences can be a great learning opportunity for a writer, and when you’re considering registering for one, there are a few things I would look for to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck:
Who are the “experts” participating? Are they from agencies or publishers that you’ve heard of/are familiar with their work? Are the authors attending published by good publishers, or do they have a good track record for hybrid success?
What does their programming look like? What workshops are they offering? Are they offering panels, and what are the panels about? Will the programming cover areas that you’re eager to learn more about, or will it be covering ground you’re already aware of?
Will you get an opportunity to talk to an agent or editor one-on-one, either for free or for a fee that feels reasonable? How much time will you get with them?
Will there be an opportunity to get professional feedback on your work, either via a one-on-one session or by participating in something like a “first-pages” feedback panel or a query critique panel?
This is a very minor consideration, but it is in a place you’d like to visit (if it’s not a local conference?) I find that if the event is in a place you’d like to go, those visiting from out of town have an opportunity to bond by playing tourist.
This is a non-exhaustive list, but they’re good questions to ask yourself if you’re considering attending an event like this.
Ultimately, meeting face-to-face with an agent might not move the needle for you. You may end up at a conference where the experts present aren’t in the right genres or categories, or they (like me) aren’t taking pitches, or they’re closed to new work. The practice has its own value, but it’s not required or a guarantee for success. I heard someone say once that you should expect to come out of a writers’ conference with one new friend, one new professional contact, and one new piece of helpful advice—I think that’s a good baseline.
WHAT I’M READING
Submissions, mostly, and slowly. Between travel, the impending *gestures widely* of the election, and a recent death in the family, my brain has been pretty tough to chivvy along. Through strategic application of coffee and timers I’m slowly hacking away at it, but I’m wildly behind. I’m sorry to everyone who is waiting on me! For fun, I’m reading Bryan Washington’s latest, Family Meal. Washington is based in Houston, and it’s always a pleasure to read about a place I recognize, even if it is kid of a depressing book. His writing, as always, is spare and moving. I also recently reread a childhood favorite, Elizabeth Marie Pope’s 1974 novel The Perilous Gard—this was the first Tam Lin story I encountered, and I think it’s due for a rerelease/repackage. (Pope passed away a while back, and the I believe book is now out of print.)
THIS WEEK IN HOCKEY
The Caps are back, baby! My beloved aged squad has added a bunch of new young beefcakes, and has won four games so far in the regular season. Ovi is encountering haters in the media who think that just because he’s “old” he might not “exceed Wayne Gretzky’s scoring record.” To those who doubt I say: fie upon you. All 32 NHL teams played last night in what the media was calling the “Frozen Frenzy,” including the Seattle Kraken, who this year added the league’s first female coach, and the Utah Hockey Club, who still don’t have a dang name. Idk, that seems like something I’d sort out first?
HOUSEKEEPING
As of today, this little newsletter has followers that number the beast! Thank you all for bringing me to this milestone during spooky season.
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I am closed to queries, reopening 11/1/2024.
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