From Edie: PeggySue Wells shares how to prepare for editor and agent appointments at a writers conference with practical tips to make a professional, confident, and lasting impression.
The Writers Conference Survival Guide Part 1: How to Prepare for Editor and Agent Appointments
by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells
A writers' conference is an opportune time to talk with editors, publishers, agents, and authors.
Understandably, many writers feel nervous about discussing their ideas and work-in-progress with these industry experts. But with some strategic preparation, you can have a productive face-to-face meeting.
Do research beforehand so you know what an editor is looking for. This important information is conveniently available on the conference website. Editor of the Christian Communicator, Advanced Christian Writer, and Christian Market Guide Lin Johnson said, “Don’t propose a topic that doesn’t fit the publisher. Doing so tells me you haven’t studied my magazine or newsletter and don’t know who the readers are. It’s a guaranteed rejection. Also don’t propose a word length that contradicts what the writer’s guidelines say. I’ll automatically know you didn’t take time to read them, so why should I take time to read your manuscript?”
Preparation
Be efficient and effective in the short time you have. Prepare a one-sheet that you can hand to the editor. This single-sided, typed list quickly provides the editor with your contact information, one-sentence description, the audience you are writing for, word count, and a date when the manuscript will be complete. Bring several copies of your one sheet so you can leave a copy if an editor requests that you do this.
A second author bio sheet can bullet your background and experience that make you the best one to write this project.
1. Be professional. Be courteous of the time. If you signed up for a 15-minute appointment to meet with an editor, publisher, agent, or author, arrive a few minutes early, wait patiently for your turn, and finish up on time. If you arrive late and overstay your appointment, this can reflect a lack of discipline for those all-important deadlines (cross the line and your career is dead).
2. Smile and shake hands as you introduce yourself at the beginning of your appointment. Arrive in clean and professional attire, not a tux but certainly not your gardening clothes either. Check your teeth to be certain a poppy seed is not lodged between your front teeth, and kindly have pleasant breath. Introduce your project in two or three sentences. “My novel is about a judge who is asked to preside over a murder case he himself committed,” (example from the renowned Jerry Jenkins). Leave a business card with your photo.
3. Make a good first impression.
What Not To Say
What not to say is every bit as important as what to say. Statements that do not make friends and influence editors include:
“The Lord told me your company is the one to publish my book.”
“God gave me this.”
“It’s an instant bestseller.”
“I watched all the Lord of the Rings movies so I know this story will sell.”
“This is the next Left Behind series.”
“This is the Christian version of Harry Potter (or Twilight or Hunger Games).”
“I can see this as a feature film starring Ariana Grande and Chris Hemsworth.”
“My mom (spouse, children, critique group, pet parrot, Aunt Tillie) love this so I know you will too.”
Have integrity. Avoid saying ,”Bob Hostettler (or other industry favorite) read my manuscript and thought it was wonderful,” when, in fact, he said the project had potential but still needed a lot of copyediting and revision work.
Common Questions
A manuscript that is not industry standard screams ‘novice who has not done their homework.’ In addition to your one sheet, consider bringing a complete proposal with three sample chapters. Present a single-sided, double-spaced manuscript in 12-point New Times Roman, clean of stains from coffee, chocolate, and Cheetos. Leave a one-inch margin on each side. In the header, include the title on the left side and the author’s name on the right. Page numbers are centered in the footer.
Editors and agents typically can tell within the first couple paragraphs if a project interests them. One who is not interested in your initial idea may be interested in another one of your projects. Or not. Common questions an editor asks include:
- Do you have a platform?
- Who will read your book?\
- Is there a need for this book?
- What makes you the best person to write this?
- Do you have publishing experience?
- How will you market this project?
- What is the length of the work and when will the manuscript be complete?
- What titles are already on the market in this topic?
- Do you have other projects you can show me?
Market Analysis
Known for his long career as editor at Harvest House, Nick Harrison said, “Whenever I see in a proposal or in a query letter, ‘there’s nothing else like this on the market,’ I cringe. First of all, if there’s truly nothing else like it out there, there’s probably a good reason. Maybe no one is interested in that topic. Secondly, there often is something else out there, but the author is simply showing his or her ignorance by not being aware of the competing books on that topic.”
Due to conference time constraints, appointments are scheduled during workshops. Quietly, slip out for your meeting and feel free to return during to the workshop. The conference is often recorded to allow you to catch up on material you missed while meeting with an editor.
If the person you want to meet with already has a full schedule, look to sit with them at a meal or talk during a break. Do not slide your manuscript to an editor under the bathroom stall. Yes, goofy rules are in place because someone actually did. #tacky
Have fun. Breathe. Editors, publishers, agents, and authors are people like you who floss their teeth, and appreciate humor and authenticity. An editor who says a project is not a fit for their publishing house is not calling your baby ‘ugly.’ This is business and not personal. The goal is to learn from the feedback you receive and to connect your writing with publishers who share the same vision. Be open and teachable. That’s why you are here, after all.
Typically, an editor who is interested in your idea will give you a business card and ask that you email the query or proposal. Score!
*****
Format for Fiction or Non-Fiction One Sheet
Author
Address, Phone, and email
Working Title
Audience
Felt Need
Genre, Word Count, and date to be completed
Hook (premise in a sentence or two
Brief description
Author background
Competition
Social media and marketing plan
Series potential
For You
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PeggySue is a frequent guest with media including Focus On The Family, Family Life Today, and Christian Product Expo. She regularly teaches at conferences including Write To Publish, Taylor University Writers Conference, Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Collaborator on multiple titles including books with Dr. Benjamin Hardy, Shemane Nugent, Pat Palau, and Pam Farrel, PeggySue is a writing coach. When not writing, she parasails, skydives, snorkels, scuba dives, rides horses, and has taken (but not passed) pilot training. Founder of SingleMomCircle.com, connect with PS Wells at WWW.PEGGYSUEWELLS.COM, on Facebook at PeggySue Wells, and LinkedIn at LINKEDIN.COM/IN/PEGGYSUEWELLS
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