#TipfulTuesday: 15 Minute Appointments

#TipfulTuesday The full value in the fifteen minute appointment is more than you can imagine. 

ACFW has opened registration on line. Blue Ridge Christian Writer's Conference begins in 3 weeks. And there are more conference opportunities yet to come this year.

While the big questions for you may be, should I go? Can I afford to go? Why should I go? 

Let me answer a little question for you.

At my first ACFW conference... it's been at least 8 years, I signed up for an appointment not knowing--at all--what I would say or what would take place in those precious fifteen minutes. What I did know was I wanted to sit across from an expert and learn from them. If the person happened to like my work, well, that would be an added bonus.

I was excessively nervous.

Unable to formulate a word, I slid my material across the desk to the agent. She read a few paragraphs then looked up. She asked a few questions about the story. During this time she said the unheard of comment, "I would like to known more in the beginning. Could you start the story sooner?"

While the topic is not about the fruit of this conversation, my recently published book, yeah!!, our focus today is on the tremendous advice given during conference appointments.

You have an opportunity to sit across from an expert. You can gleam from their expertise. 

Conferences usually offer three types of appointments: mentors, agents, editors. 

A mentor will gladly listen to issues you may have about your story and make suggestions. Ask questions. Offer advice.

An agent will do the same but also consider your work as something they'd like to represent in the publishing field. 

An editor will listen but will also consider your work as something their publisher may want for publication.

Every single time an appointment ended, whether the expert asked to see more of my work or not, I felt I had learned volumes. 

So, to the writers who are reading, if you are able to attend a conference, sign up for an appointment and look forward to learning reams.

To the mentors, agents and editors who meet with us, know that you truly are appreciated, and you mean a great deal. Your words sink into our minds and help us mold better stories.

~Mary Vee

#TipfulTuesday #amwriting #writingconferences 

Lead Photo by Mary Vee

Mary Vee -  Mary Vee - Rock climbing, white-water rafting, and hiking top Mary’s list of ways to enjoy a day. She was homeless for a time, earned her MA in Counseling, and married an Air Force vet.  Mary has been a finalist in several writing contests and writes for her King.

Visit Mary at her website, blog, and her ministry blog to families: God Loves Kids. Or chat on Facebook or Twitter

Mary's new release, Daring to Live, is a new release on Amazon.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

One Sheet Ready?

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN...CONFERENCE PREP AND GETTING YOUR ONE SHEETS READY!

Whether you're planning a wedding, a kid's birthday party, or a lunch with friends, the special event always requires thought to setting the mood. Do you want a shabby chic wedding at a country chapel? Or a Super Hero bash for your four year old? How about a garden tea for a few of your closest girlfriends? All these events bring about a vision in our heads, a trigger for our senses.

Your fifteen minute agent/editor appointment at a writer's conference does not fall short as a "special event" for your writing career. The spotlight shines bright and brief in those few moments, so why not be sure you are prepared to not only sell your novel with a bang, but set the mood of your writing, and leave the professional with an experience they can't forget?

Besides stellar writing and a snazzy premise, it's best to tap into more than the agent/editor's sense of hearing as you speak, and impress an image that will stir the appropriate emotions for your particular book. The one sheet is the most effective way to tap into the professional's senses during your “special event”. It is your décor and mood lighting all in one. It can also be another hook to grab their interest and dig deeper with conversation. And it is my ABSOLUTE favorite thing to create besides the actual story.

Here are some examples of establishing the tone of the book through graphics and layout using my own designs (I tend to write more character-driven books so I include a profile or face in my own one-sheets):

A historical set deep in the Amazon jungle (Winner of the Mile High Scribes 2011 One Sheet Contest):

A coming of age story set post-Dust Bowl in cotton country of Texas (Finalist of the Mile High Scribes 2013 One Sheet Contest):

A historical romance set in a coal town in the Utah mountains (prejudice is a theme, so I went with the starkness of black and white):

For more info on creating these yourself, click here.

This conference season, I am excited to, once again, offer one sheet designs to any CBA writer. Go to my blog www.angiedicken.blogspot.com click on my CBA One Sheet Design page for more details! 

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Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous, mothering days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across historical cultures and social boundaries. Angie is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

The Perfect Pitch: Hook, Line, and Sinker

In a lot of ways pitching your book is like fishing, casting a line and hoping for some bites. Okay, let’s be honest, we’re not really looking for bites so much as we want to hook a BIG FISH!

 

But if you’ve ever gone fishing you know that it’s not always as easy as it seems.

Whether your six-pound bass is that superstar agent or your dream publisher, you’ve got to go in with a game plan because we all know when we start talking about our book, well . . . lets just say we have a tendency to ramble. And with so much pressure and competition, and very little time to cast the lure, how can you be concise and still utterly unforgettable that ten minutes will have your big fish catching the vision?

Here are a few tips on how to make a splash:

1. Prepare your tackle box in advance.

Do your research on all those fish and go in armed with knowledge. Read their bio. Know what they are looking for. Who they represent.

If it’s an agent, read their blog, get a feel for their personality so you know how best to present your story. Mention things you like or respect about their blog or their authors so they are confident your meeting was intentional and not a blind cast with the wrong bait.

If it’s an editor, research the author’s they’ve worked with, better yet, read some of the books they’ve edited. Then you’ll have a point of reference.

Be armed with sample chapters, a one sheet, a business card, and a short synopsis, just in case they want a nibble. Be prepared.

2. Be some tasty bait.

We know underneath that squirmy worm or flashy spinner there is a nice sharp hook. We’ll get to that in a minute. What I’m talking about here is the thing that gets them swimming along a bit faster, tempts their mouth to start chomping.

So, how’s your presentation? Have you rehearsed your elevator pitch--in front of a mirror, then in front of another human being? Do you sound robotic or conversational? Have you considered what types of questions they might ask you and how you might respond? You won’t be doing all the talking, so are you prepared to answer questions about your story?

Have you chosen an outfit that is both professional and portrays your style? Your personality will be something that is slathered (in one way or another) on every page of your novel as if imbedded with your fingerprints. But before they crack open your pages (if they ever do) YOU are the open book they get to read first. You wouldn’t show up to a job interview in your Thanksgiving pants, a wrinkled shirt, and with bed head, would you? As much as we hate it to be true, our first impressions are generally visual—Ahem! We all sometimes judge a book by its cover. Moral of the story here: Don’t wear something that makes you look like everyone else. Wear something that looks like you! The best version of YOU you can put forth. Something that makes you feel confident, and just as unique as your story they should publish!

Smile! This one seems so elementary but when we get nervous, often times our baser instincts skip town faster than the pitch that just flew out of our head while standing in the elevator with Agent X. Take a deep breath, remember the joy of writing your story, think of how your book could touch the lives of so many readers, and waltz in with that enthusiasm.

Make eye contact. Don’t be that weird introverted writer that only converses with imaginary people. J Sometimes these things don’t come naturally. Don’t panic. Agents and editors are people with nerves and flaws and feelings just like you. Take a deep breath, look into those beady fish eyes, give them a firm finn-shake, a smile, and a cordial introduction. See that, you are some tasty bait! All those fish will be circling.

-Hook ‘em!

Writing a book is no easy task. Boiling it all down to a few compelling and eloquent sentences is even harder! You may have written a great story, but even if it’s there, you may struggle to figure out exactly what the hook is. (Read Ashley’s post yesterday for some great hook tips!)

Your story might be a romance, but there’s definitely more to it than that. Think about your main conflict and how it relates to some kind of irony. For example: A woman running from the law under an assumed identity falls in love with an undercover cop. Your hook lies within those parameters. Then think about the theme of your story. Is it redemption, forgiveness? Does the main character have a hobby or passion that characterizes the way they think or act on the page? Draw those words out and weave them into your hook. That way you will not only get a sense of the plot, and conflict, but a sense of the “feel” and takeaway as well.

If you’re still drawing a blank, start with a story question. Beth Vogt is great with these! For Wish You Were Here the question was something like…Can the wrong kiss lead to Mr. Right? Use yours as a spring board to toy with hook ideas.

Alright your turn! Anything to add? What are your greatest fears about pitching? Your greatest pitfalls? Need some help? Let’s get you ready to reel ‘em in! Cast a question, the lines are open!

Conference Appointments

Since so many you will either be attending the ACFW conference or another conference this year, today I want to talk about what you can expect when meeting with agents and editors for those one-on-one appointments, and also some things to remember.

The Practical

I remember my first one-on-one meeting. It was with Ami McConnell, and I was terrified because I adore her. I had no idea what to expect or how nervous I would feel waiting for that appointment with all the other people waiting for their own appointments. The impending doom was palpable! Just kidding. But in all seriousness, conference appointments can sometimes feel like a meeting with the principal, but they don't have to be that way. If you've never been to an appointment with an editor or agent before, essentially what happens is you'll find the appointment waiting area, and then your name will be called whenever the editor or agent is finished with their last appointment. Someone will usher you to the editor or agent's table, where you'll sit down and just talk about your book. It's that simple. Yes, nerves can really build up in that waiting time... like waiting at the doctor's office! But something I recommend is that you look around to the others who are waiting and see if you can offer encouragement to them. I guarantee someone will be more nervous than you, and shifting your focus away from yourself will not only help another person, it will also help you.

The Deeper Level

What an editor or agent is looking for during an appointment, essentially, is a spark and a connection with the author. So it doesn't really matter if you miss a word of your perfectly-rehearsed pitch. This isn't an oral book report. They are much more concerned with whether or not you are someone they would like to work with (i.e.-did you show up on time, is your one sheet well-written, do you have a positive attitude and demonstrate professionalism, etc.). They also want to see some kind of spark or hook in you or your work that inspires them to want to invest (and buying your book IS an investment for them) in your work. So be enthusiastic when talking about your story. Get them excited without being too cheesy. Wouldn't you want to see the same thing if you were an editor or agent?

The Heart

Something I would encourage you to remember is that editors and agents are not mean people. They love books just as much as you do. Probably more than you do, actually, because their whole job is to promote the selling of stories and to make stories better. They are not waiting for you to fail. I think it's so important to go into your appointment with a heart that is at peace with the fact that you are looking for a partner in this business, someone you can trust with your story. Yes, you will probably be nervous. Everyone feels that way. But beyond the nerves, realize and remember that the person you are going to speak with wants to see you succeed. They want you to be the next bestseller, and to have discovered you themselves. If you get a "no," don't take that personally. Smile and thank them for their consideration and time. If you make a good impression, you never know what opportunities may await you the next go around.

Do you have any stories to share about conference appointments? What advice would you add to this list?

*Photo from www.freedigitalphotos.com

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Ashley Clark writes romantic comedy with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook,Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.