conference experiences
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Deirdre...@aol.com
Jul 16, 2013, 6:25:03 AM7/16/13
to thewrite...@googlegroups.com
I'm dying to know how the conference was for all of you who went, and the
pitches in particular! The fact that everyone's kept quiet about it
so far makes me think you're all going to be blogging about it like crazy - is
that it? Come on gals, don't keep me in suspense!
D xxxx
jowal...@yahoo.com
Jul 16, 2013, 6:41:43 AM7/16/13
to Deirdre...@aol.com, thewrite...@googlegroups.com
Hi Deirdre
Pitch went fine, but Mira are M&B essentially, so not really for me and the changes they said I would need to make (I.e put the theme in foot high letters from page 1 and get the hero and heroine together immediately) are not for me, so I won't be following up their offer. I never thought they would be for me though, but it was a useful experience none the less and it has made me rethink my intro before submitting to a few more places I do want to try.
Learnt that debut authors, even with agents, are only getting digital deals with very rare exceptions, like M&B Series and the odd spectacular debut. Also learnt that Choc Lit are taking up to 9 months with acceptances and offer digital first for debuts, with a more or less guarantee of the 2nd book in print...
Finally I learnt that like Alex I might be heading in a different direction and, for me, it might be Middle Grade, which I hadn't even heard of before the conference. The editor I pitched to said I had great characters and a young, fresh and fun voice but, as you'll see from the pics, I sadly don't have a face to match! As with Alex, it has consolidated a few things for me and I think one more year in the NWS might be as far as I'll go with 'romance' before I try some other routes.
Jo x
Pitch went fine, but Mira are M&B essentially, so not really for me and the changes they said I would need to make (I.e put the theme in foot high letters from page 1 and get the hero and heroine together immediately) are not for me, so I won't be following up their offer. I never thought they would be for me though, but it was a useful experience none the less and it has made me rethink my intro before submitting to a few more places I do want to try.
Learnt that debut authors, even with agents, are only getting digital deals with very rare exceptions, like M&B Series and the odd spectacular debut. Also learnt that Choc Lit are taking up to 9 months with acceptances and offer digital first for debuts, with a more or less guarantee of the 2nd book in print...
Finally I learnt that like Alex I might be heading in a different direction and, for me, it might be Middle Grade, which I hadn't even heard of before the conference. The editor I pitched to said I had great characters and a young, fresh and fun voice but, as you'll see from the pics, I sadly don't have a face to match! As with Alex, it has consolidated a few things for me and I think one more year in the NWS might be as far as I'll go with 'romance' before I try some other routes.
Jo x
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From: Deirdre...@aol.com
Sender: thewrite...@googlegroups.com
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 06:25:03 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: conference experiences
I'm dying to know how the conference was for all of you who went, and the
pitches in particular! The fact that everyone's kept quiet about it
so far makes me think you're all going to be blogging about it like crazy - is
that it? Come on gals, don't keep me in suspense!
D xxxx
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Deirdre...@aol.com
Jul 16, 2013, 7:52:25 AM7/16/13
to jowal...@yahoo.com, thewrite...@googlegroups.com
Hi Jo, thanks for the feedback. Perhaps one day I'll make a
conference, if I'm still clinging to the skirts of the RNA that is...
That's interesting about the digital first for debut authors - depressing
too, though. Still it's good that the speakers you had were honest enough
to tell it like it was. Never heard of Middle Grade either, but glad that
you have perhaps found a way forward that works for you. Choc Lit might
come up trumps meanwhile, though. You never know.
Not seen any pics yet but I shall look out for those. I'm sure you
look lovely in them, all of you!
Deirdre x
Jackie
Jul 16, 2013, 8:39:37 AM7/16/13
to Deirdre...@aol.com, thewrite...@googlegroups.com
Yeah- where are all the photo's? just had a look at choc Lit and they're closed o submissions. Looked like you got in by the skin of your teeth Deidre! What is Middle Grade??
Jaxx
Jaxx
jowal...@yahoo.com
Jul 16, 2013, 9:07:42 AM7/16/13
to Jackie, thewrite...@googlegroups.com, Deirdre...@aol.com
Hi Jaxx
That must be why Choc Lit are taking so long... Maybe we'll hear by September, if that's when they hope to clear the back log.
Middle Grade is end of childhood/start of YA - Diary of a Wimpy Kid kind of territory. Will see if the NWS feedback laughs me out of the building on that one first and, if so, I'm going to take up baking instead :-)
Pictures are on Julie's Facebook page at the moment and I did tag you in or a 'we missed you' thread, so you should get an alert.
That must be why Choc Lit are taking so long... Maybe we'll hear by September, if that's when they hope to clear the back log.
Middle Grade is end of childhood/start of YA - Diary of a Wimpy Kid kind of territory. Will see if the NWS feedback laughs me out of the building on that one first and, if so, I'm going to take up baking instead :-)
Pictures are on Julie's Facebook page at the moment and I did tag you in or a 'we missed you' thread, so you should get an alert.
Jo x
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From: Jackie <jackie...@aol.com>
Sender: thewrite...@googlegroups.com
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:39:37 +0100
Subject: Re: conference experiences
Rachael Thomas
Jul 18, 2013, 4:48:11 PM7/18/13
to Jo Walter, Jackie, thewrite...@googlegroups.com, Deirdre...@aol.com
Hi Ladies,
So sorry to be late saying this, but it was great to meet up with those who went to Sheffield. Since I have got back life has been flat out, due to farmers wanting to harvest every blade of grass that moves!! It's all that rain we had last summer, it's made them all a bit twitchy. For me this means, lots of packed food, for eight men who have to work 12 -14 hours and boy can they eat! I also have to take over the milking. On top of that the cows had their TB test on Tuesday and the 'read' is tomorrow, so I really hope they all pass otherwise they will be compulsory slaughtered. Sorry I'm digressing.
I've got my partial to sub to M&B after my one to one. Still can't believe she loved my chapter. Just hope she loves the next two chapters - and that I can write the rest if she wants it. No pressure!!
Off now to check the blog. Couldn't find Wednesday wonderings last night, but did try. Honest!
Catch you all soon!
Rachael
Xx
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