Wonderful Writer's Workshop

With time and money in short supply it can be difficult to afford going to a writer's workshop so when I find one that is really worth it I love spotlighting it. Last week I attended the Oregon Coast Children's Book Writer Workshop and was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Of course, choosing a workshop all has to do with where you are at in your work and what you're looking to achieve. The OCCBWW was a hands on learning experience full of informative lectures and one-on-one consultations with instructors. It was not a place to pitch, find an agent, or an editor, though there definitely were some excellent ones in attendance.

Instead, OCCBWW was a relaxed atmosphere that invited writers to open up and share their work, get feedback, and learn from the lectures. Every day we had a personal consultation with one of the instructors. This could either be with an author, an editor, or an agent. Prior to the consultation the person we were meeting with read our first five pages, then during the consultation they gave us feedback on it. Each day presented a new opportunity with a new instructor. My consultations were with agent Michelle Andelman and author Pamela Smith Hill (Michelle twice during the week, and Pamela three times).

My work wasn't right for Michelle but regardless, she gave me amazing feedback that helped me better my writing and steered me in the right direction. The fact that she wasn't the agent for me wasn't a bad thing. This made our talks very relaxed and allowed us the chance to interact, maximizing the learning experience. She was encouraging about the agent whom I have a full of the manuscript out to (saying she'd be great for the work) and even steered me in the right direction toward an editor (who was in attendance at the workshop). I'm waiting on that though since I have a full out and want the chance to edit if that agent takes me on, before an editor sees it. The other three days I met with author Pamela Smith Hill and it was a match made in heaven. Her knowledge of YA historical transformed my outlook and my writing. 

If you're looking for a workshop that will give you maximum feedback on improving and polishing your work, then this is definitely the one for you. And who knows, you just might make that connection with an agent or editor in attendance. I'm curious, what are some of your favorite workshops or retreats, and why?

~Heather

Breaking Into Publishing

The days when opportunity came knocking at your door are all but gone. Now, one must seek out opportunity's door and knock on it. It doesn't hurt to come armed with a lock-pick kit and a sledgehammer as back up. The publishing world is changing, not only because times are hard but because of the electronic revolution. It's pretty safe to say it has never been harder to break into publishing. Unfortunately just writing a great novel isn't enough any more. A lot of factors come into play when you're trying to land an agent and sell your novel. The timing and material has to be right. If you wrote an outstanding novel that involves a trend that's on it's way out, agents and publishers will probably pass you by. So they're looking for the next big thing then right? Yes and no.

They're looking for something that has the potential to be outstanding, is fresh and innovative, but that people can relate to. Now you're totally confused aren't you? Don't feel bad, I'm right there with you. Not only does timing have to be right but there is a huge amount of luck that comes into play when you're introducing a new idea or one that's trendy. Voice and style are also a large part of it. You can write a book about a trendy idea but have a completely fresh voice or style that makes it something new.

So what can you do to increase your chances of succeeding in this increasingly discerning and competitive market? Perfect your craft. Take classes, go to retreats or workshops, or read books on the subject, that's your lock-pick kit. While my young adult paranormal series was on submission I've completed another stand alone novel in a different genre. There's the sledgehammer, a positive enduring attitude that won't give up. If you keep writing you increase you chances of success. It's important to keep improving your craft as well. If you can't attend writer's retreats or workshops in person then do so online. If that still isn't an option then pick up books on writing to help you improve.

A vital thing you need to realize is that agents and editors can't define your success if you don't let them. Don't stop improving, don't stop writing, and most important, don't give up. In the end, know your options and weigh them all.

~Heather

Carolina's Agent Signing Mega Giveaway

A friend of the Critique Sisters~and a wonderful lady~Carolina Valdez Miller just signed with agent Vickie Motter! If you don't know who Carolina is yet click on her name to find out. She is one of the sweetest people you could ever hope to know and she's been working long and hard on accomplishing her goals. When someone like her achieves something so great it is cause for celebration! The fact that agents are still looking, still falling in love with books, and still signing clients means the industry is still going strong. That's something we all need to celebrate because you never who could be next, it could be you!

This is one mega party peeps. Carolina wants to give back and pay it forward~because she is fabulous like that~and we wanted to help her. That means some great giveaways for you! Here are the prizes you can enter to win:

*From Heather's Odyssey winner's choice of
 Writers Digest Guide To Query Letters  or The Fire In Fiction by Donald Maass.

*From Critique Sisters Corner winner's choice of
 2011 Guide To Literary Agents  or Writing The Breakout Novel by Donald Maass 

*From Carolina's blog there will be 5 different winners:

  #1 A 1st page critique from agent Vickie Motter of the Andrea Hurst Literary Agency

  #2 A Kindle (must follow all blogs in the giveaway to qualify)

  #3 Signed copy of Escaping into the Open: the Art of Writing True by Elizabeth Berg

  #4 Signed Hardback of Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

  #5 Signed Hardback of Passing Strange by Daniel Waters

*From J. Koyanagi (You will need to subscribe or follow her RSS feed)

  One winner will win: WRITING DOWN THE BONES, by Natalie Goldberg or HOW NOT TO WRITE A NOVEL, by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman or GIVE 'EM WHAT THEY WANT: THE RIGHT WAY TO PITCH YOUR NOVEL TO EDITORS AND AGENTS, by Blythe Camenson and Marshall J. Cook

*From Simon Larter One winner will win all three:
Stephen King's ON WRITING, Ray Bradbury's ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING, and Anne Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD

*From LK Gardner-Griffie (In lieu of a follow, you will need to LIKE her Fan page) TBA

*From Denise Grover Swank:

ANGELFIRE by Courtney Allison Moulton, ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins, HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins, DEMONGLASS by Rachel Hawkins

*From Sara McClung:

Winner 1: A signed copy of THE DARK DIVINE Winner 2: A signed copy of RAISED BY WOLVES Winner 3: WRITE GREAT FICTION: PLOT & STRUCTURE

*From Lola Sharp SECRET

*From Elizabeth Davis A $25 Amazon gift card

*From Tracey Neithercott A Hardcover of Across the Universe

*From Kristen Yard: 

A Signed copy of PERSONAL DEMONS by Lisa Desrochers

*From Christine Fonseca (You will need to subscribe to her blog):

 101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids: The Ultimate Guide Or A partial Critique

*From Jonathon Arntson A $15 Barnes and Noble gift card

The rules: You must be a follower to enter (new and old followers are welcome!) and leave a comment on the post you wish to enter to win. See each blog for more information on prizes and rules. The contests close on April 1st and winners will be announced by April 4th. Hurry, click on each of the links and leave a comment! Best of luck!

Are You Set Once You Get An Agent?

There is a misconception that once you get an agent things will start to snowball from there and you'll be on the fast track to success. That is unfortunately a myth. The reality of it is, the road is long and hard even after you get an agent. You move on from having to impress one person, to having to impress an entire publishing house. Publishers do not buy books lightly, especially not with the tumultuous state the economy is in.

I had an agent and believed the myth myself once. After a year I ended up parting ways with him due to a restructuring of his company. Do over night successes still happen? Yes, but they are fewer and farther between today.

You will go through at least one edit with your agent to polish up your manuscript. This process can be quick or painfully long, it all depends on you and your work. The faster and better you edit, the faster this part of the process will go. My edits took about a month, between me doing them, e-mailing them to my agent, and him approving them. Once he was happy with the work he began submitting me immediately.

After you get an agent the work does not end there. While they're working hard to sell your book you need to be working hard to sell yourself. Your online presence will become vital. Editors looking at your book will most likely google you to see what your platform (or online presence) looks like. Always be careful what you say. Be careful what you say on line. If you don't want a publishing house editor who's considering buying your book to read something you said on line, you shouldn't have said it. Help your agent sell your book by maintaining a professional on line presence.

So how long does the process take from agent to publishing contract? I'll let you know when I get there! It's different for everyone. If you remove time for the holidays my book has been on submission for going on nine weeks now. The great news is, we haven't received a single rejection yet! The bad news, I've realized I really need to work on that elusive virtue called patience.

~Heather