Workshop Handouts
Best Selling Author, Anna DeStefano www.annawrites.com www.annawrites.com/blog
Agent Michelle Grajkowski www.threeseaslit.com
Turn Your Proposal Into An I Do: A communications plan for the unpublished author Crafting the best book you can write is only part of your publishing journey. Grow your skill as a storyteller. Fall in love with your characters and plot. But before you sell, often for a LONG time before you sell, you must navigate key professional and personal relationships that will make or break your career. Blind dates, first kisses, rejections, unfair word of mouth, shaky engagements and the endless walk down the aisle--there's a publishing analogy for every relationship stumble. The key to surviving this courtship phase? Developing business, communication and people skills that can be challenging for creative personalities to embrace. Don't be jilted at the alter. Learn how to sell your proposal and yourself to the agents and editors who want to say I Do!
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Surviving Puppy Love—The work (and stalking) you do before you pitch. •
Networking is the courtship phase of your first sale. It's not enough to be looking for someone who loves your book as much as you do.
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Develop professional relationships with your career in mind.
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Grow your communication/listening/presentation skills, to improve your plans' chances.