#11
WORKSHOP II, Saturday, 1:45-2:45 PM
Location: Auditorium (Center of Campus) Instructor: Richard Mabry, M.D., Freelance Fiction Author
THINGS I WISH I’D KNOWN WHEN I STARTED Everyone talks about the “unwritten rules” in writing and publishing, and most of us learn those rules the hard way. This session deals with some of these unwritten rules that might come in handy for writers just starting out. These are things I didn’t learn the easy way, things that may help you enjoy your conference experience and leave here more ready than ever to serve God with your writing. I. Approaching Agents and Editors A. Why? 1. Gateway to publication 2. Network: put a face with a name, make friends B. Why not? 1. You’re not ready 2. You’re afraid II. Your Tools: A. The Book 1. Non-fiction: Concept, annotated TOC, three chapters, (platform) 2. Fiction: Completed manuscript, polished like a diamond, then the rest B. The Pitch 1. Preparation a. The “elevator pitch” b. The “five sentence” pitch c. The “high concept” pitch d. The back-up material i. One-sheet ii. Query, proposal, full ms. C. Time and Place 1. The wrong ones a. Worship b. Bathroom c. Food line d. Group conversation 2. The right ones a. Appointment b. One-on-one c. Meals, when asked D. Follow-up i. You keep your end of the bargain ii. Their response may take a while iii. Responding to a “no”
III. It’s Showtime: Meeting The Players A. Schedules 1. They have a “life,” believe it or not 2. Be on time for appointments a. early? b. late?” B. Biases and Limitations 1. Not everyone is interested in your genre a. do your research b. don’t ask them for help c. avoid the “shotgun” approach 2. Once a piece is turned down, it’s dead—unless… a. most rejections are boilerplate b. sometimes—rarely—they’ll give input c. resubmission is almost as rare as hen’s teeth IV. Other Writers A. Colleagues, not Competition 1. Support and friendship 2. Garner tidbits and tips 3. Potential future influencers B. Angels, Unaware 1. First readers 2. Published authors 3. Mutual connections V. The Conference Experience A. First Conference 1. Take it all in 2. Don’t hesitate to carve out time for reflection 3. Participate in worship 4. Try to “keep the high” afterward B. Subsequent Conferences 1. Yes, you’ll want more 2. Target your classes 3. Try for a mentoring track VI. Rewards of Life As A Writer A. Money B. Friendships C. Fame D. Deeper Spiritual Life Richard L. Mabry, MD is the author of The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse (Kregel Publications) and Code Blue (Abingdon Press), the first book of the Prescription For Trouble series. His work has appeared in Upper Room, In Touch, Christian Communicator, Grief Digest, and a number of web magazines. He is represented by Rachelle Gardner of WordServe Communications. You can learn more about Richard at his website, www.rmabry.com and his blog, rmabry.blogspot.com. You can email him at DrRLMabry@yahoo.com.