A Frustrating process

Subject: Re: A Frustrating process Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:15 pm

Rhett,

I agree Writers' Conferences are a great place to meet Agents, espeically if you attend one that offers a 15 minute pitch appointment. However, as most of the conferences are held in the US its a bit expensive for us Brits to hop across the Pond in the hope that we are one of the lucky ones granted such an appointment.

Last May I attended Pennwriters' conference in Pittsburgh. I applied for a "Pitch" appointment with an agent. Guess what? I didn't get one, because the organisation ensured that all their aspiring members were given appointments over visiting delegates, which my friend, who lives in Pittsburgh by the way, and I considered grossly unfair.

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Jenny
Writing as Victoria Howard

www.victoriahoward.co.uk

Subject: Re: A Frustrating process Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:40 pm

Jenny,

Ah, this is where you educate me! Smile

I assumed writers' conferences were a universal happening, and that most universities would have an equivalent.

I can see why you were unhappy with your experience. I would think anyone traveling so far should be afforded the first slot! Seems only fair.

It is difficult to gain an audience. No doubt. Even with a good query letter and wonderful writing, there are such odds!

Still, I believe in persistence. My mom has some little saying about just about everything. "Keep turning over rocks. Sooner or later, you will find your dream beneath one."
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Southern fiction with a madhatter twist...
www.rhettdevane.com

Subject: Re: A Frustrating process Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:06 pm

How terribly frustrating and disappointing for you, Jenny. I agreee with Mad. You should have been given first consideration due to the travel expense, if nothing else.
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

http://www.zadaconnaway.com/

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

I turn over dozens of rocks, every week, big ones, with a crowbar sometimes, in search of elusive gold nuggets . . .

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1784 Location : UK

... that he's going to melt down and turn into a ring.
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

I've enough for one ring (smallish one) but would like to find enough for two one day. All the small gold will go into the rings though. Any nuggets I get this year I'll blow on a landrover.

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1784 Location : UK

Any Cinderellas out there with small fingers?
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

Oh, she won't need small fingers, it'll just be a slender ring. A nice chunky Celtic ring takes about twice as much gold.

Subject: Re: A Frustrating process Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:06 pm

I love those celtic patterns, but love the rocks I turn over where I love...hermit crabs, oyster shells and sandollars. After growing up on the prairies, being close to the sea is like a treasure, glittering sand, stunning seascapes and wide open spaces. What a gift!!

...of course, there are few girls that will pass up a diamond, me I am all for the Landrovers!
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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Subject: Re: A Frustrating process Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:38 pm

Pam, where are you living now? I've always longed to live close to the sea and haven't made it there yet. Talk about expensive . . .

I just remembered: you're in Nova Scotia. I'm housesitting for my son and his bride while they're on their honeymoon and her 11-yr-old son is never still. Talk about a pooped grandma. I can hardly keep my eyes open, much less think.

OH MY God! I just glanced at your blog and you have a Ph.D! I'm so impressed, Pam. Your accomplishments are phenomenal. Congratulations!
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www.brendahill.com
www.authorsden.com/brendahill

Subject: Re: A Frustrating process Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:12 pm

Thank you Brenda! Once I got started at University is was hard to stop.
Eleven year olds can be tough on energy stores if they are busy. How kind of you to look after him though so that your son and new daughter in law could get away; what a kind gift. Hopefully as he gets more used to the idea of you being there he'll start doing some of the things he normally does. Is he at school during the day?
I keep thinking of my friends who had their children much later than I did and wonder at their energy levels now. I do not think I could be chasing around youngsters, and I really cherish the discussions and fun with my grown up girls.
Will send you some relaxation vibes Brenda!

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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Subject: Re: A Frustrating process Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:35 pm

Tough? Did you say tough? How about debilitating. Not only his energy, but they have ten-thousand steps in their new house. Okay, maybe not ten-thousand, but it seems that way.

My new grandson never sits still. He was on spring break last week and I thought I was gonna die, but this week he's back in school. At least this old lady can nap during the day.

My prayer:

Oh, help me get through the next couple of days, then, when I get home, I'm gonna collapse on my sofa and stay there for an entire day. I promise to never again complain about it being out of style.
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www.brendahill.com
www.authorsden.com/brendahill

Subject: Re: A Frustrating process Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:03 pm

I'm one of those authors who's been lucky enough to find an agent, the redoubtable Aidana WillowRaven who has posted earlier in this thread. However, along the way, I began by writing poetry, won awards for that, moved on to short stories, first published in non-paying and then paying markets, and finally moved onto writing novels. I had a couple of novels e-published by a reputable publishing house, plus a couple of collections of shorts, then found publsihers for two of my later novels all by myself, through dogged persristence and (I hope), a modicum, of talent. Then one of my e-novels and one of my short collections both finished in the top ten in the annual Preditors & Editors Readers Awards in seperate categories and suddenly doors began to open. I now have an agent, a paperback just published, another one due out in April and three more due later in the year, the last three thanks to Aidana's efforts on my behalf. so, though she may be unconventional, she delivers, and that after all, is what an agent is hired to achieve for his/her clients. You can do it alone, I think I've proved that, but it's so much bettter to have an agent on board to do the spadework of finding the publisher and negotiating the contract. I suppose I've been lucky in that I've never had to pay a penny to have any of my work published, and never had to go down the self-publishing or vanity roads. Not every writer is as fortunate and I feel grateful that I've met with a small amount of success, and just wish that everyone of my fellow authors could do the same, no matter what their chosen path to publication.

Brian

Brian

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1784 Location : UK

Brian, It's always good to hear that hard work pays off! Well done and I wish you continued success!

~Shelagh

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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: A Frustrating process Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:41 pm

Thanks for that Brian - you are inspiring! It's not just good fortune but also perseverance and talent that are taking you where you want to go!
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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com