tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post6178020693506937022..comments2024-03-29T05:45:39.184-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Agents and ConferencesDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-35482193133991215292011-08-13T20:59:47.820-06:002011-08-13T20:59:47.820-06:00This is really helpful. Although I want to get an ...This is really helpful. Although I want to get an agent, I would also like to take classes and get better at my craft.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-308834427334658222011-08-12T06:43:12.990-06:002011-08-12T06:43:12.990-06:00Thanks Helen - this is most helpful.Thanks Helen - this is most helpful.Jan Morrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01771180344305042855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-44401357765259585742011-08-11T20:07:27.390-06:002011-08-11T20:07:27.390-06:00Susan, that's another thing that often happens...Susan, that's another thing that often happens. Some agents will say, no, not for me. Some will say, send me the first ten pages, just so they can move on to the next person. But...there's always the chance they will, in the end, like what you send.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-82046606596451551572011-08-11T18:38:54.166-06:002011-08-11T18:38:54.166-06:00I sometimes feel the agents listening to pitches a...I sometimes feel the agents listening to pitches always ask the writer to send something. I'll be giving it another try next year.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-5706609547074736522011-08-11T18:14:55.767-06:002011-08-11T18:14:55.767-06:00Well, and a lot to cheer about, too!Well, and a lot to cheer about, too!Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-67403649694034258792011-08-11T12:40:25.839-06:002011-08-11T12:40:25.839-06:00Very true, Terry. Some either don't have the q...Very true, Terry. Some either don't have the query or manuscript totally ready, or they think they do, but don't.<br /><br />Good luck, Elspeth! Sounds like you're prepared. Go for it.<br /><br />Dani, seems like there's a lot to shudder about these days.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-16090235649801643602011-08-11T09:45:55.031-06:002011-08-11T09:45:55.031-06:00Literary agents becoming advertising reps. I shudd...Literary agents becoming advertising reps. I shudder a little. LOL.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-30065540550482180392011-08-11T09:45:25.330-06:002011-08-11T09:45:25.330-06:00This is timely advice, Helen, since I'm attend...This is timely advice, Helen, since I'm attending my first conference in October and yes, I have an appointment with an agent. I did do my research before I booked the appointment, hoping to find the best match.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-54076093087041144202011-08-11T08:52:57.561-06:002011-08-11T08:52:57.561-06:00One thing agents say is that a too-high percentage...One thing agents say is that a too-high percentage of the people who pitch to them at conferences don't actually follow through and send pages, so if you've got your work ready to go, the competition isn't quite as tough as it seems to be. Plus, you avoid that dreaded query letter!<br /><br />Terry <br /><a href="http://terryodell.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br /><a href="http://www.terryodell.com" rel="nofollow">Romance with a Twist--of Mystery</a>Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-36029971549468343602011-08-11T07:59:17.698-06:002011-08-11T07:59:17.698-06:00Maryann, agents are really scrambling now to keep ...Maryann, agents are really scrambling now to keep their big name clients and prove their worth. That will filter down to the newer writers trying to find an agent.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-58538728909482045432011-08-11T07:28:40.927-06:002011-08-11T07:28:40.927-06:00How true. Great post.How true. Great post.Sarah Romano Diehlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04251026711289623620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-61960473896173749642011-08-11T07:20:12.834-06:002011-08-11T07:20:12.834-06:00Thanks for the helpful post, Helen. A lot of folks...Thanks for the helpful post, Helen. A lot of folks in the industry wonder what the role of an agent will be in this ever-changing publishing business. I think that a really savvy agent will take on a client and help with the marketing of the finished product. If an author self-pubs an e-book, making sure it is edited and has professional cover design and layout, an agent can help promote the book, and any others, for a percentage of the sales. I think Joe Konrath is doing that with one of his books and an agent. I hope he blogs about whether that is successful.<br /><br />So I can see the benefit of still trying to find an agent, and conferences are a good place to meet them.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-47570737326036233592011-08-11T07:09:09.833-06:002011-08-11T07:09:09.833-06:00I agree, Alex. Even with the rise of ebooks and se...I agree, Alex. Even with the rise of ebooks and self-pubbing, writers are still craving an agent.<br /><br />Clarissa, Killer Nashville is this month. Later in the year there's Bouchercon, although not too many agents there, but it is THE place to go (I believe) to meet well-known mystery writers.<br /><br />True, Morgan. We tend to think of agents as unapproachable or even scary, but they can be quite helpful. After all, writers are their bread and butter.<br /><br />Carole Anne, have you tried some of the online conferences? Not too many agents there, but lots of writers teaching online workshops.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-4076976173401639092011-08-11T07:04:51.285-06:002011-08-11T07:04:51.285-06:00Interesting post. Thanks.Interesting post. Thanks.essay writing helphttp://essaywriter.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-68642081582448093582011-08-11T06:35:11.829-06:002011-08-11T06:35:11.829-06:00I've never been, always too far from where I l...I've never been, always too far from where I live, but you are right. I'm trying to compensate for this by finding someone to do publicity, so that I can crawl from underneath! Then hopefully one step nearer to success. :0)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07957545161716269528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-75874378129527676832011-08-11T06:28:34.620-06:002011-08-11T06:28:34.620-06:00I've spoken to agents at conferences, and even...I've spoken to agents at conferences, and even sent manuscripts to them. If nothing else, they can offer valuable hints about what areas needs to be improved in a manuscript, also about current trends in what publishers are looking for.<br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://www.morganmandel.com<br />http://morganmandel.blogspot.comMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-66282465759695594742011-08-11T06:16:57.112-06:002011-08-11T06:16:57.112-06:00Know of any great mystery conferences coming up?Know of any great mystery conferences coming up?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-55617870369670057442011-08-11T06:03:15.963-06:002011-08-11T06:03:15.963-06:00Meeting an agent does seem to be the number one pr...Meeting an agent does seem to be the number one priority of everyone who goes to a conference.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.com