"A shortcut is often
the quickest way to someplace you weren't going."
(from Jeanine's Mom's collection)
I had such a great response to the information
presented in last month's "Glad You Asked"
column. It seems experienced and slightly experienced,
found something in it. For some, it was a reminder
of something they knew For others, it was that
piece of information that made it all make sense.
So, now that we know how to organize motivated
by those favourite tips from the pros, here are
this month's questions to ponder.
QUESTION #1: I had my first editor's
meeting at Showcase and it was an exhilarating
experience, nerve racking but great. Still, I'm
sure I missed some crucial points and would love
to know the protocol for meeting behavior so I
can improve on the next session.
Treat your editor appointment as if you were
going for a job interview—because that's
what it is. In other words:
1) Practice your meeting/pitch in the mirror
the week prior.
2) Dress for success and feel confident.
3) Maintain eye contact as you approach the editor.
4) Shake her hand as you introduce yourself. Smile!
5) Ask her how she's enjoying the conference or
if she had a good flight—something not pitch
related—to break the ice and put you both
at ease.
6) Tell her if she has a ms of yours on her desk,
or if she's judged you in a contest, if you've
met her in an elevator, or if you've read a recent
book by an author she's editing. If you don't
have a "connection," move on to step
7.
7) Begin with the mechanics: title, what genre/line
you're targeting, word count.
8) Pitch. Use voice inflection; don't monotone
it. Keep the pitch succinct. GMCs and a hook at
the end. Maintain eye contact as much as possible.
9) Remind her of the book's title by saying you
have a completed ms ready if she's interested
and ask her if she has any questions.
10) Thank her for seeing you, shake her hand again
and tell her the ms will be in the mail within
the week. Smile!
Keep reminding yourself, editors are people too…don't
fret about being nervous! Every writer is nervous—editors
know it and make allowances.
Do not expect them to take all or part of your
ms with them. Their suitcase probably only has
room for their clothes and their own paperwork.
Go into the meeting prepared with an initial
short pitch, plus a slightly more detailed pitch
in case the editor asks for more, and be prepared
for questions about anything related to the story.
Know your characters deeply and your plot thoroughly.
Don't spend your few minutes going uumm... uummm…
It wastes your time with the editor and makes
you look unprepared.
Always be professional and polite NO MATTER WHAT.
If you're part of a group appointment, don't take
more than your fair share of the editor's time.
Usually the editor will indicate when it's time
to move onto the next person. People who keep
talking after an editor has politely tried to
move onto the next person irritate every other
writer in that group AND the editor.
QUESTION #2: Are contests a good use
of time and, if so,
why? How can I find out about the contests out
there?
1) Contests that give feedback are definitely
worth it! My first contest entry ever was the
Golden Heart. Big mistake—simply because
all you get are scores, no feedback. And my scores
ranged from great to lay-down-and-cry horrible...
But I didn't have a clue why. This is when I started
entering contests that specify that the judges
give feedback. Now, at least, when my scores are
all over the place, some good, some bad, I can
see what the judges thought about it. I learned
a lot about what readers like/dislike, what works
in my writing and what doesn't. When I have a
manuscript I'm not sure is working well, I toss
it out to a couple contests to see what someone
who doesn't know me thinks about my writing. Besides,
a contest final or win looks really great on a
query letter to publishers! Every month, the RWR
lists RWA chapter-sponsored contests.
2) Yes, if a contest will provide feedback and/or
contact with editors. It will also make you more
comfortable about sending your ms to editors and
agents. For online RWA contest information, send
an email to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rwacontests.
If you want to join any of the RWA loops, you
have to first belong to RWA alert. (You have to
remain subscribed; you can't go no mail. But there's
hardly any messages on that loop. It's strictly
for urgent messages from RWA national to all members.)
NEXT MONTH'S QUESTIONS:
1) When you use a real setting (ie city or town)
in your fiction book, how real does real have
to be? Must you be accurate in your descriptions
or can you improve upon reality? If you play with
locales, should you change the names?
2) What should one expect from a critique group?
How do you go about finding one that suits your
needs and expectations? Are any members within
GVC interested in forming critique groups? You
have all summer to think of answers to these questions,
but since I can't wait to see them, feel free
to send them to me right away. Also, as you lounge
on the beach sipping a cold margarita or lemonade,
writing the next best seller (don't you just love
your job?), you're sure to face a few situations
where you think, "Gee, I wish I had someone
to ask." Email your question to me immediately
(or when you get home). I'm hoping to have a file
full just waiting to be answered next year in
"Glad You Asked."
Thanks, Helen, Judy, Mary, and Leanne for terrific
responses, suggestions and questions.
"Words are the only
things that last forever."
(More from Mom's collection)
Jeanine is a writer who is going to be an author
if and when she grows up. For now, she enjoys
being a member of GVC and developing workshop,
training and marketing materials for various organizations.
Articles may be reprinted in RWA® chapter
newsletters, attributed to the Spotlight.
Non-RWA® newsletters may not reprint articles
without the permission of the authors.
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