ACFW Blog

A writers conference can be a scary thing — especially your first one. I attended my first writer’s conference by myself as an unpubbed author. I knew no one. The conference was held in the Rocky Mountains, and I walked around that week enjoying the scenery, but with my brain on overload and my confidence and esteem taking a self-inflicted beating.

I cannot even count how many writers conferences I have been to since then — some as an attendee, some as a faculty member, and they all have been valuable. Having been on both sides of the unpubbed/pubbed fence, I’d like to make some suggestions as to what NOT to do at conference.

1.) DO NOT RETREAT TO YOUR ROOM EVERY TIME YOU HAVE FREE TIME. Some of the most valuable networking that you will do will occur in the coffee shop, the hotel lobby, lingering over a meal, in the elevator even. I met one of my favorite authors, Ted Dekker, in the elevator in Denver and since we are fellow Thomas Nelson authors, I felt as if I had made a new friend.

2.) DON’T BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH END TO THE POINT OF EXHAUSTION. Although you should try to go to the workshops that interest you, it’s not possible to go to all of them. Sign up for the ones that are most appealing and leave some time to absorb what you’ve learned. Put your feet up for a few minutes after lunch or between classes and go over your notes. Leave a time slot completely vacant in order to catch your breath. Go to the bookstore and look at all the choice books available. You’ll wear yourself out physically and emotionally if you don’t space out your time wisely.

3.) DON’T AVOID PUBLISHED AUTHORS, EDITORS AND AGENTS. Every one of us was unpubbed at one time. And if the truth be known, every one of us has doubts about our own writing now and then (gasp!). We love to talk to our readers. The editors, publishers and agents are so ready and willing to help. You are not bothering them when you stop to visit. It is their privilege and pleasure to do so.

4.) DON’T SKIP THE WORSHIP SESSIONS AND THE KEYNOTE ADDRESSES. Some of the richest times at conference will come during these sessions. God has always spoken a particular word to my heart through the speakers and the worship. Avail yourself of some of the best speakers in the nation in Christian publishing. You’ll be glad you did!

5.) One last word of advice:  DON’T GET DISCOURAGED. I was at a writers conference one year when an unpubbed author left in the middle of the conference in a tailspin, because one of the editors said his work was not ready yet to be published. It is discouraging to have one editor after another shake their head, but every “no” that you receive just brings you closer to your “yes.” If God has called you to write, then learn how to write at the very top level of your ability through the information you’ll glean at conference. Then leave the results up to Him. Psalm 138:8 says, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands.” God is for you!

A final “don’t” — DON’T MISS THE AFCW CONFERENCE IN INDIANAPOLIS! Perhaps I’ll see you there!
Learn more about Golden and her books here.

Angela Breidenbach here.

I’m the publicity officer for ACFW and honored to tell you about the media appointments, something new and different, available at our conference in Indianapolis Sep. 17-20th, 2010. In fact, I don’t know any other conferences that offer media training appointments.

Adding two new types of appointments for our authors is one of the reasons American Christian Fiction Writers conference is top in the industry.

The media appointments help educate Christian fiction authors in presenting themselves and their work in public, on radio, and on television. These are difficult things to do for many introverted people.

Rusty Shelton will be taking 30 appointments focused on delivering a sparkling message specific to the individual author while I will be taking 8 appointments focused on how to prepare, practice, and perform in the media.

Both styles of media appointments are intended to help authors not only feel more comfortable in the public eye, but to also help them create a stellar public appearance. With Rusty’s ability to hone for the individual and my specialty in confidence and presentation, we hope that ACFW authors will be better prepared to share their work with the world.

In addition to the two styles of media appointments, we’ve also added mentoring appointments. Yes, agent and editor appointments are available too. ACFW is always looking for ways to enrich the conference experience for attendees. We hope that these new opportunities will enhance both the professional lives of our members and uplift the Christian fiction industry as ACFW authors step out into the media.

For more information on the ACFW conference, please visit www.acfw.com

Author Bio:

Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009, author of the Creative Cooking Series including Creative Cooking for Colitis and Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance. She works with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries and the Jadyn Fred Foundation. Angela also teaches online classes and coaches one-on-one in courageous confidence, personal growth, and powerful living. She’s certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and Assisting Minister. She serves as the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Publicity Officer and is a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and author. Not only did she walk the hard line of deciding to donate her mom’s brain, but she is also on the brain donation list at the Brain Bank-Harvard McLean Hospital. She is married, has a combined family of six grown children, one grandson.

Confidence Coach & Purposeful Living Educator

Come uncover your gems of wisdom at www.MyGemofWisdom.com

Personal growth = Powerful living!

Interact/learn more about Angela Breidenbach at these sites:

http://www.MyGemofWisdom.com

http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com

http://GodUsesBrokenVessels.blogspot.com

http://ColitisCooking.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/AngBreidenbach

http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbach

http://WritingByFaith.blogspot.com on Wednesdays each week.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/angiebreidenbach

My blog posts for this week will concern the 2010 American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. For more information about the Conference, click here .

Some of you who are reading this blog may have attended the Conference before, perhaps even multiple times.

However, many of you, like me, have probably never attended a writing conference. I’ve been to plenty of church conferences, and even a conference about teaching university-level composition, but never a writing conference.

My goal is that this blog will provide you will useful information whether you’re attending the ACFW Conference for the first time or the fifth.

If you are attending the Conference for the first time, you probably have plenty of questions about what to expect. The question at the top of my list was how to appropriately interact with agents and editors.

I learned it’s never a good idea to v erbally tackle agents and editors in a bathroom or hallway. Good thing to learn before getting dubbed the bathroom pitch girl. It is, however, acceptable to pitch in an elevator, thus the term “elevator pitch.” I wonder which category the Starbucks waiting line falls into?

Since I’m clearly not an expert on the subject, I asked Etta Wilson from Books & Such Literary Agency if she would contribute her expertise, as she has vast experience as an agent, editor, and even an author. Thank you, Etta, for your contribution to this blog.

What is the biggest mistake authors make when meeting agents for the first time?

This is tough to answer with only one point because so much depends on the author’s basic personality and whether or not they feel confident about themselves and their work. It’s nearly always obvious when an author has a canned comment ready or is a bit pushy. Agents, like authors, are simply human, and some will work well together and some will need to look more.

If an author attending the ACFW Conference wants to approach an agent outside of an official appointment setting, for instance, at an agent table during meals, what is an appropriate way for the author to do so? What kind of information about his or her book, including how much information, should the author give in this kind of informal setting?

Assuming the author knows something about the agent’s preferences (fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or historical), he/she should have a couple of enticing summary sentences in mind about the work and their background. Occasionally an author can make a strong impression by noting a personal connection with either the agent or another client of the agent, but it should be legitimate.

What are some important things for authors to remember when forming a pitch?

While a pitch should be memorable, short, and honest, authors should not be crestfallen if an agent declines to see the work. There are many reasons why an agent may be unable to pursue a particular novel, and it could be for the author’s best interests in the long run.

What kinds of materials should authors bring with them to agent appointments?

I like to see a proposal, 3 or 4 sample chapters, a brief synopsis, and a bio. That may seem like a lot for a brief appointment, but it can save a lot of time later if I’m interested.

If you could give first-time conference attendees any advice about meeting with agents and pitching their work, what would it be?

Believe in your work and be kind. We’re all in this together, and the writing and publishing of wonderful reading is a high calling for all of us.

Questions for Comment: If you have attended the ACFW Conference before, do you have any advice for first-time attendees, especially regarding appointments with agents and editors? If this will be your first time attending the Conference, what questions do you have about it?

About the Author: As a young child, Ashley sat transfixed in the library as she listened to the children’s story-time reading, thumbprint cookies and punch in her hand. Now an adult, she has cultivated that same passion for literature into a career— and she still loves thumbprint cookies. She teaches English Composition and Introduction to Literature at the university level, and will complete her master’s degree in creative writing in fall 2010. Currently, Ashley is working on a humorous women’s fiction story about a stress-ridden travel agent named Grace.

As a novelist, you probably spend a lot of time sitting at your desk, banging out words, pondering your story. You do some research online, write out a chapter, do some revising. Sure, you spend some time emailing friends to try and see what else everyone is up to, but for the most part the things you do as a writer are done alone. Writing is a solitary job. Every successful writer I know spends a lot of time along with their thoughts, sitting at a computer, creating worlds and conversations in their head.

That’s exactly why you need to think about coming to the ACFW conference. Because all of those solitary writers out there also feel a need to meet with other people who love books and words. A writing conference is a chance to connect, to learn, to network, to hear about opportunities, to see old friends, and to make new ones. Let me suggest five benefits to attending the annual ACFW conference…

First, it’s a chance to LEARN. Just take a look at some of the workshops being taught at this year’s conference — information on creating strong proposals, on developing better characters, on using humor, on writing to specific niche audiences (there’s even a workshop on “how to write Amish”!). There are a couple dozen workshops you can attend, and most are taught by bestselling novelists or experienced industry professionals (for example, I think the concept of listening to the editorial team from Thomas Nelson talk through what an editorial meeting is like sounds tremendously valuable).

Second, it’s a chance to POLISH. The conference offers continuing sessions, where you’ll be able to get more in-depth on a topic. Multi-bestselling author Tracie Peterson is there to talk about crafting novels. Famed writing instructor Dr. Dennis Hensley will be talking about symbolism and structure. Bestselling novelists Susan May Warren & Rachel Hauck of My Book Therapy (which has some of the BEST material on creating good fiction) will be helping you craft better scenes. Jim Rubart, a 20-year marketing veteran, is offering his experience to help you know how to market your books.

Third, it’s a chance to NETWORK. You’ll see hundreds of other writers there — people who love books and words as much as you do, and who want to explore how to get better at what they do. There will be editors there, representing a wide variety of publishing houses. You’ll be able to set up one-on-one appointments, just to talk with them about your manuscript. There’s also a chance to talk with several agents — in fact, a writing conference like this is one of the few place you can go and connect with literary agents. Between sessions, at meals, during the social times, and in the hallways you’ll be surrounded by industry professionals. Make sure to use those opportunities to meet people and get to know other writers.

Fourth, it’s a chance to CONNECT with friends. You’ll see some people you know, and be introduced to some folks you’ve read but never met. There will be an opportunity to link up with a critique group, or to simply meet other writers from your area. When I was a young writer, I went to a conference and introduced myself to people. I made friends that helped me get connected with the local writing scene, and that led to my first paid book-writing gig.

Fifth, it’s a chance to REFLECT. There will be time to pray, time to sing, time to talk, and time to laugh. Part of the value of being away at a conference is that it forces you to get out of your normal routine — so you can use that to think through what you’d like to be writing, and how you’d like to approach it. You can join a small group for a quiet night of prayer and discussion, or you can grab friends and sit laughing in your room until all hours of the night.

I’m a huge fan of the ACFW conference — in fact, I’m on record as saying it’s the most practical conference for Christian writers to attend. I’ll be there again, wearing my kilt and appreciating friends and trying to think of something to say in a one-on-one appointment that doesn’t sound trite and shallow. Make sure to say hello.

Chip MacGregor
President, MacGregor Literary

by Belinda Peterson

Really, you can enjoy them!! I promise. This is how you do it.

Kidding. I can’t tell you HOW to do it, but I can provide some tips on making it a little easier on your nerves. At least I hope I can.

The very first editor appointment I had was with Brenda Chin from Harlequin. I wasn’t writing Christian romance then, was at a conference all by myself, didn’t know a soul, and signed up for an appointment. I thought I was getting a group appointment, but no, I got an all-by-myself ten minute appointment with Brenda. Honestly, I didn’t know enough to be nervous, but the people around me were very nervous. So if I started to get nervous it was because they were nervous. (At least I’ll say it was because of that.) Anyway, I had my pitch ready and sat down (I still remember what I was wearing!) and proceeded to tell Brenda about my book. She asked me a couple of easy questions, then she hit me with the bombshell question.

“What makes your book different from all the other books I might be wanting to buy?”

What?

“Um, I have a bird in it? No, really, um, well, you see…..”

I was TOTALLY unprepared for her question.

It was after this appointment that editor/agent appointments started making me nervous. What were they going to ask me? What if I fumbled around like that first appointment again? What if? What if?

A lot of years have passed since that first appointment. And here’s what I have learned.

1. Know your story.
It’s that simple. Like my pastor says “It may not be easy, but it’s simple.” Know your story inside and out and there will be no question you can’t answer.

2. Remember this: Editors and agents are people, too. They are just like you and me. They breathe, they eat, they laugh, they enjoy a good book. Yes, they are human and not wanting to be put on any kind of pedestal or platform high above you. They want a good story and you have a good story to sell. Everybody’s happy!

The turning point that changed the way I viewed the appointments without feeling nervous was this.
I was once monitoring an editor/agent session for a conference I was attending. I ushered a friend of mine who was already published to a table with an editor at it. My friend sat down and said something along the lines of….I don’t want to pitch anything, I just wanted to say hi and see how you were doing….I’m not quoting because I can’t remember word for word. The editor said something along these lines….thank goodness! It’ll be good just to chat for a minute…or something like that. She wasn’t being mean or anything, she was just being human. It was the end of the day, she’d seen a lot of people. I realized then that they endure a lot also by sitting all day, meeting with a different someone every few minutes. It was then that I saw them (agents/editors) in a very different light. I thought, she has emotions just like I do. She’s tired, overwhelmed, probably hungry and so on….

For those of you attending the ACFW conference the agent/editor appointments are with excellent agents and editors. This is a rare chance to get to send work into a lot of the houses that only look at agented work. So, go, relax, know your story, be yourself and remember agents and editors are people too!!

And enjoy!!

PS—check back in after conference. I’ll be posting on that Monday at www.writingbyfaith.blogspot.com and it’ll be something about the appointments. So come back and check in and let us know how that appointment went. We’d love to hear about it.
Oh, and please post now if you have any tips on enjoying those appointments. I know I can’ be the only one that doesn’t totally dread them!! Or let us know how you’re feeling about your upcoming appointment. Plus, I know there’s got to be some great stories regarding editor/agent appointments. We’d love to hear them.

**
Belinda Peterson writes contemporary romances-inspirational style. Although unpublished she has been a finalist in several contests including the prestigious Maggie Award of Excellence. Three of her manuscripts have won first place and two have garnered requests for the full manuscript.

Belinda is active in several writing groups such as the Romance Writers of America and the Georgia Romance Writers. She also serves as Vice President of her local chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers.

Visit Belinda Peterson on her blogs:
Contemporary Christian Romance Author
writingbyfaith.blogspot.com 6 different authors-1 awesome God

belindasblogging.blogspot.com