ACFW Conference Blog

I missed ACFW last year, but a newborn was a good excuse, right? I’m very excited to meet up with everyone again, experience the awesome general sessions and worship time, and just soak in all I can about Christian publishing to help me be a better fiction editor. Getting to check out the Mall of America is a nice perk, too!

ACFW 2006 was my first conference. I was just a few months into my new job as editor for Heartsong Presents and still feeling like quite the rookie. So what amazed me the most was the extreme nervousness I could sense in some of the authors who met with me at appointments. I sat there all jittery myself wondering Why in the world are these folks nervous talking to me of all people? I realize the situation is intimidating, especially for unpublished authors. You’re sitting on one side of the table with your beloved work in your hands trying to articulate why someone should buy it and publish it for all the world to see. I’m one of the people who could help make that happen. Becky and I have discussed how we acquisitions editors have the power to make writers’ dreams come true or dash them to pieces. Wow. That’s a power I don’t want to take lightly, nor one I want to let go to my head. In my mind, I’m just a regular “jo” (ha!) trying to do the best she can with the interests and skills and job God has given her. All credit goes to Him for putting me here and making my career dreams come true!

So, if you’re coming to conference and are scheduling an appointment with me, there’s no need to be nervous. I know it’s easier said than done, especially if you’re more of an introverted type of person. But don’t worry about little things like if you fumble your words or have a nervous habit. I do those same things! There’s no reason to be intimidated by me. I’m certainly no better than you, and God loves you and has plans for you just as He does me. If we end up working together on your book for Heartsong Presents, then it’s all a part of His plan. If not, He’s got other things for you.

See you in September!

JoAnne Simmons, Heartsong Presents Editor

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Way back in September 2002, long before my days as an acquisitions editor with Barbour Publishing, I traveled to Kansas City, Missouri to attend the very first conference of what was then the American Christian Romance Writers organization–now known as American Christian Fiction Writers or ACFW. I’ve not missed an ACFW conference since.

At that inaugural conference, I met all four of my crit group partners AND my then-Russia-resident co-author face-to-face for the very first time. Susie Warren and I sat across the table from Editor Tracie Peterson and pitched our historial series proposal with all the accompanying nerves and jitters that characterize novice editor-appointment attendees. (Then, lo and behold, despite our stammering pitch, the project SOLD to Barbour before the next conference rolled around.) By the way, as one who has sat on BOTH sides of that editor/author table now, I know how daunting those appointments can be! Seek me out in Minneapolis if you’re in need of a sympathetic ear.

I can mark the milestones in my publishing career by simply glimpsing at my office wall, where various awards and recognitions won at ACFW conferences hang. But by far the greatest ACFW conference take-away value has been the relationships built and strengthened and the memories of special times shared with those I now consider my bestest and closest friends. I can’t bear the thought that the day may come when I won’t be able to celebrate my September birthday with my ACFW pals.

Follow these links for more information on the American Christian Fiction Writers organization or this year’s conference in Minneapolis:

www.acfw.com
www.acfw.com/conference.

Here’s me at the very first ACF(R)W Conference in Kansas City 2002, practicing for my current role as Mystery Editor and choking the Brandilyn Collins’ look-alike doll:

It’s only a few months until the ACFW conference begins n Minneapolis. I am so excited by this event as I start to make a plan for how to make the best use of my time. My goals are to meet with authors already publishing with Zondervan, meet with agents that I missed at the International Christian Retailers Show (ICRS) in July, meet established authors that I think might be a good fit for Zondervan and look for new voices in fiction. That’s a lot to do, but if I have a plan…my trip will be productive and fun!

Last year, I had a great time teaching a workshop on Publishing Professionalism. We talked about setting a strategy for writer’s conferences, how the publishing process works, and how best to approach getting your book published. It was so much fun getting to meet everyone at lunch and dinner. It’s not a good place to pitch your book, but is a great time to establish relationships. There are so many of you that I will look forward to seeing in Editor appointments this year. I think these meals are also a terrific opportunity to broaden your network and to find someone that has the potential to encourage you.

Another thing I particularly like about the ACFW conference is the chance for an impromptu conversation that will change the direction of a book, or will help someone make a critical decision. Sometimes these “lobby chats” are just a time to get to know each other better.

Most of all ACFW is a time to find the passion for what we do. We write to glorify God, we write to share our relationship with Him, we write to bring others into His arms. What better way to spend the weekend!

So now is the time for you to determine your strategy and plan for the conference. No matter what stage you are in your career, you need to go into the ACFW conference with a set of goals for the weekend. It’s very easy for your time to get away from you, particularly with all your friends and colleagues there to distract you.

But don’t forget that this is also a time to relax and renew your passion for writing.

I look forward to seeing you all in Minneapolis!

One of the most important areas of the convention are the editor and agent appointments. You agonize over who might be interested in what you’re writing, you sweat over one sheets and proposals, you practice your pitch until you can recite it in your sleep (and probably do) and then just when you think you’re as ready as you can be, something happens. What now?

Depends on what happens… let’s go over some of the scenarios and see if we can answer everyone’s questions.

1. The editor I had chosen has just canceled. My number two and three choices are booked solid and my number 4 choice isn’t accepting my genre after all. What do I do?

Nothing. If you’re an early registrant, it doesn’t matter if your second choice is booked solid or not. I go back and slide you in, bumping out the last conferee to request that editor. Your appointments are booked by your registration number, not the date.

But, if you’re a late registrant, you can always email ( Wanda@acfw.com) me four new choices.

2. I just noticed that Mr. Editor at my favorite publisher is now attending the conference. Can I still get an appointment with him?

Yes. Just email me ( Wanda@ACFW.com) and ask me to place him in priority number slot 1, 2. 3 or 4.

3. I already have an agent. Can I get 2 editor appointments instead? (also applies to agents)

That is an option. However, please understand that everyone gets one editor appointment first and if there are any left over (and usually there are some), then those second appointments are scheduled.

4. I just realized that my number two choice isn’t looking to acquire my genre right now. Can I put him/her at the bottom of my priority list and move my number 3 choice up to second place?

Yes, you can. Just email me (Wanda@ACFW.com) and explain what you want to do. I’ll take care of it for you.

5. How do I know what an editor is looking for?

Go to the website and look at their editorial needs- it’s right by their bio. If they don’t have any listed, go to their website and look for it there. If you can’t find editorial needs on their website, you can do a little “google” research and see if they posted editorial needs at any other conference in the last six months or so. If that fails, check with Sally Stuart’s Market Guide.

6. I noticed that Bethany House has 4 editors coming. Will it matter which editor I choose?

Not really. The four of them are splitting up their times so that everyone will spend some time taking appointments, but they will not all be taking 32 appointments. If you ask me for Dave Long and he’s booked, I will automatically put you with another Bethany editor. Please be aware…. they will all be looking for the same thing. It will not benefit you any more to see one than to see another.

7. Okay, call me an idiot, but I’ve totally changed my mind since I first registered. I want a totally different list of editors and agents. What do I do besides kick myself?

Email me your new list and I’ll take care of it.

NOTICE: Deadline on all emails is one week before the conference. After that, you’re stuck.

Now, hopefully I’ve covered all of your “worst-case” scenarios. But, let’s go over a couple more things. If you have any problems or questions–email me. If you have any changes to make–email me. If you aren’t sure what you’re doing– email me.

Your appointments will be scheduled during workshops. There is nothing we can do about that other than ask editors and agents to work through the middle of the night and I’m not asking them to do that, are you? I didn’t think so. Your workshop teachers KNOW that you will have to step out of your class to go to an appointment. They will think nothing of you slipping out and slipping back in.

If you know you’re going to be leaving your class for an appointment, try to sit in the back of the class (or closest to the door) so that you can slip in and out with disturbing the rest of the class. If you’re just sure you’re going to miss something important, ask a friend to take extra notes while you’re gone for you, or order the tape of the class. It’s always a good idea to order the tapes anyway… you will go back and listen to them many times.

Arrive at the appointment area no more than 5 minutes before your appointment. Assemble quietly near the appointment desk and wait to be called. As soon as your editor/agent is available, you will be called to “go on back”.

Be considerate and keep to the 15 minute time limit. Either there is someone else waiting patiently or the editor is scheduled for a break. Either way, keep an eye on your time and try not to run over. It cuts into someone else’s time (and you wouldn’t want them to do that to you) or it cuts into the narrow space of time the editor has to run back to his/her room and retrieve something, find a restroom, or run down for a coffee or soda.

And if you don’t get the editor or agent you really, really wanted to see? Trust the Lord with your writing future. He knows what He wants for you and sometimes, it’s not what we want for ourselves. Know that your appointment form has been prayed over. Take advantage of whatever opportunity the Lord places in your path and see what He has in store for you. It’s always better than opportunities we force to happen. Always.

One final word. I go over this every year, but it’s important. Do not follow an editor into a bathroom and shove a proposal to them under the door! Yes, it has happened. Bathroom or not, you get the point. You will see these editors at meals, in the lobby, strolling with their associates, or sitting in the coffee shop. You may see them walking in the mall, riding in the elevator, or standing in the coffee line. Be considerate of the fact that there are only TWO times during the conference when they are open to talking to you about your writing. During scheduled appointments….and during hosted meals. If you see them at any other time, be considerate of the fact that they are not “ON DUTY” and don’t pitch to them.

PAID CRITIQUES: If you sign up for a critique, make sure you meet the deadline. Don’t make them or me come chase you down. It isn’t smart to aggravate the woman that has your editor or agent appointment in her hands. If they are scheduling their own critiques, your critiquer will contact you about when and where. Make sure you respond to them quickly. If you do not hear from your critiquer about scheduling, it means that I am going to schedule that for you and it will be with your appointment schedule when you arrive at the conference. Your job is to make sure you get that critique material sent in before the deadline.

Okay, it’s now deadline day and you have been so overwhelmed taking care of Aunt Thelma, nursing a broken leg, dealing with a hard drive crash, and babysitting your sister’s kids while she has surgery, that you aren’t ready with your material. See?You should have gotten it ready back when I first told you and not waited until the last minute. Don’t you know that last minutes rarely work out? Don’t email me… email your critiquer and beg for an extended deadline. If they are unable to accommodate you, you are still liable for the charge of the critique. If they can accommodate you, bless them greatly and bring them chocolate. They’ll deserve it.

As for your favorite Appointment Coordinator? Well, I’m still partial to caramels and tootsie rolls.

Cara here: We’ve all been there. Staring at the incredible list of editors and agents coming to the ACFW conference and wondering how on earth we pick. What can we do to maximize that fifteen minutes for us and the editor or agent. Here are Chip MacGregor’s thoughts. If you haven’t discovered it yet, be sure to check out his blog for all kinds of additional thoughts and advice!

Here’s Chip:

When someone asked, “Is there a place on the ACFW site that teaches us what questions we should ask during an interview with an agent or editor/publisher?,” I felt I should offer a couple thoughts…

1. Do some research before you sign up. If you write westerns, for example, you don’t want to meet with an editor who is going to open with the words, “Um… we don’t do westerns.”

2. Think carefully about your expectations before you sit down to the meeting. If you’re expecting an editor is going to hear your idea and announce, “You’re the most brilliant writer since Tom Pynchon! Sign this contract immediately!”, you may be setting the bar too high.

3. Remember that it’s perfectly all right to have a meeting and just ask the editor/agent, “What do you think of my idea?” or “What suggestions do you have for me improving my work?” I never mind having people set up appointments just to talk through ideas, career stuff, etc.

4. If you’re hoping to get an editor to pay serious attention to your novel, make sure what you show them is 100% done. Most of the things we reject just aren’t ready to be shown yet — the author has brought in something that’s 80% done, or maybe 50% done… but it’s not 100% ready. It should be so strong that I have no reason to turn it down.

5. Don’t insist I take your proposal, your manuscript, your speaker’s packet, or even your business card (I travel light — if I want your proposal, I’ll ask you to email it to me later).

6. Don’t burst into tears if I decline the opportunity to represent your proposal. There are a million reasons I could be declining — maybe I represent an author who is writing something similar; or it’s a genre I’m currently overloaded with; or it’s a project I feel would be best served by someone else; or…). Just smile, say thanks, move on…and later you can tell everyone what I stinker I am. They’ll probably feel sorry for you and offer to buy you a glass of wine.

7. Don’t be so pushy that you creep me out. A little enthusiasm is a good thing. Handing your proposal to me while I’m standing at the urinal might be a bit over the top. (This happened to be at the SPU conference two years ago. No, I’m not kidding.)

8. If you’re going to the conference and shopping for an agent, think carefully about the questions you want to ask. Again, it’s probably a bit much to expect an agent will agree to sign you after a 15-minute appointment.We all do business with people we like and trust — people we’re comfortable with. View your 15-minute appointment as an introduction — YOU are evaluating THE AGENT, it’s not just the agent evaluating you. If the two of you hit it off, you’ll both find another chance to sit and talk somewhere and get to know each other better.

9. I’ve posted on my blog a couple times some potential questions you could ask agents, but certainly some basic ones (Who do you represent? Which publishers have you done deals with in the past six months? How many deals have you done? What are your strengths as an agent?) could be asked if the time was right and you both seemed interested in the relationship.

10. Presentation matters.Being able to talk about your basic idea in a very few words is nice. Being able to offer a couple quick notes on your platform (if you have one) can also be helpful. If you want me to evaluate your writing, you really ought to have a few pages of writing for me to look at.

Hope this helps.

Chip MacGregor
MacGregor Literary
www.chipmacgregor.com