Meeting with Faculty

Be Prepared and Professional

Some writers go to conferences and make appointments with editors without knowing what those agents represent or want. It is better to make appointments with those editors who represent the genre in which you write. If you know which editors will be at the conference, check the guidelines of their house and its web site. Making appointments as an educated writer can be much more productive than random appointments with any editor.

These meetings are yours to learn from. Go with an open mind and listen. Do not smile, nod your head and ignore their advice. Take it to heart. Realize how little you know and how much better your writing an be. Then take action.

Remember to take notes on comments and feedback you receive, and whether any material is requested. When you return home, send any requested material with a personalized thank you note.

One editor offered some good advice, “What bothers me is when a writer takes a 15-minute appointment to show me her past work in general and tell me her life story. How does that help either of us? I don't mind answering questions about writing and publishing; I'm glad to help any way I can. But if you are going to pitch ideas, be on target for the publication or publishing house.”

When going to writer's conference, leave your shyness us at home. Give it your best pitch, and then listen. Some times you'll be turned down because your topic is wrong for that particular house or they've done something similar in the not too distant past. Don't take the rejection personally. The publishing world is very subjective.

One way to approach your meeting with faculty is to prepare a “one-sheet” that contains information about your writing project and idea. A one sheet can contain your photo, bio, a list of published books or articles, blurbs, and a list of your current writing projects. This type of project one sheet, with space for notes, can help editors and agents remember you after the conference.

Tim Riter has a great tool to manage multiple project ideas - his form of the one-sheet mentioned above. He writes a one-paragraph synopsis of each proposal, which gives the basic concept, the pitch and what make it unique. Putting these on one sheet, it gives him one page, which he gives to editors when they meet. He asks which proposals they would like him to send after the conference. Tim reports that this method led to five nonfiction book contracts at one conference!

Susan Osborn recommends bringing a one-sheet that is similar to a query letter. Include a paragraph bio on yourself, a paragraph on the book, a paragraph on the audience, and a paragraph on why it will sell.

Karen Whiting shares how she goes one step further, “I too have found a written sheet to hand an editor works best. Editors read faster than I can speak. I make what I call a catalogue of my various projects and even the article ideas. I group them by genre and pull out what fits the publishing house when I meet with an editor. For each book idea I have the matching proposal and bring it out when an editor expresses interest. It's not unusual for an editor to glance at the listings and find something that interests him or her (and usually not the one I expect will interest that editor). It has landed both book and article sales.”

Don't just pitch your book or article idea. Remember that faculty are people too. Ask questions, engage them in conversation, and spent time getting to know the person. Be honest and authentic.

Come prepared with several ideas. “Although you may have one main presentation for each editor, have two or three alternate ideas to discuss if the first one falls flat. Also, listen to any suggestion they might have to make your idea work-or even another direction to take it. I once took an idea to a conference, had seven appointments, and came away with five different ideas for how I could utilize the same material for different projects. Be open. If an editor/agent does not like your idea initially, then don't argue with them about it-or try to defend the idea. It is unlikely you will change their mind. It doesn't mean the idea is bad-it may just not be a good fit for this company. Here's where you need to be ready to jump in with one of your alternate ideas-which they may love.” - Sally Stuart, Christian Writers' Market Guide

“Dress appropriately - which means going with whatever conference attire is standard for that conference (often stated on the brochure or their website), but for a faculty meeting business casual is usually the best route. When you look professional, you feel professional. Dress really does count. Practice your pitch so that you can encapsulate your story plot into one, at most two sentences. If you can't do this perhaps your story needs more focus. Come with a business card with your contact information, a one-sheet briefly describing your project (one paragraph) and below that list your writing credits and/or educational background or experience equipping you to have written this book. Preferably your picture will be on top and definitely include your contact information. Most editors will take one-sheets with them (they normally don't take full proposals back with them-too cumbersome) and most will take your business card as a reminder they invited you to submit something (if indeed they do).” - Maureen Schmidgall - aka Maureen Lang, Pieces of Silver, Kregel Publications, March '06

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