On November 14, 2015 I attended the Boston Writing Workshop, where I spent a full day learning about the business of writing. This year’s speaker/instructor was Chuck Sambuchino of Writer’s Digest, who spoke eloquently (and often hilariously) on these topics:
- The advantages and challenges of traditional publishing vs. self-publishing
- How to query and pitch agents
- Marketing and how to build your writer’s platform
- Important practices for writers to succeed and get published
Mid-day, the packed room of writers was treated to a spine-tingling round of “Writers’ Got Talent,” a real-time first page critique event in which brave writers (not me, at least not this time!) submitted their first pages. Chuck read each page aloud, and a six-agent panel read along. Agents raised their hands when they came across something that would stop them reading further, and once three agents raised their hands, the reading stopped. The agents then had the opportunity to talk about what they found problematic and/or excellent. This was a fascinating look into what agents are thinking when reading our work. As I listened, I also made my own determinations about what I found compelling. This exercise also made me reflect on how difficult and useful it is to try to be objective about my own work (particularly after thinking about it and reading it over and over again for weeks and months), and how asking someone else to read it aloud is an excellent way to do so.
Writers attending the workshop also had the opportunity to pitch to agents in speed-dating style ten-minute sessions. I asked to meet with six agents, all of whom were lovely. Even though each of them spoke with 20 to 30 (!) different writers during the course of the day, they all remained friendly, open, and interested during our conversations. We chatted about my work and inspirations, about books we love, and once, even about haircuts! I was thrilled to meet each one, and I will be in contact with them all.
During the course of the day, I met many warm, enthusiastic, and encouraging fellow writers and got to make connections with them as well.
The day wrapped up nicely with Chuck’s advice to writers on what we can control during the frustrating and often bewildering process of trying to get published: keep writing, and make your work the best it can be.
That’s what I’m going to keep doing!
Leave a Reply