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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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writers conferences

Why Isn’t My Agent Working for Me at Conferences?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 8, 2016
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Often I’m asked by writers to pitch a book at a conference I’m attending. Sometimes I’m asked to find out the status of a submission. Because of my writing background, I totally understand these impulses. When I was writing novels, I asked these questions of my agent. So believe me, I’ve experienced the frustration of being at home, wondering why my agent isn’t asking about and pitching my work at conference.

And as an agent, I can tell you why I rarely, if ever, ask for a status or pitch a book at conference.

I don’t ask for a status of a manuscript because the editor won’t have her logbook or spreadsheet with her – or at least, not convenient at the time. She’ll be seeing lots of other agents and authors. No one can expect any editor to answer status questions from memory. But as your agent, I can contact editors any time, when they ARE near their records, and receive an accurate answer.

Of course, if an editor volunteers information about a pending submission, I’m happy to listen, learn, and share any information with the author.

But no editor needs a spreadsheet to hear a pitch, right? Well, no. But pitching manuscripts is not the purpose of most editor and agent meetings at conferences. Rather, we are strengthening relationships. We talk business, but will listen to editors rather than throw them pitches, no matter how excited we are or how much we love the author.

Might we mention a manuscript or author? Yes, but to pique interest. Then we can follow up with a dynamite proposal. This proposal will be expected by the editor and will contain all the information the editor needs, not just the highlights we might cram in at a conference. Or we might not mention you or your manuscript, but make a note to present that particular editor with your fabulous proposal that will speak directly to the publishing needs and wants of that editor. This allows you to look your best at all times.

So while you’re at home, wondering why your agent isn’t working hard for you at a conference, relax and take this time to write or chill, or both. Your agent is working hard for you. Maybe just not the way you think.

 

Your turn:

What do you think agents should accomplish at a conference?

What is your favorite part of a conference?

Leave a Comment
Category: Agents, ConferencesTag: Agents, writers conferences

Lessons from a Conference

By Karen Ballon August 31, 2016
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I recently returned home from teaching at the Oregon Christian Writer’s Conference, held in Portland, Oregon. It was a grand time of sharing and laughter, learning and listening. Here are the main lessons I brought home with me from this time spent in the company of fellow writers: 1. Even with all the changes, there’s still a lot to celebrate in the publishing world. From contracts with …

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Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Community, Get Published, writers conferences

54 Pieces of Advice for Your Writers Conference Success

By Steve Laubeon August 15, 2016
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Our agency believes in the importance of a writer’s education and the value of the writers conference experience. We have written over 50 articles that can help you make the most of your conference experience, all of them are listed below. If bound in a single volume it would be a book of nearly 40,000 words. Enjoy! Conference Preparation The Writers Conference Decision Six Excuses (That …

Read more54 Pieces of Advice for Your Writers Conference Success
Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: writers conferences

Why Attend a Writer’s Conference?

By Karen Ballon August 10, 2016
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In my blog of May 25, 2016, I invited folks to submit ideas for future blogs. Today’s blog is to respond to Rebekah Love Dorris’s question: “As a busy parent of young children, I scramble to find time to even write. How necessary is it to attend conferences if I study the writing craft as much as I can here and there?” I know it’s not easy to attend a writers’ conference. For one thing, it takes …

Read moreWhy Attend a Writer’s Conference?
Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, writers conferences

Realm Makers 2016

By Steve Laubeon August 1, 2016
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I just spent the last few days with a lot of fun people! The Realm Makers conference was held on the Villianova University campus in Philadelphia with nearly 200 in attendance. I had the honor of teaching nearly six hours in a continuing session on the spiritual life of the writer. It is truly great when many like-minded people gather to explore the Word together. The costume banquet on Friday …

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Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Realm Makers, writers conferences

6 Excuses (That Don’t Work) for Not Attending a Writers Conference

By Guest Bloggeron July 18, 2016
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Our guest today is Linda Taylor, an author, an editor, a writer, a college writing instructor, and a constant learner. She teaches in the Professional Writing department at Taylor University and continues to do freelance editing and proofreading. She blogs about the joys of editing and grammar at www.lindaktaylor.com ___________ In our extremely virtual world, we have gotten used to our …

Read more6 Excuses (That Don’t Work) for Not Attending a Writers Conference
Category: Conferences, Get Published, Guest PostTag: Get Published, writers conferences

What You May Not Know Before Going to a Conference

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 7, 2016
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Have you ever been surprised by what you’ve learned at a conference? A couple of my meetings I’ve had over the years surprised me. To wit: Theology A few years ago, I interviewed a novelist at a fifteen-minute appointment. I read through her summary, and realized that the theological position of the story wouldn’t fit with most CBA houses. I made several suggestions on how to bring the story in …

Read moreWhat You May Not Know Before Going to a Conference
Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, writers conferences

Once You’re at the Conference…

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 9, 2016
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Conferences are fun and busy. Here are some tips on how to enjoy them even more! Be Mindful of What You Eat Since many conferences have plenty of delicious food, it’s easy to overindulge. I find that if I don’t overeat, I feel better. It’s extremely important for those with allergies to avoid food with mysterious ingredients. You don’t want to find out too late that you accidentally ate a food …

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Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, writers conferences

Preparing for a Conference

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 2, 2016
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When getting ready for a conference, writers agonize over creating the perfect one-sheet sales pitch, polishing manuscripts, and how they’ll conduct themselves when meeting with agents and editors. But not every preparation is writing-related. I’ve been on faculty at many conferences and I’ve learned a few tricks to help make each conference a happier one. Get plenty of rest before the conference …

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Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, Preparation, writers conferences

The Blue Ridge Writers Conference 2016

By Steve Laubeon May 30, 2016
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Last week was spent in beautiful mountains of North Carolina at the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference at Ridgecrest. Since I wrote in my last blog about why I go to a conference I thought it might be interesting to run those four points against last week’s experience. Teaching This was answered with a resounding yes! I taught three elective classes (on what an agent does, on contracts, and …

Read moreThe Blue Ridge Writers Conference 2016
Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, writers conferences
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