Annalisa Crawford, Author
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    • You. I. Us
    • Grace & Serenity >
      • Grace & Serenity: Reviews
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Mixing with other writers

30/10/2016

 
PictureThis pic was taken last week, not yesterday!
Yesterday, I got to mix with a wide range of writers from all stages of their career, and hear some fantastic speakers talking about the publishing industry, and how to get published. It was hosted by the Writer's & Artist's Yearbook in conjunction with Literature Works.

What made this even better was it was on my dootstep. I didn't have to venture up to London or Birmingham or Manchester... or even Bristol, which is still two hours away and difficult to organise. No, this event was a 30 minute bus ride into the town I spend a lot of time in anyway.

It was a long day, but the speakers were so engaging, and the questions from the audience so interesting, I didn't really notice. The glass of wine at the end was very welcome.

Here are a few interesting points from the day:
  • Some publishers watch the pre-orders of self-published books on Amazon, and if you hit a certain number, you may get a call!
  • Social media is important, but don't let it take over your life (note to self: BUY A TIMER!)
  • And so are newsletters (ugh! Reactivating my newsletter is on every to-do list I write)
  • The 'elevator pitch' - being able to condense your book into two sentences - is a great way to catch an agent's attention, or use as the first line of your synopsis, or even just to have an answer to people at parties who ask "What's your book about?" when you gather the courage to tell them you're a writer
  • Agents/editors know the synopsis is hard, they don't expect perfection, they want a hook, they want the story. The agent speaking today, Gill McLay (Bath Literacy Agency), told us not to put in the twist at the end, make them want to read the book. However, other agents might require it - it's personal preference on their part, and just means you have to research them.
  • On that point, you should be doing research on the agents - who they represent, what they like, what they're looking for, how they want the submission to be presented. This is all basic stuff, and these days it's all on their websites anyway.
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Picture
Thank you to everyone who made How to Get Published happen. It was really great that you chose Plymouth as the venue for your first outside-London. If you come back, or indeed if you find other venues around the country, I can guarantee they'll be very much appreciated.

Keith's Ramblings link
30/10/2016 11:51:40

Sounds fascinating, interesting and informative. I went to a similar session at the Dubai Literary Festival last year and learned a lot.

Annalisa, thanks so much for your loyal support of my blog. I so appreciate it.

Alex J. Cavanaugh link
30/10/2016 12:41:44

Sounds like a day packed with information.
I never started a newsletter. Oh well...

Annalisa Crawford
30/10/2016 16:06:59

It was a great day, and met some great people. I really don't think you need a newsletter, Alex, we all know where you are!

Christine Rains link
31/10/2016 13:20:01

Sounds like a lot of fun! Wish they had a writing con closer to me. I confess social media takes up more of my time than it should. If only I listened to my timer! =P

Annalisa Crawford
31/10/2016 13:51:41

This was the first time they'd hosted a conference outside of London - so we were very lucky they came down my way. We're kind of forgotten down in these parts.

I try to only do the social media thing over meal breaks and cups of tea, but I'm not good at turning it back off again when I've finished eating and drinking.

Elizabeth Seckman link
2/11/2016 16:47:56

I often wondered if they watched the self-pub sales. I always said if I was an agent, I'd just sit back and cherry pick from the self-pubbed.

Annalisa Crawford
3/11/2016 13:33:39

It's an interesting time for all aspects of the industry!

Crystal Collier link
2/11/2016 17:41:18

It sounds like the conference was epic. Interesting about pre-sales. Of course if you have a decent prospect of making money they want to nose their way in. Forgive my cynicism. Definitely some very helpful tips in the mix.

Annalisa Crawford
3/11/2016 13:35:38

The agent actually said something interesting to address that cynicism - she said that actually good agents earn their own money, that the deals and contracts they can obtain for the writer are above what the writer could earn themselves, meaning the writer doesn't lose out.

Denise Covey link
4/11/2016 21:46:59

This was interesting. Thanks for sharing. I've also heard that publishers watch Amazon sales and go hunting for best sellers that way. There's also a school of thought that newsletters are old hat...I know I hate receiving them...too much in this crazy, busy world.

Annalisa Crawford
5/11/2016 13:37:47

I've only just got my head around needing a newsletter! I wonder what the 'new hat' will be? ;-)

Libby Heily link
7/11/2016 15:00:04

Good for you! I just went to a writing conference myself. Weird how much or little you pick up at any given panel. I'm coming with ways to bulk up my newsletter. Let's hope it works. :)

Annalisa Crawford
8/11/2016 11:30:48

I think you pick up a lot more when they go slightly off-agenda, the perks of being there!

Roy Keller link
29/12/2020 14:54:49

Very nice blog you havee here


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Annalisa Crawford, Author

Dark contemporary fiction with a hint of paranormal
​"Besides Annalisa's clever writing style, I enjoy the unpredictable plots and the characters that are so very normal, yet tragically broken in some way or another."