Writing for the Soul Conference

I'm talking about the conference again. Usually I don't like posting on a topic more than once, but this is important enough for more posts in my opinion.

At the Writing for the Soul Conference I learned a LOT about the writing craft and not only that. I got to see how writing markets work, what editors are looking for and what happens behind the scenes in publication.

When I look at things I wrote a year ago I often think, "Man, how could I have written something that bad?"

Then I realize it's B.C.; before conference.

At this conference the speakers and workshop teachers are the best in their craft. They even have a workshop just for teens. For example, just one of the speakers in this years conference is Karen Kingsbury. The whole conference is hosted by Jerry Jenkins, writer of the Left Behind series.

You can meet fellow writers and start building relationships.

In addition to all this, you can also speak face-to-face with editors about your book. You can actually pitch your book to editors from the giants of Christian publishing houses.


(Here's me talking to Rick Steele. He's helped edit some of Bryan Davis' books like Eye of the Oracle.)

You think you're too young? I went as a 16-year-old and there were people younger than me.

The conference is held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from 19-22 of February, 2009. I will be there.


(Here's a picture of the inside of the Broadmoor, in which the conference will be held.)

If you have any questions, just drop a comment.

Eye Witness

I wrote about the Writing for the Soul in my last post. While attending that conference, I met "Escritora." Here are some tips she gives from attending. You can see her blog here.

If you are interested in the conference click here.

So I realize a lot of you reading this are authors. And you want to break into the Christian publishing market, right? The Writing for the Soul Conference is possibly the best place to do it. On opening night, you get the opportunity to sign up for three 15-minute slots with editors. Your notebook even provides the details of each publisher - what genres they publish and what they're interested in at the moment.

Get this - these are face-to-face appointments with the movers and shakers of the Christian publishing world. We're talking Tyndale House. Bethany House. Zondervan. (Just to name the big three). These publishers don't accept unsolicited manuscripts. Gone are the days when you wrapped your three-hundred page baby in brown paper and shipped it to New York. Now, unless your favorite uncle has a name like Jerry Jenkins, you have to go through an agent.

Not so at the conference. You get a chance to skip the agent. (Although there are agents attending, and it might not be a bad idea to chat with one of them). So, here are six recommendations on talking to an editor:


1. If you're writing fiction, 95% of the time, editors want you to have a complete manuscript - especially if you're a first-time author.

2. If you're a talker, form an elevator pitch - a soundbyte of thirty seconds describing your book. Practice saying it so it comes naturally.

3. If you'd rather communicate with the entire world via text - there are beautiful things called a query letters and synopses. The query letter is one page long. At the end of this post is a great example (yes, it's from the general market, but it's great writing, along with comments from an agent. Sorry, guys, it's chick lit. I would have preferred something more action/adventure too.) I'll deal with the synopsis next.

4. The materials you want to have with you:

The synopsis: A Tyndale House editor suggested having two - a short synopsis, about a page long (similar to the query letter), and a three-to-five page synopsis. The short synopsis is great to hand off to an editor/agent. If they're interested, move on to the long synopsis, or if they ask for a sample of writing, give them...

Sample chapter: If you go, bring four or five copies of your synopses and of your first chapter. Don't bother with the whole manuscript - if someone's interested, they'll ask you to send or email it. Polish this chapter. Kill excess adjectives, tighten text. In other words, go over it so many times your parents tell you you're mumbling about dragons, swords, and deadly wizards in your sleep.

5. Do your research. Is this publisher interested in YA? In fantasy? Make sure you're presenting your work to the right market. I almost made the mistake of talking to a rep from Waterbrook. An hour before the appointment, I was flipping through the ever-helpful notebook, only to read "Waterbrook is not currently interested in young adult fiction". I all but ran to the appointment sheet and scratched my name out.

6. Don't try to sell your book. I know, that sounds contradictory. Agents/editors would rather you say something like "I saw that _____ Publishing is interested in youth fiction. I"ve finished a novel and was wondering if it would fit your company." At that point, present either your elevator pitch, synopsis/query, or both. If the editor asks, give the first chapter. Believe me, if an editor is interested, he or she will continue correspondence.

Conference

A conference is to writers what rodeo is to cowboys. It's the place for learning, it's the place for meeting people, it's the time to be stretched in ways you never dreamed.

I attended the Writing for the Soul conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, earlier this year, and it was fantastic. It's hosted annually by Jerry Jenkins. I enjoyed the mountains in Colorado every day before I stepped into the world-famous Broadmoor Hotel. There were appointments where I could speak to editors about my book, and great workshops for any writing facet I could want (from advanced fiction to how to write for the web).

I spoke with Jerry Jenkins (who's guild, The Christian Writers Guild, hosts the conference) and listened to distinguished professionals give invaluable insight into their success and how to be published.

They held their annual contest, Operation First Novel, where the winner has his/her book published and wins $20,000.

You can go next year!

If you decide to go, know that your wallet will be scalped. The fee to attend the conference (February 19-22, 2009) is $750 and you have to pay for your own lodging. If you stay at the Broadmoor, that is about $150 a night unless you share a room with someone. While speaking about lodging, I saved a lot of money by going to a hotel nearby. Also consider you'll probably have to pay for airplane tickets because Colorado's weather is so unpredictable, and driving in it can be hazardous.

Is it worth it? I payed for my dad to listen to the conference keynotes at the meals, for myself to go the conference, the hotel, the airplane tickets, and I bought all the workshops afterwards. It came up to about $2000. It was worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY!

You'd be surprised how many doors open after attending a conference. The editors realize you're dead serious about yourself when you give so much time and money to attend. My writing has had a much more focused goal since I came home.

"But I'm too young and that sounds scary, and I'll make too many mistakes."

More than half of the 400 people there were people who'd never attended a writer's conference. There are classes just for teens if that's where you're comfortable, but don't be afraid of looking stupid. I've already blazed the trail for you.

Here are the top 4 stupid things I did:

• Being the only person to laugh at a touching movie scene when the director (Dallas Jenkins) was present.


• Handing an empty envelope to an editor when she wanted to see the first few pages of my manuscript.


• Not realizing a tiny slip in the back of my name tag that says I was supposed to sit with a specific group that day.


• When a well established writer asked me what tracks I was going to take during the conference, saying, "Um, I'm going to be pitching a fantasy book for teens." Her response: "Uh...." followed by gentle laughter that said, "good luck!"

I highly recommend this conference! This is the place where you can speak with editors and established writers face-to-face. They expect to hear things like, "I have no idea what I'm doing!"

Take the leap. Let me know if you're interested.

I hope to see you next year!

Jamin

I'm Back!

That was awesome!

The Writing for the Soul kept me moving the whole time between workshops, appointments with editors, and talking with people who enjoy writing.

I'll give you an outline of my trip.

Day one, January 31: My Dad and I flew from Texas and arrived in Colorado Springs after a few connecting flights. I met an old friend on the plane. I talked with him a bit, and it turns out he's going to the Air Force Academy! That was fun, till the greeters from the Academy thought I was the one they were supposed to take to the Academy. After checking into our hotel, we registered at the BroadMoor, and I met my mentor in the Jerry Jenkin's guild. All my course work is done by e-mail, so I've never met her after two years.

Day two: I fumbled with my notebook as I went to talk with an editor from AMG about the book I've written, and another concept. I thought I did OK for a beginner. He told me to send it to his house and he'd give it to the writer there who does fantasy.

From there I went to a class for teens...that was an experience. Lissa Johnson, an editor who worked on the Adventures in Odyssey, taught the class. About four other people listened to the workshop, all thirteen-year-old girls! AND they got the giggles!

Throughout the conference, I sat with editors, agents, and college professors at mealtimes. A piano player led the worship. His name was Randall Atcheson, and he's played for presidents, in France, for U.N. members and Carnegie Hall. He beat the daylight out of his piano! He always made me smile.

Day three: I spoke to another editor about my work. He gave a lot of advice, and I attended workshops. Jerry Jenkins signed a few of my books, and I talked with his son, Dallas Jenkins.

For lunch I sat with the lady in charge of directing the Jerry Jenkin's guild. She pointed out a small slip in the back of my nametag. It instructed me to sit with my mentor. That was ackward.

My highlight was when Lissa Johnson asked to see the first part of my story. We sat down, I opened my notebook, fished out my efficient envelope, and my sweaty fingers dragged nothing from the envelope. I'd taken the papers out after showing them to the editors from the publishing houses!

My eyeballs nearly bugged out as Lissa said, "Well you're a concise writer!"

I rushed out to the car and returned with the papers. She said she liked the stuff I gave her, and she pointed out some stuff for me to watch for.

Those are my highlights. I'll be working on sending in my book to a few houses, but mainly I'll focus on publishing in magazines. That's what I heard from everywhere; get published in small outlets before trying a book. I'm submitting a short story for Breakaway, a magazine for teens from Focus on the Family.

Finished

I finished The King of the Reid this morning! I cut about 15-16 pages, which in book format translates to about 30 pages. I'll be adding a few more elements here and there, a little clarity and so on.

I'm really preparing for the conference now. I've checked out the editors and agents, but I'm going deeper with the info now. I'd planned on pitching my completed book and the Leper King concept to Bethany House, but I realized this morning their only authors (Karen Hancock, Robert Parish) write series.

I wanted to use my completed book as prove I can finish what I start, and publish the Leper King with its more marketable concepts. I'll just have to use my "secret weapon" on Bethany House's representative.

Its going to be tight squeezing through the door.

Out of Steam

Wow...it's nearly been five years since I started writing my book, and I'm loosing my desire to write a few weeks away from the conference. I guess that happens but its worse than writers-block in my opinion.

Cut!

Wow....I just removed about seven pages of my book to make it read easier and because I have a better plan for those pages. It's getting to the point where I could probably erase a quarter of my book and not flinch.

About a month and two weeks to go till conference, and my synopsis is just about done for the my book. I'll start work on my concept idea when I'm finished with The King of The Reid.

Conference

A conference means a lot to writers. It's a time to regenerate with fellow writers, learn, and opportunities can open up. Agents and editors often attend conferences, and give writers a chance to meet with them one-on-one to pitch their work instead of trying to catch their eye from out of a thousand query letters they receive a day.

So, I'm pretty excited about my first conference, but getting ready is going to be a little breath taking. I still have to finish editing my book, add in crucial scenes, and create and polish a gripping synopsis. In addition, I plan on pitching another book that's little more than a concept right now.

Whew!

I'll try to keep up with a story every Saturday (I already have a story planned for every week till about mid-January) but I might not have the time.

Be praying for me...there're a lot of people I'd like to touch through my writing.