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Editor/Agent Appointments

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Free Expert Critiques Available Minimize

Agents and editors tell writers they rarely read beyond the opening paragraphs or pages of a submission. In order to get professional attention, your query letter and book opening must shine. Get that extra polish with straight-from-the-hip advice from FIVE great opportunities at the 2008 Fantastic Forty, Writers’ Glory Anniversary Conference:
  • Agent/Editor IDOL
  • Poetry
  • Query Letters Exposed
  • Fine-Tuning the Novel

The popular AGENT/EDITOR IDOL panel returns this year again hosted by Robyn Conley. Those who want to participate in the IDOL presentation should bring three opening pages of a work of fiction (double-spaced, 12-point type) to Robyn at the registration desk. “The Book Doctor” (Robyn) also will be available for one-on-one appointments.

POETRY: Our poetry speaker SANDRA SOLI has generously offered to provide a limited number (15 total) of one-on-one appointments to those attending the conference. Each 15-minute slot allows you to ask question, have up to two poems read for feedback, perhaps request specific help on prosody issues. Deadline for requesting an appointment is April 12, 2008. Email your poem(s) as a WORD or RTF attachment to Lori Shenold (lohim@cox.net). Please include OWFI POETRY MENTOR in the subject line--and you MUST include contact information so that Sandra can contact you to set up the appointment. You can read her bio in the REPORT or at the website.

A new seminar, QUERY LETTERS EXPOSED, offers another way to get great feedback. The panel critiques letters and point out strengths, weaknesses and suggests improvements. Authors remain anonymous so there’s no reason to be shy. To have a nonfiction or fiction query letter evaluated, email it to Lori Shenold (lohim@cox.net) as a WORD or RTF document attachment, and note in the subject line "OWFI Conference Queries."

Need help FINE-TUNING THE NOVEL? Author mentor Kathryn Johnson offers free one-on-one critiques of your book’s opening scene and plot summary. “I review and edit their submission, and we discuss strengths/weaknesses in a 15-minute session over coffee,” she says. She limits this offer to 15 people, and those submitting for the consultations must also agree to allow her to use (anonymous) examples of their work in her lunch workshop. “I won’t be bashing anyone’s writing, and no one will know whose words are in the spotlight,” she says. Deadline is April 12. Email a 1-page single-space synopsis, and up to 10 opening pages (double spaced) of your work, typed in Courier or Times Roman, as a WORD or RTF attachment, to Lori Shenold (lohim@cox.net). Please include “OWFI Novel Critique” in the subject line. Also provide contact information (name, email and/or phone) so that Kathryn can schedule your appointment.

     

Editor/Agent Appointments

At the Oklahoma Anniversary Writers Conference 2008, you will have lots of opportunities to meet and interact with successful agents and editors who may be interested in representing you and your work. Conference attendees have the opportunity to have a one-on-one appointment with an agent or editor, take their favorite speaker to lunch, or share Friday or Saturday night dining tables with published authors and speakers. They may choose to "pitch" their book to the QUERY LETTERS EXPOSED or the AGENT/EDITOR IDOL panel on Saturday afternoon. Either query letters or excerpts from anonymously submitted manuscripts will be evaluated on-the-spot by agents and publishers. Those who want to participate in the IDOL presentation should bring three opening pages of a work of fiction (double-spaced, 12-point tyepe). To have a nonfiction or fiction query letter evaluated anonymously, email it to Lori Shenold (lohim@cox.net) and note in the subject line "OWFI Con-Queries." And remember, the ability to give and take criticism is part of becoming a professional writer. These sessions are designed to help attendees:

  • listen attentively to both content and technique in works of fiction,
  • learn more about what works and what doesn't in stories and novels,
  • increase your editing skills by listening to and evaluating the works of others, and
  • perhaps hear your own work read and reviewed.

EDITOR / AGENT APPOINTMENTS
Linda Shelby, Coordinator

YOUR CONFERENCE FEE MUST BE PAID BEFORE YOU CAN MAKE AN EDITOR OR AGENT APPOINTMENT.

No appointment requests will be taken before March 11, 2008 or after Monday, April 28, 2008.

One day attendees must state which day they are attending.

Do not request a special time slot. The only requests we take for special time slots are for OWFI volunteers in order not to interfere with their duties. If you want a special time slot, be a volunteer.


You may make only one appointment in advance--either an agent or an editor, but not both.
Please send a first and second choice in case of scheduling problems.
Additional appointments are generally available at the conference.

Please include your phone number, also an E-mail address if it is something other than what is on your request.

Appointment confirmation. You will receive an email confirmation that I received your request. If you haven’’t received a confirmation within a week, then you should resend your request. Sometimes email is lost to spam filters or cyberspace.

Blue Appointment slip. Your appointment day and time information will be on a blue slip folded in with your name badge at registration. No appointment information is given out until then because the schedule is subject to change until the last minute.

Want to volunteer? Don’t be bashful about getting involved. OWFI is operated by volunteers. If you are willing to spend an hour helping out in the agent/editor appointments, please include that information in your appointment request.

Make appointments at agenteditor@aol.com

Below you will find agents and editors available for10-minute one-on-one appointments at this year's conference. They are listed along with the fiction/nonfiction they are interested in seeing. Please read carefully and request your appointment with the appropriate agent or editor.

EDITORS

Avalon Books

Faith Black, Associate Editor

Avalon publishes hardcover secular romances, mysteries, and westerns for the library market. Our books are wholesome adult fiction, suitable for family reading. There is no graphic or premarital sex or sexual tension in any of our novels; kisses and embraces are as far as our characters go. It is the author’s responsibility to heighten the romantic atmosphere by developing love scenes with tenderness, emotion, and perception. The heroines of our romances should be looking forward to marriage at the end of the book. There is never any profanity in any of our books.

*May bring first page of manuscript or one-page synopsis of the following.

Romances: We do not want old-fashioned, predictable, formulaic books. We are looking for contemporary characters and fresh, contemporary plots and story lines. Supporting characters and subplots should be interesting and realistic, and they should add an extra and interesting dimension to the book.

Historical Romances: We accept outlines and the first three chapters for historical romances of every genre. The manuscripts should be between 50,000 to 60,000 words. Time period and setting are the author’s preference. Period, place and cultural events are vital to creating an historical feel. The historical romances will maintain the high level of reading expected by our readers. The books shall be wholesome fiction, without graphic sex, violence or strong language.

Mysteries: The element of suspense is very important, but it is equally important to have a tight, well-researched, believable story line. Avoid contrived, predictable, mechanical plots and old clichés. We are now looking for longer (50,000-60,000 words), gritty, more mainstream mysteries.

Westerns: All westerns are historical novels, and it is important that they be placed in time and that the background be carefully researched. Avoid using words and phrases that were not part of the language at the time your western is set. Plots should be suspenseful and action packed, but vivid descriptions of the gory details of violence should be avoided. Suitable, believable euphemisms for profane words (including “hell” and “damn”) must be used. Though it is important for flavor and authenticity to use some westernisms in dialogue (“pardner” and the dropping of the final “g” in present participles, for example), overuse of dialect is to be avoided; it slows down the reader’s pace and, as a result, the narrative pace too. The use of alcohol is allowed, but should not be overdone.

Highlights for Children

Judy Burke, Managing EditorMs Burke will take pitches for the following.Fiction: 800-word stories geared to 8 to12-year-olds.

Nonfiction: 800-word articles geared to 8 to12-year-olds.Fiction:500-word stories 4 to 8-year-olds.


Nonfiction: 500-word articles geared to 4 to 8-year-olds.*May bring first page of manuscript or one-page synopsis.

Samuel French, Inc.

Roxane Heinze-Bradshaw, Associate Editor

Plays and musicals.

Baen Books

James Minz, Senior Editor

Science fiction and fantasy.*Bring one-page synopsis.

Grand Central Publishing

Selina McLemore, Editor

Latino Fiction and Narrative Non-Fiction: Culturally relevant projects that do not rely on stereotypes and clichés, intended primarily for a female audience. Commercial Women's Fiction Romance: mainstream historical and contemporary, romantic suspense, paranormal. Does not look at category romance.

*Bring a one-page synopsis as well as a two-sentence book description.

Charlesbridge Trade Division

Emily Mitchell, Senior Editor

Charlesbridge publishes children’s books for readers from birth to age fourteen, both fiction and nonfiction.

Personal interests are on the older end of things (middle-grade novels and nonfiction). Is interested in a great picture book. Likes history, biography, and the arts on the nonfiction side, and witty, dry humor on the fiction side. Does a limited number of poetry books. Is not interested in series-style nonfiction, fantasy, science fiction, or original board books.

*Bring first page of manuscript or one-page synopsis.

St. Martin’s Press

Daniela Rapp, Associate Editor

-- SORRY. DANIELA’S CALENDAR IS NOW FULL. THERE ARE NO MORE OPEN APPOINTMENTS WITH HER.

Literary Fiction, especially creative and imaginative stories, a bit quirky and funny is fine.

Mysteries and thrillers (fairly dark and can be violent; no cozies)

Upmarket women’s fiction with strong women characters.

Humor and language books.

Pet books.

Serious narrative non-fiction (can include bios, history, pop science, travel, and food)

*May bring first page of manuscript or one-page synopsis.

AGENTS

Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency

Meredith Bernstein, agent

5-minute appointments -- SORRY. MEREDITH’S CALENDAR IS NOW FULL. THERE ARE NO MORE OPEN APPOINTMENTS WITH HER.

You must have a finished project to schedule an appointment with Meredith Bernstein.

In non-fiction I am only looking for a person with a real platform or serious expertise and I am open to any field.


In fiction, I am open to any area except children’s books, but would be most interested either in someone who has already been published or who has won some awards.

*Bring one-page synopsis.

Authorlink Literary Group

Doris Booth, Manager

Editor-in-Chief Authorlink.com

The agency represents true crime, thrillers, mysteries, women's fiction, young adult, and a wide range of nonfiction.

*May bring first page of manuscript or one-page synopsis.

Jim Donovan Literary

Melissa Schultz, Agent

Saturday appointments only.

Specializes in non-fiction, especially memoir, chik-lit, fish out-of-water stories, personal journeys with strong hooks and, how-to's.

*Bring first page of manuscript and a one paragraph summary.

John Hawkins & Associates, Inc.

Anne Hawkins, Agent

-- SORRY. ANNE’S CALENDAR IS NOW FULL. THERE ARE NO MORE OPEN APPOINTMENTS WITH HER.

Fiction: Adult mainstream literary and commercial fiction, including historical, mystery, suspense, and thriller. No genre science fiction, fantasy, horror, or romance, although romantic elements in mainstream fiction are fine. No children's books younger than YA.

Nonfiction: Narrative nonfiction dealing with history, public policy, biography, science, nature, outdoors, and women's and family issues. No self-help, inspirational, business, or cookbooks. *Bring one-page synopsis.

Rita Rosenkranz Literary Agency

Rita Rosenkranz, Agent

Non-fiction only. Health, history, parenting, music, how-to, popular science, business, biography, sports, popular reference, cooking, spirituality, and general interest titles. Works with major publishing houses, as well as regional publishers that handle niche markets. Looks for projects that present familiar subjects freshly or lesser-known subjects presented commercially. *Bring one-page synopsis.
     
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