Saturday, March 6, 2010

How do Editors & Agents Decide?


Okay, I just signed up for Rachelle Gardner's First-Ever Webinar. Rachelle is an agent with WordServe Literary Group. Representing both fiction and nonfiction, she has been in publishing for fifteen years. Why? I'm really not sure. I haven't written, nor am I in the process of writing, a book. I do have a couple of ideas doing gymnastics across neuro-synaptic clefts...mere sparks of barely recognizable story lines, but that's all.


This live webinar, How do Editors & Agents Decide?, is hosted by Writer's Digest. The cost is $79 and will be held next Thursday, March 11 at 1:00 pm Eastern time. It will last 90 minutes. There will be a live Q&A chat with the speakers so you can have your questions addressed. The cool thing is, that once you register, you will be able to access the archived information for one year.


I think, like many of you, I am intrigued with writing. I read your blogs. Many of you have written books. Some have published, others not. Some self-published their work. Others were accepted by agent's who helped them sell their work to a publishing company. Many of you write short stories. Some published, others not. Some only aspire to write blog posts. But the common thread I see as I read is, that each person wants to improve in their own way.


Ms. Gardner's webinar will discuss, in detail, the three-tiered approach that all publishers look at in evaluating potential books: the idea, the writing, and the platform. For more information, go visit the links I've provided. Whether you want to write short or long pieces, for fun or for profit, it looks like this class will provide a smorgasbord of ideas on which the gray matter of your brain can feast. Right now, I write for fun, but the for profit part wouldn't hurt my feelings one little bit. Since, mama ain't gettin' any younger and she hasn't hit the lotto yet, she's goin' to class. CYA there?

22 comments:

Baino said...

Ronda I hope this is all it's cracked up to be. I follow a number of writers and whilst I love them for who they are, frankly, many are not very good, delightful to read on a bog but simply not publishing material so anything that cn give hints and tips to help talented people become noticed is fanastic. I think a course like this might be really helpful in giving would-be authors a roadmap for success.

Although the only way to really publish successfully is through an agent and of course an ability to write what is marketable.

Brian Miller said...

nice. would love to hear how it goes.

dang, wish baino would stop talking about me on other peoples blogs...teehee.

Anonymous said...

I'll check out the links, as I'm working on two books but not sure how I want to handle them...

ANd @ Brian, you should have at least three books out by now, heh, heh...

Anonymous said...

I love writing and do it for fun... but if someone wants to drop a truck load of money at my door I wouldn't complain... not one bit :0)

CiCi said...

Good for you, Ronda. You have a sense of your writing style and you push it to the edge of intrigue each post. Might as well figure out how to move it up a notch.

Reya Mellicker said...

You're smelling something in the air, aren't you? Follow the trail, sister. I know you're on to something great.

Dave King said...

Webinar? I'm sure it will be better than that makes it sound!

I would be interested in the url. Thanks for thin king of me.

Felicitas said...

That's awesome, Ronda! You go for it!

I haven't quite given up the dream of publishing under my own name, but I think it might be one of those things I pursue in my retirement - still a long way off.

Marisa Birns said...

The webinar sounds quite important for anyone who is at the beginning of a writing career (no matter the age!)

Thanks for providing the information. I will follow your links.

Ronda Laveen said...

Baino: I hope it is all it's cracked up to be too. I've been reading Rachelle's blog for a few months now, and she seems to be a straight shooter. So, we'll see...

I think it always helps to brush up your skills no matter the level at which you choose to play the game. You've hit on a key point, one can write many books, but if you are looking for a profit, the subject needs to be a topic others, including agents, will invetst their time and $.

Brian: HA! Thanks for my morning laugh. Don't think you are who she is writing about though.

Subby: I was thinking of you when I saw this class as I read your post about compiling your books. Now would be an awesome time for you to have guidance.

ED: I hear ya, sistah! Now move outta the way because they have to back the truck up to my doorstep.

TechnoBabe: That's exactly it! Moving it up a notch...yes!

Reya: Yes, my insticts tell me to keep my nose down and tail up.

Dave: I know, the word "webinar" sounds none to exciting does it? I will send you the link to the haiku anthology submissions at Soft Whispers. I think you have a good shot.

Felicitas: I understand. My retirement is much closer now so I gotta get a move on.

Marisa: Yes, I believe it would serve you well.

Joanna Jenkins said...

That sounds like a really interesting seminar Ronda. I hope it shares secrets to take your writing to another level.... and the the bank :-)

Have a great weekend.
jj

Dorraine said...

Although I've never done one of these, I've heard good things about them. Anything put on by Writer's Digest will be both informative and a push in the right direction. Go for it and learn lots. I'd love to know what you discover.

I smell a Ronda book in the air.:-)

Jai Joshi said...

Have fun and don't be shy about sharing what you learn!

Jai

Ze O said...

Oh oh Ronda! You are getting a major ball rolling there, you notice that?

I am pretty sure that in the not so distant future you'll be coming out with your first publication. I can feel it!

Won-der-ful! *two thumbs up*

Ronda Laveen said...

JJ: Amen!

Dorraine: Well, I don't know about a book in the air but a good story or two would be nice.

Jai: You got it!

Christina: You should know about gettin' the ball rolling, girl. Sheesh! Look what you got rolling.

Mike said...

Ehh, your chances of making it big as a writer are so slim.....I couldn't write a book anyway, I don't have enough patience.

lettuce said...

go for it Rhonda, would be great if you can breathe some of those sparks on into steady flames

Ronda Laveen said...

Otin: Yes, the odds are extremely thin in making it "big." But bigger isn't always better. There are lots of ways to get lots of little bits coming. And it certainly doesn't cost much to try. Not sure I could write a book either. It takes incredible vision and stick-to-itve-ness.

Lettuce: Thanks.

Ronda Laveen said...

Willow: Okay!

Together: I will!

Unknown said...

This is awesome...go for it...write a book...Looks like you will learn a lot. Have fun.
Gros bisous
Frenchy

Mrsupole said...

You go for it and have some fun. I figure once you get paid then it becomes a job and is no longer fun. Right now I just want to have some fun and if it ever becomes a job then I guess that would be okay, but for now "girls just wanna have fun" is my motto. Well that and hubby is working for two.

And you are doing fantastic with your short stories. There are quite a few bloggers here that should get paid.

Oh and can you send me the Haiku link. I think I am turning into a haiku nut. Always willing to learn more about them.

God bless.

Nessa said...

I wanted to take this but it was smack in the middle of my work day. How was it?

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