And speaking of festivals, the announcement of the photo festival reminded me to check the updated schedule for the Virginia Festival of the Book. Hmmm, now what have I got in my book bag? Not a whole lot. I’m mostly interested in craft-related discussions and there don’t seem to be many of those this year.
The Gift of Good Advice: Critique Groups, Editors, and Everything-in-Between
Charlotte Crystal, Jennifer Elvgren (Josias, Hold the Book), Deborah Prum (Rats, Bulls, and Flying Machines: A History of Renaissance and Reformation), and Andy Straka (Cold Quarry) will discuss the crucial elements involved in giving constructive manuscript critiques from groups and editors to manuscripts.
Wed. March 21st, 4:00 PM
The Blue Ridge Anthology Project: From Pen to Print
Reading and discussion of anthology showcasing local talent in fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, including author Coy Barefoot, novelist Sarah Honenberger, poet Hilda Ward, and Civil War columnist Jack Trammel. Contributors include local luminaries like Rita Dove, David Baldacci, and George Garrett.
Thu. March 22nd, 2:00 PM
Repeating the Past: Historical Fictions, Present Day Truths
Jewish novelists Michael Lowenthal (Charity Girl), Katharine Weber (Triangle), and Gabriel Brownstein (The Man from Beyond).
Thu. March 22nd, 8:00 PM
Literary Editors
With editors David Lynn (The Kenyon Review), R.T. Smith (Shenandoah), Mary Flinn (Blackbird), and Ted Genoways (Virginia Quarterly Review).
Sat. March 24th, 12:00 PM
Late Bloomers: Women Novelists Over 40
Meet novelists who started their writing careers together and in middle age: Darnell Arnoult (Sufficient Grace), Lynn York (The Sweet Life), and Pam Duncan (The Big Beautiful).
Sat. March 24th, 12:00 PM
Agents’ Roundtable
A publishing day discussion with agents Simon Lipskar (Writers’ House), Sloan Harris (International Creative Management), Jeff Kleinman (Folio Literary Management), and Rosalie Siegel (International Literary Agent).
Sat. March 24th, 4:00 PM
Agents’ Roundtable is impossible to get into, but I can dream, can’t I?
Filed under: authors, books, charlottesville, markets, reading, writing
Agents are over-rated.
Although I’m really surprised that they got someone from I.C.M. to show up. I’m wondering how that happened? Those snakes usually don’t have the time of day for you if you’re not knocking on their door with an unsigned contract from a publisher or studio.
Their office on Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills does have a really nice water feature. It’s purpose is psychological. It’s there to be impressive, to intimidate, so that they can try and get (or keep) the upper hand.
In all I don’t think you will be missing much. I can’t imagine that it will be more than a lot of name dropping and war stories. Anything they might tell you about the publishing business and/or finding an Agent, you could probably read in a book somewhere for less than the cost of the ticket.
Well, and I don’t have anything to pitch to an agent (though my husband does, maybe I should send him).
I’ve heard Jeff Kleinman speak several times, he’s very forthcoming with advice, but you’re right, there is only so much to say.
The editor/agent talks I’ve attended over the years covered the same ground over and over: Write a good pitch letter. Use standard fonts, stationery, margins, English. Don’t try anything cute. If at first you don’t succeed, etc. But I always hope that the next talk or panel discussion or book or article or website will reveal some New Secret!