| It is no coincidence that as I return from the World Fantasy Convention I wanted to talk about more than simply writing. As I see it, getting your book written is only the tip of a Titanic sized iceberg. Here's my helpful breakdown: 1. Write book. 2. Everything else. Yes, your manuscript and the words in it should be the ultimate selling point, but what can you do other than write the best book evah to help yourself get noticed or at least get moved higher up in the slush piles? Go to conventions. (This is the part where you learn to help yourself.) I can not state this strong enough. More things will happen for you over drinks and nachos than by slushing your manuscript to every publishing house on the planet. Why? Because conventions level the playing field for the unpublished writer. Or rather, think of it like this. If you don't go, you're simply up in the bleachers watching the publishing game. below. Or maybe home watching it on Pay Per View. Go to a convention at least puts you on the side lines on the field and possibly you'll get called in and given a chance to play. Going to conventions gives you an access to agents/editors/buyers/other writers. The strata of conventions allow for a lot of opportunity, as long as you're not a super pushy asshole. And here's the best advice I can give you on that: Learn how to hold a conversation... and here's another big HINT: Don't make it about your book. If you can prove you're semi-intelligent, charming, able to converse without giggling like a desperate fan boy or girl, you're 90% of your way towards getting to your true purpose at any convention. The trick to selling your book in these cases is to sell yourself, not the book. Remember this mantra for selling your book at these things: It's Not About The Book. If people are getting a good vibe from you, eventually they'll turn the conversation to whatever you're working on or why you came. I've watched the miracle happen. Also, don't brag at these conventions. You only come off as a desperate asshat. Telling everyone you meet that you're "in five high level writing programs, name dropping, and that you produce 10,000 words a day" is just sad and agents/editors/ other authors will do anything in their power to get away from you. But go to them. Rarely does any book simply sell itself by its amazingness alone. Labels: Anton, conventions |
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My book sold without me ever going to a convention or knowing anyone in the industry (other than my agent). I had zero writing credits to my name.
Does this make me an asshat? :)
I don't think networking skills can help if your book is still not great. You know?
Thanks for the varying perspectives.
I'm not saying you HAVE to go to cons, but I think if a new writer has an opportunity, it is certainly worth doing so.
And yes, you're an asshat, dear Jill, because everyone envies your easy success.
There's a lot of roads to getting published... so we Leaguers gotta lay down as hopeful a path as we can!
Jill- many a craptacular book has sold due to networking skills..
so go forth kids, write a crappy book and sell it!
LOL.
Well, touche. ;)
And not the easiest road - it still took 18 months to sell. If convention-schmoozing can get you a book contract in 1 month instead of 18, well, it's probably better for your nerves. *g*
My big thing is the San Diego comic convention. Which I'm hoping I can get to this (next) year.
Very sound advice. A lot of the time just changing things up is a good idea, since most of the time, when you're working on something, you are working alone. It's just good, practical advice to get out there, see what's going on and maybe meet some people.
it's just plain fun to go to cons and fangirl or fanboy people anyway...lol
(salamet over in LJ land)
Anton, I wish you were wrong in some tiny way so that I could tease you in this public forum, because that's the way I roll, but you're right, so I'll have to plot and scheme for other opportunities in the future. ;)
It's so easy to spot the Hardcore Networkers at a convention. They're kind of tense, and very earnest. No one has any reason to try to network me up at this point, but even watching people keeping themselves in Networking Readiness wears me out. Imagine being bombarded by them throughout a convention! People, no one will form a pleasant impression of you if you behave that way. Have a drink and meet your friends' friends; that's all you have to do.
Btw, it was excellent to meet you in exactly that manner, Anton. I'd hang with you anytime. :)
RH,
I've wanted to go to San Diego CC for years, but that particular con has eluded me like a mystical zombified unicorn. However, my publisher WILL have me signing and pimping at the NY one, so that's a start, I suppose.
Nayad, great meeting you as well. Yeah, those overagressive networkers stick out like a sore thumb, don't they?
So, you guys couldn't provide a section on here with links to cons you all would go to so we'd have an idea of what cons would be good, could you? I mean, if I googled it, I would have no idea which ones were legitimate or that non-professionals are invited to, etc.
BTW- if I go to one, would you hold mine hand? I'd be shaking in my boots!!
I do a lot of handholding at cons, as long as I get the impression that the person isn't batshit crazy... so we'll see, Melissa! hehe..
Also, I think a run down of worthy cons, maybe we'll each take one on and have a blog week where we each review ones we like or not... will assemble the League and get on it!
Great advice that probably works in other similar situations too. For example - job fairs I have worked at. Applicants without a desperate gleam in their eyes make me feel less uncomfortable. Try not to go overboard! I cringe when I think of the girl who said to remember her last name was RACIST (it had the word white in it) so that the recruiter could remember her name. Who says that about their own name??!?!?
Anton: dig the post, dude. Nothing's worse than an over-networker. I think we could name a few ...
Did I meet any new editors/agents/publishers at WFC? Not to my knowledge. Did I meet great people that I want to hang with again? Yep. Did I get totally inspired to write my next YA book? Double yep. Mission accomplished.
Not only does networking help you sell stuff... it also makes you feel like you're not alone out there, which is something that's necessary for those of us who spend a lot of time in our own worlds!
PS: Here, Anton, I posted. Do you feel loved?
Great post Anton. The truth is that conferences are really important for 90% of all wannabes, such as Kelly and myself. I'll admit that our first World Fantasy in Madison we tried too hard to network. But by the final day we ate brunch with Jean Rabe and I think that is what led to Kelly's invite to Pandora's Closet and the Blue Kingdom anthologies.
Obviously, you still have to deliver the goods, but there are many, many good writers that will never get publish because they get discouraged. Besides the network potential at conferences, they are great at getting you pumped up to get back to writing and pushing aside the stacks of rejections. Misery loves company, and all that.
I understand that conventions are expensive, so many people cannot afford them. For first timers, I'd try to limit the expense by going to one within driving distance. There are many different conventions around the country. I'd also try to share a room with a fellow writer (if you know them well enough).
finally, I agree that some sort of list of the main 5 or 6 writer conventions would be a great resource. Get on that Anton. :)