Kauai Writers Conference - Day 3

Below are my notes from day 3 of the Kauai Writers Conference. It's been great advice and a wonderful experience at this conference, and I am appreciative of the kindness and expertise of everyone at this conference.

Full disclosure: My mind is overwhelmed by the volume of outstanding advice and insights from this conference. As a result, my notes below lack synthesis and editing. I will potentially return and revise, but I at least wanted to get the notes down and published for future review.

How Agents Evaluate Your Work

Stephanie Cabot and Susan Golomb

Making Contact With The Agent

• Excellently written introduction letters are critical. If you write a really good inquiry letter, that will entice us to look further. 
• It is okay to send a query to multiple agents. If  you do, let them know you are working with several agents and that you promise to let the agent know you will let them know.  However, don't send an inquiry to more than one agent at the same organization.
• Follow the process for sending an inquiry.
• Inquiry letters should be sent via email. Snail mail doesn't really make you stand out much more.
• If it is a fiction novel, send a completed manual. If it is nonfiction, not necessary to have it fully completed.
• A nonfiction book should usually include a chapter with it.
• Nonfiction should also include an outline of each chapter. Perhaps 2-3 paragraphs per chapter.

When Agent Reviews Your Work

• It is hard for the agent to read the manuscript - they have a ton going on. 
• I don't mind a squeaky wheel checking in on where I am with reviews, etc.
• Respect the fact that your agent is working all the time. Be patient. If you get another offer, then give other agents the opportunity to respond. It is in your best interest to search and find the best agent. 
• Your social media. 

Working With an Agent

• Pick someone you can go on a journey with. 
• Sometimes I take a person on to see if we can work together on something together. 
• I love changing lives. I love getting people a huge 6-figure advance. (Sounds nice to me!) I love when a lot of my clients end up becoming great friends. I love when something has potential and they come back and have done what I have said - it feels like magic. It is a real journey, and I am lucky to have really wonderful, nice clients.
• I get joy from seeing what is inside peoples' brains and seeing the incredible creativity that come out. As an agent, you have to love the challenge of the sale and doing something significant. It is satisfying to do your end of the work and see something powerful happen. 

After the Book is Accepted

You start working with a publisher, and everyone wants to mass with your baby.

On creating a platform for your work

• How important is a "platform" for fiction? It is not. 
• How important is a platform for nonfiction? Very.

Surviving and Thriving in Today's New Publishing Landscape

Andy Ross, Lisa Sharkey, Carrie Feron, Alia Habib, Regina Brooks, Michelle Tessler

• I want to be surprised. I want something new that has narrative pride. Emphasize what is original in terms of view and voice.
• We represent every type of book for which there is a reader.
• Narrative non-fiction - nonfiction that is driven by story. 
• Audio books are going to continue to grow.
• "Multicultural trends" are important. Write about people from many backgrounds.
• For nonfiction, audio books and carbon books are where the sales are at.
• What kind of podcasts can best promote book. 
• It is hard to self-publish because it is hard to find a readership. But if you have an online community and an email list, you have an opportunity to be successful. 
• One trend that is happening and that might really take off is audio-books before print books.

How have things changed in "the age of distraction?"

• Anyone who has spent time pitching a book hears the question "how many words is it?" You have to snag them quickly. Think about the first 20 pages. Then think about how you can get the reader to page 120.
• You have to have time and resources to promote your book. Most of the things the publisher wants you to do cost money.
• If I was on NPR, how would I distill the content of this book? Hone your pitch! Boil it down! Do not bury the lead! 
• You will need to discuss and share about your book regularly.
• Make time to meet your readers! Tours are difficult because they are expensive and it doesn't always pay off. However, authors who will do book tours "at their own expense" is a very nice selling point. And, it lets you meet your fans, which is important. You can interact with your fans and followers online much more easily, too. Sharing your book on your YouTube account is important, as well. 
• The rise of the independent book publisher - the heart of book publishing. 
• Think of ways to connect with other authors and readers
• A bookstore is like a little church for books! Make connections and 
• Mini-conferences are a powerful way to meet readers and writers
• Book festivals can be meaningful, too
• Consider work-shopping their writing at the local bookstore. Have lots of people read your book and give you feedback. Your family won't tell you the truth! Have published authors read your books, too. Writers groups can be a powerful way to get feedback, as well. This is a great way to test-market your book. Have lots of people read it and give you true, sound feedback on its readability. (Do a survey, or something). 
• When I evaluate a novel or memoir, I am the advocate for the reader. You need to hear when it is boring, when dialogue is clunky, etc. 
• Work backwards from your reader. Create a fictional reader in your mind. What is their age? What do they like? Are you delivering something that they would like? (Use Design Thinking, essentially, to really understand their needs).
• If you are writing about another culture, it might be worth having "sensitivity readers" take a look at your books and give you feedback for authenticity.

The Author/Agent Dynamic

Stephanie Cabot (agent), Priya Parmar (writer), Whitney Scharer (writer)

Why is it so hard to get an agent? How can I get an agent?

• When I was writing my query letter, I found a lot of good information on the internet, and that really helped. Nathan Bradsford did a great job dissecting a query letter and showing why it worked.
• Website tell you what to do. Write it, don't look at it, rework it. Take the time to make the query letter really simple. I spent a month on my query letter before I started sending it.
• A lot of people were reaching out to agents who were not really right for their works. You have got to do your research. Find those who are agent for similar books. Find out who is accepting queries. Look around and really look - try to make the slog a little less painful.
• First, be sure you ask the right questions before you connect with an agent. Do they work through the whole process? Do they manage authors throughout their careers? What kind of publishing houses have they worked with? Want to work with? Do they seem like someone you would like to work with regularly? Can they coach you as you continue to write and help you manage your career?
• You have to decide what kind of agent and agency you want to work with before you sign the agency contract. Do your due diligence. If the agent doesn't give you any feedback or says things look perfect, it gives pause for thought.
• Look for an agent that has strength and leverage and power to help support you. 
• Red flags: she read my book and saw something completely different than what I had in my head. Different cover, different life, wanted me to bring it way down. It needs to an open, honest, straight dialogue with someone who will listen to you and help you be successful. 
• An agent might have a small list (35) or a large list (125).