Tim

The two things I envy the Americans most are writing conferences and NFL. While I was in Canada I watched a lot of ballgames on TV but now I can only check the results on the internet.

Randy - how close a second is an ipod and those mp3 conference lectures? Of course, there is no virtual substitute for meeting editors, agents and writers in person. Not that I know of, anyway.

PS. Don’t worry. After serious consideration, I have just deleted your name.

With another year of writing under my belt, another conference approaches and, while it would be a stretch to say I’m looking forward to it, I have more confidence and my feet feel much more on the ground.

Your Writing 101 course that lays out a four year writer’s career path made all the difference. It gave me the long view and patience to see becoming a novelist just happens to be “rocket science”. Who knew? How hard could novel writing be?

HA! I say.

Thank you for that Randy.

I also found an RWA (Australia not America) conference in Melbourne which I would have attended had money not been a roadblock (I’m not in Melbourne, so travel costs too), but then after looking at the ACFW conference schedule, I’ve set my sights on that, so all available funds will be aimed in that direction.

Margie Lawson was a big drawcard at the RWA conference, but since I’m not going, I ordered her lecture packet online. I’m really enjoying it. Thanks for mentioning it here Randy!

Karen

http://www.conflux.org.au/

Is a conference for the writers of Speculative Fiction. I went to Conflux 4 and learned heaps.

I researched well the attending editors and publishers the first and second year, and while I didn’t sell anything, they each gave me great advice on how to improve my writing and/or structure.

The third year not so much and boy, each appointment bombed because I didn’t research well enough into their guidelines. They all told me nicely how my work wasn’t what they wanted, but I could tell they were frustrated; I was one of many they had to turn down because the writer didn’t choose the right magazine/publisher/agent to talk their project up to.

Knowing what the editor is looking for and having something that meets their needs can boost a writer’s confidence.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to do some research . . .

But before I go, have fun at the conference!

Loyal NZ AFWB reader who would LOVE to attend a writers conference near me. Unfortunately most in NZ are held at the top of the North Island, which is too far for me to travel too.

What I would give to attend the Mt Hermon conference one day.

You would think they would be in CA in the winter and NY in the summer… oh well…

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
www.scbwi.org

I can happily say I went to the Oregon Conference (My first conference)and even had Randy’s workshop on marketing. Randy laid out everything you need to see $$$ signs in the internet market, and beyond. I am still recovering from a headache from all the information he gave us. But worry not…if you take one of his workshops he will email you all of the notes right after the conference is over. I just got mine today.

If you are anywhere near a conference that Randy is teaching, get on a plane, train, boat, bus, or walk to that conference. His marketing ideas, will help you bring in much more money than any other method.

Now for the proposal thoughts. The proposal is the door opener, the first look paper, the “please use my manuscript,” paper. I guess you know how important it is! Spend every ounce of your creativity on this document.

Do not spare any expense on preparing it. You may even have a professional company edit it for you.

I have a suggestion of a book that should help a great deal:

Sally Stuart’s “Guide to Getting Published.” She covers every inch on getting published from your first sit down of writing to seeing the book on a book shelf

On pages 194-204 she goes all out giving details on how to write proposals for non-fiction and fiction.

Sally also has a very good market guide you may want to check out.

As for going to conferences. I am hooked. I went to the Oregon conference thinking I was going to land a big contract for my book, Close Encounters of the Heavenly Kind: Through Bumper Sticker. How could anyone with any common sense pass up a book with such a catchy title? Well I got several good reviews by publishers at the conference, but no contract at this point. (I will though)

What did happen is that I decided to check out the Freelance writing angle, and I was overwhelmed with offers!! I mean I got 10 “gigs” from several newspapers, magazines, periodicals, and newsletters. Apparently there aren’t enough men doing Freelancing.

So today I sent out three articles, and have seven to go in the next two days. They pay about $100. for each article. That doesn’t sound like much, but I said I had 10 offers. That’s $1,000. for one weekend of work. I think I can handle that.

The great thing is that I have an open door with all of these opportunites, and I will be able to go back again and again to present articles. I also can grow with new prospects in the future. Once you get the name for being a good freelance writer, the skies the limit. In one workshop the instructer told us that if you make $1,000. in the first year you should feel lucky. Then by five years you should be making $25,000 a year and so on. Trust me that is a better income than most books you publish will make year after year.

I am still clinging to my dream of getting a book published, but for now I am getting tons of experience, and a long resume for future attempts with publishers.

Dianne