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on 2/28/2014
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Latino Sci-Fi1-day Conference!
University of Calif.-Riverside
Wed. April 30, 2014
To my knowledge, this is the first event dedicated to Latino Sci-Fi Lit. I'm excited by the possibilities. Given some of the presenting authors, I would guess that other Latino Spec Lit might also be discussed.
Please help spread the word to those interested in Latino SciFi. If you are in the L.A. area and can attend, come and add your input, por favor. You can check the presenters' websites for their works.
The event will be free and open to the public. More info on LaBloga as it becomes available and at UC-Riverside's calendar.
by Guillermo Luna
[What follows is a response to Rudy Ch. Garcia’s blog post, A Latino’s Chance in Hell of getting published? La Bloga understands that every author's career is unique. Some La Bloga's authors have agents or are seeking one. This guest post describes Luna's experience with the companies mentioned and the decisions he made about lit agents.]
I found Rudy Garcia’s post interesting because I was able to get my book published in December of 2013 and it was the first book I had ever written. In retrospect, it wasn’t nearly as hard as it should have been. The way I went about getting published was like this: first, I tried to figure out what would be commercial. I was reading Draculaby Bram Stoker at the time so I figured maybe I should write a book about a monster. You can’t go wrong with monsters, right? I also had no desire to write literary fiction since “pretty” sentences aren’t my game. I’m too manly for pretty sentences. Snork!
My writing began in 2008 but the biggest surprise about the whole writing process occurred in 2010 when I bought the 2010 Writers Market book and subsequently discovered that nobody wanted to read my book. The nobodies I’m referring to in that sentence are agents.
In 2010 my book, The Odd Fellows, wasn’t ready to be read by anyone but like all first time writers I was eager to get it published and fantasized that my book would sell millions of copies. Wisely, I wasn’t completely delusional and continued to rewrite my book for another 2 years even as I sent it out. I created an excel spreadsheet in order to keep track of where my book went and how the individuals who received it responded. I would suggest all writers do this.
Agents and publishers usually wanted between 5 pages and the entire book submitted to them for review. That’s what I sent to a total of 26 agents and publishers. (I submitted my book to Arte Publico Press twice because I was sure they would publish it. I was wrong. Foundry Literary+Media responded twice even though I only submitted once. They wanted to drive home that “no,” I guess.) I did receive a yes from Txxx publishing (even though they hadn’t read my entire book) but they required that I pay a fee to have my book publish. I don’t remember how much it was but it was somewhere around $2,100.00. I said, “No, thank you” but I did, crazily, consider it.
I also received a yes from Axxxxxxx Bay (even though they didn’t read my entire book either) but that publisher wanted to know how many Facebook friends I had and wanted me to acknowledge everyone I knew in the book’s acknowledgements because, “each and every one of those people will buy a copy of your book.” Also, he didn’t want to edit my book. He wanted me to find someone to edit my book (and pay for this service). I figured if I was going to pay to have my book edited I should self-publish and take all the profits. The final strike against this publisher was when I looked at the mug shots of the writers on the publisher’s website. All had long, unhappy faces. I’m way too happening to be part of a group like that!
Ten months later I signed a contract with Bold Strokes Books. I was certainly apprehensive about signing the contract (because I had never been in this situation before) and it took me almost a month to sign but it was a very smart move on my part. At every step along the way Bold Strokes Books allowed me to have the final say. The book that I wrote and that Bold Strokes Books published, The Odd Fellows, is the book I wanted “out there.”
The Odd Fellows is the book that was in my head. I’m very fortunate that I found a publisher for my book and what helped me get there was a book called, Ditch the Agent by Jack King. If I hadn’t stumbled upon his website I might still be unpublished. It never really occurred to me that publishers might look at a manuscript without an agent yet some publishers are willing to do just that. Jack King’s website pointed that out to me. I stumbled upon Jack King’s website sometime in September of 2011 because from that point on I no longer contacted agents. Instead, I contacted publishers. Between September 2011 and June 2012 I contacted six publishers, two said yes and I signed with one of them, Bold Strokes Books.
Advice I would give new writers would be:
1) Continue to rewrite your book even as you send it out. It can always be better.
2) Make an excel spreadsheet of who you send it to and their response. This alleviates confusion.
3) Don’t waste time trying to get an agent. Go directly to publishers.
I honestly feel God was looking out for me the day I stumbled onto Jack King’s website. I don’t know if Heaven is a place on earth but it felt like I was in heaven when I held my book in my hands for the very first time.
Es todo, hoy,
RudyG
Writing conferences can be a great way for beginning wordsmiths to learn the ropes and for established writers to further their careers. Large national conferences tend to get the most buzz, but smaller regional conferences can also have much to offer. In fact, maybe your writing group should host one.
Mine does, and it’s proven to be an amazing endeavor.
In 2003, Triangle Area Freelancers (triangleareafreelancers.org) was formed in Raleigh, N.C. Today, it has more than 60 active members. Early on we talked about hosting a one-day symposium for nonfiction freelancers, and in 2008 we made that dream a reality. Write Now! has been an annual spring event ever since.
Why host your own writing conference? The most obvious reason is a dearth of literary events in your area. TAF started Write Now! to meet the underserved needs of North Carolina’s nonfiction writing community. We saw a group eager for information and networking, and decided to reach out.
Hosting a writing conference of any size is hard work, but the benefits can be tremendous: greater regional awareness of your organization, the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and the satisfaction that comes from helping other writers.
If you think it’s time for your organization to take the next big step, consider these 10 tips:
1. Establish a dedicated steering committee. Give yourselves at least six to eight months from first discussion to the day of the event. In fact, the more time, the better. Plan, plan, plan.
2. Make sure you have sufficient seed money. Depending on the size and scope of your event, I’d suggest having $500–1,000 in the bank to start. To get an accurate figure, tabulate your anticipated pre-conference expenses, and then add 15 to 20 percent for the unexpected.
TAF raised seed money for its first conference by charging its members annual dues. Additional funding sources include possible sponsorships, regional arts grants and philanthropic benefactors.
3. Select an appropriate venue. TAF’s conferences have been held in association with Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, which offers a convenient central location, ample parking and a relationship that provides statewide credibility. Other options include hotel meeting rooms, local conference centers and regional libraries.
4. Promote! Promote! Promote! Because TAF doesn’t have deep pockets, we concentrate on free promotion. We blanket the region with brochures, use social media and place announcements in community calendars.
Opportunities for inexpensive conference promotion abound. The North Coast Redwoods Writers’ Conference (ncrwc.org) in Crescent City, Calif., draws attendees with a comprehensive website, promotional mailings and a listing with the Association of Writers & Writing Programs’ Writers’ Conferences & Centers directory, among other efforts, says Ken Letko, a member of the event’s steering committee.
Meanwhile, the Roanoke Regional Writers Conference (hollins.edu/roanokewriters) in Roanoke, Va., has had success tapping traditional media and social media, especially the blogosphere, reports founder Dan Smith.
5. Get the strongest presenters you can afford. For Write Now! 2011, TAF brought in veteran New York literary agent Rita Rosenkranz, who presented a session on the author-agent relationship and hosted a workshop on writing an irresistible nonfiction book proposal. She was a huge draw who helped us sell out for the first time, and was worth every penny we paid for her appearance.
Presenters’ fees can vary widely, with the bigger names charging more. We learned this the hard way when we approached a nationally known, locally based writer to be our keynote, only to be told that she charged $2,000 for a speaking gig and wasn’t willing to negotiate.
Fortunately, many presen
Hello everyone I hope you had a fantastic holiday weekend and got a lot of writing done – particularly those of you participating in NaNoWriMo. Be sure to check out our Cyber … Read more
WOW: Welcome, Alison, to The Muffin. We are so happy to have you here today to talk about the Highlights Foundation! Can you briefly describe for us the Highlights Foundation and its purpose or mission?Alison: The Highlights Foundation believes that children deserve excellent stories. These stories start in the minds of our authors and illustrators. We give our guests a place to shape their stories, to improve upon them, to seek guidance from the best, and to connect with others who share the same passion.
WOW: I'm sure all children's writers are currently drooling over that description. Your mission sounds absolutely fantastic! How does it differ from Highlights for Children magazine? Alison: The Highlights Foundation is a separate entity from Highlights Inc. We are a non-profit, and as such, we have many supporters of our mission. Highlights Inc. has been very generous with the Foundation’s needs. Our executive director, Kent L. Brown Jr., is a descendant of the founders of
Highlights for Children, Garry and Caroline Myers. Kent worked his way to editor-in-chief of the magazine and then created Boyds Mills Press publishing house, along with its subsidiaries. As a prominent figure in the industry, Kent saw a need. Now as editor, chief emeritus, and publisher at large, Kent is able to dedicate his time to the causes of the Foundation.
WOW: Thank you for clearing that up. What are Founders Workshops? What topics do they cover? Where are they located?Alison: The Founders Workshops are located at the homeplace of the founders of
Highlights for Children, Garry and Caroline Myers, in the picturesque mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. We find the publishing industry’s best writers, editors, and illustrators to teach Founders’ Workshops and only those who are proven mentors, willing and able to help writers and illustrators meet their goals. Our workshops range from weekend retreats about such things as establishing meaningful conflicts to week long workshops on topics like writing your first novel. We take special pleasure in fussing over our guests by offering gourmet food and cozy cabins (pictured above) for relaxation during—and after—a day of learning and writing.
WOW: Gourmet food and writing! You can't get much better than that. How do you find a schedule of the workshops and sign up to attend?Alison: The best place to find information about our offerings is on our website,
www.highlightsfoundation.org. You can also contact Jo Lloyd at the Highlights Foundation. She'd be happy to send you a brochure with details about our Founders Workshops and our annual Writers Workshop at the Chautauqua Institute. Just call her at 570-253-1080.
We are also excited about our Founders Facebook page, where we promote our offerings, give writing tips from our faculty, and share highlights of workshops and events that take place at the homeplace. You can link to our Facebook page from the URL above.
WOW: Sounds easy! Who teaches these workshops?Alison: Our faculty is varied: editors, authors, illustrators, and professors. The one common thread among them is that they are the best in the business. Who wouldn't feel like sitting down to an intimate dinner of eight
I got a reader question about conferences that I can’t answer; I’ve spoken at many conferences, but I’ve attended only two myself. Here’s the question:
Dana asks: Namely, do you think conferences are worth the time and money involved? I’m planning on attending April’s ASJA conference in New York, and while I’m super excited, I’m also balking at the price tag (as a newbie freelancer, I’m a little short on funds! Haha.) I’m just wondering if you think this would be a good investment. Have you ever attended one, and if so, do you have any tips you could send to newbie freelancers?
Renegade readers, can you help Dana out by posting your opinions and advice in the Comments section? Thank you so much! [lf]
Recently I interviewed one of my childhood heroes for a magazine pitch. It was a thrill to visit his art studio and see decades of his work on display. He started his artist's career when a friend suggested he move from real estate development into another field. Needing some educational backing, he worked to receive his MFA.
He taught during his graduate studies, incorporating his business background and instructing his students on how to manage a career in art. The school's administration balked. He related to me that the administration told him artists need to create and not to worry about the business aspects of art. He left academia, but not before befriending many of the students he had helped.
Since that interview, I've wondered where I would be if I could have learned about the business aspects of publishing from someone like him. Echoing in my brain are inspiring and creative words from many of my MFA professors. Unfortunately, few words come to mind about navigating the business aspects of the publishing world.
Novel ideas continue to percolate in my brain. However, income-producing writing assignments hold my daily focus. For me, the day-to-day joys of writing are to learn something new each day, to converse with someone who also loves books, and to know that I can apply my backspace key liberally. But my long-term goal is to earn a living as a novelist and a writer.
While trying to publish my first novel, finding an agent has become discouraging and, regretfully, has taken a backseat. After initially enthusiastic responses from agents, I've had my novel rejected numerous times and other proposals have failed to engage anyone’s interest.
I am turning to conferences to help find caring communities to help move my agent search into the front seat while filling the gaps in my knowledge of the business of writing. In addition, I hope to find a group that can help me learn and grow as a writer, enabling me to exchange my skills as I gain experience.
With the Backspace Writers Conference, which covers craft and navigating the tricky terrain of the publishing world, I’ve found the right outlet to support my growth as a writer. By incorporating the practice of writers helping writers, Backspace’s founders have recognized the importance of building a community among writers. (As have the creators of Women On Writing!)
One of the many things that appeals to me about Backspace is the opportunity to connect with people in the publishing world and to discuss writing without the pressure to pitch. Backspace will allow me to learn what I need to present my best work and publish. This conference gives me an opportunity to speak with publishing world pros, to learn from them and to find a common ground and positive direction.
I would like to attend the Backspace Writers Conference and its Agent-Author Seminar because it is the next step in my education in the business of writing while meeting a great community of supportive publishing people.
What about you? Is there a conference you would like to attend and why?
Elizabeth King Humphrey is a writer and creativity coach. When she is not researching and trying to win scholarships to writers' conferences, Elizabeth contributes to AOL's ParentDish and she blogs at The Write Elizabeth, delving into creativity in everyday places.
Kansas children’s writer L.D. Harkrader presented at yesterday’s conference called Taking Care of Business - Marketing and Promotion, sponsored by the Kansas chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Harkrader’s middle grade novel Airball: My Life in Briefs was recently released in paperback. To find out more about her work, visit her website at www.ldharkrader.com.
Airball: My Life In Briefs,
Kansas SCBWI,
L.D. Harkrader,
writers conference
"I got words."
I start my new job Wednesday. Well, I learn how to become oriented (?) as a New Employee Wednesday. I am ... excited? eager? Don't quite know. I'm not nearly as worked up as I was when I started my first classroom teaching job. Then again, I'm not "it" this time around. I get to learn and absorb and be challenged without having to be in charge. And I will be in a library. I've had more fun these last few weeks of summer having random conversations with my camp kids, my Sylvan kids, co-workers' kids about books. This is happiness in a career: when your bliss happens to be your livelihood.
However, I may be in a small amount of denial about four days a week at the library, one day a week at Vanderbilt and two grad courses on the side! I think it'll be okay. I'm actually looking forward to the online courses. I've been in undergrad/grad school for close to ten years now. I know what a classroom looks like and the dynamics of personal interaction. I got it. Bryn's little introverted self is really relishing being able to hide behind her computer and pipe up only when necessary. Oh, and blowing some UT orange socks off with her insightful papers, of course.
So, a toast. Here's to new adventures, new challenges, time management and a steady stream of stories.
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Thanks for all the great information. Sounds like a lovely place to find inspiratio--by being among successful writers willing to share their expertise.
And I love the idea of inspirational cookies.
donna v.
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com
Oops. Make that inspiration.
Me too, Donna! When the kids are grown, let's go!!! :)
Margo
I'm getting close. Cari is 16 and driving, but we've got a ways yet for Michael.
And you've got a long way to go with Katie.
Donna