  For Authors
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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How does a writer break through the slush piles (which I think should be called sludge piles, since agents and publishers complain that all those manuscripts, proposals, and queries clog up their offices)?
Viv
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Benefits of Writing Conferences
Breaking through the barriers erected around agents, editors, and publishers seems impossible. Writers often believe they need to be related to someone close to the "powers that be," know someone related, or have some other "in" to get to the people who make or break authors.
Writers often can find a small press that will give them a reading, but the "major" publishing houses won't look at un-agented material. Major agents won't accept unpublished authors. Vicious cycle, right? Well, maybe not.
Writing conferences offer sessions that help writers improve their work and give suggestions for marketing, publicity, and other business management subjects. However, true conferences give more: They provide access to the unaccessible agents, editors, and publisher representatives.
In two years, I have had agents with huge slush piles tell me to send my material directly to them. Why? Because I was serious enough about my writing to attend a writing conference. In fact, one well-known agent said exactly that earlier this month.
Making contacts and networking at conferences is a major consideration for attending one. Even if not one session helped, even if all sessions bored attendees out of their minds, a conference with speakers from the publishing industry, with one-on-one appointments with those agents and publishing house representatives would be worth the money, time, and effort needed to attend.
My experience, though, has been that at least some of the sessions gave me help in various areas of my writing career. Sessions about free publicity and killer press releases gave me hints that will aid in marketing my books (remember, even if a major publisher picks up your book, you as the author are responsible for much of your own marketing and publicity). Another session let me know what publishers want in children's books. Yes, in two years I found a couple of boring sessions and a few time periods that offered nothing I was interested in hearing, but overall I learned much.
Also most conferences host writing competitions for those who register early enough to meet the contest deadline.
Are you really, really serious about having your work published? Then find a writing conference in your area of the world that has agents, editors, and representatives from publishing houses present who speak in some of the sessions and who meet with attendees one on one or in small groups outside the sessions. Added bonuses are helpful sessions and contests with constructive critiques.
Writing Conferences Ho!
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From the Pens of Site Members
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Comments from Our Readers
I try to correct the more glaring problems I see in comments, such as most typos, misspellings, etc. However, when I read anything from people who want to be writers that is incorrectly written, I'm reminded of what agent after agent, publisher after publisher, and editor after editor says: Write a good story, article, novel first, with no mistakes or errors, no grammatical problems.
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tra7of9
In your piece "Publishing Woes: Tips and Thoughts," you reiterated how most editors, publishers and agents "won't sign authors who haven't been published."
I think this brings many aspiring writers (such as myself) to the next pointed question: if I can't get published until I'm published, shouldn't I look in to self publishing first?
I would dearly love to see a piece on the pros and cons of self publishing as to whether this would help a new author get their metaphorical "foot in the door."
Few agents consider self-publishing as published. However, if you go to a small press and are published, that is a different story. One way, other than to be published already, to get to an agent is covered in this week's newsletter -- attend conferences that have agents attending, speaking, and accepting appointments with aspiring authors.
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JudithJean France
How wonderful to give this info. My first book was published by a local small publishing company. Was a good experience. To know there are so many publishers could be most intimidating. We need to know our audience, and stay focused. Blessings...-
Yes, small presses are gaining in popularity, and for a very good reason.
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Larone Mckinley
Thank you for this Newsletter. My question is, considering the slim chance of getting a piece published, would using a self publishing firm be a wise decision? Larone
jbgill
I'm amazed at your article on Publishing Tips and Woes. I didn't realize the extent to which publishers have merged in recent years. I find this to be encouraging. I see an opportunity for small publishing houses and self publishers to flourish. Great job! Please keep us informed with more articles like this.
Since both of these messages concern the same topic, I'll answer them together. As I replied to the first two comments, small houses are a good way to begin, and an author needs to beware of self-publishing, especially if it can be considered vanity publishing.
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A Captivated Soul
Thanks for putting so much time and effort into this which you obviously do! It's always helpful!
nomlet 
Interesting newsletter, Vivian. I didn't realize all those familiar names were tied so closely together. Shouldn't be a shock I guess. Thanks for the info.
Thank you both for your kind words.
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Breezy-E ~ In College
Thanks for the tips. What can someone overseas do to network? I've never heard of any writing conferences in my area (and even if I had, they'd probably be in French since that's where I'm currently residing). If you could also mention some good places to look for an agent, I'd appreciate it.
Breezy-E
On-line networking is the only suggestion I would have. Many authors, and even agents, have web sites with forums where writers can network. As far as looking for an agent outside of conferences, Writers' Market, either the on-line version or book version would be my suggestion after searching through writing magazines such as The Writer, Writer's Digest, or Poet and Writer.
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queenofleia
I think that's smart, I have started thinking of connections, because I'm good in other art forms and since I'm going to take digital photography next semester I've have decided to send pictures to an agent I saw on a card to get noticed before I finish writing my novel and so I can have something to back me up. My suggestion to anyone who can draw, or take excellent photos is get noticed before you try to get published. This was very helpful.
I'm not sure how much making connections in other areas would help with getting published, but I don't see how it could hurt.
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Ladyoz
This is astonishing! I see a LOT of fantasy publishing houses listed here that I thought were independently owned American or British corporations. And to learn that they're not only controlled by giant corporations, but OFFSHORE corporations ... I'm just gobsmacked! Thank you for a very informative newsletter!
You're most welcome. I was surprised myself when I started researching last month's issue.
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writeone
Another piece of advice I received is to get short stories published in smaller lit journals. We don't know which agents/publishers are picking up these journals; we don't know if our works will win a small literary prize - and we will never know until we get our work out there. Once out there, rejection slips are sure to come, but don't lose faith. Miracles do happen!
My advice is to try every avenue possible to get published. I've covered entering contests at least twice this year in the Short Stories Newsletter. Contests are excellent ways to test the waters with your writing.
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Little Miss Leigh-Lee
Hi
I just wanted to say thank you for the great newsletter.
I never realised that they were basically all under 6 corporations. Knowledge like this is priceless. (And hopefully I can use it to my advantage!)
Thank you
Leigh
I hope this issue adds to the knowledge needed to help you find publications opportunities.
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Puditat
Viv, a truly interesting and informative editorial. It is also very timely given my current process of trying to acquire an agent.
I was unaware there were so few major players in the publishing world. The only one I really knew of in terms of its imprints was News Corporation.
Thank you for the relevant information and encouraging word.
Puditat
Hopefully this week's issue will help with your agent hunt, too.
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Thank you for joining me for another issue of For Authors Newsletter.
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For Authors: May 30, 2007 Issue [#1735]
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