But here are some things I've heard
from writers in the past that I hope to not hear at this year's round
of conferences. Although, some of them make for great stories.
1. "This is my first draft, but I
just wanted to see what you thought."
Huh? No. Do not bring your first draft
to a conference. This could be your one shot. Have you seen the movie
8 Mile, or maybe you've just heard the song by Eminem. If not,
go listen to it now and then think again about bringing your rough
draft to a conference. Now, if your main reason is to attend a
conference for a learning experience, that's a whole other story. But
still do not show your first draft to an editor. You can consider
counseling with an editor, asking questions about the industry, maybe
share your idea, but please do not ask us to read your first draft.
We are not attending the conference to review manuscripts or to do
any conceptualization or development. We are looking for ideas to
publish. Well, at least that's why I want to do one-on-ones.
2. "Before I tell you about my
manuscript, I just want you to read the first few pages. No, no, just
read..."
Umm... Excuse me? Yes, this has
happened to me. The writer practically put their one index finger to
my lips as I began to talk and said, "Shhh... Just read this. I
know it's going to blow you away." Do I really need to say
what's wrong with this? Let's just say this writer is not publishing
with me.
3. "I know this isn't the kind of
book you are looking for, but I just wanted to talk to you anyway."
Yeah, about that. No. I really need to
use the little bit of time I have away from the office (on office
time by the way) maximizing on meetings that may have some kind of
ROI for me and the company. What happens in these meetings is that,
fifteen minutes after the author's spiel, I still end up telling them
that this is not the kind of project I am looking for, but perhaps
XYZ publisher or agent will be better suited for you.
4. "I have never heard or known of
a book like mine. It is so unique."
Really. This seems like a good thing,
but it's not. If there are no other books in the market like yours,
there may be a reason for that--the market (i.e., readers) does not
want a book like yours. So saying this is not a selling point.
Perhaps you could show how your book is similar to other books along
the same lines (same genre or category) and then you could show how
your book is different. Saying that you know of no other book like
yours in the market says several things: 1) you don't read much, 2)
you don't understand the book market, 3) you don't know the job
editors have to do to sell book ideas to their sales and marketing
team who sell books to distributors based on comparison, 4) you did
not do your research.
5. "I don't have a proposal, but I
just wanted to see what you thought about this idea."
Great, but not during the one-on-one.
Meet me at a meal. I could be off here, but during one-on-ones I expect to meet with
authors who are ready to be published. If you are
still just learning and seeing if the author's life is right for you,
let's talk over a meal.
6. "You guys publish the weird
stuff, right?"
Cute. But no. Try not to say anything about the publisher you are meeting with that could be taken negatively. In this case my thoughts were on my defense, not the author's pitch: We publish verifiable
genres and recognized BISAC categories--at least in our minds. So
that is a little off-putting to say our stuff is weird, but then
again maybe you're also saying your stuff is weird and that we should
all get along because we're all weird. I guess that's OK. But come to
me showing me that you understand what we are publishing and perhaps
what we publish sets us apart from what other publishers are doing in
our same market. That would be nicer to hear. I don't want to be working for weirdos (although sometimes I question if I am or not,
but only I get to say that).
While I may have been taken aback by
many more surprising statements during these wonderful editor-writer
encounters, these are the ones that come to mind right now. Maybe
more will come later. While I am probably the nicest editor you'll
meet at a conference (I will still enjoy our meeting as if you have
done nothing wrong even if you come to me with any of the intros
listed above), I do think it shows an author's thoughtfulness and
seriousness about their career when they take these one-on-one
meetings and use them for what they are for--to get a publishing
deal. If you are not ready to be published or you've found an editor
or agent you'd like to just network with but don't have a manuscript
ready, you should plan to share a meal with them--sit at their table.
Please sit at my table. I love to have a full table. I am there to be
exploited and to have indigestion for those three or four days. I
love this business, the readers, the authors, and the whole bit that
much. And then if I do request your manuscript, please, please send
it to me. If you have problems hitting "send," read this.
That is all. Thank you.
What are some interesting things you've heard
people say at writers' conferences?