Monday, September 13, 2010

INTERVIEW WITH AN EDITOR

Many of our readers will be going to the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference this week. Have fun! I hope to see you next year. This year I'm staying home to play grandma.

That also means many of you will be seeing an editor and/or an agent. You will talk with them at the dinner tables, in the hall, during an appointment. It's entirely possible all of your carefully practiced "elevator speeches" will fly out of your head. (It always does mine. I rarely get it in a single sentence and I've still managed to sell more than a dozen books.)

So I thought I would share some of my observations and experiences.
  • Your passion for your story will come through and impress the editor.
  • The editor is more interested in hearing from you than looking at the one sheet.
  • It doesn't hurt to mention why you think this story is a good fit for their company.
  • Bring samples of your writing. They won't take your chapters with them (probably) but they will read and get a sense of your ability to write.
  • Accept rejections with grace.
  • Don't feel you have to leave as soon as they say "no" (although you may). The appointment isn't only a sales pitch; it's also a chance to talk with an industry professional.
  • The fact you are at the conference speaks volumes about you. You are committed to learning and improving. Editors appreciate this; they will be more willing to look at things from you in the future, regardless of what happens this year.
Most of all ... relax. Be yourself. Share your heart. Build a friendship. And leave the results to the Lord.

4 comments:

  1. This is so true...I was terribly nervous at the one-on-one meets at a recent writing conference. I completely blanked on my elevator speech and my one sheet stayed in my folder...but I got to really talk about my book and you know what? They asked for a proposal. So DESPITE my fumbles, the story and the passion must have come through.

    Edge of Your Seat Romance

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  2. Exactly! Thanks for sharing your story, Raquel.

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  3. Great post and timely advice - Thanks for sharing!

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