Presenters and Pitchfests and Panels, Oh my!

Those of you following me on Twitter (@AmyKCA…bear with me, I’m a newbie to the Twittersphere) may already know, but I’m packing my bags for Albuquerque this weekend to attend a writers conference co-sponsored by Southwest Writers and UNM Continuing Education. I’ve also recently returned from Houston, where I attended the Houston Writers Guild Conference, and I’m just getting warmed up…

From now through October, I’ll be spending my weekends in places as far afield as Orlando (Florida Writers Association Conference) and as close to home as Corte Madera (Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference). I’ll be appearing at one or more conferences each month from April through October, and my fellow agents at Kimberley Cameron & Associates will be doing the same. Why do we do it?

Yes, conferences can be overwhelming for agents. Picture yourself walking into a room of 100+ people, almost all of whom want five minutes of your time, and you can probably understand how that “AGENT” name tag feels like a target on your chest! It’s also true that we sometimes huddle together and scurry down the halls between sessions, fearing that if we break from the pack we may never be heard from again. And sure, it’s difficult to think straight after we’ve spent hours of back-to-back ten-minute appointments tracking all manner of plot twists and turns – from the unexpected to the totally bizarre.

But I have to admit that I find conferences to be a welcome change of pace in what can be a very quiet job. Now that we communicate with clients and editors mostly through email, a busy day at the office can be a silent one, and the opportunity to meet potential clients face-to-face and to talk about writing is downright refreshing. Unlike email, conferences are a great way to connect with writers and have a dialogue about their work. It’s also a great place to meet other agents and editors and to hear what kinds of books they are working on or looking for. (We also do that on whirlwind trips to New York… Kimberley and April just wrapped one up last week!)

If you’re planning to attend a conference sometime soon, here are some do’s and don’ts about approaching agents:

Do be brave and introduce yourself. We don’t bite.

Don’t be nervous. We’re just people…who want to talk about your book.

Do pitch us your book. That’s what we’re there for, and we expect it!

Don’t apologize for doing so. No need to open with, “I’m sorry, you must be so tired of hearing this…” We signed up to come to the conference, and (again) we expect it.

Do ask questions about the industry, the process, what we look for in a client, etc.. That’s what you’re there for!

Don’t assume that there is only one right answer. Agents often have different opinions, methods, and advice.

Do be polite and respectful. A potential client’s demeanor can determine whether I want to work with him or her...and whether I want to present them to an editor or send them off on a book tour.

Don’t follow us into the bathroom to pitch/ask questions. The bathroom is a safe zone. (I’ve never personally experienced this, but I know agents who have!)

Do be professional. We are professionals, and you should be too!

So, if you want to meet us, come to one of the following conferences in 2010. Either Kimberley, April, or I will be there. And we’ll be ready to talk about your book.

Fisherman’s Wharf Writers Conference (San Francisco, CA)

Backspace Writers Conference (New York City)

Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference (Homer, AK)

Whidbey Island Writers Conference (Whidbey Island, WA)

Aspen Summer Words (Aspen, CO)

Antioch Writers’ Workshop (Yellow Springs, OH)

Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference (Corte Madera, CA)

Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference (Seattle, WA)

Mendocino Coast Writers Conference (Fort Bragg, CA)

Willamette Writers Conference (Portland, OR)

Book Passage Travel, Food, & Photography Conference (Corte Madera, CA)

Killer Nashville (Nashville, TN)

East of Eden Writers Conference (Salinas, CA)

Bouchercon By the Bay (San Francisco, CA)

SEAK Fiction Writing for Physicians Conference (Hyannis, MA)

Florida Writers Association Conference (Lake Mary, FL)

SPRING IS IN THE AIR...

The many changes that are occurring in our industry such as the Kindle, iPad and the struggles regarding electronic rights reminds me to adjust and adapt – it’s both thrilling and frightening at the same time. There will ALWAYS be a need for content, in whatever form books may take, and the literary agent will still be the steadfast defender of the written word. I’ve said before that this is a noble profession. We largely do not get paid for the work and hours we labor, and the marketplace is more selective than ever, so we have to be utterly convinced that the books we choose to represent will be ones others will want to read. A respected agent I know, Loretta Barrett, says it best: “They can tell me no, but they can’t tell me I’m wrong.”

The redesigning of the book should not threaten us – refining how we read as technology moves forward provides limitless creative opportunities to transmit knowledge and information, both for pleasure and education. Flexibility is the key to transformation. I welcome this new season, knowing that I am always open to new ideas. Please send us your best work, and don’t be discouraged by rejection – the books we represent are rejected, too. It’s part of the process. Believe in yourself and your writing, and may 2010 be your very best year yet. I’m looking forward to Paris in the spring! More anon,

Kimberley

Changes in the New Year

Happy New Year to All!

On New Year's Eve I watched the ball drop in Times Square from an entirely new perspective. No, I wasn’t courageous enough to brave the crowds and the cold and actually go to Times Square, but I counted down the seconds to 2010 in a New York apartment, surrounded by new friends. Through a cloudy winter sky, I saw hints of fireworks going off over Central Park and I realized that this was my city, that I was happy here, and that here was now home.

I remembered that at this time last year, I was spending a quiet New Year’s Eve at my parents’ home in Wisconsin, filled with excitement and anxiety about my upcoming move to New York. I had packed up the last six years of my life in SF before the holidays, and after the New Year I would hit the road again, striking out for the Big Apple.

It was exactly one year ago today that I arrived in New York. I didn’t know what to expect. I hoped that I would make friends. I hoped that I would expand my business. I hoped that I wouldn’t be considered a social pariah for wearing my beloved hiking boots and Patagonia parka on 5^th Avenue.

Well, 2 out of 3. Turns out that when armed with a small medicine cabinet’s worth of blister prevention materials, I’m quite capable of walking long distances in heels. Who knew?

Looking back on the past year, I am astonished at how my life has changed. I have loved living in Manhattan, exploring the city, increasing my contacts and building new friendships, so many of which are with people I have met in publishing, people who I did not yet know this time last year.

I am especially grateful to my colleagues at Kimberley Cameron & Associates for having encouraged and supported me. Kimberley, April and Amy are three of the loveliest, most talented women I know. When I proposed opening a satellite office a few thousand miles away, they listened, considered, and told me we’d find a way to make it work. Their openness and their faith in me enabled me to take this chance, for which I will always be thankful.

The ringing in of the New Year seems a natural time to usher in change. And once again I find myself anticipating a new chapter. As of January, 4^th, I will be joining the Jean V. Naggar Agency. As I continue to put down roots in NYC, I look forward to being a part of such a well-respected New York agency. However, it is with sadness that I part with Kimberley Cameron & Associates. It has been a wonderful six years with the company, and I look forward to watching it continue to grow and flourish.

I wish everyone good health, success, and creativity in 2010. And of course, happy writing!

Elizabeth

Publishing-Speak 101

As a new agent (Amy here), I’ve been attending a lot of conferences this year, and I’ve had the opportunity to present at many of them. I really enjoy presenting to writers, for obvious reasons. I know we have a lot in common, and as audiences go, they tend to go easy on me. (I’m sure this has nothing to do with the fact that most are looking for an agent or will be someday.)

One thing that can derail these presentations, however, is publishing-speak. There’s nothing worse than finding that my carefully planned talk was only semi-intelligible. So I thought it might be helpful to make a list of some oft-confused terms and their basic definitions (as far as editors and agents are concerned). Here goes…

Novel – This one should be easy, right? By common definition, a novel is a book-length work of fiction. I have heard certain nonfiction works referred to as “nonfiction novels” (i.e. Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood), but this would most likely be referred to as “narrative nonfiction” (see “Narrative”) in our current publishing market. The primary take-away here: There is no need to classify a book as a “fictional novel.” If you say novel, we assume fiction.

Narrative (as in “Narrative Nonfiction”) – Does it tell a story? “Narrative” as a noun is a story or account of events, thus “narrative nonfiction” is a nonfiction book that tells a story. The most obvious example of this is memoir, but narrative nonfiction can be about events in history, science, or any number of topics. It just needs a strong story driving the book.

Prescriptive (as in “Prescriptive Nonfiction”) – This is “how-to” or “advice” nonfiction. Any book that gives information or directions to guide the reader can be described as prescriptive. You can also think of it as any nonfiction book that does not tell a story.

Upmarket – This is a term used to describe fiction that is meant for a commercial audience, but is a little smarter or more sophisticated in its use of language, character, or plot. It’s difficult to say what exactly is “upmarket” because often those boundaries are set subjectively. As Elizabeth Evans likes to say, it is the sweet spot between commercial fiction and literary fiction. Think Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones. I’ve also heard a colleague offer Audrey Niffeneger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife as an example.

Synopsis – Typically, a synopsis pertains to a fiction submission. Nonfiction submissions should include proposals, not synopses (see “Proposal”). A synopsis is a 1-2 page(s) summary of the events of a story. That’s right, 1-2 pages, not 10. It is a general overview of the main conflict and how it is resolved, and it helps the reader see the arc of the characters and plot. It should reveal the ending or (if you insist on keeping the end a surprise) 95% of the story.

Proposal – Proposals are for narrative and prescriptive nonfiction submissions, and they function as the selling piece of a nonfiction book project. There are entire guides on how to draft a book proposal, and we can’t include all that information here. In brief, a proposal includes an overview of the book, information about the author and his or her platform (see “Platform”), an analysis of the market for the book and the book’s current competition, plans for publicity and promotion, and sample chapters of the book.

Platform – The platform is the marketing ability of the writer. It includes the education, training, and professional or personal experience that qualifies you to write your book. It also includes the ways you have built an audience or can connect to an audience through your writing (i.e. Do you have a blog? Are you part of a writers’ organization? Have you been published in relevant publications?). It is absolutely necessary for nonfiction writers to have a platform. It isn’t necessary for fiction writers to have one, but it helps. A platform helps convince an agent or editor that people will buy your book.

Exclusive – In publishing-speak, exclusive is a noun. As in, “I’d like to ask you for an ‘exclusive’ on your manuscript.” If an agent asks a writer for an exclusive, what they want is an exclusive look at the manuscript for a set period of time. An agent can ask for an exclusive for two weeks, a month, etc., and if the writer agrees to it, the writer cannot send the manuscript to any other agent that requests it during the agreed-upon time period. If you’ve already sent the full manuscript to one agent, you can’t give another agent an exclusive. If the agent with the exclusive passes, you can send it around again. The exclusive is a necessary tool for an agent because it guarantees that if we devote our time and editorial attention to a manuscript, it will still be available for representation. 

That's not a comprehensive list, but it's a start. I'll post again with some more terms soon. In the meantime, I hope that helps the publishing world feel a little less foreign!

Literary Paris

by Kimberley Cameron

Kimberley Cameron & Associates

The photo you see to your left is one I took today with my iPhone through a window of one of the many Anciennes Livres (bookstores) that line the streets of Paris. It's refreshing to see the reverence one finds for the written word - viewing this antique printing press is one of the many pleasures from which I profit, living in this stimulating and delightful city. People are reading everywhere. The buses are full and no one is idle - they are reading newspapers, books, journals, or writing on their laptops and notebooks. Haven't spotted a Kindle yet. The covers of the books are subtle - just the title of the book, usually in black and white, that entice one to pay attention to the content. No ostentatious book covers in these windows. Book signings abound, and I've been to several in the month that I've been here. Venues such as The American Library, The Village Voice, Shakespeare & CO, and yes, even The San Francisco Book Company are but a few that host and promote authors and support the expat literary community. There are also numerous writing groups in Paris. It is an ideal city in which to write, as the atmosphere is thick with the ghosts of ancient scribes. I'm having lunch on Sunday at La Closerie des Lilas, opened in 1847. The voices of Rimbaud, Jean-Paul Sartre. Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Henry Miller, etc. are but a few the authors that echo within. Paris is a city of dreams... And, oui, I'm reading manuscripts like crazy while I'm here, looking for that new voice.

Kimberley in Paris, 30 Octobre, 2009

From Bouchercon with Love (with guest blogger Rebecca Cantrell)

I (Elizabeth) often tell writers and agent friends that the mystery community is one of the most fun, supportive groups around.  It's one of the reasons I choose to rep the genre.  To say it's a lively bunch is a serious understatement.  Past experiences at the Book Passage Mystery Conference in Corte Madera, CA and Thrillerfest in NYC have taught me to expect some wild nights and pack my Advil for the next morning.  This is an incredibly welcoming group, with legendary, award-winning writers embracing newcomers, everyone offering advice and enthusiasm.  I enjoy their company immensely.   

The Bouchercon World Mystery Convention took place in Indianapolis earlier this month and I asked my mystery client Rebecca Cantrell (author of the A Trace of Smoke and other forthcoming titles in the Hannah Vogel series) to report from the front lines.

 

Books!

I love readers. I grew up in a family of readers, but once I entered school I discovered that most of my classmates did not yearn to sneak away and read during recess. They wanted to play soccer or Frisbee or jump rope. I was aghast, but muddled through, convinced that I was the last reader left in the world.

Then I grew up, wrote books, and discovered conferences, most recently Bouchercon. Unlike my elementary school, Bouchercon is full of people who love to read. Everyone read under their covers at night, everyone knows fictional characters that are more influential than real ones, and everyone wants to talk about their favorite books.

Where else can you have a passionate discussion about the merits of cover art before you even order lunch? (Sorry about that, Dan) Or last thing before you stumble off to bed? (You know who you are, David Liss and Reece Hirsch) Books matter and their covers matter too. And not just to me.

Where else can you have a serious discussion on the effects of war on characters in crime fiction to a standing room only crowd when the lunch hour is barely over? (Thanks, Suzanne Arruda, Charles Todd, James Benn, and Martin Limon, fellow panelmates).

Where else could I meet my delightful editor, Kristin Sevick, and fellow Tor authors, including the charming Loren Estelmann, Tony-the-man-who-knows-literally-everyone-Hays (I should have introduced him to Kelli-the-woman-who-knows-everyone-Stanley) and have a fascinating conversation with Mitchell Graham about fencing and the silver medalist at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (Helene Mayer, also the only Jewish athlete competing for Germany, someone whom Mitchell had actually met in person).

I signed countless books (OK, it was 88), and talked to writers and readers until the wee hours. All of this helped get me through the six hour time difference. Getting up at 2:30 in the morning my time to get over to the book bazaar required iron discipline and old-fashioned caffeine. It was worth it when I got there to see folks lined up, anxious for a chance to get free books. Books, books, books!

It was like coming home.

 

Aloha,

Rebecca Cantrell - www.rebeccacantrell.com

"A Trace of Smoke"

Forge Books May 2009

 

Change is in the Air...

It’s officially fall now and change is in the air. As you may have noticed, we at Reece Halsey have been brewing up some changes of our own that we’re excited to share with you...

We’re pleased to announce that Reece Halsey North, Reece Halsey New York, and Reece Halsey Paris have become one entity, under the new name of Kimberley Cameron & Associates. Though we’ve all been proud to carry on the legacy of Reece and Dorris Halsey and the legendary authors they represented under the Reece Halsey moniker, we feel our current team is poised for a new identity.

To go along with this transition, we are happy to welcome you to our new e-home at www.kimberleycameron.com. We are all very excited to show a fresh face to the industry, and we look forward to working with you under our new banner.

To quote the late John F. Kennedy: “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”