Getting to know the agents you pitch gives you an advantage, whether you’re adding a query to the slush pile with fingers crossed or pitching face to face at a conference like JRWC. We’re excited to announce that literary agent Beth Phelan from the Bent Agency will be joining us at this year’s James River Writer’s Conference. For those who want to know more about this agent eagerly looking for new writers, read on to see her interview with JRW Board member Kris Spisak.More
September 2013
JRWC13 Speaker Preview: An Interview with the Book Doctors
Maybe you’ve heard word of the Book Doctors and their Pitchapalooza. Maybe you’ve had the joy of seeing it live yourself at past James River Writers Conferences. The concept of presenting your elevator pitch to a panel of book marketing experts in front of a live audience might sound intimidating, but once you know Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry, co-founders of The Book Doctors, you can see how educational and entertaining the experience can be.
Recently, local author and JRW board member Erica Orloff had the chance to chat with Arielle and David. Here’s a sneak peak of their conversation:
Question 1: For newbie conference attendees, what do you think should be the “plan of attack” when attending a writing conference?
The primary reason to come to JRW is to learn and to connect with other writers, not to self-promote. A lot of people come to do the latter and they turn their fellow attendees and agents/editors off. That said, come with your pitch for your book down pat (both a one sentence and one minute version) so that if you’re asked about it, you are comfortable talking about it. Talk to as many people as you can. If you get some time with a professional, ask them about themselves and what advice they have. If you sign up for one-on-one sessions, make sure to do your research beforehand. For one, you want to be sure you’ve signed up with someone who represents books like yours. And two, it’s nice to show an agent you’ve done your homework.More
September 2013 Writing Show: Warring Words, Endless Possibilities
The Writing Show
Thursday, September 26, 2013
6:30-8:30 p.m.
The Camel
1621 W. Broad St., Richmond
Ample parking available in the Lowe’s parking lot across the street (Lowe’s and the Camel have a parking sharing agreement).
Description
Where will your story take you? History can be revealed in countless ways.
Best-selling author Dean King will bring his experience with his book The Feud to the stage of the Writing Show this month. He’ll be joined by his editor Geoff Shandler from Little, Brown and Company, and Darrell Fetty, producer of the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning miniseries, The Hatfields & McCoys.
Dean and his panelists will discuss his manuscript’s many-legged journey. He’ll share the lessons he learned from the experience and how your stories might share the same success.
Recap: Unearthing the true story of the Hatfields and McCoys feud by Sheila Sheppard Lovelady and Jacqueline Hatch