Tips and pointers from visiting agent Janet Reid

AWW was privileged to have two agents visit this year! One was Janet Reid, from Fine Print Literary Management. Workfellow Wes Gilbert shares the six things Janet says writers MUST know before working with an agent:
1. What type of book you're writing--fiction, nonfiction, genre, etc.
2. Understand agents represent and advocate for you, but typically they are not editors or sounding boards.
3. Remember that publishers add value to your work and give you access to a market you can't reach.
4. Warning signs for non-legitimate agents and publishers: asking you for morney, and not adding value.
5. Mistakes won't kill you (or your career).
6. The best way to be a great writer is to be a great reader.

Learn more about querying and other publishing industry insight at Janet's blog, Query Shark.

Saturday Seminar Round Up

Sixty-five writers attended AWW's first ever Saturday Seminar on July 10. Here are some highlights from AWW Workfellow Wes Gilbert:

1. Morning Keynoter and fiction teacher Carrie Bebris noted that everything in fiction--including plot--comes first from character; not so much surface details, but what those details represent about the character. Carrie shared a brief exercise for getting to know your character better: write a first-person paragraph in which the character introduces him or herself.

2. Heather Webber taught "Nuts and Bolts of Publishing and How to Query." Heather pointed out it's important to remember a query is a business letter. Describe your work in present tense. And don't apologize in your letter (e.g., for not being published.)

Jeff Bruce shared pointers on how to write non-fiction, while Becky Morean gave tips on how to bring out and enjoy your inner writer.

Next year's AWW will be July 9-15, 2011.

Antioch Writers' Workshop Announces FREE, Open to Public Readings

Antioch Writers’ Workshop is pleased to announce the following free, open to the public events held during the week of its 25th annual workshop:
--Saturday, July 10: Keynote by Sigrid Nunez
--Sunday, July 11: Readings by Nancy Pinard, Ralph Keyes and Trudy Krisher
--Monday, July 12: Readings by Katrina Kittle, John Drury, Crystal Wilkinson
--Tuesday, July 13: Readings by Ann Hagedorn, Donald Pollock, Becky Morean
--Thursday, July 15: Readings by Cathy Smith Bowers, Matthew Goodman, Sigrid Nunez
--Friday, July 16: Readings by Selected AWW Full Week Participants

Keynote and Readings are all at 7:00 p.m., Antioch University Midwest (900 Dayton Street, Yellow Springs, OH 45387), in auditorium, with book signings to follow. No readings on Wednesday, July 14... but drop by The Emporium in Yellow Springs at about 7:00 p.m., where AWW Full Week participants will give open mic readings.

The workshop is held in partnership with Antioch University Midwest and with support from the Yellow Springs Community Foundation; Ohio Arts Council; The Frank Pace, Jr. Foundation; and WYSO (media sponsor).