For the record, this is the entry I was supposed to write last week. Last week's entry demanded to be talked about sooner, and now I regret last week's entry almost entirely, because now I have people looking forward to a story that, assuming everything goes as well as possible and I don't hate the entire thing as soon as I've finished writing it, probably won't be reader-worthy until 2016.
Anyway.
Before I started this whole blogging thing, I hardly knew about the various "help you find an agent" writing contests. I heard Rena mention them now and again when she was participating, and I had my doubts about them.
I've often seen agents described as the "gatekeepers" of the publishing world; they're the ones with the connections, so they decide who uses those connections. Entering contests seemed like adding yet another gate, and that never seemed like a good thing to me - the whole publishing process is enough of a pain, why make it more complicated?
After participating in a few, though, I don't see it the same way. I've received some good feedback from contests, and that helped me solve a few key issues with THE ACCIDENTAL WARLOCK's opening chapter. Just reviewing that first chapter over and over for various contests has helped it as well.
Reviewing my query letter for Pitch Wars helped too, as I caught an errant 'and' that I'd somehow missed when I sent said query out to over twenty different agents. >_<
Also, I think the agents participating in these contests are more likely to give better consideration to contest entries than the usual daily query letters. Contest entries will, in theory, have had the hell polished out of them and be better for it, and I've heard a lot of success stories. So it seems less like the contests are another gate, but something to give you a better chance of getting through the gate in the first place.
Yes, I'm stubborn enough that it took me a while to realize that.
On a personal note, back when I was working with SKYBORNE, I actually won a full request from a contest I entered. I was beyond excited, for obvious reasons; the readers were from a quite successful small press. Unfortunately, I didn't know that this small press only handled books with a heavy romance element, and the romance in that book was barely there. Even now, I feel like that quasi-win hardly counts. -_- It's for the best, though. That book would have been a horrible way to start a series. I mean, when you not only save the entire world but quite literally put it back together in the first book, what the hell do you do for a sequel?
Next entry: umm. Next Wednesday is the last day I'm here before leaving for DragonCon. I can't promise a thing. ^_^
You and I are a lot alike, Mason. I tend to dig my heels in and am slow to admit the error of my ways. LOL Enjoy DragonCon.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I get serious tunnel vision sometimes - I have to make myself stop and think if there's another way to do something, instead of just bashing my head against the same wall. (Metaphorically.) I'm getting better about it, though.
DeleteWrite On Con is a free online conference where writers can get lots of feedback from agents. I wasn't sure if it was happening again this year, but apparently it is! Here is the link, in case you're not already familiar with it: http://writeoncon.com/
ReplyDeleteI have heard about it, and I'll take a look at it this year. Thanks.
DeleteWinning a romance pitch with a non-romantic book sounds like something I would do. (Meaning they'd be just as disappointed to discover no romance in the rest of it.)
ReplyDeleteFeedback helps and I also know a lot of writers who have secured deals from contests.
Going to DragonCon? Very cool!
Yeah, it's the only full request I've ever received, and like I said, it feels like it doesn't count. But we'll see what happens with Pitch Wars.
DeletePitchwars was what got me published. =) I LOVE pitchwars and the coaches are all amazing.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that, that's awesome. ^_^ The mentors I sent to seemed like people who'd be looking for what I write, so here's hoping it goes well.
DeleteToes crossed for you!
DeleteHeh, thanks. ^_^ As of today, I still haven't received any Pitch Wars rejections, and I'm hoping that's a good sign.
DeleteYou could also try and find a conference where you could pitch to an agent in person. It's nerve-racking, true, but it's a great experience. Are you on Twitter? There's so much information on there. If you follow a few agents I'm sure you'd find lots more resources and info about contests. Have fun at DragonCon:)
ReplyDeleteI am on Twitter, and I do hear about contests and the like on there. And there are writing-based things happening at DragonCon, like last year when a bunch of agents talked about what *not* to do. I should recall that for next week's entry...
DeleteWrite On Con is next week, and it is pretty awesome. I've never had an agent request up to a full from a contest, and I've had lots of partials from contests, so there's that.
ReplyDeleteLucky you. :P And I'll check out Write On Con, but most of it happens when I'm at work, so I don't get the chance to really participate. But I'll see if there's anything helpful there.
DeleteI participated in PitchMad last year and was pleased with the results. Thanks for the reminder to try something like that again. My tweet-sized pitches should not be gathering virtual dust...
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to do the same, if my book isn't chosen. Still need to figure out how to fit essential details into ~130 characters. O_o
DeleteInteresting post. Looking back at what we might of done or even considered is always eye opening. Sometimes I truly ask, what was I thinking. Nice to know your feet are on solid ground. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette
I think that all of us look back and wonder what we were thinking sometimes. ^_^ I know that I'm very glad the internet wasn't around when I first started writing, else some of my old stuff might still be online somewhere. Yeesh!
DeleteOoo, hope you're having fun at DragonCon!
ReplyDeleteI doubted the value of the contests, too, but now I agree that they're a great way to learn, polish your stuff, and edit - and maybe someday even get published :) That's the dream, anyway, although you have to find the right contest!
Not leaving for DragonCon 'till tomorrow, but it should be awesome. ^_^ And yeah, I don't participate in many contests, but I've received some good feedback, so here's hoping this round goes well.
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