A Special Message from Susan Brooks, Chairperson for the Colorado Gold Writers Conference

If you are an aspiring writer or even a seasoned published author, one of the best things you can do for yourself to improve your craft and get your name out is attend writers’ conferences.

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers has been hosting its annual conference, Colorado Gold, for 30 years and this year is no exception. Scheduled for September 7-9 in Denver and considered to be one of the best writers’ conferences in the United States, this very reasonably priced educational and inspirational weekend is an excellent way to network with other writers, pitch your competed manuscript to acquiring editors and agents (pitch appointments are free), and hone your writing skills by attending some of the over 55 workshops offered.

Those nervous about pitching their work to editors and agents can attend the workshop “Making the Perfect Pitch” given by Katharine Sands from the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. This three-hour workshop will teach you everything you need to know about how to pitch your book with confidence and finesse. Even if you are not ready to pitch your story quite yet, this opportunity to learn this specialized but necessary skill is invaluable to your writing career. Writing is a business, and you need to know how to sell yourself and your book.

One of the hottest master classes to attend this year is “Goal, Motivation, and Conflict” given by Debra Dixon. Debra is a master teacher sought out by many writers all over the country, and her workshops and books are referenced by other authors in many writing how-to books.

New authors can attend “Introduction to Novel Writing” given by Sharon Mignerey. Sharon is the author of multiple books and long-time teacher. This master class is a great way to learn how to take your novel idea and transform it into a great publishable story.

Other master classes include “The Mock Crime Scene” taught by CSI Tom Adair, “Law for the Lone Wolf: Contract and Business Advice for the Self-Represented and/or Self-Published Author” given by practicing literary attorney Susan Spann, “Writing Characters that Live” by RMFW’s very own Carol Berg (and Writer of the Year), and “SCENEWORKS: Writing the Robust Scene” given by Trai Cartwright, a well-known entertainment industry professional.

Registration for Colorado Gold is open through September 7th, however master class registration ends August 15th. You will need to act quickly to take advantage of these specialized educational opportunities. Don’t miss out.

To register for Colorado Gold and to download the online brochure, visit http://www.rmfw.org/conference. Your registration at Colorado Gold includes all regular workshops, Friday night Italian Buffet, continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings, the Saturday evening banquet (attire is casual to formal), and the Sunday luncheon.

The conference is located at the Denver Renaissance Hotel (I-70 and Quebec). Be sure to mention RMFW when you register at http://www.denverrenaissance.com/ to ensure you receive the discounted rate. Hotel registration includes free parking and Wi-Fi.

If you have any questions you can contact me at conference@rmfw.org. I hope to see you in September at this amazing event.

Susan Brooks
Conference Chairperson
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers

Literary Agent With The Seymour Agency: Nicole Resciniti

E-mail interview by Pat Stoltey

Nicole Resciniti is an AAR accredited literary agent with The Seymour Agency. She represents most fiction genres and occasional nonfiction.

According to the January 2012 interview on Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents blog, Nicole is a member of AAR, ACFW, RWA, and Mensa. She has degrees in biology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience.

CIR: Nicole, have your studies given you any help in unraveling the writer’s mind and behavior, or is that a hopeless quest?

Nicole: The psych definitely helps (grinning). From a neurological standpoint, creativity is a process. I’m always fascinated by the ways in which the human mind works, where people draw inspiration, how they select their words. I don’t think writing is a glimpse into an author’s soul, but I do think there is something indicative of the author’s beliefs/perspectives in everything they craft. I love getting to know someone through their books.

CIR: At what point in your life did you decide to become a literary agent, and what attracted you to that profession?

Nicole: I didn’t follow a traditional publishing track. I had interned with Mary Sue and found that I could help a lot of people. There is no better feeling in the world than making ‘the call.’ It is rewarding and joyous and satisfying in a way I don’t think I can adequately express. I LOVE my authors. I think they are among the most talented people on the planet. It’s a privilege to be able to assist them on their literary journey.

CIR: What are your most recent book sales? What authors and new releases are you promoting this summer?

Nicole: My most recent sales include Cecy Robson’s urban fantasy series, beginning with SEALED WITH A CURSE: A WEIRD GIRLS NOVEL (PENGUIN) which debuts in 2013 and Kaitlyn Ballenger’s paranormal romance EXECUTION UNDERGROUND SERIES (HQN) which also debuts later next year. I really like finding unpublished authors. Their debuts are an inspiration to everyone that it can be done!

For this summer, I have a bunch of projects that I absolutely love. I’m listing them alphabetically:

--Macy Beckett—This author also writes as Melissa Landers. Macy’s contemporary romances are set in Sultry Springs, Texas, where first loves find second chances. SULTRY WITH A TWIST, marks the first in this series. These are fun, flirty, bring-to-the-beach reads. Love this author! As Melissa Landers, her YA series kicks off later next year from Disney with ALIENATED.
--Amanda Carlson—You can check out the prequel to her UF series with the novella BLOODED, which is available now. Her kick-ass Jessica McClain series launches with FULL BLOODED (ORBIT, a division of HBG), both here and in the U.K. If you’re into action and adventure, with some sexy supernaturals, she’s your girl.
--Amanda Flower—Her Amish-inspired cozy mysteries release from B and H Publishing, beginning with A PLAIN DEATH. The heroine is awesome and once you read one, you’ll wish you had the whole series at your fingertips!
--Julie Ann Walker—Julie’s series features the men of Black Knights Inc. They’re custom motorcycle mechanics by day and Uncle Sam’s last resort by night. HELL ON WHEELS marks the first book, with back-to-back releases beginning in August. This author is amazing!
--In the fall, look for CONJURE by Lea Nolan and Jaime Rush’s new paranormal series THE HIDDEN.

CIR: How do you find most of your new clients?

Nicole: Variety of ways. Conferences, recommendations and slush. Meeting clients is helpful because the agent/author partnership is a close one.

CIR: You and Mary Sue will be attending and taking pitches at quite a few writers’ conferences this year. What advice do you have for authors who want to pitch their novel to you?

Nicole:  Know your work. Be calm. Remember that we want new clients. We want to like your work. Prepare something that reads like the back cover of a book, a couple of paragraphs that comprise the essence of the project. Know your word count, target audience, and any comparable authors.

Try to make sure the agent you're pitching reps what you’re trying to pitch them. We don’t handle poetry, for example, so if someone were to take a pitch appointment with me about a poetry book, I would, unfortunately, have to pass on the project.

CIR: What are you currently looking for in genre and sub-genre? What are you tired of reading?

Nicole:  I’m open to anything commercial right now. I’m not really looking for any non-fiction at this point, unless there is a really strong platform.

I ALWAYS want romance, YA, MG, and anything sci-fi/fantasy. I’m burnt out on Dystopian and vampires. I’m very interested in contemporary stories, both YA and women’s fiction. I’d like to find more category fiction.

CIR: According to your agency’s guidelines, you accept e-mail and snail mail queries and are open to submissions at this time. What do you want to see in a query letter?

Nicole: The best queries, to me, read like the back cover of a book. Concise, engaging, and just enough to make me want to know more. I always need genre and word count, and any info about the author is appreciated.

I, personally, don’t take snail mail. Electronic is free and better for the environment.

In the email submission, please paste in the first five pages of the manuscript. Sometimes I skip straight over the query and right into the story.

CIR: The publishing world and social media opportunities have changed a lot since the January GLA interview. What kind of web presence do you recommend today for the unpublished author who’s looking for an agent?

Nicole: Start building your platform now. Website, Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, Goodreads, reviews… Get your name out there and establish an online presence. Editors look for this. They will check you out to see what you have to say and to determine if you’re dedicated to the marketing or just a random poster. With that said, make sure what you’re saying is professional. The industry is small and bashing another author or editor is NOT advisable.

CIR: Once a book is sold, what do you expect from your client in the way of marketing and promotion? For instance, do publishers ever send new authors on book tours? Do you think blog book tours (virtual tours) are useful?

Nicole: B and H is sending Amanda Flower on a very large book tour. Other houses are advertising for my authors in RT and RWR, Goodreads and/or on Facebook. Promotional materials are available and we negotiate for things like that throughout the process. I am 100% behind blog tours. These are a very useful way to reach readers and reviewers and with so much of the industry moving into digital fields for reading and purchasing, obtaining reviews and being accessible to readers is a must. We work with our authors to establish a balanced approach to marketing and advertising their upcoming releases. Our agency loop allows our authors to share information and marketing strategies. We encourage networking.

CIR: Finally, what do you do for fun (besides reading our queries and submissions)?

Nicole: Eat. I love food. Sad, and perhaps overly simple. But a good meal makes me happy. I also run (not fun, lol), but it helps with the stress and keeps me from becoming totally sedentary, as staring at a computer for ten hours a day can do.

CIR: Nicole, thanks so much for being our guest on the rock today.

Nicole: It was an absolute pleasure! Thank you so much for hosting me. I would just like to thank every author out there for giving me a job and something to get excited about each morning when I check my inbox. Keep writing. Do NOT give up. You can achieve your dream. Throughout your journey, I wish you the very best!

Writers can learn more about Nicole Resciniti and Mary Sue Seymour at the agency website and on Facebook. Nicole can also be found on Twitter.

Ten Things About Writing Most Writers Don't Love

by Pat Stoltey, who loves writing most of the time:

1. Writing takes an enormous amount of time with no guarantee of success. The best advice a writer receives is “Don’t give up your day job.”

2. In order to get published, a writer must write a whole book, revise it multiple times, self-edit the final draft until it shines, then make another round of revisions and editing changes (or two) to satisfy an agent and/or editor.

3. Finding an agent and/or publisher could take years because the competition is fierce, the submission process is cumbersome, and writers are prone to procrastination.

4. Many agents and editors don’t send confirmations when they receive a query or partial, and many don’t send rejection notices. They employ other torture devices as well: offering pitch sessions and slush pile critiques at conferences, taking submissions only on referrals, or conducting public floggings (often called critiques) on their blogs.

5. Once a contract is signed with a traditional publisher, it can still take eighteen months or more for the book to be released (assuming the publisher doesn’t go out of business before the release date, opening the whole new problem of getting your rights back).

6. Self-publishing gets a book published faster, but there are additional expenses involved and the amount of time required for book promotion is even greater. You still won’t be able to quit your day job.

7. The publishing and bookselling industries are changing so fast it takes hours of reading to keep up. Hours of time you don’t have, by the way.

8. Non-writers think all writers make a lot of money. This one always cracks me up.

9. Most writers don’t make a lot of money. Many writers spend more money on editors, supplies, organization dues and conferences, and book promotion than they make in advances and royalties.

10. If a writer gets lucky and produces a bestseller, he will be inundated with requests for free books, blurbs, whole manuscript critiques, public appearances, blog posts, interviews, and money. Success at last?

Interview with Agent Sharon Belcastro

Interview with Agent Sharon Belcastro
by j.a. kazimer

It is my pleasure to interview my agent, Sharon Belcastro of the Belcastro Agency for the Chiseled in Rock Blog. Sharon's been my agent for over four years, and I cannot say enough good stuff about her, but I'll let you read for yourself.

JK: Welcome Sharon. Thank you for taking time to answer a few questions for us. First off, can you tell our readers what genres you accept and what sort of thing you're currently looking for?

SB: Thank you Julie. I am so humbled by your kind words and your interest to interview me because I’m really not that interesting. Ha ha. We accept fantasy, all things paranormal, historical fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, YA, crime, thriller and suspense, true crime and crime fiction. We aren’t so crazy about chick lit, erotica or straight romance. Right now we are looking for that novel that is unique and addictive regardless of genre. One that grabs us from the first chapter. You know like, "Opening my good eye, I tried to focus, something I regretted immediately. Ivan wasn’t wearing pants, or underwear, or skin for that matter. He stood in front of me in full muscle, veined, and skinless splendor. 'Laundry day?' I gestured to his sagging pectorals." (from The Body Dwellers by me. I told you that Sharon rocks!).

JK: How did you get started in the publishing/agent business?

SB: I’ve always been a geeky book worm. While all the other kids in the neighborhood were playing kick the can, I was sitting on the steps reading a book. But it took me a lot of years to realize I could actually do something with that passion. After a degree in engineering, a master’s in business and 20 years in corporate America, I decided I wanted to really LOVE my job rather than just make a good living. So I took all that I had learned from the business side, took a year studying the publishing business, brought on the talent I needed from the writing side in my partner Ella Marie and launched Belcastro Agency.

JK: How many queries do you receive in an average week? From those, how many requests do you make?

SB: We receive about 50 queries per week and may request 2-3 full manuscripts although we only sign 1 in several hundred manuscripts.

JK: What unique features make you sign a client/manuscript?

SB: A really unique voice and concept and a writer that is not completely head over heels in love with themselves.

JK: What is the most important thing a writer can do for their career?

SB: When it comes to writing, read-read-read. After being published, get your name out there through every outlet applicable. Find all the Facebook pages and communities that relate to your genre and get engaged. Share your advice, experience, expertise, articles you find helpful, everywhere and anywhere you can. Of course mentioning your book as often as you can without being too obnoxious about it.

JK: (CURSES! CURSES! CURSES! CURSES! CURSES! CURSES! CURSES! CURSES! CURSES!) Oops, sorry about that...

JK: What are your current favorite books?

SB: Besides those from our beloved authors of course, I’m tending toward the quirky or the literary these days. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein, anything Christopher Moore, Mistress Shakespeare by Karen Harper, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier, Water for Elephants, The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S King, Henrietta Hornbuckle's Circus of Life by Michael de Guzman and currently reading The Midget's House (A Circus Story...A Love Story...A Ghost Story) by Anita Bartholomew. I could go on for hours. And I just noticed there seems to be a circus theme running through my list. Hmmmmm.

JK: Thoughts on E/Indie Publishing? Will it eat all of publishing as we know it?

SB: Given the way of movie and music stores, I’d say it’s really going to put up one heck of a fight if it doesn’t.

JK: And finally, what advice do you have for new writers?

SB: Read, read, read. Learn what agents and editors are looking for and not looking for in terms of writing. Ask for and take criticism well. And finally, don’t start your query letter with, “I’m giving you two weeks to read my future best selling novel…………”


Thank you, Sharon, for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us
Thank you girl. Love you loads!
.
If you are interested in learning more about or the guidelines for submission at the Belcastro Agency, please visit http://www.belcastroagency.com/

Literary Agent Rebecca Strauss

KD: Thank you, Rebecca, for joining us today at The Rock. We’re so looking forward to getting to meet you at the RMFW Colorado Gold Conference in September. Thanks so much for agreeing to an interview so that folks can get to know a little more about you.

RS: It’s my pleasure! I’m thrilled to be participating in the Colorado Gold conference. I’ve heard wonderful stories and can’t wait to meet everyone!

How long have you been with McIntosh and Otis? What did you do before becoming an agent?

I’ve been at McIntosh & Otis for nearly 6 years. The daughter of two English professors, I got my start in publishing during college by interning at Algonquin Books and Duke University Press. After graduation, I moved from North Carolina to NYC and worked in pharmaceutical PR. It provided a wonderful opportunity to pitch to journalists, but—unsurprisingly—I was not as excited and passionate about what I was pitching. And, I knew that I needed to return to my true obsession-- books.

I was introduced to the world of the literary agency at Trident Media Group where I worked on foreign rights. After Trident, I explored how books translated in different forms and moved to Sony, working as a development assistant and book scout for TV movies and miniseries. Quite fun! Though, I greatly missed working directly with authors.

When I came to M&O, I realized that I was doing exactly what I wanted to do. The job of an agent encompassed so many aspects of my interests. I love working with authors to polish their work and I adore convincing editors that I have the next FABULOUS book that they must read! And, of course, there’s so much more to the job. We usher authors through every stage of the publishing process, managing their relationship with editors, etc… I could go on and on!

How many queries do you receive a week or month on average? Have you noticed an increase over the past couple of years? Do you think more people have taken up writing fiction and if so, why do you think that is?

I probably receive a few hundred a month. There does seem to be an increase in submissions. I think NaNoWriMo might have something to do with it! We receive a ton of submissions in December and January. That said, there are probably several factors at work. There’s so much available information online about agents and it’s easier to query with online submissions. These advancements have taken some of the guess work out of the process.

I’m not sure if more people are writing fiction these days. I personally can’t get enough fiction. I think it can serve so many important and fun purposes—from examining the human condition to providing pure entertainment. So, continue sending great novels!!

What are four of the biggest mistakes you see writers make in their queries and beginning manuscript pages? What immediately makes you say "no" and alternately, what hooks you?

You’ll probably have heard many of these before. There’s a reason, though… ☺

1. Not researching submission guidelines. Did you send the right materials? Email? Snail mail? Attachments?
2. Not researching what an agent represents. For example, I’m clueless about picture books!
3. Misspelling an agent or agency’s name. That’s not an automatic no, but it’s not going to make us smile.
4. Typos. We can ignore/forgive a few typos in a 300+ page manuscript. But in a 1 page query letter? That’s pretty tough. You should show that letter to dozens of people to get feedback. People you’re not married to, related to or who work for you. People who will tell the unvarnished truth!!

My other note might sound a little contrary. Allow the tone of your voice in the book to come through in the query letter. We can definitely tell the query letters that have been workshopped to death. They become cold, dull and monotone. AND, they don’t fit what you’ve written. Be short and sweet in your letter, but if it’s a humorous book, it would be nice to see a little of that in the letter. This doesn’t need to be a gimmick —- make it authentic. Get me excited about what I’m going to read.

What hooks me? Having done your research. A short, straightforward letter that clearly and eloquently tells me about your story and yourself. I don’t need bells and whistles. You don’t need to apologize for taking my time. I’m eager to find new projects and always hoping to read something amazing. Just jump right into the good stuff!!

When you're considering a new client, how much do you take market into account? If you receive a great manuscript that's not in a “hot” market, do you pass on it? Or does a good story always sell?

That’s a tough one. If I’ve fallen in love with a book, I’ve fallen in love and will want to talk with the author no matter what. However, it’s part of an author’s and an agent’s job to be aware of the market. For example, when chick lit got very hard to sell, even the most fabulous books were nearly impossible to place. But—you’ve likely heard this—what’s hot now probably won’t be hot in the 12-18 months it will take to publish your book. So, writing to the trend that’s on bookshelves right now is not the smart way to go. Write the story that you’re compelled to write.

What genres seem to be most popular right now? What trends or themes do you see as being in high demand among publishers?

Whenever people say that they want ‘big’ books, we roll our eyes. However, it’s quite challenging to sell quiet, literary gems these days. There’s a devoted audience for them—and I love and represent them! But it’s tough. ‘Big’ books often mean something that’s commercial and high concept. And, high concept books can be pitched in just a couple sentences and have a big hook.

How has the fluctuating climate in publishing (both due to a struggling economy and changing technologies) impacted how you do your job?

We’re still trying to gauge how the recent closing of Borders will change business. Right now, we’re anticipating—and already seeing-- a decrease in first printing numbers.

And, of course, the sea change that resulted from the advent of the ebook is still developing. I think that agents are looking for interesting opportunities for authors to reach the ebook-buying audience. Among other possibilities, we’re exploring our authors participating in digital short story programs and anthologies. And, of course, the blog tours and ebook book clubs can be invaluable.

What would an ideal author-agent relationship be for you?

Professional and friendly. This is a business relationship, but it’s also an incredibly intimate relationship. We’re working to place your beloved book. And, it’s a book with which I’m completely obsessed!! I sound like a self-help fanatic, but communication is key to any relationship, and that’s true here. I want the process to be transparent and I want my authors to understand every step that we’re taking. It’s a wonderful and exciting journey and we need to be partners.

Are you taking submissions? Anything in particular you'd love to see right now?

Definitely!! I’d love to see so many categories. Touching, funny women’s fiction. Gorgeous literary fiction. Thrilling mysteries. Steampunk. Original urban fantasy. Fabulously fun romance. Intriguing YA. Informative and innovative nonfiction. Engaging pop culture.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you so much, Rebecca! You can learn more about the McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency by visiting their website. Better yet, why not meet Rebecca in person at this year's Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference. There's still space available, but it's filling up fast so if you haven't registered yet, what are you waiting for? This is one of the best writers' conferences in the country. We hope to see you there!

Karen Duvall

Networking: How to Connect with Critique Partners, Agents & Editors

From Tamela Buhrke

There is nothing like connecting with a fellow writer when you are stuck or need someone to bounce an idea off. Yet, as your career progresses, you will need more than just a pat on the back. You will need guides and experts who can help you put your writing career into the fast track. When networking to build your writing career, there are several areas you will want to explore. First, find critique groups and writing coaches. Second, network with agents, editors and published authors.

The Benefits of Critique Groups

If you’ve been showcasing your work to friends and family, then you may not be getting the most accurate assessment of your work. Critique groups can be a healthy reality check, offering feedback from more experienced writers.

If you are nervous about meeting with people, or just don’t have the time for an ongoing critique group, then an online critique site is the way to go. The nice thing about starting with an online site is that it’s impersonal. You won't be worried about hurting a friend’s feelings and they won’t worry about hurting yours. The critique of your work will be unbiased. Here are a few online critique sites:

• CritiquCircle.com
• Scribophile.com
• Writersbeat.com
• Writing.com
• Reviewfuse.com

Each of these sites offers different styles for critiques. Some are offered by fellow writers and some by regular readers. Each will offer a different perspective so use your judgement to see which site is right for you.

If you need something more consistent and personal, that’s when a real world critique group might be better for you. One of the benefits of a critique group that meets in person is that you get more than just the feedback on your own work. You get friendship and camaraderie. You also have the benefit of learning each other’s style. The critiques can become more relevant and personalized.

How do you find a local critique group? Sometimes writing organizations have critique groups you can join—Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers does here. You can also build one yourself. Start by pulling from the friendships you have built in your writing communities. Once you have a base, you can build your group by posting membership openings on sites like Craig’s List, Meetup and even Twitter.

Networking with Agents & Editors

Once you have your critique groups, now it’s time to find people who can give you insider industry information. There is no better place to get to know and learn from agents and editors than Facebook and Twitter.

I heard that collective groan. I have no sympathy for you.

With these two social media sites, you can tap directly into the minds and hearts of the most sought after people in the publishing industry; agents, editors and successful authors. Every day, I follow agents and editors on Twitter. I read agent’s complaints about industry issues and query letters mishaps. I see their requests for certain genres or styles of work. Reading their tweets regularly is a great way to get to know the style and interests of specific agents.

Best of all, you can often ask them questions about your genre and get tips on everything from the best time of the year to query to how to market your book and more. Just please, please don’t try to pitch or query an agent or editor on Twitter or Facebook. That is considered rude. Instead, use the opportunity to learn from and about them.

Be professional. These social networking sites provide an opportunity for getting information and starting intelligent conversations. Earn respect from these people by being interested in them and learning from them. Build a relationship with them and it can only benefit you as you go into pitch sessions or send query letters.

Networking this way works. My experience is a perfect example. Last summer I was on Facebook, searching for writing groups. I ran across the RMFW Facebook page. On that page, I chatted with a someone named Dave. I didn't know him, but he knew a lot about the upcoming Gold conference. We agreed to connect at the Conference. After our meeting, I offered to help him with this blog. After some time to consider it, he agreed. Now I blog with this great group of writers and have had the opportunity to interview agents and editors. If I hadn’t started that conversation with Dave on Facebook, I wouldn’t have had this wonderful opportunity.

That is the power of networking.

Next week we'll take networking to a whole other level. I'll go over how to use your connections to build a marketing team and grow your readership.

See you next week!