Posts Tagged ‘networking’

Dec

Writing Shouldn’t Be a Solitary Activity

Posted by: Michell in About Writing, Books, Irreverent Muse

In my early writing days I believed that it was just me and the words. No one else would ever be involved. I was totally alone.

I’ve since learned that writing doesn’t need to be so solitary. True, there are times when it should be just you and the keyboard, but there are many times when you should be around and involve other people. For example.

critiquing and feedback of your work – I have heard the opinion that a writer must write a million words before they have anything worth sending out. I would argue that a million words without any outside scrutiny doesn’t improve one’s writing much at all. The feedback around what works and what needs work is more valuable than the actual wordcount itself.
marketing and self-promotion – you might be surprised at how useful talking to editors, publishers, agents and other writers can be. A publisher who has a chance to get to know you might ask you to send your work to them because they like you and think you would be a good person to do business with (btw, if you didn’t know that writing is a business, it is). The same holds true for agents, editors and so on. It can also be useful to know other people doing similar things to you because then you can setup cross-promotion activities. The more ways people have to find you (unless you are trying to avoid notice), the better.
collaboration opportunities – not every book or story should be written by one person. Some projects are simply too big for one person to tackle. Case in point, my first anthology (being worked on with Jeffrey Hite). I’ve never done it before and I don’t think I personally have enough time to do (or even think of) everything that needs doing. Jeffrey is a great partner and has skills I don’t have that will make this project even better. Another reason for a collaboration is to bring in additional point-of-view. My example for this: the YA Steampunk JRMurdock and I are writing. We each bring a unique perspective to the story that has made it a lot of fun for both of us to write and I think to read.
shoulder to lean on – let’s face it, only writers really understand writers. Our fears and anxieties, our hopes. They tend to resonate with other writers. When we stumble, it’s nice to have someone there to help us back up. When we reach a new height, it’s fantastic to share the news with people who can truly appreciate it.

There are other reasons, but trust me when I say, I owe much of my success to others. Yes, I’ve kept working at my writing but there have been times when I’ve needed that little kick in the butt to keep going. To not give up. Some of my best ideas have come from conversations with other writers and friends that I couldn’t have gotten on my own.

You owe it to yourself to get out there and talk to people. It will help you to make the key contacts that will push you to the next level.

Tags: anthology, business, collaboration, critique, critiquing, feedback, marketing, million words, networking, opportunity, promotion, reading, self-promotion, steampunk, success, writing, YA, young adult

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Aug

So Many Ways to Network at a Convention

Posted by: Michell in Irreverent Muse

I’ve long said that conventions are great places to network, but I didn’t realize the true number of possible networking opportunities available until I attended “When Words Collide”.

There are the normal places like the dealer’s room. You can meet readers, writers and often publishers, editors and agents. The only key to success here is to be willing to talk to people and have business cards available.

Then there are the panels. If you are speaking on the panels, don’t be afraid to spend a few minutes pimping yourself. Do it in small bite-sized morsels throughout the panel. Be relevant and friendly. Don’t oversell yourself and, once again, have business cards available. If you are attending and listening to a panel, ask questions. Introduce yourself to other attendees and panelists. And, oh yes, have business cards available.

Then there are the room parties, lounges and restaurants. Go to any and all that you can. If you have met any people during the day, hang out with them at the parties and extend your circle of friends.

I had the pleasure of doing all of the above things and maybe even a couple more. I left the convention with many more acquaintances (and even a few new friends) AND I have several interviewees lined up and a potential pitch session for an upcoming project.

Not bad for a weekend.

The keys to my success? Business cards and the willingness to talk to people. It was a writer’s convention so I had no problem talking about my favorite topic. Of course, everyone else wanted to talk about the same thing so it was a win/win situation all around.

Tags: bar, business cards, dealer's room, lounge, networking, panels, restaurant, room parties, talking, when words collide

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Mar

What’s Next?

Posted by: Michell in Irreverent Muse, Promoting Your Book

I’ve put a lot of time into my writing, podcasting and networking. But what will I do when I actually get that elusive publishing contract? I have some ideas, but nothing concrete.

For example, I know I want to do signings, interviews (written, video and audio). I want to do readings at the local libraries, online, at schools and practically anywhere else I can think of.

What I don’t have a plan for or really understand is how these various activities will benefit the sales of my book(s) and that is where I think the plan falls way short. Without some sort of idea what will and will not work, how do I know where to put my energy?

For example, if I go to do a reading at the local library I might be able to get a couple sales to the library directly. But will I also be able to sell my books there? I don’t know. More investigation required.

And how about doing book store signings? I’ve seen too many authors sitting at a table looking bored to want to do that myself. How can I jazz up my own presentation? What will the bookstore actually allow? How much involvement can I ask for and expect from the book store and its employees? These are questions I need the answers to before I ever set foot into the store.

So far I’ve limited myself to local events. What about the online arena? We all know that the Internet gives us access to millions of perspective buyers. The question we must all ask ourselves is how do we get their attention? How do we make our work stand out and interest people enough that they want to buy what we’re selling? This is the holy grail we’re talking about now and I’ve heard of several different ways to handle the interaction. I’ve just never heard how best to involve and influence the Internet public.

To say I have to do more investigation here is a BIG understatement. I think what’s called for is some innovation too and that is what scares me the most. Innovation always means lots of hard work (and more than a little cleverness). I’m not afraid of work. I’m afraid I don’t have the right stuff to get it happening in the direction I want it to go.

I’d be very interested in what you have to say about this. How can I best connect with a potential audience? Please feel free to weigh in on this.

Personal Update

It has been a busy week. Just put out a new episode of ‘GalaxyBillies’ and I got another rejection on my fantasy novel. The rejection was an interesting one. The person who sent me the rejection letter gave me a few comments about where the story can be improved and then she said something that really struck a chord. She said (and I’m paraphrasing a little here) “What made this rejection so difficult is you can really write. I enjoyed reading your writing a great deal.”

WOW! You can probably imagine the smile that I had plastered to my face for the rest of the day.

I thanked her for her kind words and immediately sent my middle grade novel to her. We’ll see if that one is more to her liking.

On another note, this blog was nominated for an “Author Blog Award”. I don’t know much about this award other than the more nominations I get, the better. If you feel so inclined, please go to: http://bit.ly/90EVk1 and nominate the blog (www.irreverentmuse.com). I understand that anyone who participates is entered into a draw too, so there’s some additional motivation for you (beyond your simple love for this blog, that is).