Notes from the L.A. Writing Conference

 

bumptious - adjective - self-assertive to an irritating degree

Suffice it to say, I have been writing, publishing, and selling books since 1997. Although I would not describe myself as a "successful" writer because success today entails generous monetary receipts, but I have sold 5,000 copies of all four of my self-published titles entirely on my own in a glutted market. As an aside to those colleagues who have self-published recently, in 1997, the market was open to you. Stores in the present that charge you for shelf space in their stores actually used to buy your books and organize signings for you. Yes. You were treated just like a traditionally published author, meaning well. In short, it was a perfect world. Now I find myself looking for an agent like so many of you out there because it is just easier in the long run albeit perhaps not as potentially profitable as you might think. For instance, an agented writer who sells 5,000 copies at $10.00 a copy will walk away with $2,500 to $7,500 whereas a self-published author taking advantage of free on-line e-book publishing could make $20,000 to $35,000 and maintain control of the entire process. I, unfortunately, did stuff my wallet with that kind of cash as I  spent too much on paying printers, reviewers, and Amazon that takes potential profit from you upfront. Yet as I mentioned, things have gotten a little easier for the literary entrepreneur as long as you rely on online resources. 

Today, I shelled out about $350 (everything included, even the two pitches I made to agents) to attend the L.A. Writing Conference held in an unaccommodating hotel (as far as parking and food go) next to LAX. The would-be author attendees were calm, cool, and collected–not a one obnoxiously bumptious. Although it was not my first conference, I gleaned a lot from it (and if the stars line up correctly, maybe representation–keep me in your prayers), some of which I'd like to share with you. 

Just what are contemporary agents looking for in terms of the writing? 

1. Concise, dense language with minimal tropes (such as similes and metaphors) and adverbs (Stephen King doesn't like them either). As someone with a master's in creative writing, I disagree, but apparently practically nude syntax sells. F. Scott Fitzgerald's books might never have gotten a sideways glance in 2024. Thank Goodness he published a hundred years ago.

2. Too much in the way of scenes and little in the way of summary. (Don't let dialogue take over.)

3. Stay away from trite gimmicks like dream sequences.

If you are in the process of querying agents, remember to...

1. Watch your tone. Don't be overly familiar. No one wants to know that you have been writing since you were two.

2. Do your homework to find out what goes into a query. Make sure there are no typos.

3. Mention comps in your query even if the piece is fiction.

4. Start blogging and connect with organizations on-line that feature writers like yourself.

5. Know your audience. 

6. Put time into your synopsis. 

Ultimately, be disciplined, maintain a sense of humor, and be open to criticism. Do not even think about giving up until you have received at least 100 rejections. (Hint: What is selling right now is psychological thrillers and romances. If you have a fantasy, step in line as most of the pages entered for critique at the conference belonged to that genre.)

Good luck to all pursuing this avenue. Is it tough? You betcha. It isn't a route for the squeamish hitchhiker to thumb down. 

#advice for writers #publishing advice #writing conferences #L.A. Writing Conference #self-publishing #traditional publishing #literary agents