Lucky Day June 2, 2010

I registered for SiWC 2010 today.

I had to use the free wireless at McDonald’s to do it, but I was successful. I swooped into the restaurant like an avenging angel, ordering my meal with the speed and precise enunciation of an old-school grammarian, dared my drink to be too fizzy as I pressed the cup against the lever, and tackled a mother with her octuplets as I raced for the nearest unoccupied booth.

I slid along the plastic seat and whipped my laptop out before I collided with the far wall. I waited–allowing my fries to grow cold–drumming my fingers and hitting the refresh button with the speed of a sewing machine powered by a V8 engine. “Hot diddly!” I shouted, causing the poor employee to flinch and send the piping hot fry basket spiraling into the air, as the registration form came online.

I pounced – pounced like a grey whale sounding in the strait. With my credit card proudly waved aloft, I filled in the entry form between bouts of maniacal laughter. It was done! I won! I had registered for SiWC 2010 and got my first choice of agents for the pitch session and editors for the blue pencil session! BWA HA HA HA HA!!! *cue thunder and lightning*

My luck didn’t end here either. I was surfing through my blogroll and discovered a mini-contest being run by ‘The Authoress’: http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/2010/06/special-tiny-treat-for-other-side-of.html. I chose 250 words from my WIP, crafted a lead-in sentence, and waited, poised over the keyboard until the clock struck 6 p.m. PDT.

I was successful again! In fact, not only was I one of the first ten to enter, I WAS NUMBER ONE! I now have the privilege of having my 250 words ripped to shreds by anyone and everyone who wanders over to her blog… Hmm… perhaps this is not something to get excited about… Wait, yes it is. It’s totally cool. Besides, it was a contest, and I won! *happy dance*

Feel free to check her blog tomorrow to see what sort of feedback I receive. Or, you could wait for my blog post because you know darn well I won’t be able to shut up about it.

C.

SiWC Idol and a Contest June 1, 2010

I was stalking checking out the SiWC website today to obsess see what sorts of workshops are being offered, and I discovered SiWC Idol. This is a panel discussion where the first pages of people’s manuscripts are read aloud (by Jack Whyte) in front of the crowd and a group of four agents/editors. Mr. Whyte reads until the panel indicates they would stop reading if it were a submission crossing their desks. The panel then discusses what they liked/didn’t like about the submission – publicly and honestly.

Will I have the guts to put my pages in? Hellz yeah.

One of the best ways to learn where I need to improve is to get feedback. While this may seem to be a rather public, and horrifically humiliating, method of garnering input, I also think it’s highly powerful. When an agent pulls a submission from the slush, they do exactly what this panel does – they read until they can stop. As soon as the author writes something that turns the agent off, they stop and fire off a rejection letter. A form rejection doesn’t say how far an agent read, nor does it explain what made them stop reading, but this panel offers those precise insights from FOUR different agents/editors.

*fingers crossed* I hope my pages get chosen!

The other item I wanted to blog about tonight is a contest Nathan Bransford is running on his blog. It’s a short contest (closes Thursday at 4 p.m. PDT), but worthwhile if you’d like either a query critique, partial critique, or 10 minute phone conversation with Nathan. All you need to do to enter is submit the best “chase and/or action and/or suspense” scene (under 500 words) in the comments section of his latest blog post (http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/06/rock-paper-tiger-chaseaction-writing.html).

I’m going to see if I have anything worthy kicking around in either The Firestorm Conspiracy or Job Hunted and throw my hat into the ring.

C.

SiWC #2 May 31, 2010

I can afford to eat the meals! When I register for SiWC on Wednesday, I get to choose the Full Package!!! *SQUEE*

Now I must go and put my choices for the agent and editor meetings in order of preference in preparation for registering!

C.

SiWC 2010 May 25, 2010

The Surrey International Writers’ Conference is fast approaching! Yes, I know it’s not until mid-October, but registration starts in just SIX DAYS! I have taken to cruising their site (follow the link in the sidebar —->), lurking, and gobbling up the latest tidbits of information. I am far too excited given the conference itself is five months away, but it will be my first and I can hardly wait!

In order to prepare for registering, I have taken the time to learn about the various agents, authors, and editors who will be attending the conference. Included within my registration fee is one pitch appointment and one blue pencil editing session. I want to make sure I choose wisely in both of these options.

Of all the agents attending, there are seven who represent my genre(s). Of those, there are three I would love to pitch to.

The list of possibles for the blue pencil editing sessions is significantly longer. In addition to any of the seven agents who might volunteer, there are two editors and fifteen authors who I would gladly let rip into my manuscript.

I can’t afford to pay for the meals this year (the cost difference is about $150), which is too bad as so many people say all the best moments happen during the meal breaks, but I have to choose between packing a lunch or not going at all, and I am certainly NOT staying away.

Counting down the sleeps,

C.

Waiting April 21, 2010

The Epic Skype Contest (http://kortizzle.blogspot.com/2010/03/epic-contest-begins-today-skype-with.html) closes at 11:59 p.m. EDT tonight. As of 10:30 p.m. EDT, there are nine entries including my own (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TB8ButGTaI). I am excited and a whole lot nervous about the results of this contest. Despite the odds being extremely good (as far as contests go, 1:4.5 is way awesome), there will be seven people who don’t win. I am hoping my humorous approach to the task will work in my favour (I know it has set my vlog apart from the rest simply because the format is so very different), but there is also the possibility it will backfire too.

My first page on Page to Fame is still performing well. As of this post, I have 111 ratings and 50% want to see it move on to the next round (rated it a 4 or 5). If I win the Skype chat, I plan on discussing Job Hunted with the agents. I want to pitch it to agents at SiWC (http://www.siwc.ca/) in October, and while I’ve read about live pitches, I’ve never tried to put one together before.

Tomorrow, dear readers, the fortunes (good or bad) of my vlog post will be revealed. Stay tuned!

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

The Pitch April 15, 2010

The Surrey International Writers’ Conference people are gradually updating their site; sharing advance knowledge of some of the key guests in October. Every time I see a new tweet, or click on a link to a new page, I grow ever more excited about the upcoming conference. The latest tweet/post is just one example of the cool things planned for 2010.

One of the agents attending SiWC this year is Joanna Stampfel-Volpe from the Nancy Coffey Literary Agency. Joanna is very active on Twitter and recently made a hilarious Youtube video with fellow agent, Suzie Townsend, about a day in the life of a literary agent (http://confessionsofawanderingheart.blogspot.com/2010/04/day-in-life-of-suzie-jo.html). Not only am I excited about meeting an agent I recognize, but she also represents the genre I am currently working in. I am totally going to pitch my novel to her!

And that brings me to the vlog contest with Kathleen Ortiz and Suzie Townsend. In answer to the question: what do I want to get out of the Skype chat? My answer is simple: assistance with preparing an in-person pitch.

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Contest Update February 9, 2010

In order to help me keep track of what I have entered, and hope to enter, I decided to make today’s blog post about the contests influencing my writing life. As the deadlines approach, and as results are announced, I will be sure to let you know how I’ve done. In no particular order:

Writer’s Digest Your Story: Deadline February 10th, 2010. My entry is a short piece entitled, Magic Gone Awry.

L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future: Deadline April 1st, 2010. Word count limit is 17,000 words.

PARSEC’s Annual Writing Competition: Deadline April 15th, 2010. Word count limit is 3,500 words and must be written on the theme, “The colour of silence.”

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award: Deadline was February 7th, 2010. Those moving on to the second round of judging will be announced February 25th, 2010. My entry is my science-fiction novel, The Firestorm Conspiracy.

Writer’s Digest 79th Annual Writing Competition: Deadline May 14th, 2010. Word count limit is 4,000 words for the genre writing category.

Surrey International Writers’ Conference 18th Annual Writing Contest: Deadline September 10th, 2010. Word count limit is 5,000 words for fiction.

Writer’s Digest 10th Annual Short Short Story Writing Competition: Winners will be notified by February 12th, 2010. My entry was a short story called, Gossip.

I am currently working on a piece that I plan to enter in one of the contests I have not already entered. Which one will depend on the final word count, and with regards to the PARSEC contest, whether or not it addresses the theme. Thanks for letting me use this post to organize my writing contest life, and wish me luck!

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Donald Maass December 9, 2009

When I attended the book signing at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference in October, I heard wonderfully rave reviews of a workshop delivered by New York agent, Donald Maass. His latest book, The Fire in Fiction, sold out within minutes of his presenting his workshop. While there were lots of whispers and comments about other exciting and inspiring presenters and books, his name was the most commonly cited, and most universally acclaimed.

I never got to hear him speak. You don’t know how many times I have kicked myself around the block for that. Missing out on the conference has become one of my most sincere regrets since throwing out my old hockey and baseball (and, truth be told, Star Wars) cards. In an effort to ameliorate my loss, I recently ordered several new books on writing fiction. Three of them are by Donald Maass.

Despite having to prepare supper and look after two small children, I am finding it almost impossible to put Writing the Breakout Novel down. I am almost resenting the time I am spending writing this post because it is taking away from time I could be using to read. The book is thoroughly engaging, thought-provoking, and incredibly easy to read.

Regardless of what the future holds for me, or my writing, I know my novels and short stories will be dramatically improved from having read Donald Maass’ work. I never envisioned using my blog as an unpaid advertisement for another author, but as it is about my journey as a writer, I feel compelled to share my latest “Aha!” moment along the way.

From beyond the book covers,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com

Book Signing October 26, 2009

I had the pleasure of attending a book signing at a local Writers’ Conference on the weekend. I was unable to attend the conference itself, for which I am eternally bitter as from all accounts it was fabulous, but I was able to make time to meet a few authors on Saturday evening.

It was a fabulous experience! I clutched my books, waited in line, and tried very hard not to go all ‘rabid fan-girl’ on some of my favourite writers. The longest line was for Diana Gabaldon, but there were several other very popular authors. I felt privileged to meet Ms. Gabaldon, Jack Whyte, Terry Brooks, Anne Perry, and C.C. Humphreys, and they were only a small percentage of authors at the conference!

I am kicking myself for not learning about the conference early enough to be able to attend, but now that I know it happens every year, you can be guaranteed I will be there next year! Look out Surrey International Writers’ Conference – I’m attending in 2010, even if I have to camp outside to register!

If you’re reading this and you have attended a previous conference, please post a comment sharing your experiences and recommendations. I want to make the most of the experience, and feedback from others will go a long way in helping me prepare. Only 363 days to go until next year!

From beyond the keyboard,

Cheryl.

cherylangst@gmail.com