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"Guide to Literary Agents" - 2 new articles

1. How to Get the Most Out of a Writing Group
2. The 5 Keys to Selling Your Nonfiction Book or Memoir -- Webinar, April 21, 2011
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How to Get the Most Out of a Writing Group

In my novel, The Writing Circle, when one member of my fictional writing group does something which betrays another member, the unintended consequences extend far beyond the group itself. Readers often ask whether I belong to a writing group, and if this is a story about my own group.    

I currently belong to two writing groups and have belonged to several in my career, and although the Leopardi Circle, the group in The Writing Circle, isn’t about any of them, I’ve certainly drawn on my experiences to shape the scenes where the characters meet and discuss their work.

Corinne is excited to give away a free copy of her book to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you've won before.

Writers, as we all know, are fragile creatures, and we feel vulnerable when it comes to exposing our work-in-progress. So why should we join a writing group and place ourselves in jeopardy? The main reason is obvious: writing is a lonely profession, and the camaraderie of others sympathetic to our struggles can keep us sane. Writers comfort and nourish each other.  The publishing world can seem heartless these days, and it’s reassuring to discover that the rejection we invariably face is not really personal.  

Before you join a writing group, though, it’s important to determine what you hope to get out of it. There are different kinds of writing groups, and they serve different needs. Some workshop groups are primarily supportive, others encourage tougher criticism. If what you’re looking for is companionship and a chance to talk shop, join a group of writers who hang out together rather than one where writers bring their manuscripts to the table. Make sure your writing group is a good fit.      

My Tuesday writing group has been meeting more than twenty years. We gather weekly—or at least whenever we can get a quorum of four. We begin with news of our triumphs and woes, then we read aloud from our manuscripts and offer each other advice. My writing group heard me read both The Writing Circle, and my new YA novel, Everything I Was, chapter by chapter, and their input was a vital part of my revision process for each book.  

My Friday writing group gathers informally in a café. We catch up on publishing news, and update each other on our writing projects and PR labors. We turn out for each other’s books events.

The worst reason to join a writing group is because you want to showcase your work. Writing groups involve give and take; you will spend more time on other people’s manuscripts than on your own. If the group is successful,  you will have the pleasure of seeing your feedback improve a colleague’s writing, and you’ll take pride in their published work. (And be thanked in the acknowledgements!)

Some writing groups are genre specific, but I’ve found it beneficial to be in a group where writers are working in a variety of genres. Poets bring a different eye to things than prose writers, and vice versa. Being in a group that welcomes a variety of genres is important if you might want to try your hand at different genres as well. In The Writing Circle my characters include two novelists, a poet, a biographer, a historian, and writer of thrillers, and I had fun producing a section of each writer’s work, which my characters dissect at their meetings.

Writing groups work best when the participants are clear about the group’s mission and when the ground rules are laid out. These guidelines may need to be revisited if a group’s membership changes. It’s helpful to agree on a general plan for reading order, and the length of time spent on each piece of work. You might also want to decide ahead of time on a procedure for accepting new members.

Even with a group of writers who are well-published and hardened, feelings still can be hurt. In my Tuesday writing group we’ve found it’s helpful to articulate ahead what sort of feedback we’re looking for, especially if our work is raw and we’re not ready for anything more than kindness. We also try to preface critical suggestions with a positive comment.

The most important thing any writing group can have is trust among its members. When you join a writing group, you are entrusting others with something intimate and precious, and the risks are great. The rewards are great, as well. At its best, a writing group can function as a family—a family that understands exactly what it is you do. It will be there to celebrate all your successes and to cheer you on when you are tempted to unplug your laptop for good. A writing group can sustain you and remind you that whatever may come of  what you produce, the real joy lies in the creative endeavor itself. 


Corinne is excited to give away a free copy of her book to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you've won before.







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• Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2011 Guide to Literary Agents today!

The 5 Keys to Selling Your Nonfiction Book or Memoir -- Webinar, April 21, 2011

Selling nonfiction (and memoir) requires a different mindset. You have to step out of your writer shoes and step into business shoes. That means drafting a nonfiction book proposal with a breakdown of target audiences, marketing plans, platform, and more. So it's a good thing we have Adams Media editor Peter Archer teaching an awesome webinar called "The 5 Keys To Selling Your Nonfiction Book or Memoir" on April 21, 2011. Peter acquires books all the time, so he is an expert at explaining why some nonfiction projects stand out and most do not.

DETAILS

The webinar happens at 1 p.m. EST, Thursday, April 21, 2011, and lasts 90 minutes. Don't worry if you cannot attend the live event. All attendees still get access to the recorded webinar and can send questions to the instructor afterward. Remember that no question goes unanswered in a WD webinar. Sign up here.


THE WEBINAR

Each month, hundreds of nonfiction and memoir submissions come to publishers. Submissions that do not come from agents are consolidated into a slush pile. Editors will spend no more than several minutes in an initial glance through each submission. Therefore, if your submission is going to get any consideration, you have to know what to emphasize and how to prioritize your points to make your book attractive.

Your nonfiction book can quickly stand out and get attention if it presents the 5 key aspects of a book project. What you will learn to present:

1. The unique sales proposition: This addresses why your book is different from other books on the market that cover the same subject. We will talk about various ways to differentiate your project, while also boil your book down to one compelling sentence.
2. Good comparative titles: These titles give the publisher an idea of what other books exist on the topic and how they're selling. We will talk about Amazon and other channels to create your list.
3. Powerful marketing platform: Publishers like authors who have strong credentials as well as an ability to sell the book themselves. We will talk about the building blocks of a platform and what catches a publisher's attention. Sign up here.
   
4. Compelling Table of Contents: The TOC is the skeleton of your book. We will talk about making sure chapters flow in a logical order, and how much you have to flesh out your work before submitting.
5. Strong writing: You will need to include sample chapters to give a good indication of your writing skills. We will talk about what chapters to include with your submission, and the value of having a ghostwriter onboard if you need one.
   

SPEAKER

Peter Archer is an editor at Adams Media and the author of The Quotable Intellectual and I Watch, Therefore I Am. He is the former editorial director of novels for Wizards of the Coast, creators of Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. He is also the author of half a dozen fantasy novels and several short stories. He lives in Wareham, MA.

Questions? Contact writingwebinars@fwmedia.com.

Sign up here!

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