Planning to Meet with Editors

One of the perks of attending a writers conference is the opportunity to meet with editors. Some conferences provide designated tables at meals, with a sign indicating which editor will be at each table. Some conferences offer appointment times to meet one-on-one to pitch a book idea or just to make that first professional contact. Here are a few planning steps to make that most of those opportunities.

Pray

This might sound like a given. It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement and opportunity that we run ahead of God. That seldom works. Okay. That never works. Begin your time preparing to meet with editors with prayer. Pray that God will lead your to the people you should meet. Pray that you will have the opportunity to share the work He has written through you. Pray for the editors and their families. Pray for their health and safety. Pray for the workloads of the editors. Pray that they will be able to come and meet without an overload of work on their minds. Editors are very, very busy. Pray for them as your plan to attend the conference. 

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14  (NIV)

 

Do Your Homework

Study the list of faculty members before you ever leave home. Which ones acquire the kind of things you write? What similar works has their house published? What gaps to you see in the publisher's booklist that you might be able to fill? In other words, have a list of editors who may be interested in your work. Look for opportunities at the conference to meet with as many of them as possible.

Take Notes

Even though you have done your homework, you will learn valuable information at the conference to fine tune the list of editors you hope to meet. Take notes during panel discussions, in breakout sessions, and from handouts. What new information should you take into consideration? Is there an editor who is not on your list that is a perfect match for your work? After listening to a panel of editors, do you realize that one of the editors on your list is not looking for what you are writing? If that is the case, you may want to wait on meeting with him or her.

Make a careful list of the editors you hope to meet. Time at writers conferences is short. Making the most of your contact time is wise and makes a good impression.

Be Prepared

 

Take some samples of your work, especially if you are a published author. Paper gets heavy, so you might consider scanning samples into an ipad for easy access without the extra weight. I blogged about some things to take here.

Be Relaxed

Editors are people. They understand that you may be nervous. They understand that you are putting the ideas and words of your heart out there. Talk about your work. Try to relax and talk to the editor as a person. 

Which writers conferences will you attend this year? How do you prepare to meet with editors?


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May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord . . . Psalm 19:14  (NIV)   Tweet this!

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Notes from Carol

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you will come back often! Let's connect on Twitter and Facebook, too!


P.S. These days I am busy writing two devotional books for Zonderkidz. Will you pray with me about the devos? You can sign up to be a prayer partner on the right. I won't share your contact info. Promise.


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copyright (c) 2013 Carol McAdams Moore