tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post2130562753484869169..comments2024-02-17T09:53:06.168+00:00Comments on Notes from the Slushpile: SCBWI Undiscovered Voices 2012: The Launch Party, or The Tale Of The Level Playing FieldCandy Gourlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-39410193342222861792012-02-16T10:01:19.252+00:002012-02-16T10:01:19.252+00:00Jo mentioned that agents have to LOVE your work. W...Jo mentioned that agents have to LOVE your work. Which can be a bit confusing for an new author who has been approached by a number of publishing houses. The assumption is that, because editors love your work you will be able to get an agent to represent you. But it doesn't work this way, agents have to represent the authors who are right for them to represent. They have to love the voice of the author. So in a weird twist in these days of 'please submit through an agency' you can end up with no agent and multiple deal offers. If you're lucky!Maureen Lynashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16855138050232488108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-11177750537561109582012-02-16T09:53:12.033+00:002012-02-16T09:53:12.033+00:00Jo did all the work :)Jo did all the work :)Maureen Lynashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16855138050232488108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-30629175172767590532012-02-15T08:47:46.037+00:002012-02-15T08:47:46.037+00:00Great advice I think I’d be fine talking to anyone...Great advice I think I’d be fine talking to anyone – agents included. But as soon as I think about pitching I clam up. So maybe I should take baby step – setting achievable goals, like saying hello!Sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12759992873045228788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-54206311030932461612012-02-14T20:02:11.293+00:002012-02-14T20:02:11.293+00:00I liked the people I met in publishing so much tha...I liked the people I met in publishing so much that I decided to become one of them. So far, it's one of the best decisions I've ever made!<br /><br />Nick.Nick Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571077124165351007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-74481016924164348642012-02-14T15:21:55.489+00:002012-02-14T15:21:55.489+00:00It' strange how you get your head into that pa...It' strange how you get your head into that particular space isn't it Jackie?! The party was so much fun though, and so many agents were enjoying it too! So unusual to get all those different people in one space. And lots of fun.Jo Wytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01941417444551495613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-73806752552902274722012-02-14T15:19:22.542+00:002012-02-14T15:19:22.542+00:00Oh and of course, thanks to our Maureen as well!Oh and of course, thanks to our Maureen as well!Addy Farmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00450583537731030466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-37464869819178579942012-02-14T15:18:36.058+00:002012-02-14T15:18:36.058+00:00Absolutely right, Jo! Being able to a fun chat is ...Absolutely right, Jo! Being able to a fun chat is pretty important and I'm very comfortable with that. I find pitching horrible and the pressure to pitch horrible. In an ideal world, I'd rather let my work sort of slide out within the fun chat. Probably says more about me than anything else. Many thanks for a great insight.Addy Farmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00450583537731030466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-35110299144878252182012-02-14T12:52:08.804+00:002012-02-14T12:52:08.804+00:00This is so true. For a long time I thought agents...This is so true. For a long time I thought agents and editors were gods. Actually I thought published writers were deity as well. And, while I spoke to published writers with a mixture of awe and nervousness as a mere unpublished mortal, the thought of speaking to a real live agent terrified me. <br /><br />That's why it's so important to get yourself out there, go to events and meet these professionals in the flesh. And then you'll see they're only human after all! And normally jolly nice people to boot. And they love talking about children's books! And, something else you may not realise - they are often as nervous about the approach as you are.Jackie Marchanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12567038737470422449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-68069958688693584842012-02-14T11:21:39.266+00:002012-02-14T11:21:39.266+00:00That's nice to hear. Totally agree. Had a simi...That's nice to hear. Totally agree. Had a similar experience with an agent - she was lovely and it was nice to talk in a relaxed way on this level field.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com