~~~YA WRITERS ALERT~~~ Agent Lead Webinar

(I just love this new photo of Mark!)

Last February I was fortunate enough to "meet" Literary Agent Mark McVeigh.  (Smile)  I won a skype chat/interview with him which resulted in a publication credit for me.  (Big Smile...See side bar!)  Then Mark offered his first Webinar and I was one of the lucky people he invited  to participate (waves to my cps that I met through Mark).  It was a super experience!  You can read about it here.  You can read more about Mark here and here.  I have to tell you guys that Mark is one classy guy and I am so blessed to have him as a friend.  His friendship made me realize that Literary Agents are people too.  I was  much more comfortable chatting with agents and editors at the SCBWI conference I  went to in September.  I attribute this to Mark taking me under his wing.  (Thanks Mark!  You're the best!) 

So, here's the Scoop...



NAILING YOUR FIRST CHAPTER by Mark McVeigh of The McVeigh Agency


Available Dates: Dec 11 or Jan 8
Times: 1PM or 4PM EST
Register by: 11/30 (Mark is taking late registration for the 1pm webinar on 12/11)and 12/30
Fee: $75 for YALITCHAT.ORG Tier II members or $100

Register via email: webinars@themcveighagency.com (or you can let me know and I'll forward your name and email to Mark) with NAIL YOUR FIRST CHAPTER in the subject line. In body of email please include: Full name, contact email, daytime contact phone. Please also indicate whether you are a TIER II member of YALITCHAT.ORG.

Course description: 90-minute interactive course focused on the all-important first chapter of your manuscript including: crafting a killer opening line, introducing your main character, establishing setting/ context without getting bogged down in detail, capturing your voice, and how and when to end the chapter. 60-minutes of instruction and 30-minutes of Q and A using anonymous first paragraphs from attendee WIPs.

Attendee Information: This interactive webinar has a voice component that allows attendees to speak directly to Mark and the class, as well as a chat function.

About Mark McVeigh

Former Editorial Director, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (Aladdin), Senior Editor, Dutton Children's Books, Editor, HarperCollins Children's Books

Visit The McVeigh Agency online! Or Visit The McVeigh Agency Blog!

This is a super opportunity! You don't need to be a paying Yalitchat member to take the class, but you do need to be a "free" member before you register for Mark's webinar.  Mark's doing the webinar twice in December and twice in January--$100 for a 90 minute webinar plus critique or $75 if you are a Tier II member.  It's well worth the money!

If you have any questions you can leave them in the comments or leave me your email address and I can reply personally or forward it to Mark if I can't answer the question.

Have a great rest of the week!  We're expecting snow...

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Catherine and Amy were selected by random.org, as the winner's of Gene Gagliano's book MY TEACHER DANCES ON HIS DESK.  They each will get a signed copy.

While I was working through losing Stripes several of my lovely blog friends gave me some awards and I'd like to pass them on:

Wendy, aka Quillfeather, has a lovely blog full of interesting and informative posts.  If you haven't checked her head down under...well, err..to New Zealand and have a look around.  :)

I'd like to pass this along to a few of my new blog friends...Brian and Jacqueline have creative cat blogs.  If you love cats check them out.

So let's see four truths and one untruth about me....
1. I'm 5'5.5" tall.
2. I've been to five countries including the US.
3. I'm a women's rights activist.
4. I've helped build a Habitat For Humanity house.
5. I was honored by the American Red Cross in Missouri a few years ago.

This award comes from one of my new critique group members: Hema.  Hema has an insightful blog full of deep thoughts.  I'd like to pass this award along to...Joany who has been steadily blogging and emailing even in her dentist induced tortured condition and to Talli who posts the most wonderful pictures of England and Wales and makes me a little bit homesick.

This lovely award came from Shannon.  Shannon is all over the blogging world.  I think I have yet to visit a site that she hasn't made a comment on.  I'd like to pass this along to Jill. She's a Christian romance writer and has a lovely blog.  She's the one who motivated me to post my weekly goals.  I'd also like to present this award to Jennifer, aka Old Kitty.  She and her cat Charlie frequent a lot of blogs and leave wonderful insightful comments.



This sweet blog award came from Jade.  Jade is in the middle of trying to make a big decision about her career.  So hop over and see if you can offer up any advice...I'd like to present this award to Dawn.  I met Dawn through Mark McVeigh and hope you'll check her out.  I'd also like to present it to A.L. (Amy).  I had the honor of reading the first 15 pages of one of her manuscripts.  To me it's a huge honor when someone wants my advice on a piece.  (big smile)  If you haven't checked out these blogs...give 'em a shot.  (really big smile)



Again, I'd like to thank all of you for helping me during my struggle with losing Stripes.  Over the past two weeks I discovered a whole new world of bloggers.  I had no idea people blogged about so many topics.  Seriously, I just thought blogging was a writer thing.  I found a whole world of bloggers that appear to be cats...cats that can type and take beautiful photographs.  (wink)  I found bloggers that talk about different diseases.  Blogs that are about our current culture and ones about decorating and crafts.  I put a few of my favorites on my sidebar.

Have you discovered any non-writer blogs that you have to check on, just because they make you smile?  Feel free to share.  I'm close to reaching my new blogs visited (and commmented on) goal for Jackee's May Scramble.  I promise, I will go visit any blogs you list (unless I think they are naughty ones...).

SHHH…I’VE GOT SOME INSIDER INFORMATION…

A few weeks ago, I was scanning my email, when I saw “it.” My hands began to tremble and my heart began to race. There was an email from Literary Agent Mark McVeigh in my in box. I had been fortunate enough to win a Skype chat with Mark in February. To my surprise, Mark invited me to attend a webinar he was conducting about the publishing industry. Naturally, my technophobia kicked in causing my hands to perspire and my knees to knock. (But then I thought back to our Skype chat and the volume sign he held up to let me know that he couldn’t hear me. I knew he’d help again if I was having technical problems.) I accepted Mark’s invitation. Who wouldn’t? He was giving me another wonderful opportunity to learn about the publishing world.

Mark hosted a group of lucky followers in his first 90 minute webinar. We were able to see and hear Mark and ask him questions. We also could see each other and had a chat box on one side of the computer screen. It was a great experience and I’d like to share some of the advice Mark gave us.

-When researching agents, keep an individual file on each of them with their likes and dislikes. (Study your targets; Google them, read interviews, blogs, and their website.) This way you won’t have to look up their information repeatedly; you’ll have it all organized when you are ready to query them.
-Follow their submission policy; not following could automatically throw you out of consideration.
-All of your correspondence should be business like. (Just because you feel like you know them from their blog, doesn’t mean you’re buds and you can write to them like they are old friends.)
-Know the market; what is selling and what is not selling. Pay attention to the Publisher’s Market Place, it will give you lots of information about agents, editors and what is selling.
-Keep good records of who you have queried.
-Show editors and agents that you are a versatile writer.
-Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Mark talked to us about how to pitch your manuscript both orally and in a query. He even discussed what to do when you get an offer. (I think that means he has faith in us.) In the 90 minute webinar, Mark gave us so much information! I had five pages of notes. He also gave us an assignment. (Knees knocking, again…) We were assigned to write a query letter for one of our projects, using all of the information he had given us in the webinar, and he would do a line by line edit and a follow up. Talk about a great guy!

During the webinar we shared our email addresses and decided to start an online critique group; Mark One (page at a time). If you check out my sidebar you can see some of the other lucky writers that Mark invited to this webinar.

One of my favorite things that Mark said during our webinar was, “Be Fearless! Decide who you are and be it.” I think that’s wonderful advice. I am truly grateful to Mark for taking me under his wing. If you haven’t checked him out please hop over to his blog and his website…Who knows, you might find your perfect agent…

If you are interested in future webinars, email me at skmayh at q dot com.

BTW…Who has surprised you by taking an interest in your writing? 

*******

FYI: check out my book give-away, DL's This is Sparta celebration and sign up for Jackee's May challange...

Exceptional Contest, Cool Awards and a Bodybugg...

My dear friend, Susan (pictured here with author Peter Jacobi), and I got to spend some little  quality time together this weekend.   (Me...full of smiles)  We talked about books, agents, submissions and blogs.  We even played games  (Susan and Sharon with big smiles...husbands...not so much).  If you haven't checked Susan out, please do.              

To my surprise, Susan presented me with a Creative Writer Award last month.   I've been directed to tell six untruths and one truth, so here I go...

1. 
   
   I was born in England in 1963.  I lived in a house with no toilet or bathtub.  We only had water in the kitchen sink.
2. 
   
   I moved to America when I was 10.  I moved to North Dakota and was super excited because the toilet was inside the house!
3. 
   
   I married my high school sweetheart.  We dated for two years, got married and had a baby right away.
4. 
   
   I was a disc jockey on a local radio station in college.  I interviewed former President Bill Clinton and Miss USA, Terry Utley.
5. 
   
   I've met Bill Clinton, Dale Bumpers, Sam and Helen Walton and J.B. Hunt.  Helen Walton told me that if your husband didn't see you eat cake, the calories didn't count and J.B. told my husband he married above his head.
6. 
   
   I once ate 3 Mc Rib sandwiches and a large order of fries.  (Ah, to be young again...)
7. 
   
   When I was in Costa Rica (last year) I touched an alligator. 

HMMM....Which one is true?  (The big reveal and pass the award along is  tomorrow.)

The lovely ladies, Bethany and Suzette, at Shoot Star awarded me the Silver Lining award for venturing into the 21st Century.  I did a two part Skype interview with literary agent Mark McVeigh.  Bethany and Suzette are having an AWESOME CONTEST!!!  Suzette's agent is giving away a 40 page critique!!!!  So hop over and fill out their easy form.  Good luck everyone!

How many of you are numbers people...detail orientated...  I bought a Bodybugg today.  I spent a huge chunk of the day on the computer figuring it out (hopefully).   I'm looking forward to checking it at the end of each day to see if I had a calorie deficit.  I can't wait to add another column to my workout spread sheet. Does anyone have a bodybugg?  Have you had any success with it? 

LITERARY AGENT (and blogger) MARK MCVEIGH...PART TWO

Part Two of my Skype  interview with Literary Agent Mark McVeigh.  If you missed part, one follow the link and get caught up on Mark’s views on queries.

Part Two of my interview with Literary Agent Mark McVeigh focuses on the market.

Me: “I’ve written a couple folktales and was wondering how marketable they are.”

Mark: “I’m assuming you’re referring to folktales in picture book format. Picture books, in general, are a hard sell right now, and folktales are not as sellable as they were in the 90’s. You might query a small house. Schools still buy folktales, but the major houses aren’t selling to school like they were fifteen years ago. If the current administration pumps money into schools and libraries as they are promising, like they did in the 60’s under Lyndon Johnson, it would affect the publishing industry. But right now the consumers are kids and they don’t have as much disposable income as they did five years ago.”

Me: “What do you think about EBooks?”

Mark: “EBooks are going to revolutionize the industry, and I do think do for publishing what ITunes did for the music industry. Anyone interested in being a writer needs to follow the digital revolution closely.”

Me: “Do agents look at small market publishers?”

Mark: “It depends on the material. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.”

Me: “Do agents try to maintain contacts with editors at all houses or do they cultivate relationships at specific houses?”

Mark: “A smart agent tries to get to know every major publishing house. I’ve worked many publishing houses. I’ve been in the business for over 10 years, and I’ve lived in New York for almost twenty. You get to know people. New York is a big city that works like a small town and publishing is like a gated community in that small town. It’s not so hard to get to know people.”

Me: “As a former teacher and Golden Books editor, do you gravitate to picture books or pull back from them because of the current market?”

Mark: “I’m very selective about picture books. There will be resurgence, but right now I have to be selective when bringing picture book writers on board.”

Me: (All doom and gloom) “So I’ve written a historical fiction picture book, should I just hang it up?”

Mark: “No, not at all. Just do your homework. First, make sure the topic hasn’t been covered too extensively. For example, MARTIN’S BIG WORDS is a gorgeous picture book and in many ways the go-to book when classrooms are studying Martin Luther King, Jr. The house that published MARTIN’S BIG WORDS probably wouldn’t publish another Martin Luther King, Jr. book because it would detract from the sales of this gorgeous book that continues to do well. You have to give publishers something new and of interest.”

Me: (Big smile) “If God or Heaven are mentioned in a picture book, does that make it only marketable in the Christian market?”

Mark: “It depends on the taste and interest of the editor and much those topics are discussed. There are so many picture books of prayers for children that are perfectly marketable.”

Me: (Huge smile!  I had a great vidoe chat with Mark.  I truly learned a lot about queries and about the current market.)

 I truly appreciated the opportunity to talk with Mark. Often, as writers we get the sense that agents are sitting on pedestals looking down on us. My Skype chat with Mark helped me see that agents are people too. They are not just their jobs…Just like we are not just writers. What we do plays a part in who we are, but hopefully we are more than just what we put on paper. If you missed out on Mark’s Fifteen Minutes Contest , he’ll be having another one during the first week in April, so make sure you keep an eye on his blog.

LITERARY AGENT MARK MCVEIGH...and ME

Literary Agent, Mark McVeigh sat down with me via Skype  and answered my extensive list of questions. Mark gave me permission to share our discussion with you, my blog friends. (A word of advice…Practice using Skype several times before you talk to an agent. I got into a bit of a tizzy when I could see and hear Mark, but he couldn’t hear me. I do have to smile when I think of him holding up a sign that said “Volume.”)

Mark taught elementary school, in Brooklyn, from 1993-1997. He then went to work for Golden Books as an editorial assistant. Mark has written many books for young reader, almost all under pen names. He worked in editorial positions for eleven years before he switched roles and opened his own literary agency. The McVeigh Agency  is a boutique literary agency handling writers, illustrators, photographers, and graphic novelists for both the adult and children’s markets. Mark recently joined the blogging community. If you haven’t had the opportunity to hop over there and become a follower, now is as good of time as any…but be sure to come back and read my Skype interview with Mark.

In Part One of my interview with Literary Agent Mark McVeigh I’m going to address the issue of query letters…

Me: “Mark, do funny query letters work?”

Mark: “What makes a good query letters is very subjective. I like them to read as if the author is writing to a lawyer, very direct and clear; only including materials relevant to the manuscript you are submitting. The first paragraph should be brief and about yourself. Are you a librarian, a teacher, or something that relates to the manuscript? Do you work with kids? The second paragraph is your pitch. Imagine you have six seconds to tell me about your book, and write your pitch that way. NO RAMBLING! Mention the setting, the main character, the conflict, and the resolution. If you can fit it in, make a comparison to something currently popular in the media. For example, I think Modern Family is hilarious, say I got a query that said the main character had a similar voice to the oldest daughter in Modern Family, I’ll want to see it. The third paragraph should be 75-100 word synopsis of your manuscript. That’s about it. Anything else isn’t really necessary. People often describe their motivations for writing the manuscript. I don’t think that’s helpful.”

Me: “Should you include National Reading Standards if you know they fit your manuscript.”

Mark: “You can, but be brief.”

Me: “Should you send a thank you to an agent after a response to your query or is it just more mail in their inbox?”

Mark: “I prefer it when people close their business correspondence with ‘Thank You’ in advance. A follow up email or letter uses up time I could be spending with manuscripts.”

Me: “One agent I queried suggested I submit a manuscript to a specific editor at a specific publishing house. Should I send him a thank you for that suggestion?”

Mark: “I don’t think so. Only send him a thank you if the editor expresses an interest in that manuscript. Then email the agent, specifically thanking him for pointing you in the right direction and letting him know that the editor requested to see your manuscript. The agent will store this information, in his mind, for future contact he might have with you.”

Me: “When you receive a query, do you Google the potential client?”

Mark: “I don’t Google them, but if they say they are a published author I look on Amazon for their book, and then Publisher’s Marketplace to look up the publishing house, if I haven’t heard of it.”

Me: “Do contests and magazine articles listed in a query impress agents?”

Mark: “Unless you won a big contest, run by a publishing house, I wouldn’t necessarily put it in a query. Don’t put anything in the query unless it relates to what you are submitting, or your platform.”

Me: “That leads right to my next question. What is a platform?”

Mark: “A platform is any media based entity you have that puts you out there for people to read or experience in some way. It could be a blog, a local radio chat, contacts you have with the media, even Twitter. You should be tweeting.”

Me: “I’m glad I caught your Tweet. It landed me this opportunity to visit with you. But Twitter is something I have to get better at.”

Me: “How do you pitch yourself to an agent verses pitching a project?”

Mark: “You don’t pitch yourself, you pitch your manuscript. An agent chooses clients based on the book they are presenting. That said, I do look for clients who have ideas for more than one book in them.”

Cynthia Smith  interviewed Mark in 2009. She asked him who would be a dream client. Mark said, “Someone who has both a voice and a message, is willing to work at both their craft and the business of publishing, and knows it takes time to build a career.”

Mark is a genuinely nice guy.  Hop over to his blog , become a follower, then hop over to his website and read his submission guidelines .

I hope you'll come back tomorrow when I’ll be posting the rest of my interview with Literary Agent Mark McVeigh…