NYC and Algonkian Pitch and Shop Conference in September, 2009

[cipherqueen]

Wow! Thank you so much for posting that- I learned a ton! Someday I'll convince my mom to let me attend one of those conferences.

[sonyamsipes]

One of the guys had an amazing idea, I thought for sure he was going to get requests from everyone, and he didn't get any (...yet. we are still waiting to hear back from the first two editors and agents).  I was dumbfounded, truly.  So was our instructor.  The best we can infer from the remarks made by the editors & agent is that selling books to boys is hard to do, and if he didn't have a strong female in the book, he was going to need to add one -- and make sure that she came out in the pitch.

Update -- the fellow I referenced above did get a request from Tina Wexler (Agent)  and I am beginning to suspect that his success with her (and his picth) is because she is young and 'hip' and his concept for his novel is Very Contemporary -- which perhaps means that she is more in touch with his concept and his audience.  I am so glad he got a nibble -- I expect to see his name in lights in the not-too-distant future.

[Axordil]

our instructor was Michael Neff. 

Michael's a hoot, and I mean that in a good way.  Did a session in Tuscon with him which taught me a lot about the query process. 

[sonyamsipes]

He is!  I loved working with him, and we all have a soft spot for him in hearts somewhere.   I know that when I finally sell something, I will definitely be adding him into the acknowledgements.

Also, another update (sorry this is so late, the Holidays just sucked up all my extra time)... that guy who had the super idea and finally got a request from Tina Wexler, ALSO got a request from another agent as well.  I am really excited for him.

Also, just to reiterate about our group being so fun -- we still regularly send out updates to one another to keep us all motivated and in touch with where we all are.  I think that above all, is the thing I value most about this experience -- I now have a solid core of GOOD writers with whom I can share & vent to.

[reallyrosie]

Sonya,

I'm still in touch with a core group from my circle at the 07 conference, and one has become a close friend and critique partner. (At last count, out of our 14 people, half got representation and one got a deal. A lot of that is due to Michael!) Beyond its professional value, I have made wonderful connections through Algonkian, and it sounds as though you have, too!

rr