Hi,

I am going to the Winchester Writer's conference in June and have managed to get one-to-one sessions with Katie Espiner (Transworld) and Stephanie Stansbie (Little Tiger Press). It is the first time I have attended the conference so I'm not quite sure what to expect. Any inside information or advice on how best to impress them would be much appreciated, particularly if anyone knows what type of work these ladies like/dislike or if anyone has any other info regarding them and their companies which may help.

I need to submit to them some examples of my work on which they will comment. I am hoping that any info people send me will help me to decide which pieces I should to send for them to look at.

I have had a general search on the web but haven't managed to find out too much specific info.

Thanks in advance.

Hi there, Mcspreaden - the conference handbook or webpage - http://www.writersconference.co.uk - should tell you all you need to know about the people you're seeing. And what sort of work they like.

Once you have that info, submit what is asked for in the handbook - eg if they ask for the first two pages of your novel, then give them exactly that. Don't forget to double-space it for ease of reading, and to get it sent off fairly soon as I think the deadline is next week?

Other than that, just be honest, be yourself and think of some questions you might like to ask them. Enjoy!

A
xxx

PS I'll be helping to man the Goldenford stall at the conference as usual - so come along and say hello sometime! That same invite goes to all WWers attending the AWC of course! I'll be the tall, reddish-haired stressed-looking one ...

Hi Kate, welcome to WW.

I went to Winchester a few years ago and had a one-to-one with an agent. The main things I remember are:

It was late afternoon, she was tired and I was terrified.
She was delighted that my offering was properly formatted and clearly laid out, saying that it really matters to people who are reading almost all day and every day.
She was human! Big surprise.

Best tips I can give you are:
Be yourself (easier said than done) and wear something cool and comfortable (it’s hot as hell in there).
Be prepared for what you’ll be asked: what’s your novel about, in a couple of sentences. What’s your target audience – which shelf in a bookshop would you expect to see it. What other experience do you have in the writing business – be honest, but tell as much as you can.
Try not to beg.

Good luck!

Dee

Worth also having in mind your next project, in case she asks. Be prepared to talk about where you see your writing going generally.

I agree with what's already been said, but would also say - prepare yourself in advance for being able to get to the point of any question fairly quickly - don't ramble, you won't have time!

Think of a brief, summing-up pitch for your book - you can expand on it later, hopefully. Think of publicity angles in advance (I think the transcript of the talk I gave to the Society of Authors on Publicising Your Book is up on this site somewhere) - and sound positive about the prospect of doing it.

In my opinion, publishers have a terror of what they see as 'potentially mad authors' - ones who will demand too much emotional input and reassurances, have to be dragged screaming and kicking through the editorial process, ones who will deliver late etc - I think it's important to try and flag up strongly that you won't be this person by kinda 'turning up the dial' on the down-to-earth aspects of your personality.

Carole Blake's book From Pitch to Publication would be great pre-conference reading material, I feel.

Good luck!

Maria
www.mariamccarthy.co.uk

They are editors/pubishers rather than agents.

There are details of exactly what they want here:
http://www.writersconference.co.uk/conference_onetoone.htm


Just be yourself! And enjoy it. They're only people... Good luck.

I went to Winchester last year and am going this year too.

It's very important you look at the campus map and figure out where your talks are, I got lost several times and was late for some of them.

Last year I met a scriptwriter as a one to one. He was lovely and spent much longer than 15 mins with me.

This year I'm meeting 2 agents and a writer now that my ms is ready. I'm not that nervous. Last year I attended a lecture given by an agent and she was lovely (Heath Holden-Brown from hhb Agency). They really are just people!

Julia
x

Hi there,

Thanks for all your advice on this. It was all a bit of a rush in the end so I decided to push it to the back of my mind and just be myself as advised.

I was a bit like a 'rabbit in the headlights' for my first meeting. I ran out of things to ask so it was over too quickly and I don't think I did myself many favours. Anyway, as the weekend went on, I relaxed alot more and decided just to enjoy it and treat it as a trial run for when I have a completed manuscript.

I got some very positive feedback on the start of one of my novels. This has given me the confidence to launch myself into that.

I met some really great people and it was fantastic to see people going for their one-to-ones with a completed manuscript. The whole thing was pretty overwhelming but inspirational. I would recommend it to anyone starting out but make sure you enter the competitions. I didn't, but was told that one of my pieces would have been shortlisted if I had done. Next year maybe...

Sorry 'A' but I didn't introduce myself at the Goldenford stall. I saw you there but it was the first day and was having a confidence crisis! Sounds like you had a good weekend though I'll be braver next year.

Kate M

Congratulations on your positive feedback Kate, that's great!

I think hearing from a third party involved in the publishing industry that you're on the right track gives you a real boost - look forward to hearing about your progress.

all best

Maria
www.mariamccarthy.co.uk

Marvellous to hear you had such a good time, Kate - well done on all your good news too.

Next year, come and say hello - I promise not to sell you anything - well, not too much anyway!

Hugs!

A(nne)
xxx