So, as many of you know, I went to the Fun in the Sun conference down in Miami this weekend, along with three of my local chaptermates. We had a blast plotting on the car ride down and listening to speakers and going to events and drinking in the hotel bar and all the other fun stuff you do at conferences.

Despite all that, I’d wager that two of the top 5 reasons people go to conferences include: (You knew there’d be a list, right?)
1) Pitching agents/editors
2) Getting that “ah-ha!” moment

So, without further ado, I’d like to share those two experiences with you.

My experience with pitching

I had two agent appointments, one with Agent ABC (Big Agency) and one with Agent XYZ (Even Bigger Agency).

My chaptermates mostly met with different agents/editors than me, but one met with Agent ABC, who asked for a mailed partial, and one met with Agent XYZ who gave her a business card and also asked for a mailed partial.

So then it was my turn.

First off, Agent XYZ was just not that into me.

The appointment coordinator brought me to her side while she was still talking to the previous person (the appointments were in one big room with agents and editors behind small folding tables) so I had to hover unobtrusively until they wrapped it up so I could have my turn. You only get a certain number of minutes, so the person before me was taking up half of *my* time. Neither of them bothered to say anything to me or even so much as make eye contact, so I was forced to stand there looking retarded until they finally cut it off and made their good-byes so I could sit down.

The conversation went like this:

Erica [holding out her hand]: Hi, I’m Erica. Nice to meet you.
Agent XYZ [with a quick handshake]: What are you pitching?
Erica: It’s a funny paranormal with–
Agent XYZ: I don’t like funny books.
Erica: Uh, okay.
Agent XYZ: You should’ve pitched someone else.
Erica: Uh, okay.
Agent XYZ: Well, tell me what it’s about anyway.
Erica: The heroine is a tooth fairy who–
Agent XYZ: Is this YA?
Erica: Um, no.
Agent XYZ: It’s your first book.
Erica: No, actually, it’s my fourth.
Agent XYZ: Oh. Well, my contact information is on our web site. You can send a partial if you want, but I probably won’t like it.
Erica: Uh, okay. Thanks. [leaves]

So there was that. My appointment with Agent ABC, on the other hand, went much better.

Erica [holding out her hand]: Hi, I’m Erica. Nice to meet you.
Agent ABC [shaking hands]: Oh! I love your name tag. Funky.
Erica [realizing she's wearing her pink furry strap]: Oh. Thanks.
Agent ABC: Ask me anything you want. I’ll answer questions about books, agents, the universe–whatever.
Erica [making nervous geek joke]: What’s the answer to the question of the universe?
Agent ABC [without missing a beat]: Forty-two.
Erica: I love those books! [shares a grin]
Agent ABC: Me too. So, what do you write?
Erica: Well, this story is a romantic comedy with paranormal elements.
Agent ABC [doubtfully]: Paranormal elements like what? Like the heroine’s “psychic”?
Erica [quickly decides not to mention TOUCHED*]: No, like she’s an apprentice tooth fairy from Nether-Netherland.
Agent ABC [bursting into laughter]: Fun. Who’s the hero?
Erica: An archaeologist who won’t give up the tooth?
Agent ABC: You’re the first person to actually make me laugh out loud. Don’t mail me the partial. Email me the whole thing.
Erica: Yay! Thanks.

* TOUCHED is a completed, pitchable project featuring a “psychic” heroine.

My big AH-HA! moment

So, I went to a workshop by Cherry Adair about how to get your writing career in order, especially if you don’t yet have your Plan figured out.

Among other sage pieces of advice, the single most helpful thing she said to me (well, okay, to everyone in the room) was to pick a genre and stick with it for at least 2-3 years. Give yourself a chance to get good at something before developing genre MPD (multiple personality disorder) which doesn’t help anyone, not the editor, not the agent, and definitely not yourself.

Well. As anyone who knows me (or has been to my web site) can tell you, I have serious issues with genre MPD. The stuff I churn out isn’t complete dreck. I’ve had requested fulls (and positive rejection letters) and finaled in contests and all that happy jazz. But, if I would’ve been published in any of those things, I wouldn’t have been able to sell the others.

Most agents do not do ALL genres. And NO editors do. If they’re looking for a new Regency-set Historical author, then that’s what they want. Not one that writes one Regency-set Historical, one contemporary Romantic Suspense, one Historical Mystery with Paranormal Elements, and one Screwball Romantic Comedy. (/erica clears throat and gives guilty smile)

She said, figure out what you like to write, and then write it. Don’t look back. If, after 3 years of seriously pursuing a genre, you discover that you either hate it or suck at it, THEN consider switching to something else. But first give yourself that opportunity to shine.

So, in response to her advice (or should I say warning?) I believe I’m going to stick with the RomCom angle for a while and see how that turns out for me. I’ll keep you posted…

Your Turn!

I’d love to hear about YOUR experience pitching editors and agents, and any Ah-ha! moments YOU’d like to share!