Back in January I declared 2013 to be "The Year I Put Myself Out There." Meaning that after spending the last 2 years focusing on building knowledge of the field and honing my craft, I would start to seek representation in 2013. It is time to show people what I got.
As part of this personal goal, I am getting incredibly excited about attending both the New Jersey SCBWI conference in June and the SCBWI Summer Conference in LA in August.
Nothing beats getting to hang with my Tribe for the weekend, but it won't be all fun and games. I am planning on using conference time to make connections, especially with agents. Therefore, I need to be very strategic in my planning.
For both conferences I intend to participate in One-on-One Manuscript Critiques with agents, editors and authors. But here's my dilemma, I don't know what pieces to submit for critique.
Maybe you can help.
I have 3 manuscripts to consider:
MS #1 ~ This is a manuscript that is submission-ready AND has gotten the attention of agents in the past. In fact, this manuscript is currently being considered by an agent. So, I am not truly looking for critique on it, but would it be beneficial to submit it for one-on-one thinking that someone else might fall in love with it? Or is that not the purpose of these meetings?
MS #2 ~ This manuscript is very close to being submission-ready. I think it still needs some tweaking, but its almost there.
MS #3 ~ This is my problem manuscript. I have gotten so many compliments on the premise and the beginning, but the climax and resolution are really giving me difficulty.
What would you suggest?
Which manuscript would you show to an agent? To an editor? To an author? What is the best foot to put forward?
This is my completely innocent thought as I'm a writing newbie, but I don't think I would submit #1. If the agent or editor are not interested then it feels like maybe you'd miss the opportunity to work on ms #2 or #3.
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious to see what more experienced people think! :)
Thanks, Meg. I guess it depends on whether I want crits or to showcase my work.
DeleteToo true!! But I would imagine that the potential of your work would shine through even in a less polished work!
DeleteWhat a great question, Marcie! I am sure you are going to get a mix of answers. I would suggest going with MS #2 or 3. I personally think you should use the critique for its intended purpose. Even with a fabulous critique group (ahem) it's beneficial to get outside perspective from a professional in the field, and it's hard to come by without paying for a critique. Plus you might get an editor or agent for the critique, but you also might get an author. If your sole purpose is to get "discovered" and you get an author for the critique, you might have wasted your money if you submit a polished MS. Honestly, any agent or editor worth his or her salt would see your wonderful voice in any of your MSS. They would likely ask what else you are working on, and there's your opening to share your pitch for MS #1.
ReplyDeleteSo I am scheduled with ONE agent, ONE editor, and ONE author for a total of 3. Maybe I should have the goal of seriously getting critique from the author, so I send #3 to her. And then for the agent and editor send #2?
DeleteI'd go with 2 or 3, so you can really benefit from the critique. I haven't had a scbwi critique yet, but I would want feedback to build up a story. At the Denver regional meeting, we were given a special opportunity to submit stories to agents and editors there. After you hear them speak and get to mingle with them, you'll likely meet someone you will find to be a good fit for No. 1. If you use the critique for another manuscript, you'll be on your way to a second polished piece for consideration.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Stacy! Getting another piece closer to "ready" is definitely a goal.
DeleteMarcie - are these picture books or novels? Generally, I would hold off on getting more feedback on #1 and focus more on #2 and #3. You need to keep in mind that one-on-one critiques at these conferences are short - usually 15/20 minutes tops - so the feedback you're going to get is not going to be as in depth as you may need on your MS #3, which could require a lot more reading and thinking time. That being said, though, I'd focus on your work that you feel isn't ready, with your goal being to try to get feedback that will help you become more ready. Email me to let me know whether these are PB or novels, because that will also dictate how you submit and what you can expect from a critique at a conference. xo
ReplyDeleteThese are PB mss, Emma. The only other time I received a one-on-one, I was given a VERY detailed crit that was typed out by the person I met with. So although I only had 15 minutes with them, I had a lot of feedback. But I imagine that isn't the norm.
DeleteThis sounds like a really good strategy and then when you are in with the agent and editor you can also pitch your other stories.
DeleteHi Marcie. I've got a similar schedule for NJ (meet you there!). Two editors and one author. I'm sending the ms I want the editors to LOVE to them because one of the houses I'm meeting with is closed to unagented submissions and I couldn't otherwise get them to read it. If they love it, then that's super. If they don't, then I'll get the critique. For the author critique I'm sending a #3 type manuscript.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing you, Wendy! Thanks for the advice.
DeleteI guess the only thing I might add to all this good advice is that if the agent and/or editor is number one on your submission list, I might consider submitting MS #1?
ReplyDeleteExcellent point!
DeleteThanks Marcie for creating this post. I will be returning to this post when I am faced with this dilemma. Joanna brings up a good point and I also agree with the rest of giving #2 to the editor/agent and #3 to the author.
ReplyDeleteBest of Luck!
Glad this question is helpful to you, too, Darshana.
DeleteWhen I used to sub mss for critiques, I would always sub my strongest ms. I met two of my editors this way.
ReplyDeleteSooo...IMHO, sub your BEST ms. :)
And obviously Tammi Sauer knows a thing or two about picture books! Thanks, Tammi!
DeleteDefinitely either 2 or 3. 2 if your current goal is to polish a second ms up to have something ready to show if an agent/editor asks to see more, then go with 2. Otherwise, go with 3 because it'd help to have a critique to help you get past the issues you're having with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Teresa. I did that at a prior conference and I just don't know if I like the idea of showcasing a little better.
DeleteSince you will NOT know who will critique your ms at the SCBWI LA, I'd send ms #2 to be safe. You want to send an ms that will benefit from a critique. At the same time, you want to send the better story in case an agent/editor does end up critiquing your story. Who knows, they may want to offer representation if they like it. Save #3 for your critique group. Wait on your agent response for #1 so you get a feel for how it stands up to the market. Your agent could even offer you free advice...or representation!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Romelle. Good to know about LA. :) In NJ we choose who.
DeleteIf it's not a problem to submit simultaneously, I would offer the first, since it is finished, and warmly received already!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jarm. :)
DeleteWow! Great question. It's quite the conundrum. I think I'd go with #2 or #3 because if they're all good ideas, you might get some really helpful feedback that will help you push one of those mss into the category of #1 - submission ready. Plus, I read a blog post recently somewhere... maybe Notes From The Slushpile?... that suggested that sometimes editors like to see great ideas with potential they can work with, not necessarily the perfect finished product. I was extremely surprised by that! But it might be true, you never know, in which case a less polished great idea might work out well. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSince you can usually submit manuscripts to the editors and agents after the conference for a certain period of time, I would save #1 for that, and choose one of the other two for your critiques. Personally, I would go with #3 so you get the most for your money. You probably don't need help with the minor tweaks to #2, but it would be really valuable to find someone who can help you get unstuck on #3. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHere's my two cents: Submit #1 to the agent - you have them right there make your best impression, either 1 or 2 to the editor - if you submit 2 for the editor then the comments you should get will hopefully help make that submission ready also so when any agent asks if you have anything else you can assuredly reply yes, and then #2 or 3 to the author - they can give solid comments on what is working well and thoughts on any flaws - again if you do #3 you now have a new outlook and set of thoughts for a stronger revision and a third manuscript on its way to being submission ready. :)
ReplyDeleteHow about #2 for editor/agent crit and #3 for peer group crit?
ReplyDelete