Writing Tips from ConClave

Sasquatch is essentially a friendly creature, but don't get between him and the last bagel at the continental breakfast.

I was a guest panelist at the fandom convention, ConClave this weekend. I picked up some helpful writing tips from the writers and editors in attendance. Read all about it after the break.

Once again, I helped out with the Writer’s Workshop. I offered advice and such, and gave feedback on a couple stories. I was also on panels about steampunk, podcasting and e-media.

It was great seeing William Jones, Stewart Sternberg, Charles Zaglanis, Rick Moore and M. Keaton again (and the rest of the Elder Signs Press gang), as well as meeting Christine Purcell.

Here are some tips I picked up from editors and writers in attendance:

• Editors will check out your online presence, especially if they are interested in your manuscript. I heard a one story about how an editor (or publisher) changed their mind about offering an author a book deal, due to a ranting blog post they had on their website slamming another editor.  Another editor said he is turned off by writers who have highly political or controversial blogs. To sum up, watch what you put online.
• Writing professionally is a business. You may have written the most beautiful prose ever, but if a publisher can’t find a way to market your book, they will pass. You can gain an edge by paying attention to the market and what sells.  Likewise, big book stores are also a business–they want books that will sell.
• When pitching  a book, find three similar (and recent) titles to compare it to. This also ties in with the marketing and business side of writing, and it makes it easier for a publisher to sell a book if they can say “it is like [X], [Y] and [Z].”
• And write a book that can be compared to popular titles. If you want to sell a novel, but don’t have a grand ‘artistic vision’ in mind, look at what is popular and take a stab at it–this doesn’t mean write a Harry Potter clone, but a young adult fantasy may be a good way to go, just make it your own story.
• Play nice with editors. If you sell a billion books, then you can start calling the shots, but until then, if an editor makes a suggestion–suck it up and deal with it. Play nice. Obviously, if the change completely alters the book, you can voice an opinion, just be civilized.
• Be professional. The writing community is a community, so make sure to play nice with others, otherwise word may get around and no one will want to work with you (see first bullet).

Did you attended ConClave? What were some tips you picked up?

photo: Sasquatch stand-up outside a presentation about Sasquatch.