Monday, 5 March 2012

Nose to the Grindstone


We had our pitching workshop yesterday at ORWA and I’ve gotten a lot of very good suggestions for next month’s opportunity to pitch to an editor.  But it means there’s a lot of work to do.

I need to get my website and domain up and running.  I need to get some business cards printed up.  I need to work on my pitch.

Oh yeah, and I need to continue working on the actual manuscript.  All during tax and grant proposal season.  Ack.

I’m really enjoying ORWA.  I’m starting to make some friends and learn to navigate the waters of various personalities.  If (When) my publishing dreams come true, I’m going to have a lot of people to thank for it.

It’s nice being able to talk with authors who have already been down this path, getting their suggestions and input.  Like having reasonably intelligent questions for the editor if she asks for them.  Using the word “excited” instead of “nervous”.  Beginning by summing up your novel with one sentence.  Ending with open ended questions instead of yes/no ones.

Of the 37 members, over half are published authors.  That’s a huge pool to draw on for advice.  I’m really glad I overcame my nervousness (or is that excitedness?) about new social situations and went ahead with joining.

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