A one-day writers' conference

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Tapestry

3338 Wesbrook Mall (in the Wesbrook Village at UBC)

Vancouver, BC

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Iwan Russell-Jones

An award-winning filmmaker, theologian, and writer, Dr. Iwan Russell-Jones is presently the Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Head of Christianity and the Arts Program at Regent College.

Conference from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

(Optional Networking Reception (refreshments included) from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.)

Registration begins at 8:15 am

Choose three of over 10 workshops

Faculty includes:

singer/songwriter Carolyn Arends

kc dyer, author of nine YA books, freelance writer, speaker, and educator

New York Times bestselling author Kathy Tyers

Bev Boissery, editor, teacher, publisher, scholar and author of 18 books ranging from academic history to middle grade and young adult fiction

and more!

Cost: $99.00+HST

(includes 2 breaks, lunch and Blue Pencil* one-on-one critique session (* limited number)

Discounts:       

• Early Bird Special until April 30, 2012 $10.00
• Member of The Word Guild $10.00
• University Student $10.00
• Full time student Grade 6 – 12 $40.00

See all the details here.

Register here.

Presented by The Word Guild
an association of writers and editors who are Christian*
(*This is not a religious event.)

Steve Laube, president and founder of The Steve Laube Agency, is a 30-year veteran of the bookselling industry. In 2002 he was named the AWSA Golden Scroll Editor of the Year. The next year he became a literary agent and in 2004 formed The Steve Laube Agency. In 2009 he was named the ACFW Agent of the Year.

Steve, writers sometimes hear about A list and B list authors. Is that a term used in Christian publishing? What differentiates an A-lister from a B-lister?

Every publisher “grades” their authors. It is simple math. Those who have bigger sales potential are going to receive a larger portion of the marketing budgets. It is smart business. Some authors resent the hierarchy but it is reality. I don’t resent or resist it, but I do try to influence it as much as possible to get a bit of a nudge in the upwards direction.

On average, how long does it take you to sell a particular project to a publisher?

If I don’t get a positive reaction from the various publishers within four months, it probably isn’t going to happen like we had hoped. The record was getting an offer for a book after 22 months of waiting.

As Christian publishing houses close and/or merge, are you finding it easier or more difficult to place projects? Do you think Christian publishing is becoming stronger or weaker as a result of these changes?

Is it more difficult? That makes me laugh because when has it ever been easy? That is why we call it “work.”

Publishing has always been a cauldron of change. In 31 years of observation it is hard to think of one year that did not see some sort of publishing merger, sale, or bankruptcy. It is simple part of being in the business world. I am not a “the sky is falling” sort of person. I simply carry an umbrella for those days.

I think it’s universally accepted that book authors benefit from having an agent. Is this also the case for authors who write devotionals, Bible Studies and curriculum? What advice would you give someone who is trying to find a publisher for their Bible Studies or curriculum?

I believe that authors should seek a quality agent for all their book length work. (Magazine articles are not part of the equation.) Most authors do not understand contract language or the implications. Each author must decide if that “peace of mind” is worth the commitment to an agent.

But be aware that the same goes for the agent. It takes as much work to negotiate and navigate a contract, communicate with the author, and manage the project for something worth $1,000 as it does for something worth $50,000. So the agent, too, must make business decisions on which projects they can and should represent.

More writers seem to be sidestepping traditional royalty publishers to produce their own e-books. How has this trend affected your business as a literary agent? What do you consider the strengths and weaknesses in e-publishing? E-published books?

This is a loaded question that cannot be answered exhaustively. The impact for us has been minimal. The key to a successful self-publishing effort is an author who is an entrepreneur—one who sees it as a business and treats it as such with both time and resources. Slapping a book up on the web because it is easy is not a formula for success.

Steve was interviewed by Write! Canada Assistant Director, Jayne Self.

As an agent, Steve has very eclectic interests. He has represented everything from the sweet romance to the systematic theology. His clients are equally divided between fiction and non-fiction writers.

At Write! Canada, he'll be teaching a 6-hour Continuing Class called “From Idea to Print: An Inside Look at the Complete Book Publishing Process."

Steve, as president of a highly successful literary agency, you must be extremely busy. How many authors do you personally work with? How hands-on are you with your clients?

The short answer: I am as “hands on” as my clients wish me to be. Some like to be left alone. Others have frequent questions or issues. For the longer answer, check my blog post “How Do You Manage So Many Clients.”

What unique strengths do you bring to your clients?

Having been a bookseller and an acquisitions editor and a publisher, I bring all aspects of the industry to the table. In my early college days I was an Accounting major, so I have no fear of numbers. In addition, having been in the industry for so long, I have some fantastic relationships with those in the publishing companies.

After 30 years in publishing, you’ve probably seen and heard everything. What is your number one turn-off when you receive a query or open a manuscript?

I resent a cover letter that says, “Dear Agent.” That shows a lazy writer who won’t take the time to personalize the greeting. At least say, “Dear Sir”!

Authors are told to write what they love, write what they know. But what if their preferred genre isn’t selling? What advice would you give them?

Gut check time. Decide what your goals are as a writer. If it is to simply have your name on the cover of a book or to receive a paycheck, then try to write to the market. If a story simply will not let you go, then write it. But just because you wrote it doesn’t mean someone else has to publish it. Ideally that would be the case.

The industry cycles around to various genres. For a while I couldn’t place a new historical. Now it is a little harder to place a new contemporary. For a while I couldn’t give away a devotional project. Now the publishers are calling and asking for new material. The cycles have no rhythm or reason (other than there was a surprise bestseller in the genre). So write what you are passionate about writing.

Read part 2 of our Interview with Steve. 

Steve was interviewed by Write! Canada Assistant Director, Jayne Self.

Two nights stay plus breakfast in the best available room on check-in.

The gift is intended to benefit a writer with a quiet place to write without interruption, or a little r 'n r while plotting and planning the next great book or series of articles. 

The gift certificate will not expire, but must be used between November 1 and May 1, any two days of the week, Valentines weekend & March break excluded.

www.samuelshotel.ca

If you're planining to register for Write! Canada, do it today!

Everyone who registers before May 28th will be eligible to win this Writer's Retreat Getaway.

Andy, do you consider e-publishing and self-publishing to be a boon to quality writing or a hindrance? And why?

New technologies have lowered the bar to “publication” for everyone, those who are writing everywhere along the quality continuum.

Traditionally, royalty-paying publishers have kept the bar high—then protected their investment with thorough editing and careful design and production. Readers were guaranteed a certain standard of product.

Today, anyone can, for a relatively low investment, bypass the gatekeepers and insert their message into the market place—either with ink on paper or in an e-book.

Publishing houses have become less entrepreneurial, less likely to take a risk with a new writer whose work isn't a sure thing. So rather than engage in the monumental task of building their platform and making their work stand out, writers are increasingly tempted to opt for what they see as an easier route.

But not every piece of writing deserves to get published. And every writer needs an editor. Not just a copy editor, but also a developmental editor—someone who can find the weaknesses in a piece of writing and demand the writer deliver his or her best work.

I've edited multiple books—fiction and nonfiction—for a large Christian self-publishing house. While each time I've done my best to polish the writing, the constraints of time and finances in that scenario don't allow me to perform the depth of work I routinely perform for a major traditional Christian publisher.

So the self-publishing scenario places much of the burden of quality in the lap of the writer. And how many writers are able to ruthlessly self-edit their work—or willing hire a professional to do the deed?

So I fear that, too often, self-published work falls short of its potential. While readers may be able to benefit from books that otherwise would not have been published, they also find themselves having to sift more chaff from the wheat.

Your two workshops at Write! Canada will focus on writing articles. How does writing articles help authors hone their craft?

The best way to learn how to write is by writing. And few things are more encouraging for a writer—at any level—than making it into print. Fortunately, it's still relatively easy and quick to get articles published.

Unless you regularly make the mega-bestseller list, you reach far more readers with an article than you'll ever reach with a book. I have a friend who is an editor with two magazines—print and online—published by a relatively obscure denomination. Each copy of their print magazine has something approaching 40,000 readers. Imagine speaking to a congregation that large. In contrast, the typical press run by Christian publishers in the US for a book by a first-time author runs considerably less than that: 5,000 copies.

I often tell writers at conferences that if you have a message you want to work very hard for a long time to deliver to a relatively small audience, then write a book. But if you have a message that deserves an enormous audience—and you're able to condense your message or slice it into small portions—then write articles. Whether you're writing for newspapers, traditional magazines, online magazines, websites, or blogs, articles have tremendous potential.

I’m sure you have attended many writers conferences over the years. What has been your best writers conference experience? What has been your worst experience?

My best conference experiences have come when I've had the opportunity to attend the same event year after year—and have been able to see returning conferencees grow in their craft and achieve their potential. It's like planting seedlings in an orchard, tending and pruning the young trees, then eventually reaping a sweet harvest. This past March, I attended a conference I'd last attended more than ten years ago when I was still a magazine editor. This year, two of the best book proposals came from people I'd encouraged years ago when they were first starting to write.

My worst experiences have come from people who had come to a conference only to sell their work, not to learn or listen to advice during classes or appointment times. Even if their work had actually been good, their attitude would put a stop to any publishing professional wanting to work with them.

Anything you would like to add?

I encourage first-time conferees to expect to be overwhelmed with information, to expect to be redirected, to expect to learn things they never anticipated (and from people they never suspected), and to expect to meet strangers who quickly become as close as a sibling you never knew you had.

Hartline Agency

Interview conducted by Jayne Self, Assistant Director of Write! Canada

Andy often teaches at writers' conferences and has been a judge for national writing contests.

He is a journalism graduate of Colorado State University and also studied at Denver Seminary.

As an agent, Andy is looking for a select few outstanding projects that "grab me and won't let me go until I place them with a publisher."

For fiction, this means a memorable blend of characters, setting, and storyline—delivered with carefully crafted prose. For nonfiction, a unique way of addressing a real need with an authority readers will recognize. And for both, the individual's desire to grow in the craft of writing and to undertake the required discipline to promote his or her work for others' benefit.

At Write! Canada 2012, he'll be teaching two workshops—"Teaching with Your Story" and "Two Easy Articles for Fast Publications"—as well as doing critiques and taking appointments.

Andy, although you're new to the literary agent scene, you've been involved in Christian publishing industry for years. How has your past experience equipped you to better serve your clients?

In many ways, I've been working with much the same group of people for decades. While there's always change within the publishing community—people moving to new roles or companies—relationships with those people continue to have lasting value. Whenever I send out an author's book proposal, two-thirds of those recipients in publishing houses are people I already know. And the principles I apply in coaching my clients are ones I learned during decades of attending writers’ conferences and in teaching with the Christian Writers Guild.

You spent eight years as managing editor for the Christian Writers Guild. What trends did you notice in contemporary writing?

By definition, publishing trends come and go. A few years ago, no one was writing and selling “bonnet” fiction. In a few years, that will again be the case. Decades ago, inspired by the success of Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness, supernatural fiction had its day. Now, with the success of Twilight, there's again a rush toward paranormal Christian fiction. Unfortunately, copycat writers seldom produce what's fresh and original.

What were the most common problems you saw?

Many people want to have been published. But few are willing to invest the years of labor necessary to learn and keep learning their craft. Those are the people whose half-baked submissions end up filling the submission piles of gatekeepers. So I find it refreshing, whether in a correspondence program or at a writers conference, to be able to work with people who see their own need to improve their writing and are willing to invest the needed time and energy.

As the newest member of the Hartline Agency, is it necessary for you to take a proactive approach to finding clients, or do you find that simply by hanging up your shingle, you already receive more queries than you can handle?

I appreciate the visibility I have by joining the ranks of a respected, established agency. The problem—in any form of acquisitions—is never related to a shortage of raw material. Rather, it's a shortage of material that stands out by merit of the quality of the concept and the writing. I find myself stretched between the demands of quickly rejecting the large amounts of unsuitable material so I can invest my time to coach high-potential clients to elevate their craft and their platform.

What do you look for in a winning query letter?

Ideally, a query excites the editor or agent about the proposed project. This means a short, polished letter that communicates not only the book or article's big idea and potential, but also its flavor.

What is the biggest error most people make when writing a query?

Too many queries haven't been well planned and well edited. They talk around the project and fail to get to the heart of the matter. Article writers (and more book writers) would do well to apply to their query letters the principle of the elevator speech.

If you were to give authors one piece of advice, what would it be?

A few decades ago, I'd have one piece of advice: Learn your craft. Today that's still essential, but so is this new dictum: Build your platform. More than ever, writers need to mount evidence before increasingly selective, skeptical publishers that they've earned the right to make it into print.

New authors often imagine publication will open the door to multiple book deals, expense paid book tours, and mega-royalties. What would be a more realistic expectation?

Let's play with that scenario; I wouldn't mind receiving an agent's share of mega-royalties. I encourage writers to propose not just a single book, but a series—either follow-up novels or related nonfiction books. If the first book takes off, the next ones already have the road paved for them. And with your online blogging book tour, you have few expenses, you get to sleep in your own bed, and you don't face the hassle of going through airport security.

Read Part 2 of our interview with Andy.

Interview conducted by Jayne Self, Assistant Director of Write! Canada

The deadline for booking a Manuscript Critique is May 25th.

The deadline for booking an Appointment is June 1st.

Register for a Critique (Registration Part 3).

"One of the things I appreciate most about Write! Canada is encountering emerging writers. I am refreshed by their eagerness and encouraged to see new talent in formation. The conference has a well-deserved reputation for increasing the level of professionalism while nurturing a wonderful spirit of community."

From Fazal Karim, Jr., Publisher of The Christian Herald

"We've been involved with Write! Canada since the very beginning. It's a unique Canadian experience where editors can personally engage with amateur and professional writers who are excited about communicating ideas, and find the kinds of writers that fit their publication best. It's a career fair, networking and professional development conference all in one place."

From Bill Fledderus, senior editor, Faith Today

"I attend Write! Canada as often as I can, usually every other year, as a way of meeting new writers in the Christian community and positioning my magazine as a market that successful writers should aspire to. Face to face meetings, even for a few minutes, often make it clear to me if a new writer can bring what my magazine needs, if a new writer has long-term future potential.
 
"It's also a chance for me to give back to the writing community by teaching and making myself available for meetings. Christian magazines would be a lot weaker without a vibrant and diverse writing community-and keeping such a community going requires regular contributions. Attending is also a lot of fun and a boost of affirmation-where else can you hang out with people who share your values so closely?"

Isolation is a huge factor in this great big country of ours. I live 850+ km north of Winnipeg. I grew up in the little town of Sioux Lookout, Ontario, which is close to where I raised my kids. I began my first novel in Red Lake, Ontario. Red Lake is 2,000 km north and west of Toronto.

When you live in the far north, you have little opportunity to network with other authors, attend writing workshops, or meet agents and editors. You have, in fact, little opportunity to get published! I have a passion for mentoring emerging authors and in particular, Aboriginal authors from isolated northern communities.

Aboriginal authors are becoming published more and more these days (see http://twgauthors.blogspot.ca/2009/10/sleeping-giant-awakens.html  and  http://twgauthors.blogspot.ca/2009/12/sleeping-giant-awakens-part-2.html ) but there is still a need for more opportunities and more awareness, especially of our northern writers. Goldrock Press is a very small company (just me actually!) which publishes and promotes the work of mostly self-published authors, but we are together seeking to create more awareness of writers who live way up north. 

Young women from Norway House often attend the Write! Canada conference with you. Have any of them gone on to publish their own writing?

Marcie Redhead has had her work published in the anthology Voice Behind the Mask and in a newspaper, Urban NDN. Frances Bradburn and Corrine Clyne were published in the anthology Isle of Mirage. Corrine’s work has also appeared in Indian Life newspaper. Her story “The Beauty of Drew” was shortlisted for an award in The Word Guild 2010 Canadian Christian Writing Awards. That same year, her poem “Wings of Life” won a novice writing award.

Frances and Corrine are both working on their degrees right now so don’t have quite as much time to write, although Frances is still composing and performing new songs, and Corrine blogs at http://corrine-clyne.blogspot.ca

This year you are among the panelists who will be discussing “Writing Fiction that Entertains while Addressing Real-life Issues.” Who, in particular, will benefit from attending? New writers? Experienced authors? Those who are considering writing fiction?

I think this is an issue that will be of interest to both novice and experienced authors. Every well written book has a clear theme, which by definition is our message to the reader. And every person alive has a set of beliefs and values, which influence their actions, including writing.  What we believe will come across in our writing but in the fiction genre, people are also looking for a “good read.” They want to fall in love with the characters, get entangled in a compelling plot, and be whisked away to places they have never been before. While my books do tackle real life issues, I hope people will thoroughly enjoy them as well.

On your April 6 blog post (http://www.dorenemeyer.com/) you shared some of the poems you collected years ago. Have you ever tried your hand at writing poems?

Yes, when I’m wrestling with some of the toughest, deepest heart issues, the words tend to come out best in a rambling poetic sort of way. A poem was actually my first introduction to Write! Canada back in 2004 when I won free registration through the God Uses Ink Novice Writing Awards with my poem/prose “Writing with Passion and Integrity.” We didn’t have much money then so the free registration made all the difference! My husband and I rode down on our motorcycle, tent-camping along the way.

The poem/prose that I wrote for A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider is shortlisted this year in the “short story” category of The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards. I originally wrote “Bannock and Sweet Tea” in the above mentioned “rambling poetic sort of way” but the editors revised it into more of a prose than a poem format for the book (it took up fewer pages that way!).    

What would you say to someone thinking about trying their hand at a new writing style?

I encourage all my writing students to try their hand at many different genres. You may be surprised at the joyous release you feel when unconstrained by your current writing style. N. J. Lindquist and I are teaching a Continuing Class this year at Write! Canada entitled “When I Write, ‘I Feel God’s Pleasure.’”

The title is taken from the words of missionary and Olympic runner, Eric Liddell (of “Chariots of Fire” fame) who, speaking of God, said, “When I run, I feel His pleasure.” If your writing has become a drudgery instead of a joy, then it may be time to think of trying your hand at a new writing style.

Do you have anything else you’d like to share with those embarking on fiction writing?

I guess, just continuing with the above theme, cut yourself loose, set yourself free to be all that God meant you to be. Don’t be afraid of failure. Rejection will come (it’s part of the business) but don’t let it stop you. Ignore that little voice in your head (that sounds like your grade two teacher or some nefarious relative) telling you that what you are writing is dumb, and no one will ever want to read it.

Yes, we need to pay careful attention to the advice and critiques from our teachers, editors, and eventually our readers, but not to that niggling little voice that would erode our self-confidence and steal our joy. Pick up a pen right now (or a keyboard!) and write. Write for the joy of writing. Write to feel His pleasure!

Dorene's website    

Dorene was interviewed by Stephanie Nickel, co-lead of the Write! Canada PR team.

Dorene teaches classes that provide encouragement and practical help to writers of all genres. As owner of Goldrock Press, Dorene has also published various books written by authors whom she has mentored.

At Write! Canada, Dorene will be co-teaching the Continuing Class “When I Write, ‘I Feel God’s Pleasure’” with N. J. Lindqjuist and appearing on the panel: “Writing Fiction That Entertains While Addressing Real-life Issues”

Dorene, you write, teach, and speak at writers’ conferences. How do you balance your time?

Good question! It is a challenge at times. The classes I teach at University College of the North often take priority over any writing or speaking that I do simply because there are set times when I have to be in the classroom. 

Carving out a piece of time to write takes discipline but once I get into a story, it’s hard for me to want to switch off and get back to preparing lessons and marking student papers! I do take all of my commitments seriously though, and if I have an invitation to speak, I plan my schedule accordingly so that I am well prepared when the day arrives. 

Your books deal with real people going through real struggles. Why do you think it’s important for Christians to touch on the difficult subjects?

As I grow older, I am reminded of how short our lives are. I guess I just don’t want to waste time “playing church” instead of being honest and upfront with people around me. I have seen the healing power of God’s love at work in others and in my own life. When we are open and transparent about our very real struggles, we can help others to feel less alone, and help them to believe that Jesus can truly bring hope and healing to their lives as well.

You write both non-fiction and fiction.  If you could only write one or the other, which would it be and why?

I would just love to write fiction all the time! I love the freedom of letting the characters grow and develop, and allowing the story to tell itself.

I do still quite often get the journalism bug though, seeing events around me in headlines and newsbytes. I tend to take my camera everywhere – another form of storytelling, I suppose.  

Beyond entertaining readers, what do you hope to achieve with your novels?

Oh, there is so much I wish for my readers. Where do I begin? I think the apostle Paul said it best in his letter to the Ephesians (3:14-19): 

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

You write for both young people and adults. What are some of the similarities and some of the differences?

Actually, I think there are more similarities than differences. Young people don’t want to be talked down to; they face many of the same basic human struggles that adults encounter. And as Christian authors, we should never forget that many young people read novels written for adults; I know I did when I was a kid. 

Personally, I feel we need to have more quality YA (Young Adult) books out there for kids to read. There are so many “coming of age” YA books that dwell on the sexual development of tweens and these books seem to imply that all kids are sexually active–or wish they were. Especially young boys are depicted as having sex on their minds 24-7.

Having been the mother of three boys, I can tell you they do have other interests. My youngest son mowed lawns and started his own repair business to save up for an expensive drum set he’d had his eyes on (he has since released two music CDs). My middle son, from an early age loved studying the Bible and sent away for books from Christian speakers he’d heard on the radio (he recently graduated with his MA in Theological Studies). My oldest son loved to read and loved to draw. His artwork has been published in a book and a series of magazine columns.

All three boys were active in a Mime troupe, church youth groups, Scouts, camping, swimming, canoeing, motorcycling, etc. I think that we dishonour our youth by painting them all with the same paintbrush. We are all uniquely and wonderfully created by the Master Artist who has many colours in his pallet.

Growing up among those belonging to the First Nations, it is natural that you call northern Manitoba your home and write novels featuring First Nations characters. How would you suggest other writers tap into what they know and incorporate it into their writing?

Yes, I am embarrassed to say that I set my first novel in the deserts and mountains of the southwestern United States – a place I have yet to visit! As I wrote that first manuscript, I began to run into some obvious difficulties (such as setting descriptions!) and then I began to hear the advice (oft repeated) to “write what you know.” But I wanted to write about some faraway exotic place! It took me a while to realize that what is familiar, mundane and boring to me is unfamiliar, intriguing, and exotic to someone else! Now, I write about the North, which is what I know.

Read part 2 of the interview

Dorene was interviewed by Stephanie Nickel co-lead of the Write! Canada PR team.