Tayari's Blog: Post AWP Advice

Posted by TayariJones on February 4, 2008 08:28 AM
Filed under The Writing Life

First off: don't worry. I will not blog about AWP all week. This will probably be the last one, particularly since we got hundreds of applications (amazing!) for the MFA at Rutgers-Newark and I will be crazy busy sorting through the pile choosing our next exciting group of writers. (Maybe I'll post on do's and don't for applications. Does that sound like a good idea?)

But meanwhile on to the the question at hand. Often after attending conferences, writers will start receiving invitations to read, conduct workshops, submit to journals, etc. Several of my younger writers pals have asked me how to handled these situations. Today's installment is about what to do about editors and agents who are on the make at the conference.

  • An agent invites you to submit. Go ahead and do it, if you feel the work is ready to be seen by the public. Don't get all carpe-diem and send it out too early. The agent is not holding her breath waiting for you submission. She's much rather see it when it is ready. If it makes you feel better, you can send her a note, thanking her for her interest and promise to send it on when the manuacript is it in tip-top shape. If she says send it anyway. I'd advise you to beg off. Also remember, sending to an agent isn't agreeing to representation. It's like going on a date. Just do a little look-see and determine if you're interested. Also, it's good to keep in mind that agents invite lots of people to submit. So, be hopeful, but don't become too invested.
  • An editor invites you to submit. If you have an agent, call her right away and do whatever she says. If you don't have one yet, it might be a good idea to get one first, particularly if the editor is from a big scary cut-throat NY house.
    I have a brilliant-but-young friend who got a cold call from an editor who read an article his community activisim in The Washington Post. Well, actually, the editor called me because she heard that I know everybody and while I don't, I did know this kid. I told her that I was going to put him in touch with my agent before letting her talk to him. Afterall, can you imagine what would happen if a big publisher were to call a young, 20-something, writer out of the blue? He'd agree to anything. I put my terrfic agent on the case and I am happy to report that there is a happy ending to ths story. Rather than limit the process to the cold caller, the proposal was submitted broadly and several editors were interested. The manuscript ended up at auction. And in a year or so it will be in bookstores!

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