Are editor/agent appointments really that valuable?
Warning: soapbox alert:
I’ve been listening to a lot of people stressing out about editor/agent appointments. There were even some drama queens who insisted that their CAREER was FINISHED because they didn’t get an appointment with editor X or agent Y. It was now a waste of money to attend the conference. Life, as they knew it, was now clearly over. 
There are other people who are gloating that they DID get their appointment but the stress of pitching their book is practically giving them a nervous breakdown. 
I have attended three national conferences now, and I have a different opinion. When you get an appointment, the editor/agent is looking for new authors. They WANT to find somebody hot, hot, hot! They are automatically going to ask you for three chapters, minimum (unless you’re writing a two-headed vampire mystery with bestiality). If they like the concept, they’ll request the full manuscript. But guess what? That’s all you get. The rest depends entirely on your writing skills. If you ain’t got it, honey, no request will help your career. Editor/agent appointments are just an open door. This is the first year I actually received an appointment that was appropriate to my manuscript (don’t know why anyone didn’t want a two-headed vampire story, but there you go). Not my first choice, but I have something lined up.
But here’s the thing–at my last conference I didn’t get any appointments. I made my own opportunities by talking to editors after workshops, at book signings, and in general by trying to be a decent person. I came away with four requests.
So my advice to the whiners who moan about not getting any appointments is this: write a query letter. Write three chapters. Send them to all the people you wanted appointments with but didn’t get and tell them how you regretted not getting that opportunity in person. If you get a request, when you see that editor at the conference, tell them how much you appreciate their time. Maybe they’ll remember your submission when they see you.
Who knows, if you’re really lucky, maybe you’ll sell your book BEFORE the conference. 
Michelle posted in Writing @ 6:46 am | Viewed 800 times
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
:coffee2: I’ve never been to a conference but it sound like good advice to me, Michelle
LauraP Says:
Excellent advice.
LauraP Says:
Excellent advice.
Mary Says:
I’ve published 13 books and have never had an editor appointment. A good query letter and manuscript is the best tactic.
Tori Says:
Sounds like great advice, Michelle!
(But I’m really disappointed I can’t use that two-headed vampire with bestiality idea I had…..)
Kelly Says:
Great advice, Michelle. This is my first conference and both of my appts are group appts. I’m just happy to have an open door, but I’m not banking my career on it. .:headbang:
Caro Says:
Well, I’m a person who had to go throw up after her first editor appointment (which went well, btw), but I know that was stritcly due to nerves and I used to do the same type of thing when I was performing.
The nervousness I can understand — many people see an editor appointment as on par with a job interview, only with potentially bigger payoff. Crying that your life is ruined, ruined, RUINED! because you didn’t get the appointment you want, however, is just being a drama queen and the drama queens will soon end up finding something else to be a drama queen about.
An appointment gets you a leg up over the initial slush pile to a slightly smaller slush pile. That’s it. It is not the end all and be all, though some people every year act like it is.
Crystal* Says:
Ya know…sometimes I simply wonder if I want to go to conferences or not. I think my odds are 50/50 again.
Opportunity knocks several times. And we have to keep ourselves open to it.
Grins*
Jill Says:
SO well said!
Rene Says:
I remember last year my chapter spent an hour discussing the do’s and don’t’s about editor/agent appointments. Sounded like way too much stress. I’ll stick with the old fashioned query method.
Amy K. Says:
Well said, Michelle! And good luck on your appointments.
kacey Says:
I’ve had appointments at National, I’ve had Nationals without appointments. You’re right, they won’t make or break anything. I much prefer just meeting them “off the clock” at the bar, introduced by a friend, whatever.
Suzanne Says:
That’s right, Michelle! You make your own opportunities. And you’re a great example of that!
Danica Says:
Really great advice. I’m one of those without appointments at Nationals. I debated about it, I even stressed about who to see. But I realized that since I already have four requests for this book and haven’t done anything with them yet, plus another requested book waiting to be edited and sent, it would be too much pressure to get yet another request.
Yes, having “requested material” stamped on a package will get you in the door faster, but I’ve had requests from every conference I’ve been to, so that’s what, four, and haven’t sold yet. Apparently, I talk a good talk, but my books aren’t quite what they’re looking for-yet.
But they will be.
Margery Scott Says:
Great advice, Michelle. I’ve been to conferences with appointments and without, and to tell the truth, it’s much more fun without the stress.
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