I’ve had the pleasure of teaching alongside literary agent Gordon Warnock (Andrea Hurst Literary) several times, and let me tell you that the man knows his stuff. He’s a very smart agent in the ways of writing and publishing, and he sells a lot of books. WD is honored to have him teach the webinar, “Crafting Fiction & Memoir That Sells–An Agent’s Point of View,” on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. All attendees get a personalized critique of their work. Read on to learn more and sign up.
DETAILS
This live webinar happens at 1 p.m., EST, Thursday, August 30, 2012, and lasts 90 minutes. Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for one year. You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation. In all WD webinars, no question goes unanswered. Attendees have the ability to chat with the instructor during the live event and ask questions. You will receive a copy of the webinar presentation in an e-mail that goes out one week after the live event. The answers to questions not covered in the live presentation Sign up here.
ABOUT THE CRITIQUE
After the session, all registrants are invited to submit the first two double-spaced pages of their novel or memoir—no query letter needed! Gordon Warnock will personally read each submission and respond with a short paragraph critiquing the effectiveness of your opening pages. If he finds any of the submissions to be of excellent quality, he will request further materials from the writer. This is your foot in the door and your chance to skip the query process and get your work read by an agent.
ABOUT THE WEBINAR
If you are serious about getting published, or wondering why your manuscripts are not getting the attention you desire, let instructor and literary agent Gordon Warnock show you how to move beyond the slush pile.
Fiction and memoir writers often overlook or underestimate the importance of knowing the commercial elements necessary to succeed in writing and selling their work. In this workshop, taught from a publishing professional’s point of view, we will discuss how to polish and present your manuscript so as to stand out from the competition. Get noticed, get read, and up your chances of getting sold.
Want to find out what makes an agent keep reading and ask for more? In this webinar, Gordon will share insider’s secrets and tools to avoid rejection and secure an agent. Sign up here.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
- Is your title memorable? Never underestimate the power of a good title. Although titles are often changed by publishers, it is the first hook used to get an agent’s attention.
- Do your “firsts” hook the reader? The first few pages are where the agent makes the decision to reject or read on. We will examine great first sentences, impressive first paragraphs and compelling first pages.
- Does your plot fit a clear genre? Many authors are unsure what genre their book fits into. You must be an educated writer, know your genre and audience, and write appropriately for it. We always ask questions regarding where does a project fit and who are your comparative authors.
- Does your voice keep the reader turning pages? Learn the various ways to establish tension early and make readers want to know what happens next. Many books are rejected for issues in pacing, character development and basic writing techniques. Sign up here.
INSTRUCTOR
Gordon Warnock is a Senior Agent and the memoir specialist at Andrea Hurst Literary Management (www.andreahurst.com). He is a frequent teacher and speaker at conferences and MFA programs from coast to coast and a member of the oldest author services firm in the nation. His client list is an even balance of seasoned veterans and promising new voices including Robert V. Taylor, Howard Steven Friedman, and Tanya Chernov, whose debut memoir, A Real Emotional Girl, is due out in hardcover September 1st.
QUESTIONS? Please contact writingwebinars@fwmedia.com
