Q&A with Jon Gibbs

Tags

GLVWG "Write Stuff", Writing Advice, Writing Conferences, Writing Craft

By Sara Karnish

A longtime friend of GLVWG, Job Gibbs will be presenting three sessions at the 2023 Write Stuff Conference: “The Three C’s of Conflict: Part 1,” “The Three C’s of Conflict: Part 2,” and “The Funny Pages.” Here is a complete conference schedule.

Writer bio:

Born in England, Jon Gibbs now lives in New Jersey, where he was Author-in-Residence at Georgian Court University from 2012 to 2017.

Jon is the founder of:

• The New Jersey Authors’ Network (www.njauthorsnetwork.com)
• NJ Writing Groups.com (www.njwritinggroups.com)
• The I are a writer! (and more) store (www.iareawriter.net).

His middle grade fantasy, Fur-Face, was nominated for a Crystal Kite Award. Originally published by Echelon Press in 2010, the second edition was released in November 2022. The sequel, Barnum’s Revenge, was published by Echelon Press in 2013. The second edition is due out this year.

Jon’s latest book, Abraham Lincoln Stole My Homework, is due out this year.

When he’s not chasing around after his children, Jon can usually be found hunched over the computer in his basement office. One day he hopes to figure out how to switch it on.

Contact him at admin@jongibbs.org.

Q: One of your sessions is called ‘The Funny Pages.’ What will we learn during this session?

JG: We’ll be looking at how humor comes in many forms, and how we can use it in lots of different ways, whether it’s to lighten the mood after a shocking or stressful scene, or show us a little backstory, or even to make us like a character we aren’t supposed to – Think the Sherriff of Nottingham in Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. 

Q: Humor is difficult to achieve in writing. What are a few key elements to ‘writing funny’?

JG: I think we all have slightly different ideas as to what counts as funny, but when it comes to using it in a book or story, I’d say the most important thing is that whoever’s writing it finds it funny. Also, consistency is important. Humor is part of our personality. If a story character switches between self-deprecating humor and one-liners to snarky jokes and sarcasm without any obvious reason, it can be jarring (at least, it is for me as a reader).   

Q: Can you give us a sneak preview of your ‘3 Cs of Conflict’ 2-part sessions?

JG: Using examples from books and movies, we’ll be looking at some of the many ways to insert conflict in a story, and how we can use it to do more than just provide an obstacle for our characters to overcome. We’ll also be looking at examples from attendees’ current works-in-progress to see how we can ramp up the conflict while also helping to move the character/story arc along. 

Q: What does conflict add to a piece of fiction?

JG: Conflict certainly isn’t everything, but without it, any story (and most of real life) would be pretty boring. It doesn’t all have to be car chases and brawling; in fact, most conflict is pretty subtle, but if it’s not there, readers soon start flipping ahead a few pages, or worse, simply put the book down.  

Q: You write middle-grade fiction. What are some must-haves for writing middle-grade?

JG: Usually, the main character has to be middle-grade age. Adults can help solve the story problem, but they can’t be the driving force behind it. Aside from that, I’d say the must-haves are the same as any other fiction. Characters the reader cares about, good story, etc. 

Q: How is writing middle-grade different than writing for adults?

JG: There are some basic differences, most of which are common sense. The official age range for middle-grade readers is between 8 and 12, so there’s an awful lot of scope for the type of story you can tell (as well as in how you tell it). Across the board, though, really bad language, sex, etc., are definite no-nos. 

Book-length tends to be a lot shorter – usually between 20K and 50k words. If there is a romantic interest, it’s subtle – think Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger in the first few Harry Potter books.

Winding Up for the Pitch

Heather Cashman

You’ve finished your manuscript, and you’re ready to look for an agent. How do you find an agent and then how do you make your pitch?

You can check out the Write Stuff Pitch Workshop and Pitch Session next month. This is a pre-event for the 2022 Write Stuff Conference.

Part 1 is October 2, a virtual session with agent Heather Cashman of Storm Literary Agency. She’ll lead you through a day-long workshop on finding and querying an agent, and developing and critiquing a pitch.

You’ll then have a week to practice your pitch. Part 2 is October 9, a virtual pitch session with one of four agents: Mark Gottlieb of Trident Media Group; Carrie Howland of Howland Literary; Lawrence Knorr of Sunbury Press, and Paul S. Levine of Paul S. Levine Literary Agency.

Register for the workshop and pitch session here: https://greaterlehighvalleywritersgroup.wildapricot.org/event-4316841

Meet David Fessenden — Speaker GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ March 23, 2019

Tags

Christian Writers, Editing, Fiction, Indie Publishing, Non-Fiction, Publishing Contract, Writing, Writing Conferences

Article by Write Stuff Conference Chair – Dawn Sooy

 

 

David E. Fessenden has launched out as an independent editorial and publishing consultant after 20 years in editorial management for Christian publishers. Dave has a B.A. in journalism, an M.A. in religion, and over 30 years of experience in writing and editing. In his previous positions, Dave has edited scholarly and popular journals, served on the staff of a Bible Institute, and edited a regional edition of the largest Protestant weekly newspaper in the country.

GLVWG was delighted when Dave agreed to speak at the GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ on March 23, 2019, the only problem, he has a robust presentation list and choosing between the topics difficult. We decided on these:

• The Publishing Contract

Just when you are rejoicing that your book is going to be published, you receive a thick envelope in the mail — the dreaded publishing contract. This seminar will explain the clauses in a standard book contract, from a layperson’s perspective. [Disclaimer — I’m not a lawyer, and I don’t dispense legal advice!]

• The Writer/Editor Relationship

Writers and editors sometimes have a love/hate relationship — but it doesn’t have to be that way. This workshop covers what an editor looks for in a writer, and how you can be the kind of writer-editors love to publish!

• The Dreaded Outline: What Your English Teacher Never Told You

Do you dread preparing an outline? It’s not surprising if you are doing it the way you were probably taught in grade school. This workshop shows you how to break free of strict and silly rules so that you can use an outline as a writing plan.

• Editing Your Own Material (Muhlenberg)
  It’s a basic fact of human nature — we tend to be blind to our own mistakes. (Otherwise, we wouldn’t make the same ones over and over again!) These tips on self-editing show you how to step out of your skin — to be “objective” in the truest sense of the word — and smooth out the rough spots in your manuscript.

 

Who is David Fessenden?

During my 20 years in Christian publishing, I have learned to wear a lot of hats. Let me tell you about a few of them:

Editorial Coach

I can come alongside you to find ways to bring focus to your manuscript, making it more oriented to a specific audience, more effective and more publishable. I can also help you hone your proposal into a dynamic presentation that will spark the interest of a publisher.

Publishing Consultant

I can assist publishing houses, whether large or small, with editorial services and advice in acquisition, publishing agreements, copyright issues, subsidiary and international rights, production (including printed, e-book and audio formats) and promotion.

Academic Literary Agent

I am available to represent a limited number of authors on a per-project basis at a standard 15% agency rate. I capitalize on two decades in editorial positions with CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) publishers and my seminary training to specialize in the nonfiction Christian book market, with a bent toward authors and manuscripts that are more theological, academic or semi-academic.

Among many of the hats David wears, songwriting is another. He has delighted music lovers with songs that can be heard on http://fromconcepttocontract.com/daves-songs/

Dave’s God: There is one thing I really want you to know about me: my life is not my own. I have put it in the hands of the One who created the universe. To read more on this “God stuff,” select this link: Dave’s God

My wife and I live in southcentral Pennsylvania; we have two adult sons/daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.

 

To read more on David, visit:

• Nonfiction writing blog:www.FromConceptoContract.com
• Author/publisher website:www.DaveFessenden.com

 

And don’t forget to visit his Amazon Page for books he’s written.

 

********************

 

Dawn Sooy, GLVWG’s Conference Chairman, is a native of Eastern Pennsylvania, with plenty of experience the four seasons have to offer. Armed with a Computer Science degree, she worked in the tech industry until 2012. As an animal lover, she volunteers at the local animal shelter, sneaking in treats for the four-legged residents.

How to Prepare for that Editor or Agent Appointment

Tags

Editor Interviews, Elevator Pitch, Pitching Agents, Writing, Writing Conferences

A week away from the 2018 Write Stuff Conference™, GLVWG’s Donna Brennan offers some advice for attendees with scheduled agent interviews.

**********

When you go to a conference, you often have the opportunity to meet with an agent or editor and pitch your work. Depending on the conference, you may get one appointment or you may get several. The duration of the appointment varies too, typically ranging from five to fifteen minutes.

• How do you select which agent or editor to meet and pitch your work?
• How do you prepare for that meeting?
• What should you actually say at the meeting?

Here’s some advice addressing those questions.

 

 How to Select Which Agent or Editor to Meet With

The longer the list of available agents and editors, the more daunting the task may appear. But look at it as an opportunity to find the best fit for you and your work.

First, read the bios listed on the conference website, paying special attention to what their current needs are. Don’t pitch a fantasy to someone who is only interested in contemporary romance. Then, go to their websites (usually listed in the bio) for more information about them and their agency or publishing house, including titles of books they represent or publish. Read reviews and summaries of those books online. If you can, read the first few pages online, too.

Do they have a blog? Read that, too. That often helps you to get a feel for what kind of person they are. You want to make sure they are someone you would enjoy working with.

Pick your top choices, but also have some back-up choices. Appointments usually fill up quickly with folks who register for the conference early, getting first dibs on available time slots. So register as soon as you’re sure you’ll be attending.

A Few Questions with Sheree Bykofsky

Tags

Literary Agent, Sheree Bykofsky Associates, Writing, Writing Conferences

 

In the last of our series to introduce presenters and agents, GLVWG’s Dawn Sooy took a few moments to ask Sheree Bykofsky a few questions. Sheree will be taking pitches at the upcoming 2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™, Saturday March 24 (advance registration required).

**********

Dawn – As an agent, you work with writers, hopefully, long-term, but who are strangers to you at first. Do you look at more than the work submitted to determine that relationship?

Sheree – Yes, I like to know I’m working with an author who knows what is expected of a professional author, even if this is their first book. I like authors who help me to help them so that each step of the way we both feel like we are on the same team. This professional relationship has made me feel genuine love for many, many of my authors. Ultimately, so many of them feel like they are friends and even family. Mutual appreciation makes this field so rewarding.

Dawn – Writers often say they became writers because they have to write. What drew you to becoming an agent?

Sheree – It is a perfect symbiosis of my skills. It involves my left and right brain in equal measure: assessing manuscripts, being empathetic to people, being the first to read the work of creative and brilliant minds, understanding the needs of publishers and searching for the perfect editor, negotiating contracts in the U.S. and around the world, educating authors. And when the result is a beautiful book and a happy, knowledgeable, appreciative author, what can be more rewarding than that?

Dawn – When you get a submission, how far into it do you get before you know this one is not for you?

Sheree – It varies, but it can be very quick. It isn’t hard to recognize a professional quality submission

Dawn – What trends in the publishing marketplace attract your attention? What genres are hot?

Sheree – For me the old standbys remain my favorite: prescriptive non-fiction: business, health, lifestyle, cooking, etc.

Dawn – I understand you are an exceptional poker player. Tell us a little about that; how did you start? Do you have an engaging story about a competition?

Sheree – I’m very excited that my 4th poker book THE KAIZEN OF POKER will be published in June, 2018. It is about improving your game, something everyone can do in all aspects of their life, at any level. I can’t wait to promote.

Here is a funny story. I was once playing poker at the Borgata. We discussed a rule, and I clearly said I knew the rule and they can trust me on it because I am the author of THE RULES OF POKER (now out of print). The stranger at the table, said, “How interesting that you are an author! Do you do anything else for a living?” I said, yes, I am a literary agent. He said, “Oh! Do you happen to know Sheree Bykofsky? That’s the only agent I know.” I told him I am Sheree Bykofsky and he didn’t believe me. Another man at the table confirmed it. The man said I had rejected his query a while back but had given him some guidance that he appreciated.

Dawn – I really appreciate this, Sheree See you at the conference.

**********

  Article submitted by Dawn Sooy

Dawn Sooy is a multitasker with the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, fulfilling the duties of Secretary and Conference Chair for the 2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™.

A native of Eastern Pennsylvania, and too full of energy to even consider a rocking chair, Dawn published six short stories, the most recent, “Love Knows No Boundaries,” featured in the 2016 GLVWG anthology, Write Here – Write Now. She is currently working on a full-length novel titled, “From The Darkness,” scheduled for publication in early 2018, with plans to publish a horror anthology later in the year.

You can find Dawn on her Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/DawnMSooyAuthor/

2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ Highlighted by Writer’s Digest

Tags

Conference Scene, Don Vaughn, Writer's Conference, Writer's Digest, Writing

Michael Hauge – 2017 Write Stuff Conference™

Don Vaughan, author of the Conference Scene Column for Writer’s Digest, highlighted the 2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ in the February issue of WD magazine.

In the article, Don asked Conference Director, Dawn Sooy, what makes the conference unique.

“It’s an intimate atmosphere makes it easy for attendees and faculty to meet and mingle. Our conference is designed to be inclusive by encouraging participants to share ideas, pose questions and make connections with others who share the passion [for] writing.”  Dawn Sooy added, “The included lunches enhance the ready exchange of ideas and thoughts between attendees, presenters and agents, and the Friday reception is a great place to relax and network.”

Don summarized highlights of the conference with: Seminars address a variety of relevant topics and include: Mastering Suspense, Structure and Plot; Using Metaphors to Add Richness and Texture to Your Work; and A Marathon, Not a Sprint: Long-Term Marketing Strategies for Indies. Attendees can receive immediate feedback on a sample of their work at the Friday evening Page Cuts Critique Sessions. (Critique sessions are free but require advance registration; see website for details.)”

Don writes it’s perfect for: “Writers of every stage hungry for the most up-to-date info and insight on penning and publishing fiction.”

With headliners like NYT Bestseller, Bob Mayer, and a six other published authors as faculty, the Write Stuff Conference™ looks to have something for everyone.

You can get details at the GLVWG website, www.glvwg.org.

 

**********

Blog post by GLVWG’s Social Media Chair, DT Krippene.

 

Meet Veronica Park

Tags

Book Marketing, Corvisiero Literary Agency, Writing, Writing Conferences

Veronica Park is an agent, author, journalist, and marketing consultant with more than ten years of experience writing and editing for publication. Veronica will make a return visit to the GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ on March 24, 2018, to offer marketing advice for attendees  who sign up in advance.

Her favorite categories are YA (anything with a unique voice, but particularly romantic and/or LGBT at the moment), Adult (particularly Romance in all sub-genres) and Non-Fiction that is funny and/or centered upon current events and controversial issues. (Because real life is funny and full of issues.) Also, Middle Grade (MG) with a particular emphasis on diversity, high concept ideas, and graphic novels.

Themes to avoid: controlling boyfriends (unless your story is clearly anti), werewolves, vampires or zombies (unless you’ve somehow found a new spin I haven’t seen), Mary Sue heroines (look it up), edge for the sake of edge, or characters who do things for reasons which psychology can’t explain. Please pay special attention to accurate, non-stereotypical representation in your diverse stories. #OwnVoices preferred, particularly for concepts dealing with issues unique to marginalized communities.

Meet Bob Mayer – Keynote Speaker GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ 2018

Tags

Cool Gus Publishing, keynote speaker, Writing, Writing Conferences, Writing Courses

At the 2018 Write Stuff Writers Conference™, GLVWG is proud to present Bob Mayer as our keynote speaker. On Thursday, March 22^nd, he will guide attendees through A ONE DAY NOVEL WRITING SEMINAR. The presentation begins with the original idea and heart of a story, developing plat and character, working with point of view and, in conclusion, pulling everything together to sell your book and the business of writing.

Friday and Saturday, he will present topics on Write It Forward: From Writer To Successful Author, E-Pub, POD and the Future of Publishing for the Writer, and The Military for Writers. Saturday, he will speak at our luncheon I Will Make it Work.

Bob Mayer is a New York Times bestselling author of over sixty books and the CEO of Cool Gus Publishing  www.coolgus.com. He holds the distinction of being the only male author on the Romance Writers of America Honor Roll.

Bob Mayer resides in Tennessee with his wife and their two English Yellow Labs, Cool Gus and Sassy Becca.

To read more on Bob, click on the following links:

• Home – bobmayer.com
• Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Mayer_(author)
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/authorbobmayer/

 

**********

Article by Dawn Sooy –  Conference Chair 2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™

Dawn is a multitasker with the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, fulfilling the duties of Secretary when needed and Conference Chair for the 2018 GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™.

A native of Eastern Pennsylvania, Dawn has plenty of experience with the best and worst four seasons have to offer. Armed with a Computer Science degree, she worked in the tech industry until 2012. She’s married to a great guy and between them, have four children, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. As an animal lover, she volunteers at the local animal shelter, sneaking in treats for the four-legged residents.

Too full of energy to even consider a rocking chair, with an insatiable itch to write, Dawn published six short stories, the most recent, “Love Knows No Boundaries,” featured in the GLVWG anthology, Write Here – Write Now. She is currently working on a full-length novel titled, “From The Darkness,” scheduled for publication in early 2018, with plans to publish a horror anthology later in the year.

You can find Dawn on:

• Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DawnMSooyAuthor/?pnref=lhc
• Website: http://dwstrange.com/dawns%20world/

Write Stuff Writer’s Conference™ Celebrates GLVWG’s 25th Year

Tags

Writing, Writing Conferences, Writing Courses

The annual Write Stuff Writer’s Conference, hosted by the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, will be held at Best Western Lehigh Valley on March 22^nd to 24^th. The conference offers a full day workshop, half-day workshops, a day full of hour long sessions, pitching sessions to literary agents and editors, critique sessions, a flash writing contest, book fair, and a chance to rub elbows with fellow authors along with agents and editors.

The keynote speaker for 2018 is New York Times bestselling author and the CEO of Cool Gus Publishing, Bob Mayer. Bob is a West Point graduate and former Green Beret. Mayer has authored over 70 novels in multiple genres, selling more than 4 million books, including the #1 series Area 51, Atlantis, and The Green Berets.

In his Thursday all-day workshop/seminar, he will guide attendees through all the steps to develop an original idea, create characters, establish point of view, create setting, manage dialog, and how to go about selling our works in today’s market. In other presentations he will focus on the challenges in the business of writing; researching military issues for writers; and Pubs, PODs and the future of publishing.

Sessions by our six other presenters bear the following titles:

Jane K. Cleland

• Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot (half-day workshop/seminar)
• The Art of Distraction: Using Red Herrings to Create Suspense
• Using Metaphors to Add Richness and Texture to Your Work

Benjamin Sobieck

• Weapons in Fiction
• Using Wattpad to Build a Writing Career
• Writing Inside a Franchise

Matt Betts

• What is a Media Kit and Why do I Need One?
• Make History with Your Writing! (Alternate history)
• The Rhyming Dead (Horror poetry)
• Steampunk – Everything Old is New Again

Richard C. White

• Enter the Hobbit (Writing realistic fight scenes)
• World Building 101
• Writer Beware (Publishing pitfalls)

Tabitha Jorgensen

• Editing: Soup to Nuts
• So You Want to Be an Indie Author?
• It’s a Marathon not a Sprint: Long-Range Marketing Strategies for Indie Authors
• Balancing the Busy: A Crash Course on Time Management for Indie Authors

Dan Krippene

• Pinterest Anyone? (Friday evening)

 

As part of the Friday evening events, attendees can sign-up ahead of time to have their work’s first page critiqued by a panel of authors, agents, or editors. Authors will listen to the comments of the panel incognito. All submissions are anonymous.

In addition, during the Saturday events, attendees can pre-arrange to meet with an agent or editor for a ten minute one-on-one, giving authors a chance to pitch their work. However, authors need to sign up as there are limited slots available. There will also be market coaching appointments.

Also on Saturday is the flash literature contest for fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, one hundred words or less, the works to be submitted Saturday morning. Published authors, who attend, can arrange to have their works sold at the book fair.

For information and online registration, search for Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group for GLVWG.org.

Keep checking our blog right here at glvwgwritestuffblog.wordpress.com/ for presenter details and schedule.

Contact:  Dawn Sooy at glvwg.writestuffchair@gmail.com

And don’t forget to like our Facebook page.

What to Look for in a Writer’s Conference

Tags

Writing Advice, Writing Conferences, Writing Craft

By Donna Brennan – Vice President of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group

 

Maybe you’ve just started out on your writing journey, or maybe you’ve been diligently working on it for years. Wherever you are in the process, there are many benefits to be had from attending a writer’s conference. But not just any writer’s conference will do – you should look for a conference that fits your needs and where you are at the moment. Cost and location, although important, are not the most crucial issues to consider.

How to pick the best writer’s conference for you depends on your current needs and goals. Do you need to learn the basics? Do you need to understand how to market your book? Are you looking for a publisher, or do you prefer information on how to self-publish your work?

Some conferences are geared for a specific genre, which is great if you write in that genre. Some conferences cover a broader spectrum of genres and may include topics like marketing, pitching to an agent or editor, or self-publishing. Before you can choose the best conference on which to spend your time and money, you must determine what it is you need right now.

First, what do you write (or want to write)? Novels? Nonfiction books? Articles? Short stories? Poetry? Then narrow that down. What types of novels? Thriller? Romance? Or something else? What types of articles? Features? Self-help? Amusing anecdotes?

Next, where are you in your writing journey? Do you need to work on your craft? This includes things like pacing, dialogue, point-of-view, plotting, story arc, and self-editing. Do you think you have a pretty good grasp on the craft, but have no idea how to approach editors and agents, or how to compose a query letter? Maybe you want to learn the best ways to use social media to market your books or position yourself as an expert on a particular topic. Maybe you need help figuring out what kinds of book promotions work, and what kinds don’t.

Another important thing to consider, if you’re writing a book, is whether you want to self-publish it or go the traditional route. Or maybe you haven’t decided that yet.

Finally, what is the most important thing you want to get out of the conference? Is it to learn the skills necessary to get started or to improve your writing? Is it to learn how to market that book you’ve worked so hard on? Is it to meet with an agent, book editor, or magazine publisher? Is it to learn what you can about self-publishing? Or maybe you just want to network with other writers?

Once you know what you’re looking for, you can view conference listings with an eye as to how their offerings meet your needs. Read the titles and descriptions of the workshops and sessions thoroughly. Will the workshops provide you with the skills or knowledge you want? Go online and research the presenters to see what they write; maybe search for their books on Amazon and read the first few pages to see what you think of their work.

Are you writing a thriller, suspense novel, or mystery? Then maybe you should see if the conference offers any workshops on fight scenes, use of weapons, pacing, plotting. Do you write historical fiction? See if the conference offers workshops on how to conduct research for your story. Do you write romance? Beneficial workshops could cover topics such as dialogue, characters, or scenes.

Some workshops are geared for beginners. Others may expect a certain skill level or understanding. This applies to craft types of skills as well as technical types of skills. Read the descriptions carefully to see if it’s basic or advanced. You don’t want to waste your time covering material you already know or be lost in a complex topic your barely understand.

If your goal is to meet with an agent or editor, look to see if the conference offers appointments for pitch sessions. If they do, research those editors or agents to see if they handle the types of work you write. Go to their websites and blogs to get a better idea of what they’re looking for or what they might be like to work with. Go to sites like QueryTracker.net for more information about agents.

Other things to look for in a conference include opportunities to socialize with fellow writers, the presenters, and agents and editors. Are the meals included or do they cost more? Are critique services available, and if so, is there a cost involved? Can you make an appointment for advice with a marketing expert or book coach, and do these appointments cost anything?

A writer’s conference can be beneficial in so many ways. Do your research before you sign up, get plenty of rest in the days leading up to the conference, and have a great time once you’re there.

 

**********