Vicki Selvaggio Returns to the The WriteStuff Writer’s Conference™

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Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, Literary Agent, Query Letters, Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Conferences

Article by Chaz Kiernan, GLVWG WriteStuff Conference Chair

 

Vicki Selvaggio was at our Write Stuff Writer’s Conference™ last year (April 2016) as an agent, and may I add, our most sought after agent for the pitch sessions. This year she comes as a presenter (although she will take a few pitches as time allows).

I am going to share with you an email from her (edited) that pretty much says it all.

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Hi, Charles,

Nice to hear from you. I’ve included some presentations below, but I offer more than these. I can also customize a presentation to match the needs of your members.

Agent 101: An Inside View of Acquiring Clients

(We decided to have Vicki present this one of Friday evening, March 24, before the Social Gathering. Think party.)

As an Associate Agent and Author, Victoria Selvaggio knows firsthand that finding representation can be as hard as or even harder than becoming published. But…having a good understanding of the agent’s role, as well as your own, as the author, is just as important as advocating further, for the right agent-author relationship.

Through this presentation, “Agent 101: An Inside View of Acquiring Clients”, attendees will get a behind-the-desk look at what being an agent means for Victoria—from query letters to rejections to revision to requests to finally, representation and beyond—which will provide helpful tips on how to review your manuscript as if you were also an agent.

Meet Victoria Selvaggio

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Editor, GLVWG "Write Stuff", Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, Writing, Writing Conferences

Once again, GLVWG’s Michelle Meeh spent some time interviewing Victoria Selvaggio, Associate Agent for the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency.  Vicki has a strong background in business ownership and over six years of actively working as a volunteer and Regional Advisor for SCBWI: Northern Ohio. Drawn to the publishing scene first as an author writing all genres, with her most recent publication in the 2015 Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market, Vicki’s passion for honing the craft carried over into reading manuscripts for the agency. Currently, she is excited to read compelling manuscripts that will resonate with her long after she’s done.

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Michelle: Who is your most memorable writer?

Veronica: Stephen King is my favorite writer. I find his path to publication fascinating, and I find his published works to be more than enjoyment for reading. For me, they’re instruments/tools—I’ve learned so much on mastering voice, playing with a manuscript’s structure, and even pushing those standard writing rules a tad.

His publications encouraged me to write about the sweet and innocent, while weaving in the crazy and unimaginable. They helped me push my own limits as a writer–learning to not hold back, writing about my deepest fears, while sharing those things that show my vulnerability. And mostly, they encouraged me to be me–to write what I need to write!

Michelle: Do you have a particular quote that resonates long after the book is back on the shelf?

Veronica: While I don’t have a particular quote after the book is back on the shelf, I do have a favorite motivational quote:

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” – Harriet Tubman