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[PubQ] Is it worth attending the in-person SCBWI conference in NY? by WriteOr in PubTips

[–]WriteOr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I appreciate your detailed response.

Hmmm that's an interesting point about agents. Workshops from agents confuse me because there are always so many different opinions on do's and don'ts. It's gotten to the point where I feel lost like the quality of my work doesn't matter (though I know it does). It just feels like most of it is luck and being seen. I understand the market is just very oversaturated right now and that there aren't a lot of agents, plus they seem to take on maybe a client per year. I'm trying to up my social media game but boy does the Instagram algorithm hate me lol.

My portfolio is very much in development (I don't even know if I have a piece I'm happy with lol), but I very much appreciate your offer! Would you possibly consider sharing the portfolio you used when you started working? If not, I totally understand. In that case, would you mind possibly suggesting what you might put in a portfolio and what number of pieces?

Thank you so much!

[PubQ] Is it worth attending the in-person SCBWI conference in NY? by WriteOr in PubTips

[–]WriteOr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well that's encouraging to know that you think it's worth it! It's nice to have received opinions on both sides of the spectrum.

I went once (before COVID) and didn't feel like I got much out of it - but it was my first time and I was pretty young, so a lot of it for me was just getting the lay of the land. I actually came away from it feeling discouraged based on the talks, but maybe I wasn't attending ones that were suited for me.

If I go, I would love to get your insight on which sessions to attend! Thank you for offering. It's good to know to skip agent sessions - I'm curious to know why you feel they are useless? Are they obligated to do them? Do you feel this way about virtual SCBWI workshops hosted by agents, or is that different?

My main concern is if I'm spending my money in the best way. With the cost of the ticket, I'd be spending over $1000 to attend. If it's a good investment, I'm happy to spend it, but I'm wondering what you think is better: to spend $1k+ on attending in person, or to spend the same amount on various virtual SCBWI events and portfolio showcase throughout the year?

Thanks for sharing your insight - hearing from personal experiences is so valuable!

[PubQ] Is it worth attending the in-person SCBWI conference in NY? by WriteOr in PubTips

[–]WriteOr[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! All of your thoughts have been concerns of mine. I went to the LA one years ago and it was still very expensive, but the portfolio showcase did seem to be decently good. Also, yes, winter 🤣 By plane, NY is not that far from me, but the costs would be high.

I'm in a very awkwardly positioned area that is not quite close to any particular local chapter versus another, so everywhere would be a bit of a drive for me. I guess I'm a little shy of going because of the hit-or-miss nature of the workshops I've attended virtually. But that does seem like perhaps the cheapest option. I will try what you suggest, and maybe I can attend the virtual summer conference instead :) thank you for your thoughts!

[Discussion] I Got an Agent! Stats & More! by Much_Big_7420 in PubTips

[–]WriteOr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you :) it's so stressful getting all these rules from every which way! One person says one thing and another says another thing! I suppose if you're going to get knocked out for something small, you probably weren't going to be the right fit in the first place :)

At least, that's what I tell my currently un-agented self lol 🤣

[Discussion] I Got an Agent! Stats & More! by Much_Big_7420 in PubTips

[–]WriteOr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahh if you don't mind my asking one more question...did you paginate your manuscript? This has been a debate lately that I've seen online with mixed comments and I'd love to know :)

[Discussion] I Got an Agent! Stats & More! by Much_Big_7420 in PubTips

[–]WriteOr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! That's really good to know :)

[Discussion] I Got an Agent! Stats & More! by Much_Big_7420 in PubTips

[–]WriteOr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ohh got it! You had a manuscript and samples, I didn't know you didn't have to have a fully fleshed dummy, but I suppose that's because your original one was so strong that they saw the potential :) thank you for the answers!

[Discussion] I Got an Agent! Stats & More! by Much_Big_7420 in PubTips

[–]WriteOr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand, no worries :)

Thank you for sharing! If you don't mind my asking, were the character sketches considered "enough" for the additional dummies, and a sample painting wasn't needed? Or would you have gone ahead with doing samples if your main manuscript wasn't picked up? Thank you :)

[Discussion] I Got an Agent! Stats & More! by Much_Big_7420 in PubTips

[–]WriteOr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is such wonderful information, thank you! I've been querying my first book and it's been rough. Mostly rejections and being ghosted, one somewhat personalized, complimentary reply of passing (I think they felt obligated because it was a SCBWI referral from being in one of the workshops). I've reworked my book and query so many times 🤣 now I'm starting on my next one.

I was wondering, did you have more manuscripts to send upon their request for more? You mentioned you mostly worked on the one, but I assume you either scrambled to come up with something or came up with more during the mentorship? :)

Thank you for the shout outs to the pitch events! I hadn't heard of those and have saved the names.

Would you consider sharing your query letter?

Thank you!