For the Writers: A Self-Pubber Goes to a Writer's Conference

The last time I went to a writer's conference, I traveled the traditional publication track, pitching my story in hopes of  finding an agent or editor.  I probably smelled of Twilight Woods body soap and desperation.

Then I self-published, experienced some nastiness and/or insensitivity from non-self-published writers, and decided I was going to gain some distance from the traditional publishing world. This included not going to writer's conferences, because a lot of the focus is on pitch appointments, so why bother, right?

Time passed, and I toughened up in regards to other's perceptions of self-publishing (and, I suppose, other's perceptions of how successful -or not- Finding Meara is.) The time for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer's Gold Conference came around, and it had some wonderful workshops listed, plus I could meet some of my online writer friends. I decided to go, and I'm really glad I did.

Two of the nicest people at the conference:
Jamie Raintree and Alyson Walker

I have never met so many nice writers in one place. In fact, getting to meet online writer-friends in person, and having them (especially Jamie Raintree) be so kind and welcoming was absolutely the best part of the conference. Everyone I sat next to or talked to were open and friendly. The atmosphere was relaxed and generally happy. There were other self-published authors there, but considering how many writers attended the conference, we were few in number.

There were workshops dedicated to self-publishing issues, but they were rudimentary and I chose instead to attend intermediate crafting workshops. I made good choices, because I learned something in all the workshops except one. I finally understand metaphor and theme, and how to use both thoughtfully to augment character arc. Now I get what subtext is, and wonder why it seemed like such a mystery. The exciting thing about understanding the concepts is that I can make planned decisions on how to use subtext, metaphor and theme to benefit what I'm writing, instead of writing and hoping it all comes out okay.

I learned how to develop a short story plot line, and how to incorporate a character arc. I really want to write a short story now, to see if I'll write them better. I need to finish the first draft, but I'm thinking while I'm letting draft one percolate, I'll try out a short story using Tavi or Quinn as the main character. Or maybe the Fairy King and Pixie Queen as a prequel to Book 2.

I finally got to meet Piper Bayard,
after following her on twitter!

One of the workshops taught us how to share better content online, supposedly in 30 minutes a day. Hopefully I'll get that organized soon, so I can start sharing some good stuff with you all!

Mark Coker from Smashwords was there, and it was truly a joy to hear him speak for self-publishing again. I went to several of his talks at the Pike's Peak Writer's Conference (the last one I went to), and got to sit by him at lunch one day. He's probably one of the reason's I decided to self-publish.

For the most part, people were non-judgmental. People's prejudices regarding their publishing preferences would show, but it wasn't bad enough that I felt like the black sheep of the writer family. One writer didn't know I'd self-published, and made a comment about "legitimately published" authors. There were awards given to people who had "successfully self-published a book" within the year. The presenter actually said something to the effect of "since anyone can publish a book, the requirement to receive this award is to be successful, and have written a good book that sells." Like there aren't so many other things that go into a self-published book selling. Maybe it sounds like I'm making excuses, but if you don't have visibility, not even the absolutely best self-published book will sell. I got the feeling they were kind of new to self-publishing. I used to have the same thoughts, after all.

What is it that makes us writers so judgmental? Even self-publishers have to create a hierarchy within self-published books. Instead of having agents and editors as gatekeepers, we erect our own gates. "My book sold XX and yours isn't selling, so that means my book is better than yours." Which may or may not be true.

That's why I liked hearing Mark Coker. He addressed in his speech the presenter's comment about

And I got to meet Heather Webb, too!

"successful self-published books." He noted how people say Smashwords lets anyone publish "crap" and how there's so much "crap" out there. (And he did it in a way that acknowledged the presenter's comment.) Then he said "I didn't want Smashwords to become a gatekeeper. I wanted to let people get their stories out to readers, and let readers decide for themselves what they want to read."

I left the conference both inspired and determined, and with new or closer friendships. I'm excited to write and I can't wait to use what I've learned in my stories. Each book I release will be better than the last, and because of that, I will be successful, without being measured by books sold or money made.

Funny Photo Friday

Happy Friday, everyone!  I am so glad it's the weekend.  How about you?

Before we get to the pictures I wanted to share a funtabulous opportunity!  The marvelous Heather Webb at Between the Sheets is hosting a pitch workshop/blog hop/contest.  Go here (toward the bottom of the post) for all the details, but basically:

Sign up is from Monday, October 29th through Wednesday, October 31st.

Blog Hop is November 1st and 2nd

Contest is November 5th through November 9th - post your pitch in the comments section at Between the Sheets to enter a chance to get your first ten pages in front of agent Michelle Brower from the Folio Literary Management.

Go take a look and if you decide to participate (which I hope you do!) I wish you tons of good luck!

So, lets see some funny photos!  Last weeks winner was:

Cat News!

And here's the new ones!

The things we do to our pets!

The photo on the right makes me smile because he looks like he's hula-hooping. 

I mostly found this funny because I do get beavers and otters confused...all the time.

The following isn't necessarily funny, but I thought they were cool and had to share them.  

Star War My Little Ponies!

I so want a set--or at least the Darth Maul one.  Look for the Princess Leia in the metal bikini thing she wore in Jabba's Palace.  Too funny!  The Lando one is pretty cute.  I  have to admit I had a little crush on Lando back when I was (maybe) seven years old and The Empire Strikes Back came out.

I'm curious! Who is your favorite Star Wars character?  You can pick more than one, if you want.  

Did you like any of the photos more than the others?

Query Corral Blog Hop

Heather Webb, writer, foodie and wine afficianado (which makes her very cool, in my book) is hosting a blog hop at her blog, Between the Sheets. Since I seriously need help with knowing where to even start an effective query, I was so excited for the opportunity to participate!

Below is my first attempt at a query letter for Finding Meara.  Even if you're not participating in the blog hop and want to share some of your wisdom, I'd really appreciate it if you'd leave a comment. 

Dear Agent:

In Finding Meara, my 80,000 word adult contemporary-fantasy, Hazel Michelli’s life is turned inside out when she is mistaken for a girl named Meara, kidnapped from her Denver apartment by a winged creature, and taken to the Realm, a parallel world where magic and monsters exist. 


Upon learning she is to be sacrificed for some nefarious purpose, Hazel narrowly escapes the Realm with the help of Frederick, a fire-cat, and Arden, the cryptic keeper of the forest.

Back in Colorado, Hazel’s world is further turned inside out when she learns she was adopted as a baby, and dysfunctional doesn't even begin to describe her family of origin. Her adoptive parents are distant cousins to her mother, an Earthforce magician who fled the Realm to protect Hazel when she was an infant. Meara is her four-year-old half-sister, and their father, Lucian Rosen, is a sadistic Lifeforce magician desperate to sacrifice his daughter to maintain his immortality.

The only problem is Meara has disappeared, and not even Lucian knows where she is. Furthermore, Lucian realizes Hazel is his lost daughter, and if he can sacrifice her, he will obtain the Earthforce magic in her blood and take over the Realm.

Guilted to action by her adoptive mother, Hazel races between the Realm and Colorado, trying to find the four-year-old and stay one step ahead of Lucian, so she doesn’t end up becoming the sacrifice that would give him control over the Realm.


While written with light-hearted humor, Finding Meara deals with themes of sacrifice, selflessness and family.

I am a school social worker, mother and wife. I have had two short horror stories published in printed anthologies. My contemporary fantasy story, Bear Hug, is published in the February 2012 issue of the online journal, Hogglepot.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Lara Schiffbauer

Thanks so much, everyone, for all your helpful feedback! Have a happy hop!