Our Masterpieces...Err, Our Novels

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

I Won! I Won!...Help Please!

Workout Song of the Day: "Airplanes Part 2" by B.o.B ftg Eminem & Hayley Williams

So, do you remember not so long ago I subjected you to this? Well, it was all part of my ploy to talk to two super agents--Kathleen Ortiz and Suzie Townsend in the epicest (nice word, huh?) of all epic contests.

Guess what? I WON! I'm really one of the winners! My first reaction was this:




And then it started to dawn on me that I was going to spend 12 WHOLE MINUTES talking to two agents that I truly admire, and that I one day hope to work with. So my second reaction was this:


I'm aware that this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Twelve minutes to pick the brains of two awesome agents, and I don't want to spend my time stumbling over my words and grinning like an idiot (which is pretty much what I did ALL yesterday). I wanted feedback on a manuscript that Ms. Ortiz read a partial of--to see if my revisions were heading in the right direction--and I wanted pointers on how I could make the most of my visit to the upcoming SCBWI conference in LA. But what else?

This is where you come in, my most awesome followers. I want to come back and share any tips/advice this lovely ladies wish to bestow upon me, so what would you like to know? How they prefer queries? What they want to see more of in the slush pile? What turns them off in the first few pages? I want to devote my final few minutes to YOUR questions, and then I'll give you all the deets on my blog.

Post a comment and have at it. :)

12 comments:

Marquita Hockaday said...

First of all, you BEASTED that competition! Of course they had to pick you to win, who else had a more awesome vlog than you? Second, it is so cool that u are willing to allow us to ask questions :) YEAH! Now, what shall I have you ask on my behalf?? Hmmm...could you ask if they are interested in historical YA? And if so, what time period are they interested in seeing represented? Do they consider the early 70s historical? What kind of narrators are they looking to see in historical YA (teenage boy I hope!). Okay, I think that is enough from me- of course I don't expect you to ask ALL of those. You can leave one of them out- hee hee :) SO PROUD of you!!!!!

Abby Stevens said...

Congratulations Pam!

Stina said...

Can't wait to read all the great advice they give you.

Amanda Hannah said...

Congratulations Pam!!

Sara {Rhapsody and Chaos} said...

SO COOL! Congratulations =)

OOOO here are my questions:
Do they google prospective clients?
What's the average turnaround time from submission to publication? (When you're out on subs to publishers.)
If you query them with a book you'd like to see as part of a trilogy, should you note that in the query or just start with the first book (as it should stand alone, from what I understand) and talk about future possibilities down the road?

Pam Harris said...

Thanks so much ladies! And great questions, Quita and Sara. I'm taking notes as we speak. :)

Ann Marie Wraight said...

CONGRATULATIOOOOOOOONS!
WOW- I'm so awestruck I can't think of a specific question...YET

Will get back to you!

Jess said...

YAY! Pam, I am so excited for you! What a great opportunity! :)

You are so sweet to share your 12 minutes, too! I look forward to reading all great answers and advice they give you!

Mike Chen said...

Congrats! Here are some question ideas:

-How much does the quality of the query letter weigh vs. the quality of the premise? In other words, can a great premise overcome a poorly put-together query?
-How much does self-publishing hurt you?
-For fiction writers, how much does being published in non-fiction or journalism help?

Melanie said...

Goodness gracious, what an awesome opportunity!!!

Hopefully they do google prospective clients and then they can see what a great blog you have going!

Pam Harris said...

Aww, thanks Melanie. Have I told you lately that I heart you? :)

Tory said...

Hi,Pam! I saw your tweet about the interview w/ KOrtizzle and sztownsend81! CONGRATS to you, and I'm so looking forward to your post on Tuesday. Have a great weekend...you deserve it! Tory