AGENT PANEL- Psst! Wanna Know a Secret?



Now for the agent and editor panels at the SCBWI conference. Wow. What a fantastic lineup and they were so open and willing to share their thoughts. I jotted down some notes below and hope they can be useful to you!

The agent panel consisted of Erin Murphy, Michael Bourret, and Sarah Davies

Thoughts from Erin:


• Measure success by your happiness


• Don’t compare yourself


• Talk through your book with your editor


• Don’t get attached to your title


Thoughts from Michael:


• Be happy with the work you are doing knowing that you are growing as a writer


• Set realistic goals


• He’s an advocate for his writers


• Treat people with kindness and respect


• Titles can be important because they can sell your book


• It all doesn’t end with the deal because you still need to sell the book


• Take one step at a time


Thoughts from Sarah:


• Rewriting or starting over again can be the most valuable tool to revision


• One word titles in YA are beginning to go out of style


• Writing isn’t for the fainthearted


General thoughts they shared during the 1st Page Critiques:


• Be careful that your beginning isn’t clearing your throat


• Use ‘said’


• Your plot and character must advance at the same time


• Be careful using date/time- needs to have a reason


• ‘see’ the story, not be told the story


• Intrigue the reader but don’t confuse them


• Descriptions should be clear, especially in fantasy


• PB’s need to focus on the illustrations

Editor Panel- Fantasy


Katherine Jacobs, Krista Marino, and Arianne Lewin


• Fantasy is a world not bound by our laws


• Fiction of the impossible


• Find a way to make your story fresh


• Write a book with a theme that goes through the whole story


• There is ALWAYS room for romance! They want romance.


• Read everything that’s out there


• Build on the classics


• Keep your readership in mind