Last spring when I attended my first UW-Madison Writers’ Institute, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I’d only just completed my first novel. I didn’t have a pitch ready. I didn’t even really know how to talk about my book. By good luck and the grace of God, I got a full manuscript request on my first pitch to an agent. It wasn’t a perfect love connection, but it gave me the confidence to keep working on my project.
Fast-forward one year later, and I found myself at the Writers’ Institute again — this time, so much more prepared. Not only have I had a full year to work on revisions for my book, I’ve had several dozen beta readers plus an incredible critique group help me work through some major sticking points in FINDING SETH. I’m comfortable talking about my project. And it showed: This year, I was able to pitch to two agents. And both of them requested additional pages of my manuscript.
As I sat at the conference, I noticed other writers from far-off locations such as New York and Texas. When I asked them why they traveled all the way to Madison for this conference, they said they liked the small-group setting and easy accessibility of agents. (Who knew an 8-minute pitch was considered by some to be leisurely?!)
The sessions were good, too. They definitely got me thinking about how to craft my upcoming projects. So I’m calling it a “win” for this year. Who knows where I’ll be next year?