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| "What do you do when you've created thousands of words that click and hum and
sing and are ready to Go!, and yet, out of all those thousands of words, you
cannot create a few hundred more for a synopsis? What do you do when you
have worked your fingers to the nubs creating the most beautiful novel you could
ever think to create, and yet, those nubs can't stab out a one page overview
of said novel? What do you do when fellow writer-friends laugh uproaringly
when they read your synopsis and then say, "Oh, you are serious...oops...Okay
then..."
What you do is attend the Pen to Press Retreat and take a class with
instructors, who with a firm but loving hand guide you
to just the perfect words that make a synopsis tight, informative, and yet
lovely.
And from those perfect words in that synopsis, you send out a query to a
press. And that press sends back a response that reads, "This sounds intriguing;
send us the full manuscript." And you breathe in and out, quickly and
terrifyingly. You send the full manuscript. You wait. Finally, the press sends back
a, "We'd like to make an offer." You sit stunned in front of your computer.
It has happened. Bellebooks is taking your novel. Your novel will be
published. You will be a published author.
All because you attended the Pen to Press Writer's Retreat and came away
with a bang-em-up synopsis that caught the attention of just the right eyes that
were looking just for you."
Kathryn Magendie
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Hi Deb,
I've just signed with Jaimee Garbacik with Literary Group International for my macabre gag book, 51 Fiendish Ways to Leave yourLover illustrated by Glenn Chadbourne.
You rule!
Merry Christmas
Love,
Lisa Mannetti
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Hey Deborah,
Just wanted to let you know that Jaimee Garbacik, the first agent I pitched at Pen to Press, has taken on my novel, Changes.
So I wanted to again say THANK YOU for the awesome retreat and for the great opportunities it has provided.
Eternally grateful,
Charles Colyott
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| Deborah, I have signed an agreement with Jaimee and The Literary Group, and she seems eager to get started on finding a publisher for my novel. I couldn't believe how quickly she responded--I got her acceptance just a week after she received my full manuscript. Of course I'm delighted by her enthusiasm. That's what it takes, I think, to make a sale, an agent who will really push it.
I'll keep you posted!
Elenora Sabin
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| LOVED the conference & hope you've recovered somewhat...although you're always on fire and running, and it's nothing new for you.
Deb, I feel like I never have to attend another writer's conference again. I got the tools and training I need to go forward with my publishing goals with confidence. That is a valuable gift and something I've never felt at another seminar. I may go places in the future just for the vacation and to write it off as a business trip, but that's the only reason. I thank you for that. And in 2010, since I'm now a graduate and hopefully soon to be agented, I'd like to volunteer myself as a class gopher for Cherry or for whatever is needed. It was that much fun!
Hugs & love ya and it was so nice to meet Rich. Great guy. And you look wonderful.
Ang
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| Dear Deborah,
This is just going to be short and quick, but I want to thank you so much for putting on "Pen to Press". Thank the committee so much for selecting me. It was exactly what I needed at this point in my career. I thought I knew plot before the conference, now I can say I know plot!
Just as useful was learning how to release and talk about my story in a concise way. The instructors Alex Sokoloff and Scott Nicholson where wonderful and helped me overcome my own barriers.
I can't say enough how wonderful this event was. Again, thank you! And thank you for pressuring me into pitching!
Debbie
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| Deborah, I want to thank you for all the hard work you did to make last week so memorable for all of us and such a profitable experience for me and others. I can only begin to imagine the effort and expense that went into it, the planning and preparation, the arrangements, the selection of participants, and on and on. I have never attended a conference that went so smoothly and was so delightful and so very, very practical.
THANK YOU!!!
Elenora
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| Hey Deb:
I could not let time pass without telling you how much I appreciate having the opportunity to share in your "Pen to Press dream". Thank you sooooooo much.
The format was fantastic - particularly the small class atmosphere. It gave all the writers a chance to bond with each other in a way that will last for a very long time. One on one sessions with instructors was a bonus. And 15-minutes with an agent was fantastic. (They all made you feel very at ease during the appointments. It made it easy to talk about your story.)
I had a rocky moment when I wasn't sure of myself, but with your encouragement, encouragement from Scott and my other classmates, I did come up with that pitch. I'm so glad you told me if I pitched to anyone to at least not give up my slot with Laura Peters. After I pitched to her, Laura wants my entire manuscript . I braved out the other three appointments and all thought the story was good. Paige wants a chapter and a synopsis. Jaime told me she felt terrorist have been over done, but if I do anything else to feel free to send to her. Melissa does little with my suspense genre.
The banquet food was unbelievably delicious and unexpected. Definitely not the typical banquet menu - pure gourmet.
One of the first things I did yesterday was share my fantastic opportunity at Pen to Press with the other members of Emerald Coast Writers. So many struggle with their synopsis and even though their stories are good, they have trouble getting their foot in the door with agents and editors - possibly because their synopsis aren't quite good enough or they fall short with a good pitch.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me this opportunity. It was great to see you again. I really feel like I know you, and I hope it isn't too long before we meet again.
Ellen
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Deborah,
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I wasn't really sure how much faith to put in Pen to Press. I'd never done a writer's retreat before but had heard a few things from more experienced writers I know from the HWA. I thought P-P seemed too good to be true, but I figured I'd give it a shot anyway. I'm so glad I did!
Hank Shwaeble and Sarah Langan are not only talented writers but also engaging and effective instructors. They presented us with drills based on our own work and now I feel a lot more confident about my prose, character development, and plot. I have a much stronger understanding not only of the craft of professional writing, but also the industry. It was a great experience to share my work and aspirations with like minded people at the beginning of their careers.
And of course I got to cap off the week with pitching my work to serious agents and an editor from New York, who were all interested in my manuscript! I could go on and on about how great Pen to Press was, but I have to get back to my writing. People are waiting to review it!
Thanks again,
Arnaldo
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