Get Conference-Ready: Perfecting Your Pitch to Literary Agents & Publishers

Pitching a book to literary agents and publishers shouldn’t be more stressful than writing the original manuscript. Learn tips and tricks on how to write and prepare a pitch for your novel at the St. Louis Writers Guild’s workshop from 10 a.m. to noon, Feb. 1, at The Lodge Des Peres, 1050 Des Peres Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131.

Leading this free workshop is someone who has sat on both sides of the pitching table—author and lecturer, Brad R. Cook. Participants will learn what goes in a face-to-face pitch, as well as what to expect from a remote pitch session. He’ll touch on query letters, using your time, what to include, and just what is an elevator pitch! Plus, he’ll explore tools to find agents and publishers online and at conferences.

Upcoming conferences include the Guild’s half-day conference – Writers in the Lodge (March 7) – and Penned Con (Sept. 17-19), both in St. Louis; Archon (Oct. 2-4) in Collinsville, IL; and the Society of Book Writers and Illustrators’ Middle of the Map conference (Nov. 6-8) in Kansas City.

“I can’t guarantee you’ll find an agent, but you’ll have the tools to do so!” Brad said.

Brad R. Cook is the author of The Iron Chronicles (treehouse publishing group) and Steamtree: The Airdrainium Adventure (Broadsword Books). A former co-publisher and acquisitions editor for Blank Slate Press, he currently serves as Historian of St. Louis Writers Guild after three and half years as President. He learned to fence at thirteen, and never set down his sword, but prefers to curl up with a centuries’ old classic. Find more at BradRCook.com

Learn more about the St. Louis Writers Guild at www.stlwritersguild.org.

Get Conference-Ready: Perfecting Your Pitch to Literary Agents & Publishers

Pitching a book to literary agents and publishers shouldn’t be more stressful than writing the original manuscript. Learn tips and tricks on how to write and prepare a pitch for your novel. The St. Louis Writers Guild’s April 6 workshop will explore the conference pitch-session process from start to finish. This free workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at The Lodge Des Peres, 1050 Des Peres Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131.

Leading the workshop is someone who has sat on both sides of the pitching table—author and lecturer, Brad R. Cook. Participants will learn what goes in a face-to-face pitch, as well as what to expect from a remote pitch session. We’ll touch on query letters, using your time, what to include, and just what is an elevator pitch! Plus, we’ll explore tools to find agents and publishers online and at conferences.

Upcoming conferences include the Missouri Writers Guild conference in Cape Girardeau (May 19), and the St. Louis Writers Guild’s Gateway Con (June 14-16) and Penned Con (Sept. 12-14), both in St. Louis.

“I can’t guarantee you’ll find an agent, but you’ll have the tools to do so!” Brad said.

Brad R. Cook, is the author of The Iron Chronicles (treehouse publishing group) and Steamtree: The Airdrainium Adventure (Broadsword Books). A former co-publisher and acquisitions editor for Blank Slate Press, he currently serves as Historian of St. Louis Writers Guild after three and half years as President. He learned to fence at thirteen, and never set down his sword, but prefers to curl up with a centuries’ old classic. Find more at BradRCook.com

Learn more about the St. Louis Writers Guild at www.stlwritersguild.org.

Get Conference-Ready: Perfecting Your Pitch to Literary Agents & Publishers

Querying a publisher or literary agent is almost harder than writing a book. The St. Louis Writers Guild’s April 7 workshop will explore the process from start to finish--how to find agents and publishers, how to contact them, how to pitch to them…and just what is a log line? This free workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at The Lodge Des Peres, 1050 Des Peres Rd, St. Louis, Mo. 63131. 

Leading the workshop is someone who has sat on both sides of the pitching table—author, blogger, and lecturer Brad R. Cook. Participants will learn what goes in a query letter and a face-to-face pitch, as well as explore tools to find agents and publishers online and at conferences. Upcoming conferences include the Missouri Writers Guild conference in Columbia (May 19), and the St. Louis Writers Guild’s Gateway Con (June 15-17) and Penned Con (Sept. 20-22) in St. Louis. 

“I can’t guarantee you’ll find an agent, but you’ll have the tools to do so!” Brad said. For those who attended last year’s workshop, Brad said this talk is all new, incorporating tips he learned at last year’s Gateway Con.

Author of historical fantasies, The Iron Chronicles, The Airdrainium Adventures, and Tales of the Gearblade, Brad is a former co-publisher and acquisitions editor for Blank Slate Press. He is a SCBWI member and currently serves as Historian of St. Louis Writers Guild after three and half years as President. A founding contributor to The Writers’ Lens and The Sword Writers Academy, he can be heard weekly as a panelist on Write Pack Radio. He learned to fence at thirteen, and never set down his sword, but prefers to curl up with his cat and a centuries’ old classic. Find more @bradrcook on Twitter, Instagram, and tumblr. BradRCook.com

Learn more about the St. Louis Writers Guild at www.stlwritersguild.org. 

Strong Women Write Workshops

#StrongWomenWrite, a series of events not to be missed!

The #StrongWomenWrite Workshops are a unique opportunity specifically for women in the St. Louis area, or those who want to travel.

David Lucas and Brad R. Cook will be holding their Writing the Sword Fight demonstration and workshop at #StrongWomenWrite.

Space is limited to twenty slots and this workshop series is only available to women.

#StrongWomenWrite Workshops

Writing the Sword Fight

Saturday, September 16, 2017

9am to 11am

Maryland Heights Community Center

2300 McKelvey Rd.

Register at

www.strongwomenwrite.net

Three in-depth workshops, 

on three separate weekends!

September 16, October 7, and November 4

Sign up for one, or attend all three!

$30 for each workshop, or $85 for all three

(Hurry time is running out for the series discount!)

$25 for St. Louis Writers Guild and 

St. Louis Publisher Association Members.

#StrongWomenWrite

Note: the next #StrongWomenWrite Workshop will feature New York Times Bestselling author Angie Fox talking about How to Earn Six Figures as an Indie Author.

More information and Register at www.strongwomenwrite.net 

Get Conference-Ready: How to Pitch & Query Literary Agents & Publishers

Querying a publisher or literary agent is almost harder than writing a book. The St. Louis Writers Guild’s March 4 workshop will explore the process from start to finish--how to find agents and publishers, how to contact them, how to pitch to them…and just what is a log line? This free workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at The Lodge Des Peres, 1050 Des Peres Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131.

Leading the workshop is someone who has sat on both sides of the pitching table—author, blogger, and lecturer Brad R. Cook. Participants will learn what goes in a query letter and a face-to-face pitch, as well as explore tools to find agents and publishers online and at conferences. Upcoming conferences include the Missouri Writers Guild conference (May) in Columbia, and St. Louis Writers Guild’s Gateway Con (June) and Penned Con (September) in St. Louis.

“I can’t guarantee you’ll find an agent, but you’ll have the tools to do so!” Brad said.

Author of the young adult steampunk series, The Iron Chronicles, Brad is a former co-publisher and acquisitions editor for Blank Slate Press. He is a SCBWI member and currently serves as Historian of St. Louis Writers Guild after three and half years as President. A founding contributor to The Writers’ Lens, a resource blog for writers, he can be heard weekly as a panelist on Write Pack Radio. He learned to fence at thirteen, and never set down his sword, but prefers to curl up with his cat and a centuries’ old classic. Find more @bradrcook on Twitter, Instagram, and tumblr. BradRCook.com

Learn more about the St. Louis Writers Guild at www.stlwritersguild.org.

Three Thoughts about Signs

T.W. Fendley's and my booth at Archon

Three Thoughts about Signs

Brad R. Cook

Signs, signs, everywhere they’re signs… at conferences, conventions, book fairs, bookstores, events, talks and so many more. There are even different types, so many different types. It can drive an author mad… and we stare at thousands of words every day. Being overloaded is part of a writer’s typical day, so don’t let the maddening number of signs drive you into shut-in, hermit status.

There are banners, standing signs, retractable signs, easel signs, table tents, backdrops, placards, illuminated, and so many more. Which are the best for authors trying to get attention in the hall of a book convention? Depends. Space is an issue. Visibility is another. But really it comes down to what works best for your book, your series, and most importantly your budget.

1 – Think About Your Space

The six-foot retractable sign, or the hanging backdrop, are author standards. They frame your booth, or talking space, creating a zone that is all about the author and the book. Signs are eye catching, drawing readers to you, sometimes from as far away as the other side of the room. However, most of the time we find ourselves behind a table and thus the bottom half of these signs go unseen. The exception is at workshop talks, or other events where the full-length sign can be a really good idea. Also, if there is room on the side of your table they can be a great way of extending your space.

Design a sign that works for the space you use the most, and adapt for the other situations, unless you’re one of those super wealthy authors (mythical I know) and then create signs for every occasion.

2 – Creating Something that Stands Out

Every sign will make your booth stand out, for good or for bad. Most readers glance in one of two places – down at the table to see what you have out, or up at the space above the author’s face – both are meant to avoid the dreaded eye contact, which could lead to an unwanted conversation, and the pressure to purchase something. However, if your sign can captivate the reader, capture their attention and draw them to your table, you are more likely to make a sale. Make a sign that people want to stare at.

First, it needs to have depth, flat signs with plain backgrounds are great for readability but our eyes won’t linger like they will if it fades into the image of distant castle, or has all these eye catching designs in the foreground and background. Second, it needs to be colorful. Yes, bold, bright colors can be seen from miles away, but they may not be the best approach. Dark colors create a place to suck the reader in, and warm colors are places reader want to spend time. Light colored words on dark backgrounds can draw people in, but dark words on a light background are easier to read. Pick images and colors that work best for your book, make certain they match the imagery and color scheme you already have.

There are much better blogs on the psychology of color, the path of the consumer’s eye, and the science of the trade show booth. They are worth a read to help you best design your booth and maximize sales.

3 – Try Not to Clutter

Signs are good, bookmarks, candy, SWAG, and other material fill out your table to make you look like a seasoned author. But banners, standing signs, table signs, easel signs, bookmarks, rack cards, booklets, candy, SWAG, more SWAG, and having every inch of space taken up can overload the eye, the senses, and the mind, making your potential reader run away.

There is a fine line between looking sharp and looking like a madhouse. Finding that line is the trick all convention authors must find.

Hopefully this article has you thinking about signs. I recommend GotPrint.com, Vistaprint.com, or Displays2Go.com but there are many more sites to explore.

The picture shows T.W. Fendley’s sign and my sign side-by-side with our table in front of them. This is from Archon 2016, a sci-fi convention.

Brad R. Cook, author of the YA steampunk series, The Iron Chronicles. Iron Horsemen - http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Horsemen-The-Chronicles/dp/0989207951, Iron Zulu - http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Zulu-Book-Two-Chronicles/dp/0989207978, and Iron Lotus https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Lotus-Chronicles-Brad-Cook/dp/099639012X.  A member of SCBWI, he currently serves as Historian of St. Louis Writers Guild after three and half years as its President. Learn more at www.bradrcook.com, on Twitter @bradrcook https://twitter.com/bradrcook, or on his blog Thoughts from Midnight on tumblr http://bradrcook.tumblr.com/

Three Thoughts about Foreshadowing

Three Thoughts about Foreshadowing

Brad R. Cook

Foreshadowing… what could be coming in this article… we’ll have to find out.

Foreshadowing is defined as a warning or indication of a future event. A dramatic device used to inform the reader that an important plot-point will return later in the story, in a significant way.

In television it will be accompanied by rousing music like… dun, dun, duun. 

Foreshadowing is a wonderful way of teasing the reader. Arousing a sense of wonder, and making the reader ask questions, or develop their own theories of what is coming. Foreshadowing comes in two important parts, one scene or line that teases the future, and a scene or line later with the promised payoff. A false buildup can anger the reader, leaving them longing for a scene that will never come.  

Usually, foreshadowing will happen in the first act of a book, but it can happen in the second act, or even the beginning of a chapter. The important point is to leave the hints before the significant scene. On a personal note, I love when writers elude to something early on in a book and that gets paid off much later in the story, it builds a sense of having come full circle in the story.

Three thoughts about Foreshadowing:

1 – Elude to the Future:

The best foreshadowing drops hints as to what the important plot-point will be. Truly great writers will drop enough hints that the reader can’t figure out what is coming, but once the plot-point has happened the reader will remember the foreshadowing and all will become clear. A foreshadowing scene or line can come any time before the significant plot-point. From the beginning of the book all the way to right before the reveal.

2 – Don’t Give Too Many Details:

Tease the future to your audience. With too many details, the reader might figure out the plot-point before it arrives. Yes, most will continue reading to see if they are correct, but if the reader can figure out what is coming, if they figure out the big reveal before the writer unveils the scene, disappointment can ensue or worse, they could stop reading. A single line might be all it takes to foreshadow what is coming, maybe even something as simple as the weather. Keep the foreshadowing simple and the reader will appreciate not giving it away.

3 – Foreshadow the Big Moments:

Foreshadowing is a device that is best used sparingly. Overuse would be a tad ridiculous. Imagine a book where every little detail is foreshadowed. The writer would spend as much time eluding to what was coming, as they would be revealing the plot. Select the moments that create the most impact, like the climax, or a significant plot-point, but there is no need to foreshadow every event. You can even foreshadow the twist of the book. The important thing to remember is to not elude to every event in the book. Foreshadowing gives the important moments even more emphasis.

One of my favorite moments of foreshadowing came in The Empire Strikes Back, Luke sees his face in Vader’s mask on Dagobah and later finds out Vader is his father. Though as Anna Kendrick points out in Pitch Perfect, Vader means father.

What are you favorite foreshadowed moments in books or movies? Let us know in the comments.

Brad R. Cook, author of the YA steampunk series, The Iron Chronicles. Iron Horsemen - http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Horsemen-The-Chronicles/dp/0989207951 and Iron Zulu - http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Zulu-Book-Two-Chronicles/dp/0989207978.  A member of SCBWI, he currently serves as Historian of St. Louis Writers Guild after three and half years as its President. Learn more at www.bradrcook.com, on Twitter @bradrcook https://twitter.com/bradrcook, or on his blog Thoughts from Midnight on tumblr http://bradrcook.tumblr.com/

B-Fest, Teen Book Festival at Barnes & Noble

B-Fest, Teen Book Festival at Barnes & Noble

By Brad R. Cook

This weekend, June 10 – 12, 2016 Barnes & Noble will host B-Fest, a Teen Book Festival. Many stores have invited young adult authors to hold signings and create a nationwide book festival.

I’ll be signing copies of Iron Horsemen and Iron Zulu, my young adult steampunk adventures at the Chesterfield Barnes & Noble on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 1pm. I’ll be appearing with two other young adult authors, Laura Nowlin and Mandy Ruzicka. I hope you can join us!

Laura Nowlin, author of If He Had Been With Me

A New York Times Bestseller

If he had been with me everything would have been different...

I wasn't with Finn on that August night. But I should've been. It was raining, of course. And he and Sylvie were arguing as he drove down the slick road. No one ever says what they were arguing about. Other people think it's not important. They do not know there is another story. The story that lurks between the facts. What they do not know―the cause of the argument―is crucial.

So let me tell you...

Laura Nowlin, author of This Song Is (Not) For You

Ramona fell for Sam the moment she met him. It was like she had known him forever. He's one of the few constants in her life, and their friendship is just too important to risk for a kiss. Though she really wants to kiss him...

Sam loves Ramona, but he would never expect her to feel the same way-she's too quirky and cool for someone like him. Still, they complement each other perfectly, both as best friends and as a band.

Then they meet Tom. Tom makes music too, and he's the band's missing piece. The three quickly become inseparable. Except Ramona's falling in love with Tom. But she hasn't fallen out of love with Sam either.  How can she be true to her feelings without breaking up the band?

"Educators and librarians looking for fast-moving, interesting plots, in-depth characters, and meaningful themes need to add this one to their shelves."-VOYA praise for If He Had Been with Me

Mandy Ruzicka, author of Fun Wheeled American Style

Fun Wheeled American Style is a story about my views on things that I think are fun and experiences that I have taken from my own life as a full-time wheelchair user. It is geared toward young adults, with and without disabilities, or individuals of any age who need a little extra push to enjoy life and experience new things. Life is what you make it, and sometimes it can be a little too serious or get too real for all of us. My story will help you find ways to make your own fun.

The Iron Chronicles

Iron Horsemen, Book One of the Iron Chronicles

Alexander Armitage doesn't fit in at Eton College. Not only is he an American, his father, a new teacher at the college, is obsessed with ancient languages and the dusty old books he makes Alexander spend his time studying instead of trying to make friends. When his father is kidnapped, Alexander gladly leaves school behind and finds himself partnered with a baron's daughter, her little bronze dragon, and an eclectic crew of Sky Raiders in a quest to find him. When their search leads them to Malta, they discover a secret society intent on unleashing the ancient Iron Horsemen and usurping the reins of power in London.  

In a steam-powered Victorian world where pirates prowl the sky and secret societies determine the future like a game of chess, Alexander must confront the harsh legacy of the divided country he left behind, a new aristocratic world that rejects him, and the overwhelming pressure of being offered to become a Horseman himself.

Iron Zulu, Book Two of the Iron Chronicles

Alexander Armitage is back in the thrilling sequel to IRON HORSEMEN. It’s been almost a year since he saved London, and life has returned to the structured days at Eton College, a place he still doesn’t fit in. When a series of murders strike campus, they are blamed on the visiting Zulu delegation. But Alexander has doubts. In his search for the truth, he finds himself embroiled with the baron’s daughter’s dark past as they are captured and taken by armored Milli-train to the hidden city of the sky pirates. The chase is on, from the cobbled streets of London, to the great deserts and savannas of Africa.

In a steam-powered Victorian world where pirates prowl the sky and secret societies determine the future like a game of chess, Alexander learns the difference between what is savage and what is noble, while discovering the power within himself.

But we’re not the only authors appearing at B&N this weekend:

Kristy Blank Makansi, co-author of the Seeds Trilogy will be at the Chesterfield Barnes and Noble on Friday, June 10, 2016 at 7:30pm.

Join the Chesterfield Barnes & Noble at 7:00PM on Friday, June 10, 2016 for their Trivia Blast, created by Penguin Teen and Random House's First In Line, who will send one winner in every store advance reader copies* of the most anticipated new teen books. *Advance reader's copies will be preselected by the publisher.

George Sirois, author of Excelsior, Debbie Manber Kupfer, author of P.A.W.S., and Rebecca Jaycox, author of The Other Inheritance will be appearing at the West County Barnes & Noble at 12pm on Saturday, June 11, 2016.

Be at the Des Peres Barnes & Noble at 2:00PM to participate in a story development workshop created by Adaptive Studios and learn how to write a log line, create a spark page and reimagine popular characters.

Plus,

Kourtney Heintz, author of The Six Train to Wisconsin, will be appearing at the Waterbury Barnes & Noble in Connecticut from 12pm to 2pm.

So check your local Barnes & Noble and see what is going on for B-Fest. Feel free to post other B-Fest appearances in the comments section. To learn more about B-Fest visit B&N’s website - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/b-fest-teen-book-festival?sourceId=L000021086&st=EML  

Also, follow the weekend’s events using the hashtag #BFestBuzz

Three Thoughts about Show Don’t Tell

Three Thoughts about Show Don’t Tell

By Brad R. Cook

Show Don’t Tell is probably the most reiterated writing rule… after write a good sentence… but what does it mean. Obviously, show the reader what the character is doing rather than tell them every action. There is so much more to this than three simple words. Show Don't Tell is easy to understand but impossible to master.

I think Anton Chekhov said it best:

“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”

Showing – using an active voice and giving rich descriptions to imply what is happening to a character and how those actions make them feel.

Telling – using a few words to inform the reader of what has transpired.

Here are three thoughts about Show Don’t Tell:

1 – Don’t Skip the Good Parts

Telling robs writers and readers of what they both want out of any story – vibrant descriptions that create images in their minds. Writers want to create them, it’s what we all strive to do, and readers want them out of every book they pick up. We read or write to be transported to a different world. Showing allows us to smell every scent, feel every surface, see every wonder.

Telling a scene skips over all the good parts and cuts to the bare bones of the story. Wouldn’t everyone rather have a thick, juicy, St. Louis style rib, than a bone with a little bit of meat covering it. Of course. So don’t skip the good parts. Stretch out the moment. Spend time describing the details. Make the reader feel every emotion. The book will be better and your reader will adore you. 

2 – Add Rich Descriptions

Showing is all about descriptions. Use them. I’m not talking about purple prose - overly elaborate, long-winded paragraphs without any white space on the page - I'm looking for vibrant and well worded passages. Add descriptions to enrich the senses. Make every word count, make the reader cling to every moment so they pray it never ends. Descriptions are one of the best ways to show what is going on in the scene. 

Don’t say he swung the sword and cut the bad guy. Have the flick of a wrist circle the enemy’s blade and thrust through his defenses to push into the thick leather armor and the flesh underneath. Show the enemy collapse on the blade. The sword penetrates the internal organs and emerge out the enemy’s back. Tell the reader how the character feels seeing the life drain from his foe. It will be a stronger scene than just saying he swung his sword and cut the bad guy.

3 – Make it a Conversation

The other technique, beside descriptions to show and not tell is to turn it into conversation. Rather than have a single throwaway line. Have two characters talk about it. Have the main character see what is happening and describe it to another. A great example of this is Ant-Man when Luis info dumps what is happening off screen. They could have had all those scenes but that would have slowed the story to a crawl. By having Luis tell Ant-Man about everything it goes from a very telling scene (literally) to a rather iconic and funny scene. Now there are calls online for Luis to recap the entire Marvel story line.

Not only do agents, publishers, and editors want you to Show Don’t Tell, the real reason we follow this writing rule is for the reader. Our job is to give readers the best, most immersive story possible. With so many books on the shelf, readers gravitate to the ones that provide a unique experience and rich descriptions are one way to impart that experience.

So spend a little time with each scene in your next manuscript figuring out where you can Show and not Tell the story.

Brad R. Cook, author of the YA steampunk series, The Iron Chronicles. Iron Horsemen - http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Horsemen-The-Chronicles/dp/0989207951 and Iron Zulu - http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Zulu-Book-Two-Chronicles/dp/0989207978.  A member of SCBWI, he currently serves as Historian of St. Louis Writers Guild after three and half years as its President. Learn more at www.bradrcook.com, on Twitter @bradrcook https://twitter.com/bradrcook, or on his blog Thoughts from Midnight on tumblr http://bradrcook.tumblr.com/