|
COLD READ SESSIONS
What are Cold Read Sessions?
The Cold
Read Sessions are 2 1-hour sessions where a panel of editors and agents (also
known as industry professionals or IP’s) read aloud, anonymous, previously
submitted pages from attendees, and offer immediate critiques.
How do
I sign up?
Check
back here! We’ll offer a link to a printable entry form with a disclaimer for
you to sign several months before the 2008 M&M Conference date of October 3-5,
2008.
What is a disclaimer?
It’s simply
a statement you sign that says you understand there is no guarantee your
submission will be read and you won’t hold it against GRW if the IP’s are
critical of your work. Most people find feedback given is constructive
criticism, and often the suggestions strengthen their writing.
How do I know what to send in and where?
A
disclaimer form will be offered several months before the conference date in
2008. The specifications will be listed there as well, but basically, the pages
allowed may consist of a single-spaced 1-page query letter, or a 1-2 page
synopsis, double-spaced, or up to the first 2 pages of a manuscript,
double-spaced.
Why should I participate?
This is a
fabulous opportunity to get an editor or agent’s immediate impression of your
work and the work of others. Just as we learn from critiques, we also learn how
these IP’s view the submissions that cross their desk and what they look for.
Knowledge gives you the power to make more informed choices about your future
submissions.
How can participating in this help my writing
career?
Of course,
there’s no guarantee, but there have been a few occasions where an agent or
editor has requested the author to send them a partial or even a full because
of what they read in the Cold Read Session. The most likely benefit is that
you’ll learn the likes and dislikes of an editor or agent you’re submitting to
or might submit to in the future.
I heard that some submissions aren’t always
read. Why is that?
That’s
true. There is no guarantee every submission will be read due to the limited
time. A lot depends on the number of entries. You’ll notice we say ‘sessions’
because we now have 2 sessions, so there are more opportunities to get your
work in front of these fabulous IP’s.
I’m a new author. Will everyone know who wrote the submission
being read?
Absolutely not. Only the Sessions Coordinator who receives the submissions will see the
names of the authors on the entry form. No names are allowed on the pages
submitted, so they remain completely anonymous to the IP’s.
Okay, now for the bottom line: How much does it
cost?
Surprise!
It’s FREE with your paid registration to the Georgia Romance Writers Moonlight
& Magnolias Conference, except for the cost of printing and postage to mail
it in. Did I mention—FREE?
|
