BGina Holmes Conference Prep Tips

Gina Holmes tells her mind blowing account of the ACFW Conference in Nashville as she tells her story she pauses to give us novice authors very important prep tips:

When I see writers who are starting out, trying to sell manuscripts that aren't finished, not even close, and that have major mechanics to learn, I want to shake them with a warning. 'Don't rush, you're going to blow your shot!'

I too was once in a hurry with unready work. I blew a shot or two.

A pause for a tip: Finish your manuscript. Either pay the money to have it proffessionally edited or run it through the toughest critique group you can find. One that will shred it if neccessary. Then give it to five readers or more and have them read it as a whole. Get their honest reactions.

Then go back and fix what they collectively didn't like and then give it to more readers, until the only reaction you seem to be getting is, 'this is as good or better than any book out there.'

Some people may not like your kind of story, that's okay, they'll say, 'I don't normally read scary stuff, or historicals or romances, but this was very well written.'

Then and only then, go search for an agent or publisher. You get one shot with each contact with your ms. And this is a SMALL business. "

Click on the Title of this entry to redirect you to Gina's blog, to more about her time at the conference.

Dee