Of course this means I do need to squeeze into my rarely worn 'normal' clothes (read: not stretch fabric) and comb my hair, but I'm hoping it will be worth it in the end!
I'll unload any pearls of wisdom I can glean later tonight or tomorrow morning.
And... there's news in the air! I'll share all tomorrow!
UPDATE: Lucy's Pearls of Wisdom
After actually painting my toenails and shimmying into my now-too-tight jeans, I managed to do the near-impossible and leave the flat! The group was a good size -- about 30, maybe -- and over a few drinks we all settled in to hear Lucy talk about what she looks for and how she got to be an agent. She's a friendly and bubbly speaker and it was a pleasure to listen to her.
Some of her points (keep in mind this is from a UK perspective):
- The publishing industry has always been tough; it hasn't really got any tougher
- Writers generally sign with the agent, not the agency
- Translation rights, American rights and film rights are the most important things for writers to hang onto, to maximise later
- There is a real disparity between the 'branded' authors and new authors in terms of what publishers are prepared to take risks on
- What makes her commit to a book? If she reads the first bit, then puts it away and still remembers it after a few weeks and wants to read more, then she'll take another look
- For her, it's all about cadence and voice
- She works closely with authors to edit their MS but will usually only do three rounds of MS edits with them
- DON'T begin your MS with a character waking up from a hang-over -- clichéd and she sees this loads of times
- First person and present tense are incredibly hard to pull off
- You have to practise writing. You wouldn't expect a concert pianist etc to be great right away.
- You must write because you enjoy it, not just to get published.
- Personalise your approach to agents. Do research on their websites.
- Online presence and promotional skills are good (like the icing on the cake), but what's really important is the writing!
Enjoy! And have fun with the non-stretchy clothes. ;)
ReplyDeleteHaha, you can borrow some of my detangling spray.
ReplyDeleteHey, sounds like fun, you have to tell us everything they teach you. Have fun!
I tell ya, getting into normal clothes and combing you hair, that for me sometimes outweighs going out in public! Have fun.
ReplyDeleteHelen
Straight From Hel
I'm looking forward to tomorrow!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! Hope you have a wonderful and rewarding evening. Rubbing shoulders with writers you erremm follow on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your pearls of information tomorrow.
Have a great time!
A night out in London is on my bucket list. I can only dream! Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteoh, you tease!! Have fun, learn lots! :D
ReplyDeleteNEWS?!?!?! NEWS?!!?
ReplyDeleteOh you are a tease - you're a terrible terrible tease!!!
LOL!!
I hope you are spending this time NOT telling us - your loyal followers - by sprucing and scrubbing up nicely! You've got a reputation now you know..
:-)
I am most excited for you!!!
You are just too bad!!
Take care and enjoy tonight!!
x
boo on the getting dressed.
ReplyDeleteBut Yay on the fun writerly times!
News? Now that's a way to keep us coming back for more - you have a talent at that. :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Talli, I thought that was a shamrock picture for a minute. I dont have normal clothes, I have my clothes and my sister's clothes for every other occasion in life. Now, you will have us all awake all night waiting for your news.....
ReplyDeleteAwesome. Have fun Talli. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteRooting for you girl, you deserve it, be good, K x
ReplyDeleteNormal non stretchy clothes are highly overrated but I suppose it's a must if you have to go out in public.
ReplyDeleteHave fun! And I like to console myself with the fact that you're at least 5 hours ahead of me, time zone-wise, so you'll be spilling the beans soon (I hope)!
ReplyDeleteGo get 'em!!! How did the whole combing your hair thing go?
ReplyDeleteI've just had a shower (exciting update). Now I have to decide what to wear! Quite a quandry, as all my non-stretchy clothes are at the back of the wardrobe...
ReplyDeleteHave a great time! Can't wait to hear your newfound pearls of wisdom!
ReplyDeletehave fun! what a great club to be a member of!
ReplyDeleteHave fun! And post what you learn for us, I need an agent, too!
ReplyDeleteAs for the stretchy clothes, sometimes I still wear it underneath the regular clothes. I'm stubborn like that. :)
Tease!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great time in your non-stretch clothes (that made me snarf out loud!). :)
Have a blast Talli! I look forward to a full report!
ReplyDeletehaha! have an awesome time! we want details!!
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to have non-stretchy pants. At least for a little while. If I don't have to go out, I never dress to impress either.
ReplyDeleteHave fun!!! Combing hair is always a good idea; I should try that today too. I'm sure you'll learn a lot!
ReplyDeleteOh...I hope you have good news to share. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing more!
ReplyDeleteI've just painted my toe-nails! Now I've really gone crazy. I still had last August's polish on them!
ReplyDeleteAGH we have to wait until tomorrow for news?! Heehee. I really hope it is good news about your book, honey. Will keep fingers crossed for you. And have a lovely time tonight - gosh, I really have to get into doing these sort of things. I guess checking out the London Writers' Club is a start - thanks for highlighting it! Hope the toe-nails look fabulous. And the rest of you, naturally! :)
ReplyDeleteBut stretch clothes are comfortable (she says lounging in hers). I'm pretending I'm going with you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
ReplyDeleteHey I gave a blog award today!
I've met Lucy; she's really lovely. Hope you have a good time.
ReplyDeleteI know the non-stretchy clothing thing, I'll have to do that myself tomorrow.
Helena xx
PS. I came over from your other blog - I had no idea you had two.
Looking forward to what you learn!
ReplyDeleteGOOD LUCK! Share the wisdom when you get back - looking forward to it!! :D
ReplyDeleteIt's good to put on real clothes and go out in public once in a while. That's the only way I know whether I still fit in my jeans or not.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with Luck and have a good time! Looking forward to some lucky pearls of wisdom.
ReplyDeleteHave fun :)
ReplyDeleteWishing you lots of fun and lots of luck.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who's represented by Lucy Luck, she sounds fab
x
Looking forward to hearing what Lucy Luck had to say. We all need a bit of what she's named after.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great time, can't wait to hear the scoop!
ReplyDeleteHave fun and bring back all the good details. :)
ReplyDeletea writer's club! what fun! that's like, a mini-conference all the time!
ReplyDeleteI just keep trying to come up with more "luck" puns.
ReplyDeleteHave fun.
Ha! I wear a lot of stretchy clothes when I sub gym. Try not to adjust the uncomfortable attire too much. Have fun with Lucy Luck.
ReplyDeleteOoh, can't wait to find out your news:)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear the news!!
ReplyDeleteTalli--I can't wait to hear your news! I hope have a wonderful time tonight.
ReplyDeleteYou won my signed book contest! :) I think I have your email, but if otherwise--email me at skmayh (at) q (dot) com with your address. Funnily enough, both winners were from England.
Talli,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fortuitous name! I'm wishing you all the best and also that you meet some of your writer-friends.
Am looking forward to reading about the news that's in the air tomorrow. :)
Have a great time! What an awesome opportunity :)
ReplyDelete(PS - strangely I'm discussing stalking in my post today :))
Enjoy Talli!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time! Can't wait for the news!
ReplyDeleteENJOY!!
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Can't wait to hear all about it!
ReplyDeleteOooohhhhh awesome! have fun and I hope you get a lot out of it. And that is a pretty Bad-Ass name!
ReplyDeleteFun! I hope you have an awesome time. :D
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear those pearls of wisdom. I could use a few agent pearls, my jewel box is just about empty.
ReplyDeleteThere's a little something for you over on my blog. Swing by if you have time.
I love writing group! Hope you had fun.
ReplyDelete