Networking: Not Just For Used Car Salesmen*

First off, a huge congrats to Veronica for her book deal! (See yesterday's post.)We're super excited to have her with us, and that feeling was there BEFORE said book deal.



This news ties nicely into my topic today, because until a few months ago, I didn't "get" networking. In fact, I still hold an Ayn Randian view of people who rely on who they know rather than what they can do.

My old interpretation of people who network:
"Hi, Vee. Nice book deal you have there. We should be friends." = I now need you to beta everything I've ever written and then refer me to your agent.
Doesn't that just feel dirty?

My enlightened understanding of networking: "Hi SusieQCoolness. Nice concept. Have you entered Agent So-and-So's annual contest yet?"
See the difference?

Not just the taking vs. giving, but the idea of glomping onto success vs. spreading opportunity. Networking is actually about sharing needs when you run across them. It's also about sharing some of what you learned from your greenhorn mistakes. "No! Don't have your MC look into a mirror and critique her looks!" "No! Don't test email yourself a query to check format and then forward that query that worked to the agent. Forwarding an email messes w/ format too and they'll see little arrows or whatever."

Here's what made it click for me. A very nice person had read my last MS and told me to query Agent Fabulous, who'd read a full of hers before and given really helpful comments. She thought that my writing style matched up with what Agent Fabulous liked, based on her interaction with that agent. This wasn't a referral. I didn't used Nice Person's name. But I took her advice, and it got me a request of my own.

Things like that. Pretty awesome, and everyone gets a much clearer picture of opportunity when we share our 20/20 hindsight.

-Holen

*My apologies to used car salesmen everywhere. I've never actually bought a brand-new car, so please don't doubt that I'm glad you exist.

Center Stage: Online Presence for Writers

When you perform a song, you’re judged on stage presence. You can miss a note, forget a few words—whatever—and still shine if you own the stage. Online presence for writers is just as important. The Internet is an excellent tool for meeting other writers and *gasp* connecting with agents. Just remember, no matter how much privacy protection you place on your accounts, there’s always a way for your words to get out to the public. Be cautious and courteous without sacrificing you creativity.

SOCIAL NETWORKING

I’ll admit it, I’m lame. Up until last March the only web presence I had was my wilting Myspace account that I made in 2005. You know, the account I only signed into like once a week? Then I joined Absolute Write and found out about Twitter. I immediately joined, and I can honestly say that I think it’s one of the best ways to chat with other writers—aspiring and published—in addition to agents.

Keep an eye out for #askagent, an occasional Twitter chat held by agents who answer your non-query related questions. If you’re available at 9pm EST on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, stop by #kidlitchat and #yalitchat to mingle with writers, editors, and agents.

BLOGGING

Have something to say? Put it in a blog. You can basically blog about anything you want to talk about, but it’s usually a good idea to mention writing at some point. Don’t expect your blog to earn an immediate following. Use your blogging experience to make new friends. Visit other writers’ blogs frequently and leave comments. In addition, check out what agents have to say by visiting theirs. Don’t be afraid to comment an agent’s post—he or she wants to hear your opinion!

MESSAGE BOARDS

I would have eventually figured out how the publishing process works on my own; however, I learned super fast after finding Absolute Write and the BlueBoards. Drop your lurker status and create an account—after all, there’s no reason to be shy because nobody can actually see you. Get to know your writer peers. They’re incredible people who really understand what you’re trying to accomplish and the highs and lows you’ll encounter getting there.

Original post published on Old People Writing for Teens by GotYA contributor Stephanie Jenkins. To view the original post and reader comments, please click here.