How did I go about preparing for this year’s Rutgers
One-on-One Conference differently than last year’s? I didn’t really – except in
one major way.
Last year, I was accepted after sending in a picture book
manuscript. While it hasn’t been picked up yet, it opened a very nice door for
me over at HarperCollins. The editor rejected it, but said she loved
“everything” about the book except the main character’s species. Yes, the
species. It’s a picture book, and that happens. She didn’t feel it was
commercial enough (for future reference, please note that Harper loves cats,
dogs, elephants, lions, etc. – animals kids already know. There’s a reason
they’ve populated picture books for decades. I’ve heard this now from two
editors and an agent). So she asked for a second manuscript, something “commercial.”
I sent here the most blatantly commercial thing I’ve ever written. Again, she
liked the story, but felt the main character isn’t strong enough to anchor a
series. He’s too quiet, and not energetic or funny.
But she asked to see something else.
So I took out an old manuscript, reworked the main character
a bit, and am preparing to send it to her. I’ve had editors ask me to send
additional work before, but never a third time. Yeah, you can bet I’m sending
it.
Rutgers opened that door for me. And that editor will be
there again this year. I will find her long enough to say “hi.”
So how does that change how I’m preparing for Rutgers this
year? It doesn’t, except this time I was accepted for a middle-grade
manuscript. That means looking for something different in the 80 or so editors
and agents in attendance. It means looking for those interested in both picture
books and middle-grade books.
It’s a daunting task.
Now, editors and agents handle works of all stripes. Some
love commercial, some love artsy. Some loved fast-paced and frenetic, others
love quiet and introspective. They run the gamut from paranormal fantasy to
issue-driven angst. I decided to quickly categorize my work according to
industry definitions beyond the broad scope of genre and find editors who want
that who are interested in my writing strengths.
Commercial? Check.
Funny main character? Check.
Strong hook? Check.
Fast-paced? Check.
I will only be pitching manuscripts that fit those
categories. Except for overt commercialism, they’re my strengths. I’m up to the
D’s on the editor/agent/mentor list, but I’ve already found three strong
candidates. Even if I don’t meet them at the conference (since it can be big
and unwieldy), I know I’ll be submitting to them afterward. Immediately afterward.
In the meantime, I’ll get to say hi to a very helpful editor
from Harper, and let her know a third manuscript is on its way!
