New England chapters of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America did a fantastic job with this year’s conference featuring the lovely and prolific Sue Grafton. I always like listening in on what the guest agents have to say–all of them state that after a slow six months starting October 2008, the business of publishers buying books is picking up again. We might face smaller advances than in the past, but as newcomer Josh Getzler puts it, all the easier to sell through that advance. Is it true that nothing ever comes of cold queries? Absolutely not, said agent Barbara Poelle. But the query should contain (in one page) the hook, the book, and the cook. (See her website for more details.)
Sue Grafton, pictured here with Hank Ryan and conference co-organizer Rosemary Harris, participated on a morning panel moderated by Hallie Ephron on the subject of bestsellers. Michael Palmer, Lisa Gardner, and Joseph Finder rounded out the star-studded line-up. The inside scoop on creating a bestseller? Persist, keep improving your writing, let everyone know you WANT to hit that list, and get lucky.
Next year the conference will be headlined by NYTimes bestselling sensation Charlaine Harris. Not to be missed!
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