Wednesday18Oct 2017
Wilkinson College Graduate Student Workshop
Path to Publication: Query Letters, Agents, Rejection, and Success
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
4:00 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. PST
Each semester Wilkinson College offers a variety of workshops for graduate students on topics related to academic, personal, and career development. Graduate Students may register for this 0 credit P/NP class through my.chapman.edu. Course number is GUS 530. Undergraduate students who have been admitted to a 4+1 program or who have less than 18 credits remaining for graduation may register through the Undergraduate Request to Register for Graduate Course form available on the Office of the Registrar's website.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 18, 2017 4-6:50PM
Path to Publication: Query Letters, Agents, Rejection, and Success
Laura Scudder Conference Room, Roosevelt Hall 121
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 18, 2017 4-6:50PM
Path to Publication: Query Letters, Agents, Rejection, and Success
Laura Scudder Conference Room, Roosevelt Hall 121
Topics will include:
My story:
- How I got here (working the wrong job, getting lost, Chapman MFA)
- My Rejections ( there were a lot)
- How to handle discouragement/frustration
- What helped and What didn’t
How to find your agent:
- Exploring websites and blogs that offer literary agent bios and preferences
- Questions to ask yourself before querying a certain agent
- Using Social Media (i.e. PitchWars via Twitter)
Writing the query letter:
- Basic format of a query letter
- Formatting your query letter to target specific agents
- Dos and Don’ts
- Before you hit send make sure…
What to do after you send:
- Tracking responses from agents
- Following up with agents who are open to follow-ups
- Reviewing agent twitter and website information to verify delays
What to do with your responses:
- Handling rejection
- Handling a “maybe”
- Handling a “yes, I’d like to read more”
- Handling a “can we talk?”
Julia Walton
Chapman University MFA Creative Writing Alumna, 2017
Author of Words on Bathroom Walls (Random House, July 4, 2017)
Chapman University MFA Creative Writing Alumna, 2017
Author of Words on Bathroom Walls (Random House, July 4, 2017)
Julia Walton has spent the majority of her professional life in captivity behind 6 ft cubicle walls. Her enclosure was comfortable and open to visitors during regular business hours. She was given adequate food, a soft nest, and plenty of insurance policies to pass the time. Yet still, she longed for freedom.
Now, she’s an MFA student at Chapman University. When she’s not reading, practicing hot yoga, and watching her favorite movies on an endless loop, she writes contemporary YA fiction.
She lives in Huntington Beach, CA with her husband and can usually be coaxed out of hiding with tea, Crunchies, and Haribo gummy bears.
She has the worst sense of direction on the planet.
You can contact the event organizer, Allison DeVries at devries@chapman.edu or (714) 997-6752.
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