Bring Your Career Into Sharper Focus With Wik2020: CRITIQUE VS. CONSULTATION

For wik2020, SCBWI Southern Breeze looked at what we could do to bring your career into sharper focus and so we’ve planned amazing intensives, an exciting conference schedule, and so much more!

Like our awesome add-on items that you will need to choose when you register. That’s why we asked our Co-ARA, Lisa Lowe Stauffer, to provide added information, advice, and a few tips from members about two of our popular add-ons: the face-to-face and the manuscript critique. You’ll be one step ahead if you read this before you register!



 Manuscript Critique vs. Agent Consultation 

How do you choose what’s right for you?

In a nutshell . . .

• Choose the manuscript critique if you want feedback from a professional about one manuscript.
• Choose the agent consultation to talk about the business side of kid lit: individualized advice on topics such as prioritizing your works-in-progress, improving your query letters, marketing, rejection analysis, honing your Internet presence, career advice, or any other topic an agent can knowledgeably discuss.

How Each Works 

For a face-to-face (formal) manuscript critique: 

You’ll be matched to a suitable pro—either an agent, editor, or (occasionally) an author.
Your time slot will be assigned and you’ll receive this information at the conference check-in.
You’ll be required to send in no more than 10 pages (including a synopsis, if desired). The deadline for sending those pages is Feb. 10, 2020, so you have time to work on your manuscript.
You’ll have 15 minutes to talk about your manuscript with your critiquer.
Look at this as an opportunity for a fun, honest discussion about your manuscript.

For the one-on-one agent consultation:

You’ll choose which agent you prefer.
You’ll choose which time slot works best for you.
You’ll be allowed—but not required—to send up to 5 pages of information ahead of time (February 10, 2020 deadline). The agent will not provide a formal critique of submitted material but may briefly discuss (if that’s what you prefer).
You’ll have 20 minutes to chat about whatever you want.


The Inside Scoop from Previous Participants

 “Which one you choose depends on what you’re looking for,” says Janice Hardy. “If you’re looking for an agent, a one-on-one is good because you get to pitch and interact with the agent. Especially if it’s an agent you’re interested in. If you’re still working on the manuscript, the critique is better. Not every agent who agrees to do a critique is looking for new clients, so you can’t count on them saying, ‘Wow this is amazing, send it to me.’ It happens, but that’s not the point of a manuscript critique.”

Janice also recommends in either situation being prepared to talk about your story. “You may get questions about the characters, plot, and conflict. Especially the conflict. You may need to show you have conflict and that it’s book-worthy.”

Debbie D’Aurelio shared this about an agent consultation that really helped her. “At the time, I had interest in my manuscript from two agents and we talked about the benefits of both agencies. I also brought a short pitch and a query letter to review and she was very honest and helpful. My advice to others is not to use the time thinking you might be represented by that particular agent. It’s a great opportunity to ask general questions about the best way to get an agent and get published, etc.”

Joan Broerman says that generally, a critique is about craft and an agent consultation is more about business. “While a manuscript may be the focus of a critique, how to market that manuscript is usually best served by a one-on-one agent consultation. Either can result in moving a manuscript closer to publication.”


Thanks, Lisa! Our members had even more helpful tips about preparing for a critique or a consultation so by February 10th, we’ll share their advice before you need to send any materials. For now, consider what’s best for you and your goals, and then register early and save with the early bird discount!

             REGISTER FOR WIK2020 HERE! EARLY BIRD OPENS ON DECEMBER 15TH. 
           
                                         
Ever since her palm-reading grandmother said she would write a book, Lisa Lowe Stauffer has been working to learn the craft. Unfortunately her palm didn’t mention how long it would take, or that SCBWI would be the key to success. She had to find out those on her own! Her debut book TWO BY TWO (Zonderkidz 2018) is available wherever books are sold.







Art Image by wik2020 brochure illustrator David SanAngelo.