7 Top Takeaways from PNWA 2024
My meager 1.5 days at the 4-day PNWA Conference produced 10 pages of typed, bulleted notes (transcribed from frenzied handwritten scribbles, of course). I only attended 8 workshops, including the multi-table Moveable Book Feast and Damon Suede’s multi-day Plot Lab, and still my brain was fit to burst. Now that I’ve had two months to fully absorb all the info, I’m ready to share my top 7 takeaways for anyone who missed it!
7. “Beta readers are strangers who want to hurt you.”
This gem is from Amy Collins, a literary agent with Talcott Notch Literary Services. After pitching my unfinished book to her, she described several stages of editing to go through before sending out my manuscript, including alpha and beta readers. I told her I have that covered: I have a writing group! She said she wasn’t talking about the type of readers who want to preserve my feelings. “Beta readers are strangers who want to hurt you.” My writing group would be alpha readers. Amy recommended finding beta readers online to make sure you get real, unvarnished feedback.
6. The #1 mistake found in opening pages: Pacing!
Both Matt Rusin, an editor at Tor, and Micah Brocker, a literary agent and author, said this in completely different workshops. Racing through an interesting scene and starting off too slowly are equally deadly. Matt Rusin said this is the #1 reason he rejects in the opening pages.
5. Different agents have different querying preferences and pet peeves.
Look, I know this is obvious. But it was illuminating to hear the exact opposite advice given out in different workshops. For example, Amy Collins does not want to hear about your dogs in your bio paragraph, but Micah Brocker does. Amy does want to hear about your works in progress, and Micah doesn’t think it’s worth the space to talk about WIPs. Knowing your prospective agent’s preferences can help you stand out to them specifically.
5. “A website is your sandbox, blog posts are your sandcastles.”
This is paraphrased from Fitz Cyr’s in-depth marketing fundamentals workshop. Go check out their guide to SEO for authors! Given how crucial author websites are, this is a pretty big statement! Blog posts connect you with readers, help build your brand and credibility, and provide content for newsletters.
3. The way many agents read queries
Per Micah Brocker, many agents start by reading the intro paragraph, then skip to the pages, and come back to the query letter if they like the pages. I’m so grateful for this context. In many cases, my query letter won’t convince the agent to read the pages: it will (hopefully) convince the agent to read the rest of the manuscript. This will help me focus my query letter on plot after the opening pages, and avoid unnecessary backstory that gets revealed or hinted at within the pages themselves.
2. “Your ending is the reason people buy your next book.”
From Damon Suede’s Plot Lab workshop on what he calls the “Reward” plot point (aka denouement or Final Image.) I have read at least three books this year that I enjoyed until the ending, which soured me on the whole book as a result. And it’s true: I don’t plan to read more from those authors! This advice is helping me hone what I want readers to take away from my book, and focus on delivering that within the ending.
1. Go to writing conferences!
I had an incredible time at PNWA 2024. In addition to learning all this (and about 9 pages more), I successfully pitched my unfinished novel to 4 agents who asked me to send them pages when I finish. I made friends and joined another writing Discord server full of PNWA attendees. I cheered on winners of the writing contest at a lovely dinner. I highly, highly encourage writers anywhere in their journey - even / especially if you haven’t started writing yet - to go to a conference near you. If this is what I got out of 1.5 days, imagine what half (or more) of a conference could bring you!
