Top 3 Networking Tips

It was about nine years ago when I took my first step onto the grounds of a writers' conference. It was in those early moments of overcoming the butterflies and navigating through the itinerary, when the most valuable tool was given to me. I've tucked it into my writing tool belt and I pull it out as needed. And as a result, God has opened the most amazing doors.

Cheri Williams was my ambassador of networking. She taught me the beauty of blowing a few workshops off for the sake of grabbing some real one-on-one time with the industry professionals. She invited me to join her for the late-night pow-wows in the lounge, where published authors would talk shop and agents would spill some of the best industry secrets. She taught me how to mingle a little. And would you believe that this introvert had fun doing it?

Here are three tips I've learned through the process of trying this whole thing out.

Be Yourself
I realized over time that hanging out in the lounge and pursuing conversations for the duration of the conference fried me. And I learned that it's okay. By conference end, I've always needed a good block of time afterwards where I am not required to engage in any way. Good friends and family members have recognized my signals (all of which include my inability to speak). And they have been so gracious to give me the space I need in order to unwind.

Be Available
It is important for us to to put a plan in place, but if God plops somebody down in front of you, toss the agenda and see what may come of it. Some of my most career-boosting conversations were spontaneous. This has left plenty of room for God to move.

Be Bold
Have your eyes open to every opportunity and don't be afraid to try new things. Creativity is nurtured through discovery. A lot of times I don't know I will enjoy something until I try it.

And as so many of my new writing friends have taught me, make it more about what you can give, rather than what you can take. Ask God how you can add value to the other person, and get ready to see Him respond with a heap of blessing.

How has networking contributed to your success? Do you have any tools you'd like to add to my belt?

Traditional vs. Indie Publishing

When I arrived at my very first writers' conference back in the spring of 2009, I can remember feeling amazed by two things. One being the beauty of our backdrop in the Santa Cruz mountains and two being the myriad of possibilities for anybody who might be interested in pursuing this thing called publication.  

There were greeting card companies looking for the next tearjerker and devotional publications working to reach the entire globe. Among an array of mind-blowing workshops stood literary agents and book editors much like the giant redwoods—each one felt larger than life. But somehow I found the courage to actually speak to a few of them (after practicing on the trees). What I can remember back then, aside from having somebody I deemed important encourage me, was that the general consensus about self-publishing came to this. It was frowned upon.

There was a very good reason for this, so the professionals explained. Many authors who were not able to get their material considered by a traditional publisher, decided to go their own way. As a result, several books were self-published but because they didn’t have the touch of a professional editor or the influence of a literary agent, many of these works, well … they stunk.

That is not the case seven years later. As I’ve kept a toe dipped into this ever-changing industry, I’ve seen that self-publishing went from almost taboo to an acclaimed alternative for some writers. Indie publishing, I've learned, can mean one of two things. It can be referring to a smaller publishing house that acquires niche material. But the term has also been used for those individuals who have taken the self-publishing route. Can you see why it is so easy to get tangled up in all of this?

Indie publishing (in the context of self-publishing) has forged a new path for authors who have written a book that might not fit the mainstream market. The excellences with which these independent publishers work nowadays provide top-of-the-notch material close and even comparable to the books traditional publishers are cranking out.

I’ve gone back and forth on the issue, and most days I find myself still wavering. I value the effort of anybody who would be brave enough to sit down and write an entire book. And regardless of which path that book takes to find its typeset and shiny cover, there is a reader out there just waiting to be entertained and changed by it. The behind-the-scenes stuff really is God’s business anyway.

I completed my first novel in January. I had the privilege of presenting it in book proposal form to some of the important people among the giant redwoods, who in turn, asked to read the entire manuscript. I won’t lie, I am really hoping find a literary agent who will take me by the hand and lead toward the path of traditional publishing. It’s always been a dream of mine. But if my carefully placed words find a different means of completion, I know that I can trust that too.

There is so much that could be added to this subject. I’d love to hear your take on things. Are you a fan of traditional or indie publishing? And as a reader, does any of it matter to you?