Today I’m thrilled to have author Kiersi Burkhart on the show!

Kiersi is an author and freelance writer living in windy, wild Wyoming. She is the co-author, along with Amber J. Keyser, of the middle grade series Quartz Creek Ranch; four stand alone stories all about a summer horse camp in her own home state of Colorado.

She went to college at a small, and extremely remote school in Portland, Oregon, where she got really plugged into their literary community. The secluded campus and insular culture of this college inspired the setting in Kiersi’s latest book and YA debut, Honor Code.

Listen in as we chat about Kiersi’s amazing book, and how to focus on characters in an issue driven book.

In this episode Kiersi and I discuss:

• Crafting an issue-driven book that doesn’t feel issue-driven.
• Flipping a known concept on its head to form a more interesting theme.
• How to use a blog as a device to layer your story with different perspectives.
• The wider world of writing, ways to get out of your writer’s bubble and into the community.
• Tips to survive the introvert hangover after an in person event.

Plus, Kiersi’s #1 tip for writers.

About the Kiersi Burkhart

Kiersi Burkhart is an author and freelance writer living in central Wyoming. She grew up in Colorado, riding horses and competing in gymkhana events (which is like the racing part of the rodeo). Any time she wasn’t doing cowgirl stuff, was spent holed up in her room writing fanfiction about her favorite anime shows—which are still pretty much the themes of her work today.

Kiersi went to college at a small, incredibly remote, school in Portland, Oregon, and ended up staying in Oregon for about 12 years. She became a big part of the literary community there, and that turned out to be the life-changing step that led to her getting published.

Together with Amber J. Keyser, Kiersi co-wrote the Middle-Grade series Quartz Creek Ranch, about a summer horse camp for troubled kids (published 2017 by Darby Creek). These four stand-alone stories about friendship and riding all take place on a working cattle ranch in Kiersi’s home state of Colorado.

In addition to her authorial accomplishments, Kiersi works as a professional freelance copywriter, writing blogs for businesses and creating powerful marketing content.

Her first Young Adult novel, Honor Code, is available now, and she is currently hard at work on a YA fantasy novel to be released in the spring of 2019.

To connect with Kiersi check out her website at kiersi.com.

Honor Code

Sam knows how lucky she is to be part of the elite Edwards Academy. As she dreams of getting into Harvard one day, she’s willing to do anything to fit in and excel at the private high school. Even if that means enduring hazing, signing up for a sport she hates, and attending the school dance with an upperclassman she barely knows.

But when she learns the high cost of entry, will Sam be willing to bury the worst night of her life in order to “keep the community sacred”? As the line between truth and justice blurs, Sam must find out for herself what honor really means.

If you decide to check out the book, we hope you’ll do so via this Amazon affiliate link, where if you choose to purchase via the link DIY MFA gets a referral fee at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!

Link to Episode 191

(Right-click to download.)

If you liked this episode…

Head over to iTunes, Stitcher Radio or Google Play and subscribe so you’ll be first to know when new episodes are available.

Also, remember that sharing is caring so if you know anyone who might enjoy this podcast, please tell them about it or leave us a review so other listeners will want to check it out.

Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

The post Episode 191: Writing Around a Heavy Issue — Interview with Kiersi Burkhart appeared first on DIY MFA.

Of course, with the conference just around the corner, my team and I have been getting some questions what a pitch actually is, why writers need one, and–most importantly–how to do it right. That’s where this post comes in.

In this #5onFri round-up, I thought I’d explain a little bit about the pitch session at #WICon2015 and how it will work. Then I’ll share a round-up of five DIY MFA articles that are all about pitching and how to craft your pitch. This way, whether you’re attending #WICon or you’re going to another conference that has a pitch session, you’ll have all the info you need to pitch your book and put your best foot forward.

5 Articles to Help you Pitch Your Book

From Zero to Pitch in 24 Hours

by: Kayla MacNeille

In this great recap of the pitch sessions at the Writer’s Digest Conference, Kayla MacNeille digs into the do’s and don’ts of crafting an awesome pitch. Read on to see how she went from zero to pitch in twenty-four hours and check out the fantastic pitch she came up with at the end of the process.

How to Write a Killer Logline

by: Gabriela Pereira

In 2013 I attended critique session on loglines. These are a one-sentence nugget or pitch that encapsulates your book’s hook and story, and producers use loglines to sell book concepts to movie-makers. In this article, you will see a pitch go from average to awesome, and all the intervening steps that got it to the final result.

The DNA of Your Story

by: Kent Bridgeman

Columnist Kent Bridgeman describes about the pitch as being like the DNA of your story, a microcosmic sentence, “a solid 15 – 20 words that details the core drama of your story.” He also talks about how this pitch can not only benefit your writing process, but how you market and promote your book as well.

Pitching on Twitter: How to Circumvent the Slush

by: Robin Lovett

The fabulous S.A. Lovett shares the nuts-and-bolts details of how Twitter pitches actually work, and how to do it right. In this article, she gives tips on how to make your pitch awesome and unique so that it stands out from the crowd.

Crafting the Perfect Twitter Pitch

by: Vicki Leigh

Just because your pitch is the size of a Tweet, doesn’t mean it can’t pack a punch. In this article, author Vicki Leigh shares insights on how her Twitter pitch helped her land an agent and a book deal. Read on to find out how to craft your own super-powered Twitter pitch.

This is it! Everything on DIY MFA on how to pitch your book. We’ve also had two #5onFri round-ups on this topic, in addition to this one. Check out 5 Awesome Things About Pitching Your Book from columnist Leanne Sowul, and this article from web editor Bess Cozby on the 5 Benefits of Pitch Sessions.

Want to try your hand at pitching?

Check out the DIY MFA online writing conference.
We still have a few spots left in the pitch/logline session
where you will get feedback on your pitch from agents!

Writer Igniter Con 2015
October 24-25

Use the coupon code wicon2015speaker to get $50 off the registration price!
Click the link to learn more or register.

Want more info? We’re doing another FREE Webinar and Open House next Monday, Oct. 19 at 8pm.

The post #5onFri: Five Articles to Help You Pitch Your Book appeared first on DIY MFA.

BEA is the Big Kahuna of trade shows in the US. If you’re in the book business, this is where you want to be. This event is centered on BOOKS, but writers can get a lot out of the expo as well. Because there’s so much going on, though, it can be a little overwhelming. Fear not! This Book Expo survival guide episode will give you all the inside details on how to make the most of this event.

The best thing you can do before you go to BEA is define your goals and map out your strategy. At DIY MFA, my big goal is to connect with book publicists so I can set up more great podcast interviews with amazing authors. In addition, I keep my eyes open for overall book trends and themes to feature on our Five on Friday column (#5onFri). Plus, I’m always up for making new friends and meeting fellow book lovers.

BEA is a industry only event which means that as an unpublished author, you would have a hard time getting a badge. But, if you review books on your blog, you could get a blogger pass and go to BEA with the goal of discovering new books to review. For a book blogger, BEA is a great place to find content, whether that be about specific books or authors, about industry trends, or about other facets of publishing.

Even if you know what your goals are for BEA, these are a few survival tips you should keep in mind. Listen in to get all the details.

Book Expo America Survival Guide 2015

1) Focus on what you can offer.

It’s easy to go nuts over all the galleys and swag, but don’t get caught up in the “mine, mine, mine” mentality. Focus on offering value, not taking it. Remember not to offer what you can’t deliver. This means, if you say you’re going to review a book for someone, you’d better review it. If you only review books you liked (so you refrain from reviewing arcs you did not like) be up front about that.

Keep in mind that as an author, you’re not there to foist your wares. BEA exhibitors are selling their books to buyers and librarians. Chances are you’ll be interacting with marketing and publicity people (editors and agents are more likely to float around the show or be in private meeting rooms). This means the people you run into on the show floor aren’t the ones who could make a decision about buying your book, anyhow. Be professional and be courteous.

Most importantly, have a real conversation with the people you meet. Make friends. Book Expo is how I’ve met a number of wonderful authors and industry professionals whom I’ve had the pleasure staying friends with over the years. These connections are worth more than any marketing pitch.

2) Develop your PITA (Pain In The @$$) radar.

Make sure that you aren’t being a PITA! Think about the needs of the person you are talking to and respect others’ time. One way that I make sure not to be a PITA is by using the 3 minute rule. After 3 minutes of conversation, I thank the person for their time and ask if I can follow-up via email. At this point they either hand me a business card, or say “it’s OK, I can keep talking.” Either way, it’s a win.

If you’re shy like me, here are a few other networking tips:

1. Say something nice.
   Never underestimate the power of a kind word. When in doubt, a compliment is a great ice-breaker. But remember to be authentic. Don’t say something just to say it. Make sure you actually mean it.
2. Act professional.
   It’s easy to get caught up in the Literary Super-Dazzle (LSD as I like to call it). Galleys, book signings and celebrity authors… it’s enough to make even the best of us lose our cool. Just make sure to respect the rules and the people around you. Don’t lose your head and start snatching up books, cutting people in line, and causing a scene. Honestly, that just makes you look like an amateur. As long as you keep your wits about you and behave like a grown-up you’ll be just fine.

3) Plan in advance.

I spend about a week before Book Expo just planning out my itinerary and scheduling meetings. This is a big event and it goes by fast so make sure you plan in advance. Follow #BEA15 on Twitter to see who else is going, find out schedule updates, and plan what you don’t want to miss. Also, check out the following links for updates on can’t-miss galleys and events.

• Publisher’s Weekly: Children’s Galleys
• Publisher’s Weekly: Adult Galleys
• Kirkus BEA 2015 Guide
• School Library Journal Guide to ARCs and Signings

4) There’s more to BEA than what is on the show floor.

Check out panels and other talks going on in the basement of the Javits Center. Also check out the BEA Bloggers Conference, uPublishU, and several other conferences going on at the same time. (Some of these require an additional ticket.) I’ve attended the blogging conference in the past, and definitely found it valuable when I was starting DIY MFA. In addition, if you’re an author looking to connect with bloggers, the Blogger Directory for that conference is an invaluable resource!

I myself am always excited to check out the book buzz panels (where editors talk about the book on their list with the most buzz). This year the tech-geek in me can’t wait to check out some of the talks on multimedia, too.

5) Bonus logistical tips.

The Javits Center is basically in no-man’s land on the West Side. There will eventually be a subway stop there (who knows when that will ever happen) but for now, you might as well be in Siberia, you’re so dang far from the rest of the city. Whether you attend BEA for one day or for the entire conference, make sure to keep these basic things in mind:

• Be prepared to eat your meals at the food court, because there aren’t any restaurants nearby. If you decide to grab lunch, go before or after peak lunchtime.
• Bring a water bottle and a snack. Food at the Javits is expensive, plus it’s a mob scene. If you can survive on snacks for a day or two, go for it.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Seriously the Javits is HUGE and you’ll be doing laps from one end to the other. Comfy shoes are a must.
• Rolling suitcases are not allowed on the show floor. To avoid hauling around a heavy pile of swag and books, you can check a rolling case in coat/bag check, and then drop off some of the stuff you acquire at regular intervals. Keep in mind that you’ll need to bring cash for the coat/bag check.
• If you can, make arrangements for a ride after the event because it’s nearly impossible to get a cab after the show floor closes. (Did I mention it was crazy far from everything?)

There is so much cool stuff happening in and around BEA. I want to make sure you don’t miss a thing! Also, I love meeting my fellow Word Nerds face-to-face. If you’re going to be at BEA, tweet or email me, so we can connect.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for updates and pics during the show.

Link to Episode 43

(Right-click to download.)

If you liked this episode…

Head over to iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe so you’ll be first to know when new episodes are available. Also, if you know anyone who might enjoy this podcast, please share!

Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome.

The post Episode 43: Book Expo America Survival Guide 2015 appeared first on DIY MFA.

Whether you’re just starting out as a writer or you’re an old pro, attending a writing conference can be more than a little intimidating and overwhelming, especially if you’re something of an introvert, like me. In this episode I’ll share with you the #1 thing you need to do at a conference in order to propel your writing career to epic heights. I’ll also share my top tips for getting the most out of a conference before, during and after the event. You’ll also learn my simple 4-step formula for how to talk to and connect with anyone, from fellow attendees to bigwig agents and publishers. Finally, I’ll let you in on the biggest mistake that writers make when attending a conference, and show you how to avoid this major pitfall.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

First and foremost, at any conference you attend (and really in all areas of your life) you need to be present. This is the #1 thing you can do at a conference to get the most out of your experience. You have to show up so that good things can happen. This means more than just physically being at an event. Push yourself to be out there, whether that’s meeting other attendees, agents, and speakers, or posting about your experience at the event on your blog or on social media.

“The more you show up, the more people will remember you.” @DIYMFA

Tweet this.

If you can’t attend events because of budget or distance, get involved locally. Attend writing groups and connect with people. And if you can’t find any local events, get online. There are a number of great virtual writing events hosted each year. Find out how you can participate.

While you’re at the conference, it’s important to BE PRESENT as well. Don’t waste time thinking about what is coming next or worrying about what happened earlier. Be in the moment.

Pro tip: Take notes. Even if you already know the information being presented, note-taking is a great way to BE PRESENT and keep your mind focused on what’s going on right now.

Finally, be genuine in all of your interactions. Don’t network for the sake of networking. Take your time, connect with fewer people, and connect more deeply. That’s the best way to make a lasting impression and to make real contact.

How to be successful before, during, and after a conference

Before

• Do your homework. Research the speakers and the conference schedule and plan out who you want to see and what other talks you want to attend.
• Follow the speakers and agents who will be attending the event on Twitter. Be connected to the buzz around the conference and keep up with current topics surrounding the event.
• Be prepared. If you’re going to pitch to agents at an event, make sure you’re ready. Memorize your pitch and know it well. You want to put your best foot forward. Also, know who you’re pitching to. Never pitch to your #1 agent first. Warm up on your #4 and #5 agent picks so that you get the jitters out and a little bit of practice before you pitch to your #1 choice.

During

• Don’t be “that guy.” You know the one. The one who asks questions that benefit only himself, the one who takes up all the speaker’s time and doesn’t leave room for anyone else. It’s easy to NOT be that guy. Just remember your common sense and your manners.
• Ask POWER questions. A good question is broad enough to help others while still addressing the specific problem you have.
• Don’t just network, CONNECT. Networking is all about you and what you can get out of a relationship. Connecting is about the other person, too. Here’s a 4-step technique you can use to build genuine connections in just a few minutes.

1. Pay them a specific and genuine compliment.
2. Ask an insightful question (this shows that you’ve been paying attention).
3. Make a small ask. (Usually I ask for a business card or for the opportunity to follow up with them later.)
4. Say thank you and get the heck out of there. This entire interaction should take less than 3 minutes!

After

• Follow up! Don’t wait too long to follow up, but don’t follow up too soon and expect a response, either. The sweet spot is usually about 1-2 weeks after an event. The only exception to this rule is, if you’ve participated in a pitch slam and received a request for more pages, a full manuscript, etc., don’t send your material until you’re absolutely ready.

Finally…

The biggest mistake writers make when attending a writing conference is that they focus way too much on getting published. Focus on improving your craft and making genuine connections. Publishing is a natural side-effect of great writing and great connections.

Resources:

So far, I’m scheduled to speak at these three conferences in 2015. If you attend one of these events, make sure to come and say “hi” so we can connect!

I’m thrilled to be speaking at The Write Stuff, presented by the Greater Lehigh Valley Writer’s Group. This is my first time at this specific event, but just from looking at the speakers line-up it looks to be FANTASTIC! Registration closes MARCH 9 so if you’re interested in this event, sign up now.

Bess–the DIY MFA web editor–and I are co-presenting at CAPA-U, an event hosted by the Connecticut Authors & Publishers Association. This conference also looks amazing,. I’m honored to be included among these great speakers and can’t wait to attend this event for the first time.

Finally, I’ll be giving several talks at one of my favorite conferences of the year: the Writers Digest Conference in New York City. Also, the awesome folks over at Writer’s Digest have put together a special coupon code for DIY MFA attendees. Use the code DIYMFA15 when you sign up to get $25 off the registration.

Using this code will also let me know how many DIY MFA-ers will be attending the event, so that I can plan a special meet-up for our community. (Please note, if you use this code DIY MFA will get a small commission at no cost to you. This will help defray the cost of whatever special bonus I plan for our group.) Early bird pricing ends March 9, so don’t wait!

Link to Episode 32

(Right-click to download.)

If you liked this episode…

Head over to iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe so you’ll be first to know when new episodes are available. Also, if you know anyone who might enjoy this podcast, please share!

Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome.

The post Episode 32: Writing Conference Survival Guide appeared first on DIY MFA.