HOW TO WORK WITH AN AGENT with JEN KARSBAEK

You’ve written what you think is a great book, and you’d really like a traditional publishing contract. Your next step is getting an agent, but how do you do it and how do you work with an agent once you get one? A stellar query letter is important, but so is knowing what is expected and what questions to ask in the agent/client relationship.

Learn more about how to get and work with agent during the “An Evening with Jen Karsbaek of Foreword Literary Agency” event from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on June 27 during David R. Collins 2014 Writers’ Conference at MWC (3rd Floor, 225 E. 2 Street, Davenport, Iowa). It’s free and open to everyone (even non-conference attendees).

This session with be part presentation, part question and answer session, so please come prepared with your questions about the process of working with an agent. This event will cover topics including writing a successful query letter, presenting yourself professionally to agents, and what questions to ask once you are offered representation.

Jen will also be taking pitches on Saturday, June 28th at McCarthy Hall on the St. Ambrose University campus in Davenport. Click here toregister and reserve your 10 minute pitch session. You can also pitch to Publisher Steve Semken on Friday, June 27th.

Jen Karsbaek joined first Larsen Pomada Literary Agency, then Foreword Literary Agency in 2013, but has been immersed in the book world since 2008, when she founded the influential blog Devourer of Books. In addition to book reviews, during her time blogging Jen has hosted a literary podcast, an online book club, and a popular annual event celebrating audio books. Jen is also a freelance writer and reviewer.

The conference also features three day workshops on flash fiction, memoir, poetry, essay, and novel. Free evening events open to the public are also planned. Discounts are offered for MWC members. Discounts are offered for MWC members. Click here for more details. The conference is made possible by our generous sponsors: Modern Woodman of America, St. Ambrose University English Department, Illinois Arts Council Agency, and Genesis Health Systems.

Register Now for 2014 David R. Collins' Writers' Conference: June 26-28

Come join the fun on June 26, 27, and 28 on the campus of St. Ambrose University for the 2014 David R. Collins' Writers' Conference.   

2013 Conference Faculty
Matthew Guenette

Click here for online registration. 

Come to the Mississippi River for your writing inspiration as have so many other authors. The David R. Collins Writers’ Conference is your destination for writing improvement in a variety of genres, publishing tips, time with multi-published authors, one on one critiques and pitches, readings, book sales, networking, making new writing friends, and Midwest hospitality.  We offer three days of intensive learning from professional writers and publishers at bargain basement prices.  Click here to download a copy of the brochure.

The 2014 Conference Workshop Topics

• Novel as Discovery
• Time is on Your Side: Structuring Your Book-Length Memoir
• Come On, Baby, Make It Hurt So Good: The Art of the Confessional Poem 
• The Ecstatic Essay
• Flash Fiction: A Liminal Genre

Click here for workshop descriptions.

The 2014 Conference Faculty

• Kelly Daniels
• Adam Fell
• Jac Jemc
• Chad Simpson
• Rachel Yoder
• Jen Karsbaek
• Steve Semken
• Rebecca Wee

Click here for faculty biographies.

Also Offered

• One-On-One Critique Sessions, 30 minutes for $35
• Ten Minute Pitch Sessions with Steve Semken (6/27) or Jen Karsbaek (6/28) for $25
• Author Luncheon with Rebecca Wee, June 28th, for $15
• Concluding Lunch included with Registration
• Free Evening Workshop on June 27th, 7-8 p.m. with agent Jen Karsbaek
• Free Faculty Reading June 26th at Rozz-Tox (2108 3rd Ave. Rock Island, IL), 7-9 p.m.

            Thank You! 

to our 2014 conference sponsors:

Modern Woodman of America

St. Ambrose University English Department

Illinois Art Council Agency

Genesis Health Systems