Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Off to Pitch My Novel in New York

Joan Baril with Heather Cariou at the 2014 Spring Big Apple Conference 

Off to New York to pitch my novel, Grinstead House,  to an agent. Yikes, what tension! When I learned that the International Women's Writing Guild was hosting a two day conference which included a meet-the-agents session where you could pitch your book, I signed up for three interviews. 

I first heard about the International Women's Writing Guild here in Thunder Bay at the Sleeping Giant Writers Festival from Heather Cariou who gave a memorable workshop on writing memoir and whose inspiring book, Fifty-five Roses, sold very well at the conference.

At the end of that workshop, Heather spoke about the Guild, praising it for the help and support it had given her. I joined the organization that month, read their e-newsletter,  but never attended a conference. Eventually I let my membership lapse. But this year, I took it up again, read about the two-day conference and made a tough decision. I was ready. As ready as I would ever be.

 I hoped.

So last Saturday, April 12, I walked along Park Avenue, admiring the flowering plums blooming all along the the street, breathing the mild spring air, and looking for Scandinavian House, the venue for the conference. A few minutes later in the meeting room, I turned and saw Heather. I introduced myself and was delighted to hear that she remembered Thunder Bay with fondness.  She said the Sleeping Giant Writers' Festival was one of the best in her experience. I was able to tell her that she is remembered in Thunder Bay as well. That year, after the festival, many people told me her workshop was one of the most inspiring they had ever attended. I agreed with them.

That Saturday and Sunday morning were devoted to workshops and panels. Sunday afternoon was pitch time. The entire experience was an emotional roller coaster for me.  More next post.


Heather Cariou

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