Esteemed publishing agent Jennie Dunham and I are co-hosting two Publishing Salons this fall!
The Saturday, September 12th salon will be devoted to the “Premise & First Page,” and we've just announced a second event on the art of “The Query Letter,” which will take place on Sunday, November 8th.
Below you'll find Jennie's five keys to writing a compelling first page, which we'll be talking about in more depth at the September salon!
These events are designed to demystify the publishing industry with behind-the-scenes conversations with a successful New York City publishing agent, who will provide critiques on the work of selected participants. Even if you're not ready to submit your work, you are invited to listen in.
Scroll down to find full details and links to register, or contact me with questions!
TWO PUBLISHING SALONS:
Premise and First Page
Saturday, September 12th
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. PST
~ and ~
The Query Letter
Sunday, November 8th
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. PST
with
Karin Gutman and Jennie Dunham
Hosted via Zoom
The Publishing Salon is designed to demystify the world of publishing. Through a series of intimate and dynamic conversations, Spirit of Story founder Karin Gutman and esteemed literary agent Jennie Dunhamoffer insights and practical steps for navigating your way to finding a home for your work.
For these fall events, Karin and Jennie will provide an overview of how traditional publishing works. We’ll discuss the key players, how a book gets sold, and the best way for an author to approach sharing their work in a professional landscape.
We’ll devote a full hour to providing feedback on either the Premise/First Page or the Query Letter of up to 10 premium participants whose work will be shown live on the screen as specific feedback about it is shared. If you are not ready to present your work, you can still take advantage of this unique opportunity to listen to the discussion. There will also be an open Q & A for all participants to ask questions related to the publishing process.
Jennie Dunham has been a literary agent in New York City since May 1992. In August 2000 she founded Dunham Literary, Inc.
She represents literary fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. Her clients have had both critical and commercial success. Books she has represented have appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers in adult hardcover fiction, children’s books, and children’s book series.
Her clients have won numerous awards including: New York Times Best Illustrated Book, The Schneider Family Award, Boston Globe Horn Book Honor, and Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist.
She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Anthropology and has a master's degree in Social Work from New York University. She frequently speaks at writers conferences and events.
5 Elements of a Compelling First Page:
Right on the first page, readers want to meet the protagonist and begin to form a bond with him or her. After all, the protagonist will be the reader’s guide through the story. The reader will identify with the protagonist, so this character should be mostly likeable and highly relatable.
The reader should become immersed in the “world” contained in the book, whether realistic or fantastical, so that the real world the reader lives in melts away. This process begins on the first page.
The writing should grab the reader and keep them interested. A strong writing style captivates a reader right from the first sentence.
Drive! Questions should come up in the reader’s mind that make him or her guessing and turning pages to find out what happens next.
There should also be some sense of what type of story it will be and a hint that isn’t even noticeable about the ending.
Have you done it? Come find out at our “First Page and Premise” workshop!
