Speed dating for writers

It was a brilliant way of getting a snapshot of people you might want to work with — and who were clearly also interested in meeting new collaborators.

• stages of healthy dating.
• Tough sell for writers at NY literary speed-dating | Reuters.
• cape town matchmaking.

So when I was considering what I might want to organise, doing something similar, writers was the first thing that jumped to mind. Finding writers whose plays you like is obviously the first thing you look for, but having a shared ethic and attitude — basically, a more personal connection — is just as important.

But i t can be a slow process meeting writers in the early stages of their careers — particularly ones from outside London. The response from people on the night was fantastic. Blitzing through 22 quick-fire chats is intense, but there was a lovely energy in the room. Keen to attend a future event or join our Genesis Directors Network?

Skip to content January 8, March 17, Buffy J. What makes someone a writer?

What kinds of responsibilities do you think writers might have when they belong to a writing group or workshop like this? How can someone be a positive and productive member of a writing community like this?

It's a big blog in here

How do you feel creative writing might change the world or have a positive impact in some way? What qualities and resources do you feel are important to have in order to write creatively? Published by Buffy J. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Enter your comment here Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: Email required Address never made public.

Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Some conferences pair writers and agents for ten minutes of one-on-one time, often for an additional fee. Other conferences use the "pitch-slam," or "speed-dating" format to connect authors with agents. Several dozen literary agents are seated in a large room, while authors stand in line for the chance to make a 3-minute pitch to one agent before moving on to the next.

Enticed by the prospect of meeting 30 or 40 literary agents in a single day, hopeful authors spend hundreds of dollars to attend.

Because such conferences attract large crowds of registrants, it's easy to see why organizers love pitch sessions. Authors, however, often find them to be tense, angst-filled meetings in which only the most confident can easily put their best foot forward. It's a truly weird and horrible feeling to be sitting there watching a grown woman, carefully made up, sobbing into a wad of typescript.

I guess I'm not so nice, because I say 'no' a lot -- especially when they're pitching me for something I don't handle.

When that happens, I'm not only going to turn down that author, I might even be grouchy about it. Pitch sessions are not only stressful; many question their value. Says author Teresa Hayden: But rather than deal with the pressure of rejecting you to your face, they'll say something like 'Well, I don't know.