Pages

Monday, May 23, 2011

Gearin' Up to Get an Agent Blogfest...Here We Come!

Writing is my passion and blogging is a blast! 
Since joining the blogosphere I've come across some pretty darn cool people.  I've also learned the smorgasborg of aspiring authors is vast, varied and oh-so-talented.  Given this, it's only natural that some of us may be shooting for the same goals. 

Write a novel.  Get an agent. 

As these two things stand as a constant in my life, I've found four things related to them that I continuously work on to make these goals a reality.  They are...

-Gaining more knowledge about the craft

-Building my platform

-Actually writing the novel 

-Sweating bullets over the query letter

When my followers shot up from 70 to 150 this past month the wheels in my head began cranking on how my new writer buddies and I could share in this crazy journey holding hands and singing Kum Ba Yah.

SO...

Get ready because together we're going to gear up (Kum Ba Yah style) to get an agent in my month long July blogfest!  WOOT!





(Now, you'll have to excuse my complete lack of button making skillz.  I never claimed to be a graphics gal:)

Update: I've got the week by week details HERE
What does this blogfest entail? Each week in July we are going to focus on the agent-grabbing elements (platform building, learning the craft, the novel and queries) in an interactive way.  I will give more detailed information about the individual weeks at a later date, but let me just tell you this...at the end of each week I will be giving away CRITIQUES GALORE from some seriously talented people who have agreed to help me out in this department.  I can assure you, you won't be disappointed (*hint hint* think agents, writers with agents, published authors...see, you aren't disappointed are you?).

Who can join in  on the action? This is the really fun part because not all writers are bloggers, so we are opening the fun up to not only blogs, but to all the little Twitter birds out there too!  I've got some help here as well.  You may remember the last 'Firsts Fridays' interview with Agent Gone Writer, Lora Rivera.  Well, the awesomeness that is her is teaming up with me to take on the Twitter side of the madness.  So if you would prefer to Tweet with us during the blogfest let Lora know here on her Twitter.

Cool, how do I sign up? Glad you asked because all you have to do is let me know your name and blog or twitter id you'd prefer to interact with us through. 
Put it in the comment section of this post and I will get you signed up, OR hop on over and tweet, letting Lora know.  Also, if you have a blog, grab the button above and pop it on your blog to share the love.  The more people we have in on this, the merrier.  Simple enough right?

Yay, so excited to finally have the cat out of the bag.

However....as I am writing this, I'm bleary-eyed and mucho-exhausted, so if I've confused you or you have additional questions put them in the comments, email me, whatev and I'll do my best to answer them.

I can't wait to get this party started!

Until next time...
Keep writing.  Keep learning.

103 comments:

  1. Interesting ... not sure I'm there yet. I'll let you now if I change my mind. =D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Deana, how do you keep coming up with such amazing ideas! I am in total love with this :)

    Sign me up!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice--I might even be querying in July. Can we have a few more deets on what will be involved (esp time commitment)?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great idea!
    www.rebeccabany.com
    http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/becbany

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Deana, thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm glad I found yours. :)

    This sounds like an awesome blogfest-- sign me up!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm in!

    http://theresamilstein.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love this idea, Deana, and glad to help out!

    As for time commitment, it'll really be as much or as little as you choose to invest--right, Deana? The query week might be a little more time-heavy, but you'll get out of it what you put in.

    Can't wait to hear more of the deets!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yay! So excited to those already signed up! Lora, yes you are right...it is 4 weeks with each week being a stand alone mini hop. You are welcome to participate in one or all. I will give more specific details either this week or next but for now here is a little run down

    week 1- I Just had to ask...
    We will post our writer questions we just have to have answers to and we will hop around helping and building platform at the same time

    week 2- Story Chain
    The first in the sign up list will start the story (each will have a direction and certain silly words with a min of 50-100 words)

    week 3- Query Contest
    Post your query. Hop around critiquing others and post final on my blog, winner (chosen by the lovely agent gone writer, Lora Rivera) chooses either a 1st 5 pg critique or query critique

    week 4- First 200 word novel contest. Same premise as query contest except I will pick a top 5 or 10 depending on number of entries. Then agent Kathleen Rushall will pick a winner to get a query + 30 pg crit and 2nd place will win a crit from agent signed author Monica B.W.

    Please...anymore questions, let me know. I'm happy to answer:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, almost forgot...week 1 and 2 will have critique giveaway opportunities as well from published children's book author Margot Finke and Crusade Founder, Rachelle Harrie

    ReplyDelete
  10. Count me in! This is a great idea.
    The Neophyte Writer http://kristibernard.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very cool. I'm in!

    Lori M. Lee - http://lorimlee.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is awesome Deana! I'm not there but I can't wait to follow along.

    Mandie
    http://time4mommy.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Don't think I'll be able to join this, but I'll be happy to put your button on my blog and spread the news! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would love to do this but I'm gone a few days in July. Will missing a day here or there matter?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great blog Deana! Sorry it's taken me FOR EVER to come over!
    S.B. Niccum
    Author Website
    Blog

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great idea! I'd also like to suggest to you and your readers a great site for finding an agent its called agentquery.com. Much success to you!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nice to meet you! This sounds great.

    SIgn me up! My email is pakazo77@gmail.com and my blog is
    http://pk-hrezo.blogspot.com

    Or you can click on my pic. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm just finishing up on my wip, so this would help a lot as I prepare to send out.

    I'm in.
    mood
    Moody Writing

    ReplyDelete
  19. Count me in! My blog is christinasbuzz.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you so much for the opportunity! You can find me at shielawrites.blogspot.com. Now if I could just figure out how to grab that button... :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you so much for the opportunity! You can find me at shielawrites.blogspot.com. Now if I could just figure out how to grab that button... :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm so excited you found my blog, and thank you so much for your sweet post on my blog awards! I would definitely love to take part in this, and my blog is http://lisachickos.blogspot.com . Thanks for the opportunity! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would love to do this, since it is my main focus right now and I'd have a motivation behind it. But it kinda scares me, lol!!

    ashley-nixon.blogspot.com.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Scares me too...and I'm also not sure I'm "there" but I can try. :)

    marcieshrinks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Deal me in!

    calliekingston.blogspot.com
    betterwritethanwrong.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Keep em coming people! It's gonna be fun:)

    Thanks for signing up those who have so far:)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Cool. Sign me up.

    buildingcastlesonthebeach.blogspot.com

    I'm new to the blogfesting, so how to I put the button on my page?

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm in!

    http://www.annemhairisimpson.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great - I'm in - the idea of revising my finished novel to prep for query in July just might get me back to writing

    Blog: marychrapliwy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'll give it a go. Count me in.
    httpa;//educationtipster.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Okay, sign me up. I'll try to make time for it.

    Thanks,
    Karen
    Karen Cioffi Writing and Marketing

    ReplyDelete
  32. Count me in :)
    Catherine

    http://catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. New here...found you through someones button. I can't wait to do this. Count me in coach!

    ReplyDelete
  34. How cool is this??!! I understand I am supposed to grab the button and put it on my site. Then I let you know I'm in. Okay, consider it done!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sounds like fun! I'd love to participate!

    www.letters-to-the-cosmos.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Awesome blogfest! And perfect timing for me! Count me in!

    Blog: http://jc-martin.com/fighterwriter

    Twitter: @jcmartin_author

    ReplyDelete
  37. Count me in, please. Novel Thinking

    http://fiona-maddock.blogspot.com/

    Twitter @fionamaddock

    ReplyDelete
  38. This is an awesome idea! I'm in!

    Amanda
    http://talesfromamother.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  39. Deana,
    I don't have a blog (long story) and I'm not a Twitter follower. Can I participate through email or FB? Please email me your reply. THANKS!
    erittelking@gmail.com
    Emily

    ReplyDelete
  40. great blogfest - with something for everyone. I'm in!
    alex villasante

    anvillasante@gmail.com

    http://magpiewrites.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  42. My blog is up!
    http://getbusywriting.blogspot.com/
    See you there!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Awesome...Count me in! (I'm your newest follower.)

    http://nancysthompson.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  44. Sounds interesting, Deanna. Sign me up to participate in at least part of the blogfest.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Count me in! I'll be available for everything! :D

    ReplyDelete
  46. Deanna, my good friend PK Hrezo has your link on her blog. This sounds like fun ... and I am thinking there is no restriction to genre since it was not mentioned.

    Great to meet so many new people through those writers I already know :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. I finally put the button up on my site. Now I have to wait for July? *gnaws fingernails*

    ReplyDelete
  48. Sounds like a challenge, and not to mention some fun. I'll give it a try. Thanks!

    -Nata

    http://zeroatheart.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  49. Love it! I'm in. Rachel Dillon. My blog is ThroughEndangeredEyes.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Wow, there are a lot of participants :)
    Count me in for number 23,953,451 ;)

    Shelly Brown
    @sbrownwriter
    WritingWithShelly@blogspot.com

    Sounds like fun!
    Thanks for the invite!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I may be able to participate a couple of those weeks so count me in. Hi. I'm a new follower

    http://christinedanek.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. This sounds like soooo much fun! Thanks for putting this together for us writer folk! Count me in, chicky! :P

    www.lindylegend.blogspot.com

    @ignis_fatuus_11

    ReplyDelete
  53. I am a new follower. This sounds like fun. Count me in.

    Email address: cynthia@dove-ministries.org

    Blog address:
    http://dove-ministries.blogspot.com/

    Thanks a million!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Ooh, so glad I found this! Very exciting.
    Blog:
    http://museandmusing.blogspot.com

    twitter:
    amys_kennedy

    yay!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Alaisdair
    http://www.alaisdaird.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. This sounds great, I'm in!

    Blog:
    http://iqurae.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  57. Woohoo! I am SO in!

    Blog:
    http://meghankirkland.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  58. I'm in! And hello, I'm a new follower. I'll tweet about the blogfest later this week. My blog is http://alexiachamberlynn.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. Okay...time to stop being a wuss!

    Alleged Author

    http://anallegedauthor.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I'm in too. Hopefully I'm not too late.

    http://livetowrite1.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  61. Great idea, Deana! Looking forward to reading more!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Fine. I'm in. Ugh. It's going to be painful.

    Is there going to be a place where all the participants and links to their blogs can be found?

    ReplyDelete
  63. Sign me up!

    http://appledaysarmynights.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  64. I stumbled upon your button on a blog and was instantly intrigued! ☺ Sounds like a fun blogfest, though I do have a lot of work to do on my WIP... oh heck, count me in! ;) Lol!
    Thanks ~Amanda

    http://amandastwistedtruths.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Do you have to have a book or story written out first to get in on this?

    ReplyDelete
  66. Lora signed up in another comment area so I'm going to put her here from me to know:)

    Lora Rivera
    www.lorarivera.com

    Also, to answer CC's question in case others are wondering...no you don't need to have a completed novel to participate. For the final week 4 novel contest, it would help since you will be judged by an agent and if she loves your work may want a full, but that decision is yours and yours alone to make.

    ReplyDelete
  67. This sounds like a fabulous idea! (Nice to *meet* you, btw) I'd like to participate.

    You can find me here: http://www.itwillhappenoneday.blogspot.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  68. This sounds like a great idea I'm in for the fun. I think I will be ready to look for an agent in July as well.
    Here is my blog:
    http://theforsakenpetal.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  69. This sounds awesome, count me in!

    Nicole Zoltack
    http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I'm in

    http://andthenshewaslikeblahblahblah.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  71. Sign me up, please!

    --Karen A. Wyle
    (WordsmithWyle on twitter)

    ReplyDelete
  72. If some aspects of this event work better on a blog than on Twitter, then please add my blog, even though it's somewhat neglected....
    http://looking-around.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I'm in! The first, third and fourth weeks look especially interesting. Thank you very much for providing this opportunity, Deana.

    I'm a new follower and subscriber and will tweet the blogfest and post the button. And, before I forget, my blog address is http://michellefayard.blogspot.com.

    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  74. Hi Deana, I'd love to join. Sign me up! My blog address is
    http://vickybruere.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. This sounds like a great idea. :) I don't have a novel but have had one dinking around in my brain for several years. Maybe this will be the thing to get me motivated to finally write it. Count me in!

    Cheers,
    Tracy Screaming Sardine

    ReplyDelete
  76. Ooh, I like this idea! But if I win a critique would I be able to save it for later?

    Taylor Roseberry http://www.taylyeerose.com/

    ReplyDelete
  77. Count me in!

    Deirdra Eden Coppel

    http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  78. What if I don't have a blog? Can I still enter?

    ReplyDelete
  79. I love this blogfest idea. I'm so in.

    Stephanie M

    http://steph-wordbyword.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  80. Deana,

    I am up for this (bites nails) but I will be out of town for the first two weeks, is it okay if I just do week 3&4?

    http://www.christaramblesandwrites.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  81. Suzanne Purvis

    www.suzannepurvis.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. Sign me up

    http://www.margaretfieland.com/blog1/

    ReplyDelete
  83. Please sign me up.


    http://carrieannebrownian.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. If it's not too late I'd like to sign up. I'm at bethfred.com
    bethfred.com

    ReplyDelete
  85. Can I still sign up?

    My name is McKenzie McCann and my blog is The Ubiquitous Perspective.

    Hope I'm not too late.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Oops, forgot to include my email.

    mrhmccann@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  87. Sounds great!

    http://publishedinayear.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. Wow! LOVE your site and your idea. Just came across this on Twitter. Hope I'm not too late:)
    www.jamieayres.wordpress.com or
    twitter.com/jamiemayres

    ReplyDelete
  89. I want in! My blog: www.jasmine-walt.blogspot.com.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Just found your idea!!!! Thanks to Christine Danek. Though I have a blog I blog a week in advance so can't do it this week... but TWITTER is wide open baby!!!

    Here is my info:
    Blog: Unedited - http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com
    Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jenunedited

    ReplyDelete
  91. Is it too late to sign up? What a fantastic, fun idea ^_^

    I'm at http://blog.apathyshero.com

    twitter: @aszreal

    ReplyDelete
  92. I'm gonna try it. The worst thing that can happen is I'll still be where I'm at only a little smarter, right? http://meoutsidethelines.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  93. I'm gonna try it. The worst thing that can happen is I'll still be where I'm at only a little smarter, right? http://meoutsidethelines.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  94. Sorry I'm late, but I just found this blogfest and would love to participate in the last two weeks. Thanks for the opportunity!

    http://sharonbayliss.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  95. I;m a new follower....would love for you to follow back :)

    http://wherenothinggoodcomeseasy.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  96. Hi Deana,

    As you know, I didn't find your blog until last week or so but took part in the query contest. But just incase - sign me up!

    http://freyamorris.blogspot.com/

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  97. Well I never signed up on this post - but did weeks one and two, and want to do four.

    http://jrowrites.blogspot.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  98. I just found out about this. Sorry to have missed the fun. Good luck to everyone who participated.

    ReplyDelete
  99. This looks so great, too bad I'm too late! (Didn't mean for that to rhyme...anybody want a peanut?) I hope it went well, and what a fantastic idea!

    ReplyDelete
  100. Kathleen, you like what I like (saw your interview (03/2011)), so look out for me, I'll query you soon. Ugo

    ReplyDelete

Speak on young grasshopper