Slush Bilbies – Revealed

Hello again…

 As promised, please find below our talented Team of Slush Bilbies. 

But just before I introduce them, I wanted to take a moment to discuss a few of the #NestPitch Rules. When I first thought about running a #pitch-fest I considered the ones I’d participated in.  My experience has been that #pitch competitions are run by generous individuals within the writing community and attended by professional & fun agents who understand how hard it is to put your work before an agent. 

They were well organised, playful and unique. Their hosts were approachable, attentive and extremely helpful and their rules were designed to be firm-but-fair.  These were the criteria I wanted for #NestPitch, which is why I have added the rules regarding previously published works and previously featured pitch submissions. 

Since posting, I’ve had one or two (or perhaps a few more) people contact me on these two rules.  I can understand the frustration in having been featured yet not having been offered representation, however, this rule stands & for two reasons. 

(i) Agents are busy people with ACTUAL clients to represent and nurture.  When an agent agrees to be part of a #pitch-fest they are doing it at the expense of completing other tasks on their do-do list. By ensuring the pitches featured are new and unique, we are ensuring that agents will continue to give of their time to #pitches in general, which naturally opens opportunities for aspiring writers.

(ii) As an aspiring writer, I’m speaking from experience when I say I know the frustration, the second-guessing, the annoying of friends, family, the postman, to read and re-read your submission, and then the final SEND & with it comes instant insecurity and regret…if only I had… But nothing is more frustrating than seeing the same pitch featured on several blog posts and in several #pitch contests.  While agents may feel they “Have seen this all before” and turn away from the laptop, aspiring writers may in equal portion feel “Oh God, not Such & Such again; why do I bother.”I think most would agree neither of the above is the desired response.   

As for the question of Published Works, I’m not going to delve into the whys & why nots.  I have no issue with self-publishing. In fact, I see it as a very real and viable opportunity and option for many authors.  I also know of several self-published authors who have a wonderful product and a strong following.  However, if self-published authors wish to be truly considered “Published” in the traditional sense of the word, they must also acknowledge their work is published in reference to competitions. I am sorry if some people don’t agree, however these are the rules.  

I hope the above serves to clarify the reasoning, however, if anyone still has questions I’m more than happy to answer them.  Either post a comment on here or speak to me when I’m on Twitter.  I tend to be on Twitter under my personal name @Nik_Vukoja but if you follow me and @Nestpitch you are bound to catch me at one of them.  I’ll ask that people, other than agents, NOT send email-questions; I’m often on Twitter and am happy to answer questions on-line or via comments.

 You can find the rules & conditions in a prior post on this blog

 <if you’re a AGENT & want to know more about NESTPITCH, SECRECT BUNNY AGENTS or MAGIC BUNYIPS, please contact me via Twitter or email: nestpitch@outlook.com >

 

…and now, the Slush Bilbies REVEALED (aren’t they awesome!) 

( i) Emily Mead 

I’m a writer and reader of all things YA and MG. Last year I participated in the Like a Virgin pitch contest, and loved the experience of having agents read my work. This time around I’m hoping to do some reading! I’m also an intern for Entranced Publishing, and this year I’m polishing my YA contemporary for querying.

I blog at Aussie Owned and Read http://aussieownedandread.com/, interviewing Aussie authors or imparting my wisdom,

And also at my personal blog, The Loony Teen Writer, http://theloonyteenwriter.wordpress.com/ 

(ii) Susan Nystoriak 

Lover of all creative arts, aside from author, other hats include music teacher, wife, mother and animal lover.  As a writer, I tend to stay within the speculative fiction realm at the Adult and New Adult levels.  I am very active on Twitter, and have taken part in numerous writing/pitch contests, several resulting in requests for partials and fulls,and most recently, my NA manuscript was selected for the #SunvsSnow pitch contest.

Aside from opportunities to present my work before an agent or editor, those contests have led to some wonderful writer-family connections.

As a Crit-Partner/Beta reader for writers, I’m honest but encouraging.  I’m also happy for feedback from others and love to share.

On my blog, S.M. Nystoriak’s Writer’s Block, http://smnystoriak.wordpress.com/ you will find interviews with emerging and established authors, both traditionally published and indie/self-published.  It’s fascinating what we can learn from each other!

You can also find me on Twitter: @smnystoriak

(iii)             Cassandra Page 

I’m a mother, author, editor and geek, living in Canberra with my preschool-age son and two Cairn Terriers. I have a serious coffee addiction and love to read speculative fiction. When I’m not reading or writing, I’m a geek, especially of the Doctor Who and AD&D variety—because who said you need to grow up? My debut novel, ISLA’S INHERITANCE, comes out with Turquoise Morning Press; http://www.turquoisemorningpress.com/ in the second half of 2014.

If you want to hear more about it, you can cyberstalk me via the following links:

Website: http://cassandrapage.com/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/CassandraPage01

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CassandraPage01

I’m also a regular contributor in  the Aussie Owned & Read blog; http://aussieownedandread.com/ along with a group of very talented Australian Authors.

(iv)             Louise (Lou) Gornall 

I’m currently studying for a BA (Hons) in English language and literature with special emphasis on creative writing. My debut YA urban fantasy, In Stone, was published last July.

I play gate keeper at Swoon Romance and the lovely Mandy Hubbard of D4EO Literary Agency; http://www.d4eoliteraryagency.com/ is Yoda to my Luke Skywalker. YA aficionado. Brit bird. Film nerd.

Identical twin. Junk food enthusiast.

Rumored pink Power Ranger and avid collector of book boyfriends.
This is my blog: http://bookishblurb.com/blog/

This is Mandy’s blog: http://www.mandyhubbard.blogspot.co.uk/

(v)  Heather Bryant 

I lived in a little city in Australia with far too many voices in my head. I’m an escapist reader and writer and love any story with ‘real’ characters who drive the plot. At the moment I’m is a reviewer for Aussie Owned and Read, and author assistant to the wonderful Sharon M. Johnson, and shopping my most recent WIP (a YA fantasy), working full time, and eating far too much chocolate (haha, like that’s even a thing).

In other words, I’ve seen the query and pitching worlds from both sides.

I can be found on twitter here: https://twitter.com/heather_b88

Blogger here: http://heathermbryant.blogspot.com.au 

Aussie Owned and Read here: http://aussieownedandread.com

(vi) Katy Upperman 

I write contemporary young adult fiction featuring cool girls, hot boys, and steamy kisses. My work is represented by Victoria Marini at Gelfman Schneider Literary Agents, Inc. http://www.gelfmanschneider.com/ I’m a graduate of Washington State University, a former elementary school teacher, a Soldier’s wife, a mama, and a Florida resident. I blog about writing and books at http://katyupperman.com/, and I’m a reviewing member of http://www.thebookanistas.com/ and a http://yaconfidential.blogspot.com.au/ Operative. When not behind my laptop, I can be found running, baking, or swimming in the surf.  

(vii) Stacey Trombley 

I’m a teen (and occasionally tween) at heart who you’ll never catch in the adult section of the book store. I write both YA and MG of any genre you can think of. Since I’m completely contest obsessed and have entered more than is at all sane, I totally know what its like to bite your nails waiting for any hint at all we liked your work.

I blog at both HopelessYA http://hopelessya.blogspot.com.au/

and Middle Grade Minded http://middlegrademinded.blogspot.com.au/

Phew! How Awesome is THAT LIST! 

By the way, has anyone noticed that 1/3 of the Team is made up of people with an “S” in their first name?

Sharon Johnston – Nest Blogger  Stacey Nash – Nest Blogger   Sharon Bayliss – Nest Blogger

Susan Nystoriak – Slush Bilby   Stacey Trombley-Slush Bilby

And the rest of the Team:

Jeffe Kennedy – Nest Blogger   Amanda Moody – Nest Blogger   Brooke Powell – Nest Blogger

Kimberly Chase – Nest Blogger   Tina Moss – Nest Blogger   Dannie Morin – Nest Blogger

Cassandra Page -Slush Bilby   Heather Bryant -Slush Bilby   Lou Gornall – Slush Bilby

Emily Mead -Slush Bilby   Katy Upperman -Slush Bilby

But wait there’s more…. Actually you’ll have to wait…sorry

>& don’t forget to take a look at our NEST BLOGGERS bios in the previous post < 

Next post will be a timetable and a few surprises… that way you can plan ahead and play along.  I’ll be posting again after 5^th Feb — if any of you don’t know #adpit is running on Feb 5^th; it’s well worth taking a look J

What I can tell you is that we are getting together some incredible agents to put on their Secret Agent Bunny Masks & a few have taken on the mantra of Magic Bunyip… a billabong is a great place to lurk and spy!

And…it’s not going to be all about the pitch.  To make it fun, there’s also going to be a game or two everyone can play… damn, I’ve given away too much; “Will the jury please ignore that last statement.”

The additional fun & games post is a few weeks away.

Oh, and if anyone wants to know more about cute little bilbies, yes they are real, 

there’s quite a few society’s in Australia who are working to protect them.  Sadly, they need our protection, they are endangered species.

& one, OK two final things.

Next week is #pitmad, for info go here >>> http://heidinorrod.wordpress.com/
& in March there’s Brenda Drake's #pitchmadness, for info go here >>> http://www.brenda-drake.com/

Until Nest Time….  

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