Should Pop-Ups Screen Submissions?

[Leonora]

There was supposed to be this at the end for irony. I really am terrible at all this here new-fangled malarkey.

 

[Leonora]

I am trying to insert emojis and failing! Terribly sorry. I'll get my coat.

 

[Geoff]

For what it's worth, I think the strength of the POP Submissions lies in the fact that it is warts and all, allowing a clearer understanding of what should and shouldn't be sent in to an Agent. I find Sunday Submissions very informative in its current form. However the second session concept is an excellent idea.

 

[David Weller]

That was certainly a lively and interesting debate. The following quotes sum up my feelings on the matter.

Going through a variety of subs (quality wise) could be more educational as we get to see what and why it doesn't work. A less polished sub is good as a 'lesson'.

But what does that do to your process on air? I feel as if any pre-screening would defeat the entire purpose of the show.

I'm with Carol Rose. Would the submission you called in last night have made it through pre-screening, given that it was controversial? As a newcomer to Litopia (and someone with a submission in the queue for pop ups!) I think it's great that you look at every one. It's your reaction as a professional that's so valuable and rare.

I'm with Barbara and others and in the No pre-screening camp.
The feedback on less good submissions is equally informative as for "good" submissions, sometimes more so.
Having a voting system in the colony may turn it into something of a competition (such as it was for Authonony), not really what I came here for.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Still broadly agreeing no, but for the yes argument...I imagine some viewers who are not Litopians are watching less for learning purposes, than in the hope of witnessing an entry really 'make it' in real time.

Look at the comments below, see agent Piers Blofeld getting both gratitude and grief, some of it ad hominem, for THIS

Multiple requests to see what a success might look like, see him doing a yes.

 

[Leonora]

Still broadly agreeing no, but for the yes argument...I imagine some viewers who are not Litopians are watching less for learning purposes, than in the hope of witnessing an entry really 'make it' in real time.

Look at the comments below, see agent Piers Blofeld getting both gratitude and grief, some of it ad hominem, for THIS

Multiple requests to see what a success might look like, see him doing a yes.

I watched that video before I found Litopia. My impression was that he was just looking for the elusive magic. The problem with wanting to see yeses is that as I understand it, most agents only take on one or two new clients a year. Though I suppose requests for fulls would bump it up a bit. Am I right in thinking Pete has called in at least a couple this autumn?

 

[Rick Hall]

It is @AgentPete who is the draw.

This. There are already other writing communities that have the community render opinions. This is what makes Litopia stand apart.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Yes, @Leonora, two, I think. I'm in the no camp bar the safety net of not giving air time to the seriously, total 'drek' scenario.

I am still thinking about Peter's original concern re how and if to act upon such feedback from viewers, which is a valid consideration for Peter, because this is Litopia's outward face.

 

[Rich.]

I imagine some viewers who are not Litopians are watching less for learning purposes, than in the hope of witnessing an entry really 'make it' in real time.

The X Factor for authors! Sounds horrendous.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Yes, and I wasn't proposing any such thing, or commenting in any spirit of debate or argument with any other member. We're not party to the feedback Peter is referring to, which prompted the post, but there is a standing consensus from the Colony.

 

[Rich.]

I know you weren't, KT. I was just having a bit of fun. I'm sorry if I offended you.

 

[Leonora]

It's up to @AgentPete of course, but if he decides to go with the consensus, he/the titles could explain to non Litopians what to expect. I think he always says that the submissions and his response are 'in the raw'.

 

[AgentPete]

Am I right in thinking Pete has called in at least a couple this autumn?

Yes, one just last Sunday. The previous one didn't respond!

 

[AgentPete]

The X Factor for authors! Sounds horrendous.

Yes, ghastly. But I also think pitch sessions, often at an expensive "writer's conference", are pretty pointless, too. Writers mostly aren't terribly good at verbally selling their own work, even seasoned pros. One of the most valuable things highly-paid PR agencies can do for a writer is to give her the USPs and practice to "sell" their book when making media appearances. It's not a natural thing for most to do.

 

[AgentPete]

We're not party to the feedback Peter is referring to, which prompted the post, but there is a standing consensus from the Colony.

I was surprised to find that people were seeing Pop-Ups as general entertainment, not necessarily as an insight into the subs process, that's all.

This has been a really useful discussion, thanks to everyone. Maybe i need to make it a bit clearer at the beginning that each show could be a very mixed bag. That’s part of the fun (at least, for me!). And as I said above, the general quality of subs is far better than the typical slushpile, in fact.

 

[Rich.]

... I also think pitch sessions, often at an expensive "writer's conference", are pretty pointless, too. Writers mostly aren't terribly good at verbally selling their own work, even seasoned pros. One of the most valuable things highly-paid PR agencies can do for a writer is to give her the USPs and practice to "sell" their book when making media appearances. It's not a natural thing for most to do.

Your first point confirms my suspicions, and your second makes a lot of sense. Like any business, you want to take on specialists who know all the things you don't.

 

[David Weller]

The X Factor for authors! Sounds horrendous.

Almost as horrendous as this years X Factor for singers is proving to be.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

I know you weren't, KT. I was just having a bit of fun. I'm sorry if I offended you.

Eh? No, you didn't @Rich. Not at all. A wire just got a bit crossed back there, and you ended up in the middle

Not saying this to disagree with any of the previous comments either, just putting it in the pot. The bottom line with the Pop-Ups, do we want to turn the page...or do we disengage? And the truth is, many a sub starts with a good first para then dwindles, but what they don't do in general is either maintain over 400 words or start weak and then get better.

This might seem a bit too tough or strict, but I wonder if the open door stays the same, ie, this is a genuine open submission opportunity, barring you know, any seriously nasty stuff that Peter wouldn't ever ever represent however hypothetically, what if the challenge was a one page submission?

400 words. Means a couple more subs per show or else a shorter,punchier show. Leaner, meaner, slightly faster moving, can they hook us in 400 words, and that is the gauntlet.

The first page. Just one. Hook us with that first page. We all know that's the reality of what we're up against in the slush pile.