StokerCon 2025

The Horror Writers Association writers conference has ended. It was the best con EVER for me and here's why. . .

First things first, my big announcement: I pitched my first completed horror novel Red Sky at Mourning and the agent wants to see my full manuscript!

That's good, right? Everyone says it's a good sign. I'm not holding my breath.

While the conversation with the agent was very brief, it was also enlightening. He didn't care about what other books I had in the trunk. He seemed pleased that my manuscript is complete. He liked that it was only 300 pages. "It's good for a first novel to be short," he said. "Most nautical horror is like 200K words and that's just too long."

In the briefing session before I gave my pitch, I learned that this particular agent doesn't care how many followers a writer has on social media. What's important is what's being posted. Don't do or say anything that might become a problem for the writer or the agency that represents him/her/them.

This agent was pleasant to talk to. Although I'd heard that he's tough (I did my homework), I felt like I could talk to him about my book and books in general for hours. After about 10 minutes he handed me his card, saying, "send me the whole thing when you're ready. Do your last fix. Include the query letter in the body of the email."

And that was it. It actually felt really easy after it was all over.

Maybe a little too easy?

At this point, I'm just happy that the pitch did what it was supposed to do. It made him interested enough to want to see the whole book.

While prepping for the pitch, I asked a few more experienced authors for their advice. The best advice I got was from one of the authors I know and love, Tim Waggoner, who teaches and writes fabulous books about the horror writing craft. He made it so simple I could catch my breath and organize my thoughts.

"Just focus on your protagonist. What they want and what gets in the way of them getting it. That's all." Those words kept me focused and from straying off into the world of unwisely attempting to synopsize the entire novel. In five minutes.

I literally had five minutes to give my pitch. I honestly think I had this agent at "nautical horror" because he happens to like that sub-genre. Thank you, luck and timing.

I know him wanting the manuscript isn't a done deal, not by far. Not until I've got a signed contract. Still, I really like the idea of a professional stranger asking to read my book.

That seems like a good start.

Check out Tim Waggoner's excellent writing advice here. You'll be so glad you did.