Nicole Frail, an editor at Skyhorse Publishing, will be part of two HippoCamp events: the Agents & Editors Panel and a post-conference Query Workshop. We asked her a few questions about her appearance and her responses are below. We learned something really cool, too: we hadn’t known a Lancaster-based cookbook was forthcoming from Skyhorse!
Hippocampus: We don’t want to give too much away about your panel and workshop, but please share with us a golden nugget that you hope attendees will take away from your talk that isn’t found on the program description.
Nicole: Presentation matters. Personally, a proposal is more attractive to me if it’s organized and complete with everything from chapter summaries to comp titles. Making my job easier helps you win points.
Who would benefit most from your query workshop and why?
Debut authors who aren’t sure how to construct a query or proposal meant for a publishing house will definitely benefit, as well as those looking for agents. Magazine writers may also pick up a few pointers.
What is your best advice for attending a writing conference, whether it’s for newbies or veterans?
Be social! Even though you should have your elevator pitch ready, you should also be prepared to talk about yourself on a personal level and show interest in other people’s work and interests.
Aside from speaking, what you are most looking forward to about being part of the inaugural HippoCamp?
I love the energy of conferences. The determination and curiosity, the willingness to learn and ask questions, knowing that everyone there with you has the same interests as you—everyone loves writing and wants to talk about it.
What’s on your personal conference agenda? Perhaps share with us a session/event you don’t want to miss.
I’m looking forward to hearing James Stafford’s Lying to Tell the Truth.
What are you most looking forward to about visiting Lancaster?
I’ve heard great things about the Market! Skyhorse Publishing has a cookbook about it coming out (The Lancaster Central Market Cookbook) and some of our authors are from Lancaster.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Nicole. We’ll see you in August.
