The dust is settling from attending my first writer’s conference. Wow! What a great time. I enjoyed spending the weekend with other Wyoming authors where we got a chance to critique each other’s work, promote our work, and get re-energized about our craft.
I learned quite a bit and wanted share some of my lessons learned.
Critique groups: Bring copies of your work for others to have during the session. You would think this would go without saying, but I’ve never actually attended a real, live critique group. All my previous experience was with online groups. Bringing copies of your work just allows everyone to have something hands on to use, keep, and refer to during the session.
Paddle Panel: What a great experience this was. Authors at the conference submitted formatted copies of the first page of their work, sans names, and they were read at breakfast during the last morning. The panel of agents, authors, and board members of Wyoming Writers Inc. held signs that either said “Stop” or “Go” and they could hold them up during the readings to indicate their passion or lack of for the piece. The panel provided great feedback on what was needed to make that first page reach out and grab the agent/publisher and make them want to read more. Happily, I did not receive a “stop sign” during my reading. The feedback very helpful, making me realize my hook was about half-way down the page, and I need to move it to the first paragraph. Also, I need more “action” to kick off that first page. Setting the dark tone can’t be done at the expense of using up all the real estate on that first page when you are trying to hook the reader.
Open Mike: What a fun time. Authors get five minutes at the mike to read their work. Caution: don’t panic as I did when I discovered the agent I was pitching to the next day was in attendance. I was afraid to read what I was going to pitch, so I switched to something else and bombed miserably!!! At least I was brave enough to read some SF to the group.
Author and University of Wyoming professor Brad Watson was our keynote speaker, and also conducted a session titled “You’re Talking to Yourself.” I’ve never enjoyed writing prompts as they tend to direct you toward thinking in the present while I’m usually working in the medieval time frame and location of my fantasy novel, but Brad’s writing prompt, designed to get me to describe the scene from the subconscious feelings of the POV character, helped to strengthen my writing and made me realize how important it is to take the time to get into the character.
Agent Angie Hodapp of Nelson Literary Agency gave two outstanding sessions, one titled “Query Letter Bootcamp,” and the other titled “High Concept Explained.” Both were outstanding and really helped to clarify two very difficult subjects.
Writer, editor and blogger, Sarah Reichert gave a great session titled “Out in the World – Publishing Your Novel in Today’s Market.” Her humorous and down-to-earth approach helped to navigate through the world of traditional and self-publishing.
I was privileged to have the chance to pitch my latest children’s book, NEVER CONFUSE A PIRATE WITH A PIRATE to Stephanie Hansen, owner and senior agent at Metamorphosis Literary Agency. She was professional, warm and gracious, and was kind enough to sit through my fifteen minutes of rambling. I was scared to death for my first pitch, but she was delightful and gave me some great insight.
My 4th grade Wyoming book titled WYOMING FROM A TO Z was a big hit at the conference. It helps that there were a lot of teachers and librarians in attendance. I featured the book in the bookstore and sold eight copies!
If you get a chance to attend a writer’s conference, I highly recommend it. Well worth the money and a superb way to hone your craft.
I will definitely attend again next year.