Tag Archives: Writing

@WriteOnCon #Writing #Conference IS Coming!

January 22, 2018Literary, Webinar/Workshop, Writing Conferences & GetawaysAgents, Art, Authors, Cheap, Children Books, Editors, Event, Fiction, Illustrators, Kidlit, Manuscripts, Middle Grade, Ninja Agents, Non-Fiction, Opportunity, Picture Books, Pictures, Pitching, Schedule, Stories, WriteOnCon, Writers, Writing, Young Adultpdpabst

WriteOnCon

WriteOnCon is “A writing conference you don’t even have to wear pants to. (Please wear pants, though.)” Yep, I love that line! And I’m stoked that it’s almost time! This isn’t just an opportunity to attend a writing workshop, it’s most likely the cheapest and closest conference you’ve ever attend (aside of being free, of course). Seriously, you can participate from your home! And while you might have missed the raffles and perks to buy, there is still time to sign up to join. Admission is either $5 (General Admission), $10 (General + Live Events), or $15 (General + Live Events + Extended Access). You can’t go wrong with any choice!

WriteOnCon is an online conference for kidlit writers and illustrators. Connect with writers, authors, and agents in this event. There will even be ninja agents and editors and live pitch sessions (check the schedule for all 3 days)! But hurry to get registered because it’ll take place February 9th – 11th, 2018.

As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival

January 19, 2018Literary, Writing Conferences & Getawaysadvise, Art, Authors, Canada, Columnist, Craft, Creativity, Culture, Emma Donoghue, Escape, Europe, Experts, Film, Food, Industry, Jane Friedman, John Vaillant, Jorge Volpi, Joseph Boyden, Learning, Literary, Literary Festival, Manuscripts, Mexico, Novelists, NYT Bestseller, Poet, Pulitzer Prize, Readers, Rita Dove, San Miguel, Skills, Speakers, Stories, Teaching, The Hot Sheet, United States, Vacation, Wally Lamb, Workshop, Writer's Conference, Writers, Writingpdpabst

The best thing about writing conferences and literary festivals is the luxury of learning while on vacation! If you have an itch to get away but want to keep your writing skills tuned, escape to San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival.

As the largest and most prestigious co-cultural, bi-lingual literary gathering in the Americas, each February the San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival attracts distinguished authors, established and emerging writers, industry experts, teaching professionals, and avid readers from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Wally Lamb: Author of six New York Times Bestsellers.
Jane Friedman: Co-Founder of The Hot Sheet, columnist, speaker, and Author .
Rita Dove: U.S. Poet Leareate and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize.
John Vaillant: Award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction.
Jorge Volpi: Author of over 20 novels and an international bestseller.
Joseph Boyden: Award-winning Canadian novelist and short story writer.
Emma Donoghue: International bestseller of Room (the film adaptatoin was nominated for four academy awards).

And don’t forget, conferences are tax deductible! Get you seat fast because the conference is February 14-18, 2018. Have fun!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Pitch Wars Webinar with New Leaf Literary Agent Suzie Townsend

January 10, 2018Literary, Webinar/WorkshopAdult, Advice, agent, Authors, books, Diversity, Написання, Письмо, писане, Editing, Escritura, Fantasy, Fiction, First Page, Genres, Hooks, L'écriture, Literary Agent, Manuscripts, Middle Grade, New Leaf Literary & Media Inc., Non-Fiction, Pitch Wars, Pitchwars, Psycological Suspense, Query, Querying, resources, Romance, Schreiben, Science Fiction, scrittura, Stories, Suzie Townsend, Tips, Voice, Women's Fiction, Writers, Writing, Young Adult, 写作pdpabst

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Pitch Wars presents a wonderful webinar with literary agent Suzie Townsend called Query and First Page Bootcamp. It’s no secret among writer’s to hook an agent immediately with their first line and first page if they want to snag a literary agent. What can sometimes be frustrating is the “how”. Suzie Townsend will “cover writing the most effective query letter, starting with your strongest first pages, as well as useful tips and resources about the actual querying process.”

About Suzie Townsend…

SUZIE TOWNSEND is an agent at New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. Prior to joining New Leaf, Suzie graduated film school, earned her Masters of Education, taught high school English, and coached a swim team. In her spare time, she read everything she could, which prompted her move to publishing. She got her start as an intern at FinePrint Literary Management where she was hired as an assistant before making the move to literary agent. She’s been part of the team at New Leaf Literary & Media since its inception in 2012. Suzie loves strong characters and voice-driven stories that break out of the typical tropes of their genres, and she’s always looking for unique new voices in stories.

SUZIE IS LOOKING FOR: Women’s Fiction, Psychological Suspense, Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult and literary Middle Grade. She’s especially looking for inclusive and diverse stories with new and unique voices in all genres and age groups.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr

If you want to signup, you’d better hurry because they are only taking the first 50 participants. The cost is $25 (USD) and the webinar will take place Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 8:30pm ET.

Have fun learning!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA Fiction

2018 Minnesota Writing Workshop

December 29, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & Getaways2018 Minnesota Writing Workshop, 3 Seas Literary, Agents, Authors, Bethany House Publishers, Betsy Amster Literary, books, Books & Such Literary, Conference, D4EO Literary, Development, Donald Maass Literary, Editors, Experience, Flux Press, Graywolf Press, How To Get Publsihed, ideas, Inspiration, Jolly Fish Press, Manuscripts, Minnesota, Opportunity, P.S. Literary, Published, Red Sofa Literary, St. Martin's Press, St. Paul, Stories, The Seymour Agency, Unpublished, Writers, Writingpdpabst

The 2018 Minnesota Writing Workshop is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (150 total). This workshop is a full-day “How to Get Published” writing event in St. Paul, MN on February 17, 2018.

Agents and editors confirmed to be in attendance and/or available to pitch are:

literary agent Eric Smith (P.S. Literary)
literary agent Michelle Grajkowski (3 Seas Literary)
editor Lauren Jablonski (St. Martin’s Press)
literary agent Mary Cummings (Betsy Amster Literary)
literary agent Kelly Van Sant (D4EO Literary)
editor Mari Kesselring (Flux and Jolly Fish Press)
literary agent Cynthia Ruchti (Books & Such Literary)
literary agent Laura Zats (Red Sofa Literary)
literary agent Jennie Goloboy (Donald Maass Literary)
literary agent Erik Hane (Red Sofa Literary)
literary agent assistant Lynnette Novak (The Seymour Agency)
editor Yana Makuwa (Graywolf Press)
editor Raela Schoenherr (Bethany House Publishers)
and possibly more to come.

For information on how to enroll and where to stay, go here. As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

2018 San Francisco Writers Conference

December 21, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & GetawaysAdult, Amazon Bestselling Author, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Arts, Authors, books, Constance Hale, Dana Gioia, Editorial, Editors, Evelyn Skye, Feedback, Fiction, Film Producer, Full Circle Literary, Fuse Literary, Genre, HarperCollins, IBPA, Jim Azevedo, Kimberley Cameron Literary, Learning, Liza Dawson Associates, Lucky Boy, Manager, Manuscaripts, Marily R. Atlas, Mark Coker, Mark Hopkins Hotel, Marketing Director, Marsal Lyon LIterary, Middle Grade, Mitali Perkins, New York Times, Non-Fiction, Opportunity, Peter Beren Agency, Pitching, Poet, Poet Laureate, Presenters, Red Sofa Literary, Rober Dugoni, San Francisco, Sand Hill Review Press, Scholastic, Shanthi Sekaran, Simon and Schuster, Smashwords, St. Martin's Press, Stories, Tanya Hall, The Prayer Room, Tim McCanna, Wall Street Journal, Writer's Conference, Writers, Writing, Young Adultpdpabst

Image result for san francisco writers conference 2018

The 2018 San Francisco Writers Conference will be held on February 15-18 at the historical Mark Hopkins Hotel. Meet keynoters:

Robert Dugoni – New York Times, Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author.
Dana Gioia – California Poet Laureate. Former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Shanthi Sekaran – Author of the critically acclaimed novels,
Luck Boy and The Prayer Room.
Mitali Perkins – Author of ten novels for young readers, including Rickshaw Girl

But the SFWC presenters list also includes many more bestselling authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers from major publishing houses. There are experts on self-publishing, book promotion, platform building, social media, and author websites.

PRESENTERS:
Nina Amir, author and writing coach
Marilyn R. Atlas, film producer/personal manager
Jim Azevedo, marketing director at Smashwords
Angela Bole, CEO of IBPA
Andrew Burleson, BetaBooks
Frances Caballo, SFWC Social Media Director, author, social media strategist for writers
Stephanie Chandler, is an author and CEO of the NonfictionAuthors Association
Melissa Cistaro, author, bookseller and event coordinator at Book Passage
Mark Coker, author and founder of major eBook publisher Smashwords
Martha Conway, author of The Underground River and Sugarland
Robin Cutler, director of IngramSpark
Jared Drake, film director and co-founder of Wildbound PR
Julia Drake, co-founder of Wildbound PR
Aya de Leon, novelist, poet and theater artist.
Eric Elfman, author and writing coach
Betsy Graziani Fasbinder, author, coach and speaker
Grant Faulkner, executive director of National Novel Writing Month
Diane Frank, author and poet
Joel Friedlander, is an award-winning book designer, blogger, and author
Constance Hale, journalist and author
Tanya Hall, CEO Greenleaf Books
Andy Jones, author, poet, professor at UC Davis; “Dr. Andy’s Poetry and Technology Hour”
Mike Jung, author of Geeks, Girls and Secret Identities
Carla King, author and self publishing expert, founder of Self-Publishing Boot Camp
Bharti Kirchner, the prolific author of 11 books. her latest novel is Season of Sacrifice: A Maya Mallick Mystery is out in hardcover and as a Kindle edition.
Brenda Knight, author and marketing expert
Mary E. Knipple, writing mentor and speaker
Adair Lara, author, teacher and writing coach
Michael Larsen, author, co-founder/co-director of the SFWC
Linda Lee, web site designer and WordPress expert
Donna Levin, author
Mary Mackey, author
Tim McCanna, children’s picture book author and Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI
Isabella Michon, president/founder of ImMedia, a publicity company
Tyler Moss, managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine
Anne Perry, international bestselling historical novelist
Lissa Provost, poet and author
David Rasch, lecturer with Stanford University’s Continuing Education program
Olivia Rivers, award-winning YA novelist of Tone Deaf & movie-optioned In The Hope of Memories
Barbara Santos, author of Practice Aloha and Marketing Director for SFWC
Penny Sansevieri, founder of Author Marketing Experts
Helen Sedwick, lawyer and author of Self-Publishers Legal Handbook
Naheed Senzai, author
Rusty Shelton, founder and CEO of Zilker Media
Evelyn Skye, bestselling YA author of The Crown’s Game series
Ransom Stephens, physicist, author, award winning technologist, speaker
Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, author and manuscript consultant
Cathy Turney, author of Get 10,000 Twitter Followers Easily, Quickly, Ethically
Lyzette Wanzer, San Francisco writer, editor, and creative writing workshop instructor.
Penny Warner, award winning author
Alex White, author of The Salvagers series (Orbit, 2018)
Victoria Zackheim, author, editor and screenwriter

The lists for attending agents and editors looks topnotch! Some of the agents will even be accepting pitches during the Speed Dating For Agents. You can see a list of those participating here. But for an idea of the many agents and editors that will be in attendance, here is a list:

AGENTS:
Lisa Abellera, Kimberley Cameron & Assoc.
Peter Beren, Peter Beren Agency
Amy Cloughley, Kimberley Cameron & Assoc.
Laurie Fox, Linda Chester Literary Agency
Dawn Frederick, Red Sofa Literary
Taylor Martindale Kean, Full Circle Literary
Laurie McLean, Fuse Literary
Mary C. Moore, Kimberley Cameron & Assoc.
Patricia Nelson, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
Monica Odom, Liza Dawson Associates
Jody Rein, Jody Rein Books
Nicki Richesin, Wendy Sherman Associates, Inc.
Andy Ross, Andy Ross Agency
Ken Sherman, Ken Sherman & Associates
Jennifer March Soloway, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Gordon Warnock, Fuse Literary
Carlisle Webber, Fuse Literary

EDITORS:
Mary E. Knippel, Independent editor, writing mentor and author
Tory Hartmann, Sand Hill Review Press
Georgia Hughes, Editorial Director at New World Library
Brenda Knight, Author, President of the Women’s National Book Association, San Francisco Chapter
Hilary Lawson, HarperCollins
Karla Olson, Editorial Director at Patagonia Books
Daniela Rapp, St. Martins Press
Meghan Stevenson, Independent Editor
Weslie Turner, Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint at Scholastic
Jennifer Ung, Simon Pulse, an imprint at Simon and Schuster
Brooke Warner, Publisher at She Writes Press
Hannah Wood, Independent Editor

For those attending, this sounds like a great four days of learning and marketing yourself!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Happy Writer Days $2000 Giveaway in Coaching and Classes

December 6, 2017Contests, Literary, Mentor Program, Webinar/Workshopadvise, agent, Authors, Authros, Classes, Coaching, Critique, Elise Capron, Enter, Fiction, Free, Giveaway, Happy Writer Days, Lauren marie Fleming, Manuscript, Mentors, Non-Fiction, Opportunity, Query, Sandra Dijkstra & Associates, Stories, Winter Writing, Workshops, Writers, Writingpdpabst

Lauren Marie Fleming

Lauren Marie Fleming is hosting a Happy Writer Days giveaway. The prize(s) are worth over $2000 in coaching and writing classes. Writer will need to enter by December 10, 2017. Along with the prize(s) will be a free critique of a query letter by literary agent Elise Capron of Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.

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There are also free workshops for everyone all week long. If you miss one, you can watch the replay for free too! So, if you want some cool advise on the manuscript you’re writing, go here for a chance to win and to sign up for the free workshops!

Have a great writerly day!

P.D. Pabst
Writer and blogger of MG/YA fiction.

Brenda Drake’s #Pitmad Is Almost Here!

December 5, 2017Contests, Literary#amediting, #amwriting, #Pitmad, Adult, Age Category, Agents, Authors, books, Brenda Drake, Category, Characters, Children's, Editors, Fiction, Genre, Guidelines, Hashtags, Manuscripts, Middle Grade, Non-Fiction, Opportunity, Picture Books, Pitch Party, Pitch Wars, Pitching, publisher, Publishing, Rules, Stories, Sub-genres, Tweet, Twitter, Writers, Writing, Young Adultpdpabst

Nothing soothes the writerly soul than a good twitter pitch party! Thursday, December 7, 2017 is Brenda Drake’s infamous #PitMad between the hours of 8am-8pm (EDT). Common age category and genre hashtags are below.

Age Categories:

#PB = Picture Book
#C = Children’s
#CB = Chapter Book
#CL = Children’s Lit
#MG = Middle Grade
#YA = Young Adult
#NA = New Adult
#A = Adult

Genres/Sub-genres:

#AA = African American
#AD = Adventure
#CF = Christian Fiction
#CON = Contemporary
#CR = Contemporary Romance
#DIS = Disabilities
#DV = Diversity
#E = Erotica
#ER = Erotic Romance
#ES = Erotica Suspense
#F = Fantasy
#H = Horror
#HA = Humor
#HF = Historical Fiction
#HR = Historical Romance
#INSP = Inspirational
#IRMC = Interracial/Multicultural
#MR = Magical Realism
#M = Mystery
#Mem = Memoir
#LGBT
#LF = Literary Fiction
#NF = Non-fiction
#R = Romance
#P = Paranormal
#PR = Paranormal Romance
#RS = Romantic Suspense
#S = Suspense
#SF = SciFi
#SPF = Speculative Fiction
#T = Thriller
#UF = Urban Fantasy
#W = Westerns
#WF = Woman’s Fiction

The rules clearly state to only pitch THREE times per manuscript during the contest. Don’t break the rules and clog the feed! Also, please remember anyone can stalk the feed. So, do your research before submitting your manuscript!

As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA Fiction.

MasterClass With Author Judy Bloom

November 30, 2017Literary, Webinar/WorkshopAre You There God? It's Me Margaret, Authors, Banned, Blubber, books, Characters, Children's Fiction, Class, Creativity, Critique, Dialogue, Feedback, Fiction, Genre, Judy Bloom, Kids, Learn, Learning, Lessons, Libraries, Manuscripts, MasterClass, Middle Grade, Opportunity, Picture Books, Pre-Enroll, Readers, Realistic, Stories, Superfudge, Tiger Eyes, Videos, Words, Workshop, Writers, Writing, Young Adultpdpabst

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Judy Bloom will be teaching a Master Class in early 2018. While the dates don’t appear to be set, you can pre-enroll for only $90. The award winning author broke the rules. Her refreshingly honest children’s books were banned by hundreds of libraries—and loved by generations of readers, who bought 85 million copies of classics like Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and Superfudge.

Learn with one of the best with 24 lessons on writing vivid characters and realistic dialogue. There will be a workbook along with the videos, and Judy will critique select members of the class. Have fun and learn lots!

P.D. Pabst

Blogger and writer of MG/Fiction

2018 Laura Crawford Memorial Mentorship

November 25, 2017Contests, Literary, Mentor ProgramApplications, Art, Authors, books, Children's Fiction, Chilidren, Critique, Development, dreams, Editing, Experience, Feedback, Fiction, Genre, Illustrator, Inspiration, Julia Durango, Kids, Laura Crawford Memorial Mentorship, Manuscripts, Memborship, Mentorship, Opportunity, Picture Book, Published, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Stories, Writers, Writingpdpabst

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators will open for applications to the Laura Crawford Memorial Mentorship. The mentorship was established in memory of picture book author Laura Crawford.

This year’s mentor will be author Julia Durango, who will help with one picture book manuscript for a six month period.

Julia Durango

In order to apply, you must be a SCBWI member with an application dated between December 1-7, 2017. Applicants must never have had a picture book traditionally published. For complete details, go here.

As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA Fiction.

Pele’s Fire: Write To The Core (Retreat)

November 19, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & GetawaysAdult Books, Application, Authors, Awe-Inspiring, books, Conference, Elena Georgiou, Exercises, Explore, Feedback, Fiction, Hawaii, Inpiration, Jungle, Kaimu Black Sand Beach, Kalani, Lava, Lava Tree Forest, Manuscripts, Massage, Memoir, Middle Grade Books, Non-Fiction, Oceanside, Pele's Fire, Pool, Rahna Reiko Rizzuto, Readings, Registration, Retreat, Sea, Stories, Swim, Volcaniclly-Warmed Pools, Volcano, Volcano National Park, Workshops, Write To The Core, Writers, Writing, Writing Topics, Yoga, Young Adult Bookspdpabst

Looking for a place to type your new manuscript and need a place of inspiration. Try the Pele’s Fire: Write To The Core. This retreat is held at the Oceanside retreat in Hawaii called Kalani.

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Participate in yoga, meditation, dance, or another wellness program while visiting Kalani. Take a swim, get a massage, or explore the nearby jungle, land, and sea. And if you want an extended stay beyond the writing retreat, look into being a volunteer and get a discount or a scholarship!

Here are some of the things Pele’s Fire all-inclusive writing retreat offers:

Your own quiet writing time
Small-group workshops with both of their teachers (Rahna Reiko Rizzuto & Elena Georgiou)
Generative inspiration and exercises
Guided conversations on a variety of writing-related topics
Your own one-on-one conference for manuscript feedback
Group readings
Optional free time to explore the island.

Things you can explore:

Volcano National Park
Lava Tree Forest
Kaimu black sand beach
Volcanically-heated warm pools

Join us in 2018

Most importantly, you get to write-write-write in beautiful and awe-inspiring surroundings! But hurry, registration for spring 2018 may still be open, but application deadline expires on December 4, 2017 (or until retreat is full).

Have a great writing experience!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction

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