Writing and Publishing News

I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at the Ojai Writers’ Conference at the World University in Ojai, California Saturday. I had a casual lunch with interesting writers. Incredibly, I sat at a table of nonfiction writers—ahhh, my comfort zone.

Oh I like and appreciate those of you who write fiction and I LOVE editing fiction. But I particularly like networking with others who are addicted to “just the facts, maam,” when it comes to writing.

What makes us choose one genre over another? How do we decide what type of writing we want to do? I guess it is something within each of us that causes us to make certain choices. While I wrote stories for my children and poetry (for myself) during the years before beginning my writing career, my dream was to be published in magazines. When I sat down to seriously pursue my writing, I began by writing magazine articles. To this day, I continue to write nonfiction.

Some professional writers fall into technical writing. Most of those I meet, have a desire to break out and write something more from the heart. Some never do live this dream.

There are others who are trying to earn a living through their love of fiction and other more creative writing. And those who are not completely and shamelessly right brain-thinkers, sometimes manage to do it. Some just continue to enjoy the process of writing fiction and struggle to keep their writing dream alive as a part-time pleasure while they work at a job to make financial ends meet.

My role at the conference this weekend was to sit on a self-publishing panel. I rather enjoy being part of a panel discussion. There, you have three (or more) points of view and a variety of experiences to draw from. Generally, each panelist speaks and then the audience is invited to ask questions. It felt as though we brought some good information and resources to this group of writers. Let’s hope that we save them heartache and money in their future decisions. And that their educated choices give them a measure of success.

I sat in on two sessions. One was called the business of writing. When the leader plopped down in front of each student an IRS form, we all groaned. Some asked questions—“Is this class about the business of writing?” “We don’t have to talk about taxes, do we?” I think most of us had in mind what I would teach in a course with this title—how to set up a writing business, how to get writing gigs, dealing with deadbeat editors, etc. But we did talk about taxes and the leader actually made it kind of interesting.

I attended a pitch session. That was interesting. The instructor is involved in the film industry and he spoke about pitching your screen play. He even invited a couple of students up to sit in a chair on the raised platform before all of us and pitch their projects. As a reward for their courage, he gave them some great tips and specific advice. Interesting session.

This is conference season—conferences generally occur all over the US in the spring and fall, with some even being held in the scorching summer months. If you have a book in the works or in your hand, you really ought to check into some of the upcoming local writers’ conferences. You will be amazed at what you can learn in a weekend or even a day-long conference.

Locate conferences in your area or the area you want to visit by doing an Internet search using keywords, “writers conference” and your city/state name.

Visit these online conference directories.
http://www.writing.shawguides.com
http://www.writersconf.org
http://www.allconferences.com
http://www.newpages.com/writing-conferences

And report back to us here about your conference experiences. I’d like to devote a blog post (or more) to your conference stories. PLFry620@yahoo.com

http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

I’m presenting quite a case for attending a writer’s conference in the upcoming edition of the monthly SPAWN Market Update.

Have you ever attended a writer’s conference? Was it a writer’s retreat or were there workshops you could attend on a wide variety of topics of interest to writers/authors? Did the organizers invite agents and editors whom you could consult with?

Did you leave the event absolutely brimming and overflowing with inspiration, hope, ideas, knowledge and resources? That’s as it should be. If this didn’t happen for you, perhaps you attended the wrong conference for you.

It’s important to check the agenda of conferences carefully before choosing to attend. Sometimes, we will sign up for a conference because it is close by and maybe inexpensive. And why not take advantage of an event that is convenient for you to attend? That’s okay. If you are open, you will surely learn something worthwhile and you’ll certainly discover valuable resources, meet interesting people and have a good time.

Attend any conference with unreasonable expectations and you will, most likely, leave full of disappointment. I’ve observed hopeful authors resisting the very information and perspective they need in order to survive and to excel in the world of publishing because they simply weren’t ready to hear it—to take it in. There are still hopeful authors who spend more time trying to figure out how to bypass the onramp to publishing success than in going with the flow of traffic toward what is known to lead to the success they desire. They reject and resist the very information they need. They are in denial. They want to achieve publishing success, but they do not want to put in the necessary effort to do so.

“What?” they might say, “Promote my own book? No, I’m not going to do that. That’s what the publisher is for.” Truth be told (and it is being told by every professional at every turn) publishers want authors with viable marketing plans and the energy to carry them out.

A well-run writer’s conference is a great place to meet and network with other writers and professionals, to learn and to grow. I recommend that every author attend at least one. Choose the right one by studying some of the conference directories.

http://writersconf.org
http://writing.shawguides.com
http://www.allconferences.com
http://www.newpages.com/writing-conferences

Last day to sign up for Patricia Fry’s online article-writing course. http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

It used to be that writers’ conferences were primarily for writers who wanted help fleshing out their characters, needed advice for writing more meaningful dialog, wanted to know more about writing good poetry or needed assistance formulating nonfiction articles or memoirs. Now, many writers’ conferences have strong elements for authors who are writing and/or promoting books.

If you are or hope to be an author and you’ve never been to a writers’ conference, you really must allow yourself the experience. What can you learn at a conference? How to use social media to enhance your book sales; writing for the inspirational (pet, humor, history, young adult, childrens, etc.) market; how to use webcasting, podcasting, etc. to sell more books; should you produce ebooks; how to build promotion into your book before it’s a book; how to write the right book for the right audience; writing press releases and other promotional material; how to conduct a more effective interview; how to expand your writing horizons; testimonials for your book—what are they, how can they help and where can you get them; ghostwriting tips; how to set up and maintain an effective blog; how to choose the right editor; self-editing techniques; mystery-writing techniques; tips for promoting your book; writing a book proposal; how to establish your platform and so on.

While most conference leaders try to offer wide varieties of topics, some of them might lean more heavily toward book promotion, how to pitch your book to agents/editors, book-writing techniques, media exposure for authors or some other specific aspect of authorship.

When you come home from a conference (as I just did last week), you will typically carry with you a tote bag full of information, notes, presenter handouts, business cards, brochures and so forth. Here’s my advice with regard to this material:

• Note on business cards why you might want to follow-up with this person or company. Perhaps they mentioned knowing a good editor, they recommend their agent or they want you to submit something to their publication. It is easy to forget the particulars of an encounter when you return home with a pocket full of extraneous business cards and notes.

• Create clear notes while in sessions. This can be difficult when the information is coming at you like rapid gunfire. But do your best to keep up and clarify your chicken scratches so you’ll remember what the presenter intended when he talked about the author’s platform or when he mentioned how to use social media to promote your book.

• Take time after each session to flesh out your notes so that they will make sense to you when you return home and begin to act on some of the suggestions.

• When you return home, follow-up with the contacts you made, send thank you notes to the presenters who offered you the most value and ask any questions you might have at that time.

Writers’ or authors’ conferences are held each year throughout the United States. Most of them seem to occur in the spring, summer and fall. Locate conferences near you by doing an Internet search using “writers conference” + your city name. Or study the conferences listed at these sites:

http://www.allconferences.com
http://www.newpages.com/writing-conferences
http://www.writing.shawguides.com

I’d like to hear from those of you who have attended writers’ conferences—what did you like/dislike about them? Do you have questions about conferences? Leave your comment/question here.

And be sure to visit my websites to see what I offer:
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

Is it worth the expense and your time to attend a writers’ conference? Those of you who have attended good conferences know the answer to this question. Those who have not, may wonder: What goes on at a writers’ conference?

• You will, most likely, have the opportunity to learn from experts and professionals. Depending on the conference and the committee’s choice of speakers, you might learn more about social networking, how to develop stronger characters, how to approach a publisher, how to write a book proposal, ideas for promoting your book, how to keep a freelance writing business going and so much more.

• You’ll have many opportunities to talk casually—one-on-one—with experts and professionals.

• You’ll be afforded numerous opportunities to connect and network with other writers/authors.

• You might be able to make appointments with the magazine editors and/or publishers of your choice to discuss your project. (This is offered at some conferences and not others.)

• Most likely, you’ll be invited to attend banquets and hear major authors or other professionals speak. These keynote speeches can be highly educational and inspirational.

What will you take away from a well-organized conference?

• Lots of new information and perspectives. As you know, I’m a freelance writing/publishing veteran and I always learn something of value when I am invited to speak at these conferences.

• Inspiration. You will be so inspired to write or you’ll be so filled with new promotional ideas that you won’t know where/how to start implementing them all when you get home.

• Courage. Yes—you may finally find the courage to start that novel or write that article or get out and really promote that book.

• New associations and friendships. A writers’ conference brings together like-minded people with whom you can relate. Unlike your non-writing friends and family, they will understand when you talk about your passion for writing or how it feels to be rejected. They will appreciate your sense of joy at landing a publisher, agent or writing job.

• Connections. Most of the writers/authors as well as the seminar leaders that you meet will welcome your questions, comments and continuing support beyond the conference. You can share your successes with a fellow author, ask one of the workshop leaders for a recommendation or reference with regard to a project, shoot an email to an editor you met with a question, for example.

But, as is the case in almost anything you do, any organization you belong to, your friendships, etc., you will get out of it what you put into it. If you research the conferences, attend the one that suits your needs best and participate to the fullest, you will benefit in ways that you cannot even imagine.

Sign up this year for a writers’ conference near you—or travel to the one that sounds like the best fit for you. As I suggested yesterday, do a Google search to find the right conference. Or search the Shaw Guides, here: http://www.writing.shawguides.com

I can tell you that you’ll find conferences in Tennessee, Florida, Oregon, Washington, New York, Minnesota, North Carolina, West Virginia, Wyoming, Indiana and many sites in California: San Diego, Mendocino, Orange, San Francisco and others. So you may not even have to travel far.

Just study the conference description before signing up to make sure that the conference offers what you need at this point in your writing/publishing experience.

Catscapades Update
I’m having so much fun promoting Catscapades, True Cat Tales and receiving comments from happy readers. Doesn’t every writer want happy readers? The comments I’m getting range from how interesting and heartwarming/wrenching some of the stories are to the quality of the photos. Many readers adopt favorite stories and favorite cats for various reasons. One of my daughters told me that she loved the book because she learned a lot about cats and a lot about her mother. Order your copy today for Mother’s Day giving:
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html Or you can purchase this book through Amazon.com.

Do you have a cat-obsessed friend who has a birthday this year? Don’t forget to order a copy of Catscapades, True Cat Tales for her or him.

Do you plan to attend any writers’ conferences this year? Have you ever signed up for one? This is something I recommend, especially for writers seeking writing help and authors seeking publication. Some conferences are also adding a book promotion element to their schedules.

What can you get out of a writers’ conference? Depending on the agenda of the particular conference,

• You can meet agents and editors and discuss your project with them.

• You’ll learn about various writing techniques that can enhance your writing work.

• You’ll learn more about the publishing industry and how to navigate it on behalf of your book project.

• You’ll have the opportunity to network with other writers.

• You can network with writing/publishing professionals.

• You’ll walk away feeling more knowledgeable and inspired.

I’ve met writers who just blossomed after a writers’ conference experience. They found the information, support, direction and inspiration they were seeking. Some discovered the help they required in the form of an editor, mentor or coach. And, in some cases, I became the editor/mentor/coach. I love when that happens!

I speak at anywhere from 3 to half dozen or more writers/authors’ conferences every year. This year, it looks as though I’ll be speaking in Los Angeles, New York, Santa Rosa, Ventura and, perhaps, a few other venues. I’ll share more details as they develop.

In the meantime, you might start checking out the spring, summer and fall conferences in your area. How? Do a Google search using keywords, “your city/state” and “writers’ conference.” Or go to http://www.writersconf.org or http://writing.shawguides.com

How can you get the most benefit from a writers’ conference? We’ll talk about that tomorrow. But I can tell you that no two people come away having had the same experience. While one author is totally fired up and inspired after a conference, another might feel she got nothing from the event—it was a big fat waste of time. Can you guess what made the difference between these two authors?

I Appreciate YOU
I appreciate your loyalty to this blog, my twitter messages, my many books on writing/publishing, my articles and so forth. And I’m always pleased to meet you when I’m presenting a workshop at a conference in St. Louis, Janesville, Jacksonville, Phoenix or wherever. And I especially appreciate your trust in me as an editor and consultant for your projects. I just completed an editing job over the weekend for a beautiful writer whom I met at a local conference. And that job was on the heels of one I worked on last week for a woman who placed an order for several of my books—talented writer with a great story. I love meeting you and I enjoy helping you produce the best book possible.

If you’re not sure whether you need help with your project, send it to me for an evaluation. If there are problems, I’ll point them out and let you decide whether my services could enhance your book or not. Contact me here: PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Catscapades Update
Catscapades, True Cat Tales is going to be entered in a couple of contests. This is all new to me. I’ve never entered competitions and I’m kind of excited about the prospect of it. More about that as things start rolling. In the meantime, there’s still time to order copies of Catscapades for Mother’s Day giving.
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html Or amazon.com.

Visit my Catscapades blog: http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades