Guest post by Rachel Hanley

Literature conferences fall into three categories: academic (focused on analyzing and exploring texts and authors from various perspectives), fan (focused on celebrating common interests), and professional (focused on networking as well as writing and publishing advice).

SCBWI, for those who don’t know, stands for The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. If you want to publish picture books, middle grade, or young adult, I suggest joining.SCBWI conferences fall into the professional category. The programming focuses on improving your writing and publishing your work. Writers, published and unpublished alike, as well as editors and agents attend, and you can sign up for helpful critiques of your work.I primarily write young adult fantasy, and I attend both conferences focused on young adult literature and conferences focused on fantasy literature, but it’s important to remember that, marketing-wise, my work is young adult first and fantasy second. So, from a publishing angle, SCBWI has probably been the most useful conference for me, giving tips about specific agents’ and editors’ current needs.However, writing-wise, even non-YA focused conferences can be fantastic for YA writers. One of my favorite conferences is Sirens, which fixates on strong female writers and characters in fantasy. This includes, but is not limited to, young adult fantasy, but regardless the vibrant discussions in the programming always leave me inspired and motivated. Sirens also deliberately blends elements from the three types I mentioned above, so if you don’t have much conference-going experience this one can give you a taste of all three.

In general, though, I advise attending many different conferences. All of the types – academic, fan, and professional – because they all offer different things. Big versus small. Narrowed focus versus wide focus. I’ve learned useful things, but the best part about attending conferences is meeting new people, people with similar interests and goals. Some of my best friends these days are people I met at writing conferences years ago!

You can find Rachel at her blog: http://rachelannhanley.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelAnnHanley
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5665445-rachel

Who Wants to Go to Worldcon?–Me, Me, Me!

January 21, 2013

Leigh Galbreath

So, we’ve been talking about workshops, seminars, and conventions this month, and we couldn’t possibly go without mentioning Worldcon. With the World Fantasy Convention (WFC), this is one of the big ones for writers starting out. There is no cap for Worldcon, as there is for WFC, so this convention has a higher guest count and a much higher fan to writer ratio. It’s not as intimate an atmosphere (if you can call 750 people in one hotel intimate), but it’s a very good place to go for new authors.

At a workshop I went to a few years ago, Pyr editor, Lou Anders, said that if you’re looking for a publisher and/or agent, go to WFC. Once you get a publisher and/or agent, go to Worldcon.

I’ll be honest. I’ve never attended a Worldcon in the past, but this year, it’s in my back yard, so to speak, so I’m totally planning to go. In addition to the huge amount of programming they have every year, there are plenty of parties to attend and lots of pros to meet running around the place.

Hugo Award winning author Mike Resnick wrote a great guide for beginners attending Chicon7 (this past year’s Worldon). It’s a really good read for those, like me, who will be attending for the first time, no matter what year you’re going. The official site also has some advice for first time goers here.

Here’s the skinny on Worldcon 2013, or as it’s been titled, LoneStarCon3:

This year, the convention will be in San Antonio, Texas, August 29-September 2, 2013.

Membership is $200 for an adult attending membership until April 30, 2013. More info can be found on their membership page.

There are two host hotels right on the San Antonio Riverwalk. Bookings opened on the website today, January 21, 2013. The Riverwalk is a major tourist attraction, so the prices can be a little high for many people ($154 for single/double occupancy; $175 for triple/quad). But there are plenty of other hotels in the vicinity that are a little more affordable, and it’s always a good idea to bring a friend or two to cut costs.

Programming isn’t up yet, of course, but there’s always a huge amount to see and do. On the programming page there are links to the programming from previous Worldcons. Check it out to see what you might be looking forward to.

In addition to the programming and parties, there’s also a writer’s workshop, if you want spend some time with a couple of pro authors working on your craft while you’re at the con. According to the workshop page, there’s a fee of $15 to reserve a spot. Reservations open in July.

As for me, I have to say, I’m already kinda jazzed to go this year. Since it’s open to everyone, I can actually convince some of my friends who don’t write to go with me, and the wealth of pros going is always a great draw. And since it’s only a few hours drive from my house, I won’t have to shell out big bucks for airfare, which is always a plus. Honestly, just taking a look at the official site makes it seem like there’s entirely too much to cover everything, but we’ll surely have a ton of fun trying.

So, anyone gone to a Worldcon before or going this year? Share what you’ve enjoyed in the past and/or are looking forward to this year. Help us first-timer’s figure out what to get ready for.

See ya there!

Book Review: Upcoming Releases

January 16, 2013

mary

Mary Pletsch Reviews No Comments

Book Review: Upcoming Releases

Step into my time machine… Welcome to my book review in reverse. Instead of writing about a book that I’ve read recently, I’m going to be writing a book coming out later in 2013.

But wait! you say. Online bookstores don’t permit readers to submit reviews prior to the book’s release date! How can this be, and can we borrow your DeLorean? Many avid readers have experienced the tension of waiting for a hotly anticipated release to hit the shelves. In most cases, there’s something about the author, the series or the subject matter that has these readers excited. I’d like to share a book I’m eagerly anticipating, and some of the reasons why.

Kitty Rocks the House, Carrie Vaughn’s eleventh Kitty Norville novel (not counting the short story collection) will be released in March 2013. Kitty-a werewolf talk-radio host with a most improbable name-is the main character of this ongoing urban fantasy series.

One of the major strengths of Vaughn’s novels is that while each book contains a satisfying plot arc, the series is also building towards a major climax. With each book, another piece of the grand design falls into place. Vaughn has mastered building tension not only within the novel but throughout the entire series, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here.

Vaughn has also shown the growth of the main character throughout the series. To be able to keep a character growing and evolving through so many books has been a major accomplishment. The secondary cast are just as strong: they are changing and growing as well. Even minor characters from previous books show up again several books down the road, and it’s always a treat to recognize a familiar face from a past story.

The Kitty books are fast-moving and often amusing as Kitty tackles the challenge of being a werewolf and public figure, and are one of my first choices for light entertainment.

My greatest regret is that I don’t have a blue police box that I could take a few months into the future, go to the bookstore, come back and settle down with it this afternoon.

Get Down to Business at the Superstars Writing Seminar

January 14, 2013

Eric Edstrom

The Writing Life 3 Comments

The Superstars Writing Seminar focuses exclusively on the business of writing, so you won’t hear any writing craft lectures.

I’ve attended two of them so far, in Salt Lake City (2011) and Las Vegas (2012), and they were excellent, motivating, and provided great networking opportunities.

You get to hear best-selling authors talk about how they broke in and what publishers are looking for in an author. They take you through the details of real book contracts (Eric Flint’s to be exact) and royalty statements. You’ll hear in-depth discussion of the need (or not) for an agent, the many ways to exploit your copyrights through new media, TV, and film, and practical issues such as writing ergonomics and improving productivity.

That last point was the biggest take-away for me. Superstars reset my standard of productivity waaaaay higher. When Kevin J. Anderson projects a slide showing how many books he released in only one year, one gets the picture that making a living at writing, means writing a lot of content.

If you balk at the registration fee, be assured that the value of the seminar is very high. The days are packed, and the faculty is very accessible for questions and will often join attendees during lunch breaks (or a late beer with Kevin if you’re so inclined.)

The VIP dinner ($150 add-on) is an extraordinary experience. It’s truly a unique opportunity to pepper a best-selling author with questions while enjoying top notch cuisine. If you don’t leave stuffed and inspired, it’s your own fault. If you can swing it, don’t miss it.

Another great benefit of Superstars is the community of alumni. Once you’ve registered, you get access to the private Facebook group, which always has lively discussions. Writers post questions, ask for opinions on back cover copy and cover art, post news from the publishing world, and brag when something cool happens in their career.

The deets:

Who: Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta, Dave Farland, Eric Flint
Guest Speakers: James A. Owen, Joan Johnston, Jim Minz (Baen), Mark Leslie LeFebvre (Kobo) | Read the faculty and guest speaker bios

What: Superstars Website | Cost: $849 before 28 Feb, $899 after (student and alumni rates available) | VIP Dinner: $150

When: May 14-16

Where: Colorado Springs, CO (Antlers Hilton, block room rates available)

Why: Because if you want to make a living with your writing, it’s time to get down to business.