Wednesday, January 12, 2011

A Peek at Pike's Peak Writer's Conference...

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  So....how's it going?  Editing away?  Are the written words flowing?  Any querying successes to report?  (I hope so!!)  For those of you who saw my "I'm a Special Request" post...ah, well.  Weronika and I are not a match, I'm afraid.  Apparently, I have more novel and query letter fine tuning to do.  And that's ok!  Because it justifies the expense of going to a writing conference this year - obviously I need all the help I can get!  And what better way to do that than to spend a weekend with editors, published authors, agents and fellow aspiring writers attending a myriad of workshops aimed at honing my writing skills?

So, I've picked one!!


This year, I've decided to attend the Pikes Peak Writer's Conference in Colorado Springs, CO.  It's happening the weekend of Apr. 29th through May 1st.  There's also a bonus all-day workshop on Thursday, the 28th.  And registration opens up in just a few days, on the 15th. 

Now, the official brochure for this year's conference isn't out just yet.  So, why am I committed to going already?  Well...I've heard this one's a good one.  :)  But, seriously - I want to say that I remember one of my favorite authors, Shannon Hale, saying that she attended one year...hmm.  Anyhow!!  If you check out their past conference info - you'll see that they seem to ALWAYS have a great line up of agents, publishers, editors, and authors on hand.

Last year, their keynote speaker was Donald Maass!!  I think we've all heard of him, right?  The editor and chief of Del Rey did a workshop on "What I look for in a manuscript".  Awesome.  They also had a read & critique session for aspiring and published authors alike and agent pitch sessions with agents such as Sara Megibow and Kristen Nelson of the Nelson Literary agency, Caryn Wiseman of the Andrea Brown Lit. agency, Sarah Warner of Warner Lit., Scott Hoffmann of Folio Lit. and many more.  Hey - Nathan Bransford even attended one year!  PLUS - their (past) workshop line-ups are jam-packed.  Seriously.  Their Saturday line-up last year started at 7:30am and ended at 11:00pm. 

Plus - this particular conference is one that I can drive to in a day (I think...).  So - that's my plan!  Do you have one of your own?  Happy Writing/Editing/Querying, all!

17 comments:

The Happy Whisk said...

Good news about the conference. Hope you have a wonderful time.

Sondrae Bennett said...

Sounds like a great conference! I wish I could justify a trip to Colorodo but that's a bit too far for me...

Jess said...

This is right in my neck of the woods! I can only afford one conference this year though, and I'm opting for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers in Denver (it's in September). But I may change my mind once I see which agents will be there--I've heard such good things about PPWC! Thanks for the registration reminder :)

Elena Solodow said...

I'll be going to World Fantasy Con in October. Should be good! Have fun in CO!

alexia said...

Yay on the conference! That looks awesome! Yes, Don Maas attended my local writers conference last year, before I knew they put one on every year - so mad I didn't know about it then!

As for the agent, hopefully you got some good feedback. I always think of that as my silver lining. You'll find the perfect match one day!

Carol Riggs said...

That is SO cool you were a special request, even if you learned that you and Weronika were not a match. It means your writing stood out enough for her to request it, and that's saying something! Keep marching on, and writing!

Nas said...

I've just taken one by Angela James Self Editing before you Hit Send!

Nas said...

I've just taken one by Angela James Self Editing before you Hit Send!

Abby Minard said...

Sweet! I bet Kristen Nelson goes every year- she lives in Colorado. I love Shannon Hale- she just had twins! Sounds like a great conference, and sorry about your query with Weronika! Hope you got some good feedback!

Colene Murphy said...

Oh fun! You are going to some great conferences!!

Maria McKenzie said...

Sounds like a great conference! I'll be going to the Lori Foster Reader and Author Get Together in June. It'll be in Westchester, Ohio. That location isn't quite as exciting as Colorado Springs!

Talli Roland said...

Exciting! I love writing conferences - they're so inspiring!

Anonymous said...

Donea ... As a long-time attendee at Pikes Peak Writers conference, I must commend your extreme cleverness to choose it as your conference this year. I've been to 'em all and PPWC is by far the friendliest, most fun and inspiring conference. And I even learn stuff too - even after all these years!

Track me down at the conference and I'll regale you with the hilarious story of being The Donald's driver last year. Or you can search for it on my blog under 'writing and publishing.'

Either way, looking forward to meeting you!

Becky

Unknown said...

I went to the PPW Conference for the 1st time last year, and had the best time. Donald Maass was amazing, and the speakers were all inspiring and knowledgeable. I'm going again this year, as it's the best conference I've attended. Hope to meet you there!

Danette said...

Sorry to hear that things didn't work out for you Donea. It's still a disappointment isn't it? Writing is the hardest thing you can do in so many ways... Glad your looking forward!

Margo Berendsen said...

Found you from the Falling Leaflets blog - yay Pike's Peak! I attended that conference a few years ago, it was AMAZING! big names! friendly people! I am now seriously thinking about going again this year. My best friend lives in Col. Springs, also a good excuse to visit her.

Anonymous said...

Here's my story about The Donald ...

http://beckyland.wordpress.com/2010/07/13/transportation-slapstick/

Still makes me laugh!

Becky