I’ve been going to the PNWA (Pacific Northwest Writers Association) summer conference since I moved to Seattle, and every year I get something wonderful from it. So I wanted to share 7 reasons why you should go! The conference runs July 17-20 at the Seattle Airport Hilton. Registration online is closed but I think you can still register in person at the conference.
1. To write better. Sentences, opening scenes, story arcs. Exploring point of view. Unlocking character motivation. Creating … suspense. There is a great line up of teachers this year. I personally am looking forward to learning from Robert Dugoni, who is a great thriller writer.
2. To learn how the publishing industry works, especially today. How to avoid publishing scams. Should you self publish? The growth of small presses. Writing for the children’s market – it’s a bunny eats bunny market out there!
3. To find out what agents and editors are looking for. What makes them want to sign on the dotted line or run from the room screaming.
4. To pitch your story. Maybe this is where you’ll finally break in!
5. To schmooze with writers, agents and editors in a relaxed setting. One year I remember very fondly – my writing professor, her agent and I got silly at the bar and tried to decide what our all-time favorite words were. The agent’s favorite word turned out to be “frond.”
6. To get marketing tips you can really use – I’m very excited to say that Katherine Sears of Booktrope and I were invited to present on Building Your Platform. Katherine brings deep knowledge of what works and doesn’t, in this brave new world. I will provide the real world example, warts and all. We are making this a VERY interactive session, so please come with all your questions.
Saturday July 19, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
BUILDING YOUR PLATFORM
Presented by Lisa Fernow and Katherine Sears
What is a platform? Where is it? When do I start it? How do I know when I need one, and what does it look like for me and my books? In order to become successful, you know you need a platform. Most agents and publishers expect you to have one in place before beginning the process of approaching them. What you may not currently understand is exactly what that is, or how to build one. We will walk you through the critical-to-haves versus the nice-to-haves, all using real world examples.
7. To meet and discover authors, and buy their books.
Friday, July 18 8:30 – 10:00 p.m. Autograph Party. Over 60 award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors (and me, signing my tango mystery Dead on Her Feet!) will participate.
This event is open to the public, so even if you don’t have the time or money to attend the entire conference, please join us!