Once again I have no MMGM for you guys this week (sorry! I SUPER appreciate anyone who has one out there, floating around the blogosphere--and I promise things will get back to normal, starting next week.)
But this week is a very special week for me--a week I work ALL YEAR to get to--so naturally it's going to affect my blogging schedule a bit. It's WriteOnCon week.
For those who don't know (though I'm not sure that's possible, which how much I ramble about it on here), WriteOnCon is a free online writers conference I help organize with a few other blogger/writer friends. It's a MASSIVE undertaking, and since we make up most of it as we go along, it's always a bit of an adventure. And it starts tomorrow. TOMORROW.
O.O
So, as you can imagine, the last few weeks--and the last few days especially--have been a flurry of sending emails and assembling posts and scheduling tweets and editing vlogs and organizing the schedule and emailing faculty and answering questions and problem solving and trouble shooting and brainstorming and putting out fires and rearranging things because of last minute changes and replying to emails (did I mention emails--cause there have been A LOT of emails!) And we're not quite done yet. We're kind of down to the minute here in WriteOnCon-land.
And as I've survived the chaos, I've had more than a few people ask me the same question: Why do you do it?
And as I've survived the chaos, I've had more than a few people ask me the same question: Why do you do it?
I can't blame them for wondering. It is a LOT of work. And WriteOnCon is awesome for throwing us curveballs and making things kinda stressful as we push ourselves to find creative solutions. Not to mention, by the end, I kind of want to throw my laptop out a window.
BUT I DO HAVE A REASON. And it's not money--we don't make a cent off WriteOnCon (the donations we receive cover the HUGE cost of our web hosting--that's it.) It's also not publicity because, well...WriteOnCon isn't about ME. Our awesome faculty are the stars. I'm just the grunt worker in the background, making sure they shine.
So what is it?
Well, it's threefold, really.
1) The ladies I plan WriteOnCon with are five of the most amazing people I've found in this crazy place we call the blogosphere. They're funny, smart, creative, hardworking, dedicated, and just generally awesome. Which is especially amazing when you consider how group dynamics can often be ... tricky. Especially with a project this EPIC and high stress. But with WriteOnCon it's almost effortless. No drama. No issues. Trust me, there's no way I could read and send as many group emails as I do if I weren't working with such an incredible team. And I didn't think it could get any better after last year, but this year we added some forum moderators and a couple of web/graphic people and they have added so much to the group with their talent, creative ideas, and occasional shenanigans. Not to mention hard work. It's an absolutely amazing, one-of-a kind experience to be a part of, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
2) WriteOnCon allows me to give something back to the writing/publishing community, from which I so often feel like I take more than I give. I don't blog hop as much as I want to. I can't follow everyone on Twitter, or read everyone's FB posts. I don't have time to read/critique people's manuscripts, and I can't bring everyone with me to the conferences/signings I attend. But I can do this. I can help organize this amazing, humongous event that has and will continue to help writers on their journey. And every time someone emails us to let us know they found a critique partner or signed with an agent or sold their book or learned something vital for
16 Comments on Why I Plan WriteOnCon, last added: 8/18/2011
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By: Shannon Whitney,
on 7/26/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Book Recommendations, Epicness, Add a tag
I promise, I WILL have a Comic Con update for you guys--but it'll have to be tomorrow. I'd planned to do it today, but then I realized HOW MANY AWESOME BOOKS ARE HITTING SHELVES TODAY!!!!!!!
In fact, I'm almost a little scared. It's such an insane amount of awesome it might actually trigger like a Universe-implosion or something. I mean LOOK what's coming out:
SUPERNATURALLY, by Kiersten White
Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.
But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.
So much for normal.
But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.
So much for normal.
WILDEFIRE, by Karsten Knight
Every flame begins with a spark.
Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.
WOLFSBAN
8 Comments on Will bookstores EXPLODE from all the awesome?, last added: 7/27/2011
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By: Shannon Whitney,
on 7/18/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: WriteOnCon, Epicness, Add a tag
No, my blogger account has NOT been hacked. This is the REAL DEAL!!!!!!!!
(And I know it's supposed to be MMGM but this news is SO BIG I figured you wouldn't mind. I promise things will be back to normal next week!)
Watch THIS:
(ugh--and why am *I* the thumbnail picture this time????)
Okay, do we have your attention? Good.
WriteOnCon has teamed up with TheReadingRoom.com to bring you a VERY special contest to kick off the August, 2011 WriteOnCon Conference.
What? A first 500 MG/YA words contest. Grand Prize is $1000 AND an author profile page on TheReadingRoom.com. In addition, your work will be considered for possible representation by literary agent, Catherine Drayton.
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 3/7/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: WriteOnCon, Epicness, Add a tag
WE ARE! WE ARE!
Well...sort of:
Um...yeah.
We'll get cracking, we promise.
We'll get cracking, we promise.
:)
But we've set the dates! We've been teasing you about them for weeks--AND NOW YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE!!!!
*tosses confetti*
In case you couldn't view the video, WriteOnCon 2011 will be:
*herald trumpets sound*
August 16-18, 2011
In case you couldn't view the video, WriteOnCon 2011 will be:
*herald trumpets sound*
August 16-18, 2011
Make sure you mark your calendars. We have some seriously awesome things in store. And since we know none of you want to miss THE COOLEST DAYS OF THE ENTIRE YEAR, we've made this lovely widget to remind you:
Get the Countdown Creator Pro widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! Not seeing a widget? (More info)
This year we want to make sure no one misses out on the coolness, so we've arranged a few contests to motivate you guys to help us spread the word. And when I say contests, I mean CONTESTS. We never do anything halfway at WriteOnCon, so stay tuned for 8 (yes, EIGHT) amazing opportunities to win a query letter critique from some fabulous literary agents!!!!!!
The first post goes up at Noon EST today on http://writeoncon.com/, and a new contest will go live every hour for the next seven hours. Contests run from the time of their posting through Sunday, March 13 at midnight EST.
So make sure you go enter for your chance to win. And get ready for WOC 2011! We're going to blow your socks off!
(and for those of you wondering about MMGM, I PROMISE, things will be back to normal next Monday. Thanks for your patience).
33 Comments on ARE YOU READY FOR WRITEONCON 2011????????, last added: 3/8/2011
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By: Shannon Whitney,
on 3/2/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Writer Friends, Where's Shannon, Epicness, Updates, Add a tag
Considering how crazy-insane-hectic my March is (and it's only the second day--AHHHHHHH!!!!) I have a feeling I'm not going to have time for a proper San Francisco Writer's Conference post. But they say a picture is worth a thousand words, right? So here ya go. 11,000 words on the highlights of my San Francisco trip!
A mini Bookanista reunion, with the Uber-Fabulous Cory Jackson, Carolina Valdez Miller and Veronica Rossi. Don't you love how we all wore black???
I...don't know why. Carol brought these masks. She made us pose in them. I'm sure there was a reason. I'm just not sure what it was... :D
Proof that Cory is the coolest person on the planet: SHE DRIVES A CONVERTIBLE MINI COOPER. Which she used to give us an awesome tour of the city.
The famous "Painted Ladies"
What you can't tell in this picture is HOW INSANELY COLD IT WAS!
Also...I love how tired I look in all the pictures. I couldn't seem to sleep while we were there. I blame Carol. I'm not sure why. But I do. :D
A picture I try to take in every city I go to. Me: in front of Tiffanys. It's like the mo
36 Comments on San Francisco Pictures!!!!, last added: 3/4/2011
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By: Shannon Whitney,
on 1/24/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Updates, WriteOnCon, Epicness, Add a tag
Hey guys!
Slight change of schedule this week. I've canceled Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (I promise I will make it up to you next week) because there's just too many exciting things going on with WriteOnCon that I NEED to update you on.
First, and foremost:
We've set the dates for our 2011 Conference!!!!!
*squeals*
*tosses confetti*
(Seriously guys--you have no idea how many emails it took)
Sadly, we're not ready to share them yet (we need some time to prepare an EPIC announcement) so I know that's kind of a tease. But we wanted you guys to know that wheels really are in motion around here. Exciting things are happening, and we are working very hard behind the scenes , plotting and scheming all kinds of awesome. So stay tuned.
Also--in case you haven't heard--today (maybe even as you're reading this!!!)--we're hosting our first Live Event in 2011. And we were lucky enough to score three amazing agents willing to participate in the panel. Here's the details:
Who: Holly McGhee, Elena Mechlin, and Joan Slattery of Pippin Properties, Inc.
When: Monday, January 24th, 2011 at 5:00 PM EST
Where: http://writeoncon.com/
In case you didn't notice, the event is scheduled a little earlier than you might be used to, so make sure you make a note of the time and don't miss out. The chat will go up about 15 minutes to 5:00 here on the homepage, and can also be found under the "live events / chat" tab.
Make sure you come armed with plenty of your most pressing questions about query writing and what Pippin is looking for. We'll be spending 30 minutes on each. And to help you better figure out what to ask, here's a little more info about these lovely ladies:
19 Comments on Exciting things at WriteOnCon!, last added: 1/25/2011
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This sounds so awesome. THANKS SO MUCH for your hard work on this. I am definitely going to attend or read the transcripts for all that I can.
I blogged about the conference last week.
Yay for WriteOnCon!! Can't wait!
Thanks so much for all your efforts, Shannon!
*does the WriteOnCon happy dance*
I registered with WriteOnCon, but I noticed there's no forum for queries that are New Adult/Adult. Are they considered disqualified?
The line-up this year is awesome. I spoke on a panel yesterday at a local writer's conference and plugged WriteOnCon. I had the perfect excuse because I was quoting from Kody's session on edgy YA. :D
What an amazing lineup! Can't wait!!!
You are forever an organized, type A (the really good kind), super cheerful, adorable, amazing writer/blogger! I know the work you put into this is tiring, but your end result is beyond phenomenal. You put so much of yourself into everything you do and as a friend, fellow blogger, writer I am honored to know you. This conference will be off the charts!
Just remember to get yourself an extra Squinkie at the end of the week...you deserve it. ;o)
Visit My Kingdom Anytime
Gina: We tried to keep the forums simple, and limit the main threads to only the MAJOR categories (PB, MG, YA) just so there weren't 50 threads for agents to have to sort through (chapter books, easy readers, upper MG, Lower YA, new adult, etc). So if your book is New Adult, it would most likely belong in the YA forum.
That being said, we are a children's writers conference (because that what all of us who organize it write) so if your MS is truly adult, you might not find much value in posting it in our forums. You will, however, still gain a lot of info from the faculty posts/vlogs/chats, as their advice applies to all kinds of writing. :)
Thank you Shannon for putting this together. I've learned so much from lurking throughout the year, and I'm excited to attend this year!
You are freaking amazing, #1. And I am dead serious. You don't know how much your fellow bloggers/writers appreciate your efforts on our behalf. THANK YOU for all you do. The schedule looks incredible. :-)
*high fives*
:)
Wow. Just...wow. You are so incredible for working so hard on this.
Thank you, thank you, and even more thank you. <3
Thank you so much for planning this awesome event! It is amazing and I appreciate all of your hard work.
Thanks again,
Jenny Lee Sulpizio
Author of "Mommy Whispers"
Oh my stars! I've heard of this conference before, but I never have seen the agenda. I so wish I wasn't facing a deadline on my next book. I've love to attend. Maybe next year. Thanks for posting about this awesomeness.
Seriously, thanks for your hard work and moderating and all of the above!
I hate my job. I'm missing out on EVERYTHING!
Shannon, I've said it over at the writeoncon site, but I want to say it to you, personally: Thanks for writeoncon! It's seriously changed my life this week. Besides the awesome advice, the great input on projects, and the new friendships, I was approached by five agents, two requesting full manuscripts. Also, the readingroom.com competition has given me an even wider exposure, and I've been receiving a lot of feedback on my entry there. I can't believe all this is happening to me, and all of it at no cost to me (outside of my donation). Thanks for your sacrifice. I hope I can contribute to the writing community at least half as much as you have already.