By: Shannon Whitney,
on 8/16/2012
In case you somehow missed it (not sure how that would be possible!) WriteOnCon 2012 is now over--and I think it's safe to say it was another raging success.
So if you were one of our 15,000 attendees I just want to say:
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 8/14/2012
Okay, so I've been TOTALLY remiss in telling you all about the amazing things we have in store for WriteOnCon this year. Major, epic Shannonfail.
FORTUNATELY IT'S NOT TOO LATE.
The conference starts today, and there's still PLENTY of time to check out all the awesomeness we have going on. Here's the schedule:
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By: Monica Zepeda,
on 8/12/2012
In case you haven't heard about it, there's an awesome online conference called WriteOnCon. First of all, it's FREE! While most conferences cost several hundred dollars just for registration, let alone airfare and hotel, WriteOnCon costs nothing. All you have to do is register and you're in. Easy peasy. And then there are the Ninja Agents. You leave your query or first pages online for
By: Claudette Young,
on 3/13/2012
I’ve talked these past two weeks about various aspects of writing. For those who still feel adrift because they just came into the field, I’m going to use this opportunity to provide a few paths to explore. These are ones I’ve found especially helpful over the past few years.
Wherever a writer goes or whoever she talks to in the field, she will always find help and guidance along the way. David Farland, the best-selling author and teacher, says, “Nobody makes it alone. We each build on one another.” Farland should know. He’s well-known in two genres and still teaches.
Take small opportunities to grow as a writer. If you swing it, attend a two-day event or conference in your area. You’re not any less a writer if you don’t have the cash for hotel expenses. If you can drive to the event each day and be home at night, so be it. The important thing is to meet and mingle with the writers who are there to talk about words, their use, and how you fit into that picture.
Many online opportunities recur each year.WriteOnCon is a free online writer’s conference with plenty of firepower to begin on the writing track. This year’s conference will take place on August 14 and 15, with the theme “Back to Basics.” The only thing you’ll spend on this one is your time and effort.
If you have the ability to pay a bit for instruction, but have family duties and a family; take a course, either on-line or at a local college. Many courses and workshops are available for varying costs. Currently there are a double handful of free online writing classes from major universities across the country. Their subjects range on everything from poetry reading and writing basics to academic and research writing, along with levels of editing prowess and technical work.
Several major writers offer workshops and classes as well. David Farland has several classes that will work for all levels of writing experience. He also puts out a free newsletter called “Daily Kick in the Pants” for jump starting a person’s writing day. This one is a real winner.
Learn how the business operates. For those who still think that being a writer is nothing more than putting some words on paper, handing it in to an editor, and sitting back to wait for royalty checks to roll in, get a grip on the nearest heavy support. Reality is about to slap you hard and send you reeling.
If your budget simply won’t stretch to include any kind of off-site conference or workshop, hop over to Suzanne Lieurance’s website. Suzanne knows this business inside and out and is one of the best writing coaches around. Her Working Writer’s Club was developed to help guide and encourage those who’re serious about writing. She also has a free newsletter that outlines everything that’s available for free or for members only. Check it out. You won’t regret it.
Writers and Editors Network also takes the business seriously. Check out its offerings, newsletter, and help. There are competitions and insider news as well.
Writer’s Digest also offers a free newsletter and free writing tutorials. Take the opportunity to see what’s offered and what will work for you. Julie Oblander is the Online Education Manager, who provides so much for the stu
By: Beth Kephart ,
on 8/21/2011
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 8/15/2011
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.
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 7/18/2011
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 7/8/2011
Really quick, really random post today (sorry guys--been a crazy, CRAZY week!). In fact, I wasn't planning to post at all, but I had a winner to announce and some random things to tell you and celebrate and...yeah, it had to be writtern. Okay--here we go!
1) HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the fabulous Natalie Whipple for selling not one, but TWO books! I find it hard to believe that you guys haven't already congratulated her--but if SOMEHOW you missed it, go HERE to join the celebration (and hey--she has a contest!) Oh, and Natalie--if you see this: HUGS! So happy for you. And so happy I can celebrate publicly with you now!
2) One of the questions I get ALL THE TIME is: how do I find critique partners? Well--WriteOnCon is helping you with that. Go HERE and find special forums and a matchmaking system to pair you with the CP of your dreams. Don't be shy. The forums will be open for a while, so there will be plenty of time to make sure you find people who "get you"
3) Speaking of WriteOnCon--we haz news. And no, it's NOT what you're expecting. A vlog is in the works (yes--more Shannon Shame. *sigh*) and an announcement will be taking place next week and EPICNESS will surely follow. Be excited guys. And in the meantime--don't hate me for being such a tease! (Well...you can hate me a little. I am rather enjoying leaving you in suspense)
4) I'm off to San Diego this weekend to celebrate my 7-year wedding anniversary (SEVEN years??? Where has the time gone????) and I will be *trying* to unplug as much as possible (though we all know I'm so going to hop on FB and Twitter occasionally. It's a sickness the hubs has learned to accept by now). So if you are waiting on an email from me--sorry, there will be a tiny bit more of a delay. But I WILL get back to you--I promise!
5) Last but not least--the FOREVER winner. Lots and lots of entries for this--and I seriously wish I could have given one to all of you. But I only have the one so...
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 7/1/2011
Still struggling to catch up after being gone from ALA, so this post will probably be pretty random. But hey, it's a Friday Five--it's supposed to be random, right?
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 6/14/2011
Okay, I know, that's not NEARLY as snazzy of an alliteration as "Friday five." But...it's Tuesday and I have two really cool things to tell you about so...work with me people! :)
Thing 1: Did you know that WriteOnCon has a live event tonight? And that it's with none other than bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick and her uber agent Catherine Drayton of Inkwell Management????? Well now you do! They will be answering all your questions on the agent-author relationship, and both of these incredible women have a TRUCKLOAD of wisdom to pass on. So believe me when I say you want to be there. 9:00 pm EDT at writeoncon.com. Yes, you can catch a replay if you can't make it--but it's so much fun to be there live, and be a part of the conversation. We are going to try EXTRA hard to get as many questions and comments in as we can. So come hang out with us. The more the merrier!
Thing 2: In case you missed my post on Sunday, I've donated a prize to an awesome contest, hosted by The Bookshelf Muse. They're celebrating hitting 2000 followers, and since their site is all about helping fellow writers, I decided to donate something I *usually* don't do. I rarely give away critiques--I just don't have as much time for reading pages as I'd like--but I'm giving one away. One (lucky?--you guys can decide) winner will win a 10 page critique from yours truly. And they have all kinds of other awesome prizes up for grabs too. So if you haven't hopped over there and entered, you might want to get on that. Click HERE.
That's it for today (sorry, I know this post isn't a literary masterpiece, but my week is off to kind of a crazy start. I'll have something more inspired for you tomorrow, I promise!)
By: Kristi Helvig,
on 3/29/2011
I thought I'd shake things up a bit and have Contest Monday on Tuesday--which is my way of saying that I totally forgot it was my turn to post this week (*hangs head in shame*) Anyway, we Sisters are so excited that we're about to hit 500 followers. How excited? Well, we're going to do a cool contest once we hit that magic number as a huge thank you to all our wonderful friends and readers, so spread the word!
Also, in case you missed this event from the amazingly awesome peeps at WriteOnCon (yes, so awesome that I used an adverb--sorry Mr. King), here is a link to the "Live Event with uber-agents Michael Bourret and Jim McCarthy" from Dystel & Goderich. This is one of my fave agencies--I've seriously (there I go again) loved every book I've read by their clients (NOTE: they rep Carrie Ryan, Richelle Mead, Lisa McMann and James Dashner to name just a few). Michael and Jim provided a ton of information about their take on the market, queries, MG fiction, and everything else from contemporary YA to zombies. I encourage you to read the entire transcript, as it's also entertaining. My favorite line came from Jim McCarthy when asked about what to include in a query:
"I love a good introduction if you're sending to me for a specific reason. Otherwise, jump right into the plot description. Just don't get all gimmicky: "What would you do if you woke up on Mars and your mother was dead?" I don't know, but I do know I'm about to reject you..."
If you're planning to query this agency (and I hope you are), this is a must-read!
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 3/18/2011
1. I know, a Friday Five is not all that exciting of a post. My brain is a little fried. PLUS I have a REAL post--one that's much more interesting and *hopefully* better written--up at Stasia Ward Kehoe's "Year of Auditions" blog. Click HERE to find out what student films, stuffed animals, and auditions have in common. (please please PLEASE go over there. I don't want it to be a lamesauce post no one reads. *begs*)
2. THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING SO PATIENT WITH ME! I'm still buried by deadlines and WriteOnCon and life, so next week I'll probably only be blogging 3 days again. Not sure which days yet, so hopefully you'll find me. And not forget about me. *bites nails*
3. Have you seen the details on WriteOnCon's March Live event--cause we posted them! Make sure you join us Monday March 28th at 5pm EST for a live chat with Michael Bourret and Jim McCarthy from Dystel and Goderich Literary Management. Full deets can be found HERE.
4. I'm also hosting two contests you *might* have missed, since my schedule is all sucktastic right now. So if you haven't entered to win a signed ARC of Brandon Mull's BEYONDERS: A World Without Heroes, make sure you go HERE. And if you haven't entered to win a signed copy of Kirsten Hubbard's LIKE MANDARIN make sure you go HERE.
5. And...um....I can't think of a 5th thing. So I guess I'll just say HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! See you next week!
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 3/7/2011
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 2/28/2011
Hey guys!
Once again--I'm having to postpone my Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday post (though I will have some links at the end of this post to some awesome authors keeping the torch going for me) because I just have too. many. things. to tell you about.
I...kinda overbooked my February. And my March. So some of my regular series may experience the occasional interruption here and there. Apologies in advance. I promise I will get back to the routine soon!
Okay, so...where to start?
First: Thank you to ALL of you who supported THE LIAR SOCIETY fangirls videos last week. They were a ton of fun to make and I hope they were just as much fun to watch. And we now have an AWESOME contest going to support TLS's release. We're giving away TEN SIGNED BOOKS you guys. TEN!!!! Click HERE for the contest details and entry form!
Second: Went to a fabulous SCIBA author event on Saturday, where I got to meet something like 20 amazing authors. I'm sure I'm going to forget more than half of them but off the top of my head: Cecil Castellucci, John Stephens, Andrew Smith, Brandon Mull, Dr. Cuthbert Soup, Lauren Kate, Alyson Noel, C. Alexander London, Helen Stringer, Eve Bunting, Judy Blundell, and a bunch more I'm forgetting. So. much. fun.
It was also sweet--and embarrassing--because the organizers added me to the slide show of authors they showed at the beginning, listing me as one of the aspiring authors to watch out for. Part of me beamed at the acknowledgement. The other part of me wanted to crawl under the table and hide like, do you think they're looking at me???? Kind of a cool/surreal/is-this-what-it's-going-to-be-like-someday? moment.
Sadly, I only took 2 pictures at the event (#ShannonFail) but here they are:
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 1/24/2011
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:
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 11/15/2010
Okay, I know I'm missing another Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (sorry!) but I promise I will make it up next week with an AWESOME middle grade spotlight and giveaway. (I am also giving away a fabulous middle grade ARC for MUSEUM OF THIEVES. Click here if you haven't entered).
Plus, I figured you'd forgive me when I announce the Pay It Forward With Partials winner. ;) But before we get to that, I have a quick reminder.
In case you missed the announcement a couple weeks ago, we have an exciting live event going on tonight at the WriteOnCon website!!!!
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 10/12/2010
1. So, I'm still a little sick--but it's my own fault. I've been ignoring all your good advice and staying up too late trying to finish a ton of important stuff. #Shannonfail
2. I also ignored my sore throat and went to a concert on Saturday night and didn't get to bed till almost 2am. AND I sang along with the songs--very off key--using up a lot of the voice I had left. #Shannonfail
3. But...but...it was ANBERLIN! I refuse to call that a #Shannonfail. REFUSE.
4. Those same things keeping me up late at night have also kept me away from blog hopping--which pretty much makes me the Worst. Blogger. Ever! #Shannonfail
5. I miss you guys. A lot. I hate not knowing what you're up to, or reading all the funny things you have to say. I will be back soon--I promise. In the meantime, THANK YOU for bearing with the #Shannonfail.
6. I also haven't been on Twitter much. I swear I'm suffering Twitter withdrawls. The prolific use of hashtags in this post seems to testify to the truthfulness of that statement.
7. And as if that weren't bad enough, I'm also way behind on email. Those of you waiting for a response, I promise--it's coming. I have not forgotten. It's just a temporary #Shannonfail
8. Plus, part of what's keeping me busy is WriteOnCon stuff.
9. We've been hard at work organizing the monthly events, and we'll be announcing the details of the next event tomorrow. Yeah. You probably don't want to wait. Well too bad! (How's that for #Shannonfail?) :)
10. But to make up for it, here's a funny and totally random lolcat. Enjoy!
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 9/27/2010
Literary agent Jessica Sinsheimer of Sarah Jane Freymann Literary: Jessica Sinsheimer has been reading and campaigning for her favorite queries since 2004. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she went east for Sarah Lawrence College and stayed for the opportunity to read soon-to-be books for a living.
Literary agent Roseanne Wells of Marianne Strong Literary Agency: Roseanne Wells is an agent at Marianne Strong Literary Agency. An avid reader, she discovered her passion for book publishing during her internship at W.W. Norton and hasn't looked back. She is also an arts reviewer
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By: Shelli,
on 8/12/2010
Today, I stopped by WriteOnCon to talk about Author Branding.
Come by and say hi!
By: Shelli,
on 8/10/2010
As you know my dad is recuperating form major surgery so I have not been able to get my posts.
Look at the right side for the new schedule, including the upcoming agent pitch contest.
I'm sure you're not missing me since all of you are probably (or should be) attending WriteOnCon.
Is you can't afford to go to conferences like most of us, this is going on and its fabulous.
here's the schedule, so check it out!
*all times EDT, LIVE events are noted in blue and will take place here. Content will take place on the main WriteOnCon site. Click here for more info about how this will run. Click here for information on the live events.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010:
6:00 AM: Welcome Keynote by author Josh Berk
7:00 AM: Refining Your Craft with Each Book by author Janette Rallison
8:00 AM: Give Yourself Permission by editor Molly O’Neill
9:00 AM: Myths and Misconceptions by literary agent Holly Root, and editors Molly O’Neill and Martha Mihalick
10:00 AM: Illustrating Children’s Books by author/illustrator J.H. Everett and studio (series of 3, posted every 20 minutes)
11:00 AM: Bringing the Funny by author Rachel Hawkins
12:00 PM: Becoming a Career Author by literary agent Catherine Drayton
1:00 PM: Writing Middle Grade by author Jon Lewis
2:00 PM: Voice by literary agent Elana Roth
2:30 PM: Live chat with literary agent Suzie Townsend
3:00 PM: Writing a Query Letter by author Jodi Meadows
3:30: Joanna Volpe’s query critique
4:00 PM: In Defense of a Less Than Huge Advance by literary agent Michelle Wolfson
5:00 PM: Questions to Ask Yourself Before a Revision by editor Kendra Levin
6:00 PM: Pie in the Face (how characters react to situations) by author Rosemary Clement-Moore
9:00 PM: Panel of Professionals chat LIVE (Elana Roth, Kathleen Ortiz, Martha Mihalick, Paul Samuelson)
10:30 PM: Working with Agents and Editors, a live Workshop with literary agent Mark McVeigh
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
5 Comments on You should be at WriteOnCon 2 day!! Not here!!, last added: 8/11/2010
By: Mayra Calvani,
on 6/15/2010
I stumbled upon this today via the Guide to Literary Agents blog (by the way, if you're looking for an agent, you have to subscribe to this blog!)
http://writeoncon.com/
Registration starts July 1st and it will take place August 10-12.
There's a great lineup of agents and editors. I'm going to register for sure. Being so far away in Belgium, as I am, I don't get many chances to attend conferences. Plus this is free.
’s to you my dear, Clauds.
lol. Yay for Shannon and her sparkly graphics!!! We <3 you!!! :D
It was FANTASTIC!!! Thank you SO much for all your hard work, Shannon! I was thrilled to be a part of it. xoxo
Yes, it was!! ANOTHER fantastic year! Thank you so much!
And wowie--over 15k?! That is so awesome!!
15,000? Wow! It was fabulous again. Thank you SO much for helping organize (and create) such an awesome place for writers.
It was awesome! All the hard work to organize this event is greatly appreciated.
WriteOnCon was AWESOME!
It was amazing, Shannon! You and all the other organizers rock!
Thanks for coordinating a wonderful WriteOnCon!