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During the holidays, writing conferences slow down. However, the few conferences offered in December are vibrant with opportunities.
The New York Pitch Conference is ideal for anyone with a finished manuscript. Dozens of agents and editors attend this conference to listen to pitches, and not only do you get a chance to pitch to an agent, you can take workshops that teach you how to pitch.
In an age in which agents frequently only accept submissions from writers they have met at a pitch conference, this is an event not to be missed.
I’ve said it before, and I will say it again — attending a conference is one of the best things you can do for your writing career. Conferences offer a unique opportunity to network with other writers, meet agents and pitch your book, and learn how the publishing industry works from editors and professionals.
I strongly urge you to plan ahead if you are thinking of attending a writing conference. Many offer scholarships that can significantly reduce the cost. And all of the intensive writing workshops have application deadlines. For a month-by-month list of conferences throughout the year see: Writing Conferences. (You will also find links to resources that can help you find conferences in your area on that page.)
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CLMP Writers Conference. Dec 6–7, 2018: NY, NY. Clinics, workshops and panels with industry professionals. The faculty includes agents Amanda Annis (Trident Media Group), Sonali Chanchani (Folio Literary Management), Caroline Eisenmann (Frances Goldin Literary Agency), Diana Finch (Diana Finch Literary), Erin Harris (Folio Literary Management), Anna Stein (ICM Partners), and Renee Zuckerbrot (Massie & McQuilken); and editor Caroline Crumpacker (Belladonna* Collaborative). Participating writers include poet Celina Su. The cost of a two-day conference pass is $325, which includes all workshops, agent pitch sessions, and panels, as well as some meals. The cost of a Thursday or Friday-only pass is $200.
The 2018 Mesa Book Festival. December 8, 2018, Mesa, Arizona. The festival features presentations, readings, visits with authors, and a poetry open mic. “Everyone! Authors, Publishers, and Book Sellers are invited to register for space to showcase, promote, and sell their books. Readers are invited to come and buy their books direct. We’re encouraging a wide variety of literary arts purveyors to share their work to create a bigger audience for everyone.” All events are free and open to the public.
New York Pitch Conference. Dec 13–16, 2018: NY, NY. The New York Pitch Conference and writers workshop is held four times a year and features publishing house editors from major houses such as Penguin, Random House, St. Martins, Harper Collins, Tor and Del Rey, Kensington Books and many more who are looking for new novels in a variety of genres, as well as narrative non-fiction. The event focuses on the art of the novel pitch as the best method not only for communicating your work, but for having you and your work taken seriously by industry professionals. The registration fee until December 5 is $795.00, and $895.00 after that date. This fee covers all conference pitch sessions and workshops.
Erica Verrillo has published five books. She blogs about the publishing world, posts useful tips on how to get an agent, lists agents who are looking for clients as well as publishers accepting manuscripts directly from writers, explains how to market and promote your work, how to build your online platform, how to get reviews, how to self-publish, and where to find markets for your work on Publishing and Other Forms of Insanity.
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