One of the speakers I enjoyed was Kathleen Shoop who shared pages and pages of information about self-publishing. I'm traditionally published by a small press, but indie-published authors know how to market. They have to if they're going to be successful. There's nothing quite so much fun as getting handouts at a conference.
On the flip side, as a board member who did a lot of work behind the scenes and some out in the open, the weekend was exhausting. And I love driving, but if you've ever driven through Pittsburgh, it's not much fun. The trip was four hours each way for me. Yawn!!! But I held strong and only bought one book while I was there.
Agent Mark Gottlieb presented a workshop on writing an elevator pitch. A way to tease your book in two or three sentences to an agent or editor. He shared some winning examples and I improved my short blurb for the dragon book I hope to find a new home for after the publisher closed.
Agent Eric Myers' workshop asked the question, 'How Far is Too Far in MG and YA?' I don't think he ever answered the question though the consensus did seem to be nothing is too far. I found it a bit disturbing.
One of the things I really enjoy about the conference is the mixture of writers. Nonfiction, short fiction, poets and novelists. Some are just starting their careers and many are multi-published. Everyone helps everyone and the mood is upbeat and supportive. One thing all the writers shared was their concern about how to use social media to promote and network. I could feel the stress of many of the writers as they searched for the answers to taming the monster of platform building.
My local writing group finished up our 50/50 yesterday also. I didn't complete my first draft like I wanted to because a lot of real life got in the way. But I'm almost done and I still had pretty good numbers for the 50 days.
On the entertainment front, I'm finally going to see Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume II on Tuesday. My youngest son is taking me as my Mother's Day gift. I'm such a lucky mom. I'm looking forward to the season finale of The 100 on Wednesday. It's been an exciting season. Still about 2 months until Game of Thrones returns. Killjoys is returning this summer also. I really like that show with its mixture of action, suspense with some humor thrown in.
Have any summer TV shows coming on that you enjoy? Have you read any MG or YA that you think went too far? Does platform building concern you? Don't forget to check out the new post on IWSG.
25 comments:
So pleased the conference was all you hope it to be and you found it enjoyable. Thanks for a wonderful post.
Yvonne.
That is a little disturbing that nothing is too far for those ages. Although I've been on a panel with a couple authors who wrote hard R rated YA books.
Thanks for sharing. So pleased you enjoyed the time and I'm sure all the people who attended appreciate your hard work.
I bet it was exhausting but rewarding to see it all come together.
You are so going to enjoy seeing Guardians!
I totally love that about the road to the bookstore - too funny!
It sounds like it was a wonderful conference, Susan. I don't know that I'd say you can go too far in MG, YA - I think it really depends on how everything is handled.
Sounds like it was a great conference. Enjoy the movie!
Betty
If it works for the story then okay, but if one just shoves it in, then it can be too far I find. Sure sounds like fun was had even if exhausting.
I don't read YA, but I was a shocked the consensus didn't think you could go too far. How much violence and sex would they allow their own children to read? There are limits to everything.
Interesting that even in MG, nothing is too far. I know that's the new norm in YA, but I didn't expect that to be true for MG as well.
I can't wait for the new season of Game of Thrones. I think all the other summer shows I watch involve dance competitions.
Enjoy Guardians! I sure did.
Hi Susan … it sounds like the Conference was really excellent – and you always learn more if you’re involved … as you say here – everyone helps, is supportive and the mood is upbeat – well done. The workshop by Mark Gottlieb on the elevator pitch sounds just brilliant …
Summer tv has started here … Chelsea Flower Show, into the tennis season, and other seasonal happenings … and long long days – wonderful - cheers Hilary
What a super conference with some excellent presenters.
I'd find it disturbing that nobody came up with some ideas about what NOT to include in books aimed at young readers, especially the MG.
Ugh, four hours? Well, you got to go to a great conference anyway. I wonder why they couldn't come up with a consensus. I'd be interested to see a video of that discussion.
Glad you had a good time at the conference!
I would think there should be a limit for MG, at least. Maybe not YA as much, but I have always thought my WIP should be Adult even though it's from a 15 year-old's POV. Now I don't know what to think!
So glad it all went well for you, and i hope you enjoy the movie and time with your son!
I remember back when I used to go to writing cons. They were fun for sure. But the day after one, I always unplugged from the world, just for a full day of quiet. Ah ... that was the best.
Enjoy the movie. Love the trip to the bookstore. Funny stuff.
A new season of House of Cards will start soon on Netflix, so I'll be watching that this summer. Also, I'm a fan of mindless reality shows so I'm happy to see Big Brother will return.
Another TV note: I watched the first episode of Downward Dog and my Sassy Dog parked herself in front of the TV and watched every minute. She seems fascinated that the dog is talking directly to her.
Sounds wonderful! I know just what you mean about being exhausted after working a writer's conference, but I'm glad it was a success and you enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to Game of Thrones, and I'm going to purchase a couple TV shows on DVD (Outlander Season 2 and the new Evil Dead show) t watch during summer.
Glad the conference went so well! (Even though it was ultimately--and understandably--exhausting.) And heh, yeah, platform-building never fails to concern me. I always seem to fail at it, no matter what I do...
That writer's conference sounds like it was fun and I love that bookstore quote :)
My summer TV show addiction the past couple years has been Zoo, and I'm looking forward to it's return late June. I hope you enjoyed Guardians Vol. 2, I know I did. Baby Groot is so adorable!
My family and I are excited for Killjoys - glad it's coming back soon.
I hope to go to one Writer's conference this summer, but I'm still working out the logistics of it.
Platform building concerns me, but I keep muddling along and hoping I get it right eventually.
As for the MG and YA going too far - yes. My daughters have both stopped buying books from unkwown authors because of it. They prefer to check authors out at the library or on a friend's recommendation. If they like what they read, they'll read more and possibly buy books. We have a number of series on our shelves that start with book 2. They don't trust what's on the shelves at the bookstores, which is kind of sad.
I'm waiting to see Gray's Anatomy on Netflix hopefully at the beginning of summer and then The Walking Dead at the end of summer. I couldn't get into the hotel season of American Horror Story, but might give the current season a look when it comes out in the fall. I'll have to wait for winter to see Game of Thrones, but as they say, "Winter is coming."
Sounds like quite the interesting conference. I don't know much about YA, and I know kids aren't dumb, but I feel like you'd still want to tread lightly with CERTAIN subjects. Maybe that just means I'm getting old.
Guardians of the Galaxy II was fantastic. I hope you ended up enjoying it.
Sorry I'm late. Time is speeding by way too fast. Glad you had a nice time at the conference. I would love to attend one next year when my life gets back to normal. Don't have time for films or tv. Life is way too hectic. Hope yours isn't.
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