Willamette Writers’ Conference
The busy summer continued with the Willamette Writers’ Conference in Portland, OR.
Arriving on Thursday I was grouped with agents Laurie McLean and Paul Levine, along with editor Kristin Sevick (Tor/Forge) in a pitch practice panel that kicked things off with some fireworks. Requests were made, representation was offered, and emotions ran high.
The next day, Andrea Hurst and I took time out of our packed pitching schedule to teach our Crafting Fiction That Sells in Today’s Marketplace class. The double presentation room was packed, and we almost ran out of handouts. Through ongoing technical difficulties (I have a tendency to break microphones) and trying to cram an 8 week course into an hour and a half, we managed to have an excellent session. Attendees thanked me during the remainder of the conference, and I was very happy to have helped.
Saturday and Sunday were full, as well. I met with some amazing people and discussed some very attractive projects. I managed to really click with a few authors, which is a major reason why I attend so many of these things.
I don’t have attendance figures, but this seemed to be the biggest one yet, with several hundred writers, editors and agents of both film and printed works. I was able to witness at least one author obtain an agency contract and one movie deal put into motion. Oregon writers take note. Things happen at this conference.
I just arrived in Seattle for meetings with my clients, Tanya Chernov and Kelly Davio. I’m continuing north to Whidbey Island next, to work with Andrea at the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts. I will keep you posted as things develop and maybe try to break the record for links per word in a blog. In the meantime, put Wyclef Jean’s Gone Till November on repeat.
Meeting with authors at the Willamette Writers' Conference
