My Session Picks for the Writer’s Digest Conference
If you’re attending the WD conference next week in New York, there will be an embarrassment of programming riches to choose from. Here are my session picks based on what…
If you're attending the WD conference next week in New York, there will be an embarrassment of programming riches to choose from.
Here are my session picks based on what you're hoping to get out of the conference. (There's still time to register, and you can register on-site. Use my speaker code, WDspeaker, to get $70 off.)
FOR EVERYONE
Friday's Opening Address by Richard Curtis
Not to be missed. Curtis is a sage voice amidst the noise, and a longtime agent. The title of his talk is "The Future of Publishing: Don't Give Up on Books."
Friday Evening Pitch Practice with Chuck Sambuchino
Mandatory for anyone pitching on Saturday.
Branding Yourself by Dan Blank
I can't think of a better person in the industry to talk on this topic than Dan. This is a rare and valuable opportunity for writers to get some of the best wisdom out there on marketing and community building.
3 Hurdles to Publishing Success No One Tells You About by Phil Sexton
The publisher of Writer's Digest—and a man with experience across sales, marketing, editorial, AND authorship—draws back the curtain on the inner workings of the publishing industry.
Keynote Address by Richard Nash
Nash is one of the most inspiring speakers in the publishing industry. If you haven't already fallen in love with him, you will after this address, titled "How to Be an Author in a World Where Everyone Is a Writer."
FOR WRITERS WORKING ON A MANUSCRIPT
Putting Fire in Your Fiction by Don Maass
Don's a master at teaching novelists. Your hand will get tired from taking so many notes.
Building the Perfect Plot by James Scott Bell
Bell's book on plot is among the bestsellers in the writing advice category. That's because his instruction on the topic is second to none.
The Art of the Page Turner by Hallie Ephron
One thing you might not know about Hallie is that, aside from being an award-winning novelist, she also has a teaching background. You will walk out of her session having learned something critical about keeping readers glued to the page.
Showing vs. Telling by Laurie Alberts
The old adage, "Show, don't tell" is wrong. Find out why from an experienced novelist.
Revision: Learn How to Love It by James Scott Bell
Only James Scott Bell could turn a thing that most writers hate into something that you can attack with confidence—and yes, even a bit of love.
Creating a Backstory by Hallie Ephron
Use backstory to make a reader care about a character (rather than slow down the story).
FOR WRITERS TRYING TO GET TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED
Get the inside scoop before you pitch
10 Things You Must Know to Craft a Query by Janet Reid
The infamous Query Shark teaches you how to write a kick-ass query.
Holy Moses! This is the hardest hitting set of panelists you will EVER find on the topic of social media. Almost a requirement for everyone attending the conference.
Get advice on how to view the whole of your career, from a woman who has hard-won experience in the trenches.
The lovely and inspiring (and productive!) Sage Cohen offers 10 ways to exponentially increase the results and rewards of your writing life.
FOR THE ENTREPRENEURIAL & BUSINESS-MINDED
Marketing Yourself in a Digital Age by Guy Gonzalez
The man who's a master will teach you how to do it authentically AND strategically.
Panel: DIY Publishing (Self-Publishing)
If you're considering the DIY/self-pub path, this panel will identify pros and cons and major pitfalls to avoid.
This is a detailed and technical walk-through of how to get your work on the Kindle (without a publisher).
Panel: E-Publishing and Multimedia Options
There's more to your career than just print. This panel discusses how to e-publish in a smart and profitable way, and also how to use other multimedia formats such as podcasts, videocasts, and apps.
Panel: Successfully Promoting Your Book
I promise you this panel will be full of personality, wit, and damn good advice.
Hope to see you there!
Jane Friedman is a full-time entrepreneur (since 2014) and has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. She is the co-founder of The Hot Sheet, the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, and is the former publisher of Writer’s Digest. In addition to being a columnist with Publishers Weekly and a professor with The Great Courses, Jane maintains an award-winning blog for writers at JaneFriedman.com. Jane’s newest book is The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press, 2018).
