Calling all writers within driving distance of Toronto...

[rj_anderson]

SCBWI CANADA EAST SPRING CONFERENCE

Location:
Saturday June 23, Barrie, Ontario, Kempenfelt Conference Centre
Just 10 minutes from downtown Barrie or 40 minutes north of the Hwy
400/401 intersection

Featuring:
* Agent Stephen Barbara from the Donald Maass Agency, NY talking about what an agent does, do you need an agent, how to get one. He acquires YA and middle-grade novels plus adult literary fiction and nonfiction. [Yes, he does fantasy/SF -- Ed.]

* Alma Fullerton, YA Author, on book promotion--blogs, websites, mySpace, uTube, hiring a publicist--she's done it all. What works and when? Why should you do it at all...doesn't your publisher? And what about before you have a book contract?

* First Pages Session to get inside an agent's mind! Randomly selected manuscript first pages submitted by attendees will be read aloud anonymously. Would agent Stephen Barbara read further or return the piece...and why? Gain insight for your own writing.

* another speaker TBA on an aspect of the craft of writing

4 sessions plus a buffet lunch!
$85 for scbwi members / $100 nonmembers
plus optional $35 for a ten minute one-on-one critique with one of our speakers to discuss your manuscript's strengths and weaknesses

Registration begins at 8:00am. Sessions end at 3:30pm with optional critique time slots to follow till 5:30pm.

Plenty of accommodation options in Barrie if you choose to stay. Days Inn and Super 8 feature $99/night rooms and there are B&Bs in the area. View http://www.tourismbarrie.com to see accommodation choices. More
info on this once the official brochure is out.

*** If you'd seriously plan on coming please drop Lizann a note at lflatt@muskoka.com or ra@scbwicanada.org as soon as possible. We need to judge attendance numbers because we will have to cancel if it doesn't look like we can cover our costs. ***

Anyone else interested in this? James and Erin? *dangles shiny new agent*

Comments

[rose-in-shadow.livejournal.com]

Erin? Me?

I do need to go to a writer's conference, but I don't think my manuscript is ready. Plus, I'm unemployed so I can't afford a trip to Toronto, or the registration cost.... But I think I will keep this one in mind for future reference.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I meant erinbow, but hey, if you ever decide you'd like a Canadian vacation, I'd be delighted to put you up! :)

[rose-in-shadow.livejournal.com]

Hee. I didn't think it was, but had to check....

Thanks for the offer!

[erinbow.livejournal.com]

I actually *have* a shiny new agent too .... I just can't get the shiny new book finished. No time for conferences, alas!