Remind Me How to Converse with Corporeal Humans¹
This year, I’m heading to two writers’ conferences, but this time they have to do triple duty.
Supermarket prices are high, gas prices are higher, and air travel is scary. Not because of COVID so much anymore, but the nutjobs having tantrums and trying to drop-kick flight attendants. I’m anxious enough when flying; I don’t need that bullshit on top of it.
Sick to death of Zoom², I decided it’s time to find in-person events that:
- are within driving distance
- aren’t stupid expensive
- double as writing retreats
- preferably offer advanced or unusual workshops and
- allow me to sell my books.
Unfortunately, points A and E eliminated quite a few I had my eye on. Point D crossed out a few more, as too many conferences keep things frustratingly generic and broad. I narrowed down my shortlist to Midwest Writers Workshop and Once Upon A Book.
Midwest Writers in Muncie, IN checked off a few boxes that I found greatly appealing: a keynote on anxiety by Jane Friedman; workshops on “reclaiming your pre-pandemic mojo”, revision triage, and point of view, which I’ve been playing around with in my latest novel experiment; and a consignment shop. Rather than renting table space, I’ll have copies of my novel, Edge of Sundown, in a makeshift bookstore. Interested in joining the event, or just doing some shopping for works by local-ish authors? Check out the event and sign up here.
Once Upon a Book sounded delightfully different and will allow me to finally meet one of my writer friends (and hopefully future collaborators) in person. Held in Frankenmuth, MI, I can also revisit some landmarks from a childhood trip I took with my parents…30 years ago? (That can’t be right. Surely not.)
<clears throat>
At the end of the first day’s panel discussions (including one on marketing, lord help me), attendees are invited to cut loose at a themed dinner party.
A monster ball, people. How fun is that? Although I have no weather-appropriate costume or even an evening dress, I do own a badass tiny hat³.
This two-day event ends with a traditional author signing⁴. Want to meet me (likely still wearing my tiny hat) and a bunch of other nifty scribes (hats not guaranteed)? You’re in luck: I’m raffling off five free tickets. If you’re interested, email me and mention this post. If you share it, I’ll drop your name in the bucket twice. I’ll announce the winners via email June 29th.
(Even if you don’t win, you can still register here. If you’re interested in buying a copy of Edge of Sundown or my smutty chapbook, Escape Artists, you can
pre-order both here.)
¹ Seriously, I’m taking advice.
² I am SO DONE participating in lengthy video meetings. Two hours at a stretch give me ants in the pants. An entire conference? Nooooooooooope.
³ I am obsessed with tiny hats. One can’t have too many.
⁴ By which I mean the traditional setup; not necessarily traditionally published. I’m hoping we’ll see a wide smattering of artists.
