SIWC – Surrey Writer’s Conference
ByOn Writing and Conferences
Originally posted Jan. 2007 on my Blog, Of Books, Marketing and Self-Promotion (updated Sept 2011)
Cripes the year is already going too fast already a week into it and I’m sure the rest of the year will go even faster … that happens as you get older you know. A warning … just wait and see!
I received an email from a fellow writer last week which spurred me on to re-organize my links list on our website, adding a Table of Contents. I couldn’t believe all the fabulous links I had accumulated. They’re much easier to sift through now. (2011 Note: Sorry, but I haven’t added new links as I had hoped in recent years, but I have also moved the links to this blog.
I also decided to reread one of the eZines I had signed up. It’s by Jessica Morrell, a hugely informative editor/writer/lecturer I met in October at the first writer’s conference either my husband or I had attended. You know, when you think you are successful and everything is coming together so nicely, why spend all that money just to meet lots of wannabes and fill your brain with stuff it doesn’t have room for?
Well, the Surrey International Writer’s Conference in Surrey, BC Canada (just across the ‘pond’ from us here in the Pacific NW, sure changed my mind about that.
I attended the workshops while my husband mostly manned our book booth at the trade show – where else should you sell your book and spread the word but where readers hang out. Besides, maybe one of the agents might notice us!!
Starting the first day, I couldn’t get enough of those workshops! I wore my ugly blue clogs for comfort and literally raced around the conference floor taking in as many of the sessions as I could physically or mentally devour – usually about 3 in one 1 1/2 hr. session. I came away with so much knowledge and insight, I loved it! Meanwhile, my darling husband, J. Robert Whittle, Canadian 2x bestselling historical author http://www.bestsellingbooks.ca, was selling books downstairs like crazy and hobnobbing with all the famous authors who smoked! I guess there is something to say about being a smoker … yuck!
What a weekend. I talked to many agents and am still re-editing and organizing before I sent them what they requested. Talk about exciting. Even if we don’t get an agent or publisher out of this, it was well worth the hotel, travel, and conference expense to get us started – we can’t wait to go back in a couple years or attend one of the smaller shows.
Anyway, I’m getting a bit off track. Jessica Morrell’s workshop was one of the many I attended and I signed up for her newsletter. If you’re a writer, I would suggest you do that also. She also has an archives on her website.
Happy writing …
