The Uncommon Conference

Look around you. Writers organizations of all kinds have either presented or are preparing to present a writers conference. Some of them specialize in certain genres, such as children and juvenile writing (SCBWI), mystery (MWA), thrillers (ITW) or romance (RWA). You might say conferences are as common as fairy rings after a summer rain.

Confused by the many offerings, and wondering which one to attend? The trick is to look for the uncommon conference, like our Florida Writers Conference, for example. If you’re wondering what makes our conference uncommon, let me help and count the ways.

1. Our National Guest of Honor is none other than “The father of the modern action novel,” David Morrell. David will present the daylong Celebrity Workshop (separate registration is required) on Thursday, October 19 and stick around for two more sessions on Friday.
2. Help us honor Steve Berry, our first Florida Writer of the Year. Steve will deliver Friday evening’s keynote address and present a craft workshop on Saturday.
3. You have the opportunity to bid to have your name or that of a loved one or friend used as a character in one of David’s or Steve’s upcoming novel or short story. The live auction to have your name used in a David Morrell story will be conducted at Friday luncheon, and Steve’s will take place at Saturday’s luncheon.
4. We offer over 70 workshops and panels with writing pros and industry experts.
5. Check out the faculty and program schedule and you’ll be amazed at the diversity and strength of schedule.
6. Many writers want to pitch to agents or acquisition editors from major firms, and we have them this year. Schedule interviews with agents from Folio Literary Management, Trident Media Group, and others. We have acquisition editors from St. Martin’s Press, Harlequin Romance, and Tor Books, among others.
7. Do you need your manuscript critiqued? You have a number of opportunities at this year’s Florida Writers Conference. Freelance editor JoSelle Vanderhooft will lead three small group critique sessions during the conference. Advance registration is necessary. And both JoSelle and editor Chantelle Aimee Osman are available for one-on-one discussions for up to ten pages of your WIP. Register on site at the Interview check-in table.
8. How about instant feedback on your first page? The First Page PitchFest panel, comprised of agents and editors, will hear your first page and provide feedback.
9. Early Bird registration (before July 31) includes the four Writers Boot Camp workshops at no extra charge. These 90-minute sessions include Fiction Writers Boot Camp, Finding an Agent Boot Camp, Marketing Boot Camp, and Screenwriters Boot Camp.
10. And no list of benefits would be complete without mentioning Saturday night’s Royal Palm Literary Awards Banquet. Be part of the celebration of prizewinners, and hopefully you’ll take one of these prestigious awards home with you.

There are many more reasons to attend the 2017 Florida Writers Conference, whether it’s networking with your peers and the industry experts, learning new things to help you write or market better, or simply to be inspired and motivated. For all the latest information and opportunities, be sure to visit the conference website and register early. And remember, as a writer you can write off your travel expenses, conference fees, hotel cost and meals as a business expense.

Now isn’t that special?