Happy almost Independence Day! I know it’s not Friday, but I was so excited to share this post, I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. Plus it’s a holiday week, so here’s our regular #5onFri column, this week on a Thursday.
We’re deep into summer now, and everyone’s minds are on barbecues and beach trips. But here at DIY MFA, we’re also looking forward to the fall and, most especially, Writer Igniter Con (AKA #WICon2015) on October 24-25.
This is our first ever online conference and it’s going to be a blast, with two days packed with talks from members of the DIY MFA team and the publishing industry, all hand-picked by yours truly. My goal is to bring you the most up-to-date and useful info so you take your writing to the next level.
October might seem far away, but trust me it will be here before you know it, and so will the conference. Here are the top five reasons to secure your spot now.
Five Reasons to Say YES to #WICon2015
1. The Super Early Bird Spots Are Almost Gone
In fact, there are only 12 left as of this morning! These spots are only $147 and that’s an absolute steal when it comes to conference registration. Think about it, for most conferences, registration alone can be several hundred dollars, not to mention travel, food and hotel. For fourteen talks at #WICon2015 and the chance to get your work critiqued by an agent, our super early bird registration is practically a no-brainer. But there’s a limited number available and once they’re gone, they’re gone. After that, our price bumps up to the $197 early bird rate and then on September 8, it jumps to our $247 regular registration.
2. Critiques Are Going Fast
Want tog get your work critiqued by a panel of agents? Throughout the weekend we’ll be hosting several panels with agents so you can get feedback on your log-line (i.e. pitch) or first manuscript page. There’s no extra fee for a critique spot but these spots are limited. The critique spots (especially first pages) are going fast, so act now if you want a critique. As of this post, here are where we stand in terms of availability.
- First Page Critiques (KidLit & YA) = filled
- First Page Critiques (Genre & Literary Fiction) = 2 spots left
- Logline (i.e. pitch) = 10 spots left
3. Commitment Leads to Follow-Through
When you commit to something by signing up, you’re all the more likely to follow through and make the most of that experience. Think about it: how many times do you think about doing something but then fail to follow through on it because you didn’t block out the time? How many writing sessions do you give up on because you didn’t schedule them into your calendar? The same is true for events like this. Don’t let yourself procrastinate until it’s too late. Instead, make the commitment now, and you’ll be much more likely to get maximum value out of the experience. Remember, there’s a refund policy so if disaster strikes and your plans derail, my team and I have got your back.
4. You’ll Take Your Writing to the Next Level
When you spend hours typing away at a computer, writing can feel like a lonely endeavor. That’s one of the many reasons why I created DIY MFA–because writers aren’t alone, and we can learn from each other, and grow together. One of the best things you can do for your writing career is take classes and meet other writers. Going to conferences has been hands-down the biggest, most game-changing boost for my writing career. #WICon2015 gives the benefits of a conference, without having to travel or book a hotel. It’s two days of intense networking, learning and growing together, all from the comfort of your own computer. At the end, you’ll have a plan so you can get back to your desk, back to writing, but with a few more tricks up your sleeve, and a few more writing buddies!
5. There’s Something for Everyone
Saturday’s schedule is packed full of craft advice from agents and speakers. Are you a beginning writer, with a few chapters of a novel stashed away, or a manuscript from NaNo that you’re not quite sure what to do with? Then you will love these sessions. From outlines to revision, we’ll cover all the essentials and fundamentals so you can write the best book possible. If you’re a more advanced writer with a submission-ready manuscript or a book coming out, our day of craft talks will help you dig deeper and really get the most out of the book you have.
Sunday will focus on the business of writing, from marketing to building a platform, and protecting yourself and your work. If you’ve already got a book ready to go, these sessions will walk you through through all the things you need to know about publishing. The business stuff isn’t just for advanced writers, though. I firmly believe that writers should have their eye on the horizon and know what lies ahead, so for beginners those sessions will give you a crash course on what to look forward to as you grow in your career.
All in all, #WICon2015 will be a fun-filled weekend and I can’t wait.
So why wait? Spots are going fast!
Sign up for #WICon2015 now:
