A Swell Online Conference You Might Enjoy

This is a courtesy post for a fabulous writer's conference that I've attended in the past. Check out the class schedule. A lot of the classes apply to writers in any genre.

THE CATHOLIC WRITERS GUILD ONLINE CONFERENCE

The conference is scheduled for September 20-22, 2019. Cost is $30 for Guild members and $45 for non-members. Registration is open at the Guild's website: https://catholicwritersguild.org/cwco-member-registration or https://catholicwritersguild.org/cwco-non-member-registration.

This faith-focused, professional writing conference is being held completely online through webinars with audio-visual access. Attendees are able to ask questions of the presenters and receive knowledgeable feedback, and there is time between sessions for networking and socializing. The schedule is an immersive two and a half days covering all aspects of writing from idea conception to editing, publishing to marketing. Recordings and reference materials from the presentations will be available free to all conference attendees.

Authors will also be able to meet online with publishing professionals and pitch their finished writing projects. In the past, publishers from large Catholic presses, including Pauline, Ave Maria, and Our Sunday Visitor, as well as secular presses like Anaiah Press and Liberty Island, have participated.

This year's conference lineup is being developed. In the past, topics have covered the nuts and bolts of self-publishing, the importance of faith in writing, and nonfiction and fiction writing skills from characterization to plot, editing tips, marketing how-to and more.

"Each year, we try to get a mix of practical and philosophical - what it means to be a Catholic writer," says Karina Fabian, who has organized the online conferences since its inception in 2008. "We're inviting back some of the favorites of our attendees, who always have great advice and a deeper perspective from the year before. In addition, we're seeking out new presenters in the areas of non-fiction, marketing and publishing."

Guild President Joseph Wetterling says, "The Guild exemplifies the Catholic 'both/and' with writers from every part of the world, in every genre, and from every walk of life. We're diverse in personality and style but united in our loyalty and love of the Catholic faith. Our writers' conferences provide a unique opportunity to come together in fellowship and sharpen each other toward our united mission: a rebirth of Catholic arts and letters."

"Every year we hear back from authors who finished a book, started a project, or got a publishing contract thanks to the Catholic Writers' Conference Online. Plus, people make contacts and good friends. It's a terrific opportunity, especially for those who can't afford to attend a live conference," says Fabian.

This year’s conference is sponsored by Duotrope and First Draft, who are offering deals to attendees. Duotrope offers an extensive, searchable database of current fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and visual art markets, while Final Draft is the industry standard in screenwriting software. People can learn more about these sponsors and their offerings to conference attendees at https://catholicwritersguild.org/online-conference.

For more information about the Catholic Writers Guild, visit www.catholicwritersguild.org.

Writer Resources for the New Year 2019

If you're like me, your inbox is crammed with emails from sites you signed up for because you thought they just might have information that would help you as an author. Unfortunately for me, the ol' inbox is so inundated that I have to fortify myself with a Xanax before I delve into the swamp. My response as I slog through the pile is usually something like Who is this again? Why did I sign up for this? 

Photo by Robbin Higgins

Authors, who I am certain are very nice people, clamor to tell me about their new releases-sales-free offers. Enthusiastic marketers guarantee that I'll be an Amazon best-seller in a very short time if I only listen to their podcast or live event or sign up for their course.

I'm starting to feel like Grady Tripp from Wonder Boys, the author who just can't stop writing his novel.  As one character advises him,  "It's like you didn't make any choices." (I paraphrased. It makes me want to watch the movie again. It's one of my favorites.)

Well, this year, I'm making choices, and I thought I would share the keepers with you.

Author Marketing Club

You can join them for $97, a one-time, lifetime payment, and access their resources. But they have plenty of free resources, too.

The Creative Penn

Author Joanna Penn has tons of free advice on her website, and her fiction is good as well.

Dana Kaye Publicity

Again, tons of good information about marketing. I've followed her for a while, and my interest was renewed when she held a free seminar for Sisters in Crime members.

Kristin Lamb

Kristen Lamb's blog is like having your own cheerleader--a very blunt, funny, honest cheerleader. I've read both her fiction and nonfiction and enjoyed both.

 Cupcake Training  and  Renae Christine's Youtube Channel . She's a bit goofy (which I love) and she has great advice and free training videos on selling. She is geared toward Etsy, but much of the information can apply to anything your selling. 

La Guardia Cross's Youtube Channel   Because everyone needs to laugh, and the New Father Chronicles are hysterical. It's the clever editing and Cross's personality that puts these videos before all other parent/child humor videos.

Mel's Video of the Day  How else are you going to get inspiration for that book unless you open your mind to all of the wonderful, weird happenings out there?

Jenny Can Cook  Do you remember Jenny Jones? Well, she's back with brown hair and easy recipes that will make your mouth water. We all need to eat.  I also purchased her fiction novel, but I haven't read it yet.

Sisters in Crime  This is a members only site, but they have great resources for writers who join. I belong to the Los Angeles chapter as well as the national chapter. 

Now, if only I can get the unsubscribe button to work, I'll have a clean inbox. :)