Go Forward Two Spaces
New York City, baby!
Every once in a red moon, gregorific crawls out of her pages of ink to socialize with other writers. It's that time, ya'll. Gregorific is at the Backspace Conference in NYC. This conference rocks! This year, 150 writers from around the country have gathered to mingle and learn a bit about the industry. It's a smaller conference than, say, Writer's Digest. But bigger than, say, Pennwriters.
I attend conferences for the same reason I attend my weekly critique group and sign up for webinars and local workshops. I'm hungry to grow. To learn. To keep improving and become the best storyteller/writer I can be. Conferences are expensive, so I go to one a year. I picked Backspace this year because it is a well regarded, smaller venue focused on learning, exchanging ideas, and networking.
It is supposed to be Backspace's final conference...but I heard tonight that may not be so. Perhaps, said an inside source over cocktails, it will be an every other year event or a modified conference format.
There are 30 agents attending this conference, and ten well known authors. The agents sit on panels to discuss and answer questions about the road to publication. They also conduct first pages workshops and query letter workshops. I found all of these to be very interesting and informative.
In these situations, it's hard not to feel desperate or pressured to make the most of the conference experience. To combat the heart-on-your-sleeve risk, I remind myself that it's a two way street. I want a great agent who is the best fit for my work and style, and they want writers of quality and spark.
I met several agents who I really hit it off with, and who appreciated my work. Several requested my full manuscript. I am thrilled about the prospect of my work being read and considered by skilled agents. It's a dream!
While nothing is certain, it is a wonderful feeling to be noticed. I love to spend every day writing. I love to revise and edit my words until they smooth into a flowing story. I'm in no hurry to succeed. I enjoy the climb. The pursuit is a sweet rush.
But it's time to go back a space and thank my gregorific fans! You've been with me, supporting me, reading my gregorific yarns, as my journey unfurls. Thank you! It is a comforting feeling to have such a solid readership. Your loyalty is energizing! And might I add, you are each extremely good looking.
Thanks for the love,
~gregorific
Psst- Wish me luck in the exciting days (months) ahead. I will be editing, submitting, and the dreaded...waiting. I only report good news, so hang in there while I hang in here. And never stop dreaming.
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