I attended the Write Stuff Writers’ Conference in Allentown, PA this weekend and, as always, it was fabulous. I met editors and agents(more on that on Friday!), got free books(as well as an issue of Highlights for my son and a back scratcher for my daughter–they give away some funky things at writers’ conferences), attended some great workshops, met some interesting writers, and learn ALOT of new things. Except for the fact that my dessert was a really weird piece of chocolate the day was great.
Just for fun here are a few random things I learned at the conference. Some are about writing and some are not. Enjoy!
1. Agent Alia Hanna Habib’s first job was working in the cookbook division, despite the fact that she didn’t know how to cook. Not only
My free book!
2. Agent Blair Hewes is on the lookout for a manuscript about Mark Twain. Is that manuscipt gathering dust on your shelf?
3. Take heart, all you never published authors out there. Apparently it’s easier for agents to sell a debut author than another book by a so-so midlist author. See, I knew there was a silver lining to never being published!
4. Soho Press is launching a teen line of mysteries and thrillers.
5. Nine out of ten sociopaths are male. Wondering about THAT conversation, aren’t you? Thank Juliet Grames of Soho Press for that little tidbit.
6. Do you know some children’s books actually get recalled? As in, they are dangerous for your child’s health? That dubious honor is reserved for novelty books…the kind that come with hand puppets, or tactile pages or other add-ons. How depressing to have your book recalled!
7. There are 20 million tweens(9 to 12 year olds) in the US and they spend approximately $9 a week of their own money, not to mention their influence on their family spending. That’s a big group!
8. A great way to learn what kind of books kids like or push your kid book is to attend a library conference.
9. You should always take a caffeinated soda or chocolate bar to a writers’ conference to help you make it through that afternoon crash. I almost fell asleep on this big, vampire writing guy’s shoulder.
10. Always stay when they pull the door prizes. Otherwise, you’ll be like me. They pulled my name but it was one of those “You have to be present to win” deals. SOB.