Write His Answer

How long has it been since you checked out the earlybird workshops we’re offering this year at GPCWC? Maybe you haven’t even looked, thinking they were an extra expense and it wouldn’t be worth trying to arrive in time for the classes.  

I’m excited about the earlybird workshops we’re offering this year. There have been several changes since the brochure went out so check them out at http://www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia/earlybirds.htm   Let me highlight a few of the changes.

The first one is Hope Flinchbaugh’s class on “Common Mistakes that Make Fiction Editors Cringe.” She is unable to make the 1:30 time slot where we originally had her scheduled so we moved her workshop to the 5:00 slot. Hope writes and edits award-winning fiction, so if you’re a fiction writer, this is a class you don’t want to miss.  

To replace Hope’s time slot, we have Maurice M. Gray Jr. teaching “Why Do I Need an Editor?” The short answer to that is we all need editors—even editors. J As a freelance editor myself—as are several others on the faculty—I strongly recommend this class. If you’re having problems interesting a publisher with your book, I’m sure you would benefit from taking this class to learn how to make your work even stronger and more appealing in content. If you’re planning to self-publish, this class is a must.  

Another change in the lineup is the original E18, “More Than a Tale” taught by Mike Dellosso, that has been moved into the Thursday workshop schedule. Suzanne Kuhn is now teaching the E18 class entitled “Getting Social Back in Social Media”—a must for writers of any genre as social media is one of the best ways to market your work. Come and learn from a pro in the industry about how to effectively use social media. Suzanne assures that it is not a mechanics workshop. Instead, this workshop focuses on engagement, building true fans and readers through the process and becoming relevant to your audience.

Finally, are you ready with your pitch for the books, articles, or short stories you’re planning to present to editors or agents in the 15-minute appointments? Karen Whiting is teaching a class on “Practicing Your Pitch.” I’m amazed at her ability to get to the heart of someone’s project and pull out the important things you need to focus on during your appointments.  

Here’s what Janet Perez Eckles says: Karen is the queen of creativity, the master at innovative ideas, and an expert in transforming an insight into a tangible and powerful marketing tool. During a recent writer’s conference, I attended her marketing sessions. As we sat in a circle, she took the focus of each book, gave each author ideas, examples, and practical steps to market each book. They all evoked an  “Ah!” from the participants. The skill Karen has to craft a powerful marketing tool from a mere concept is a gift few possess.

It’s not too late to sign up for an earlybird (or two or three!), either in addition to the conference or as an earlybird only. Go to the website—http://www.writehisanswer.com/Philadelphia/earlybirds.htm—and check out the 19 classes we are offering Wednesday afternoon, August 1. And consider joining us for an early start to the conference.  

In Christ –

Marjorie Vawter
CCWC & GPCWC Assistant to the Director (www.writehisanswer.com)
Freelance Editor (www.shevetwritingservices.com)
The Writer’s Tool blog (www.marjorievawter.blogspot.com)

P.S. If you’ve already registered for an earlybird and need to make a change because of the changes we’ve had to make, please email me at shevetwrite@pcisys.net. We are waiving the price increase for Wednesday-only conference attendance. One workshop is $25, two workshops $40, and three workshops $55.