That is “so” LA . . . holding the conference on the beach.
Free image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Anyone else attending the Writer’s Digest conference in Los Angeles in October?
I am!
If you are, want to meet up?
I was torn about signing up for the conference until my husband said, “Of course you should go!” Since the conference is in my California backyard, the weather in Los Angeles in October is fantastic, and I want to learn more about writing and publishing, I thought, “Heck! Why not?”
This will be my first writers’ conference and I am excited about attending. And curious. I have a several visions of what the experience will be like.
Tweed jackets with leather patches on the elbows, scholarly glasses, fragrant pipe smoke wafting on air . . . and me huddled in a corner an intimidated mess. (Maybe I should buy a tweed jacket.)
~Or~
Birkenstocks, wild masses of curly silver hair, flowing kaftan, the faint scent of marijuana . . . and me huddled in a corner out of my element. (I don’t look good in a kaftan.)
~Or~
Published authors looking down their noses at me, agents fawning over all the attendees except me, putting on an outfit that screams “NEWBIE” . . . and me huddled in a corner tapping my ruby slippers together and saying, “There is no place like home.” (Can you huddle and tap at the same time?)
~Or~
Standing in a corner during the cocktail reception trying to look author-ly, all the cool people going out for sushi while I eat a dry tuna sandwich from room service, my fellow attendees hitting the clubs but I am watching Ishtar on pay-per-view . . . and me booking a flight home. (What a waste of money on the registration fee.)
~Or~
Brilliant, charming, and talented writers supporting one another while tossing back martinis at the bar and swapping writing, editing, rejection, and acceptance stories . . . and me . . . swilling gin with the best of them. (Not gin . . . a nice Chardonnay.)
Let’s hope my last vision is correct.
Have you have attended a writer’s conference? Any advice for me?
Robin Coyle 
Hi Robin,
I’ll be attending the writer’s conference in L.A. My first one! I live in Vancouver (Canada) Would love to chat. I have one published novel under my belt and looking to pitch an urban fantasy series I’ve written, not to mention sit in on all those interesting sessions they have planned. See ya there.
Finally! Someone who reads my blog is attending the conference. It will be my first writing conference too. Let’s be in touch about connecting while we are there as the date draws closer.
Be sure to take a couple of days off and visit some of the L.A. attractions. I can highly recommend The Getty Center.
The Getty Center is one of my favorite things to do in LA. I may extend the stay in LA. Thanks for the suggestion.
Not ant, can’t. This darn phone.
I knew what you meant . . . I ant type on my phone either. Oops. Can’t.
🙂
I want you to know, I’m devastated that I. Ant go and meet up with you. However, Paris will take the sting out of it! Promise me we’ll catch up later?
Of course we will meet up in the near future. I can feel it in my bones.
And I am devastated you aren’t taking me to Paris with you. It might be one of those “three’s company” situations though.
The San Francisco conference is February 14 through the 17th. Any chance you might be able to do that one?
Ooh, I like that idea. And yes, that might be a good possibility.
I like that part about tossing back martinis at the bar – air of confidence!!
James Bond-like! Except one martini would put me under the table. I love ’em, but they don’t love me!
No. Just a little beyond my price range. And continent.
It is an easy 8 hour flight!
Enjoy your first conference. I’ve yet to go to one. I should do though one in LA is a little far to go for a first one. Maybe harrogate next year.
I will report back after the conference. I’m curious about what I might learn. Something, I hope!
Oooooo, I’m sure you’ll have great fun!!!!
Not sure hubby would be ok with me deserting him in October though, especially to fly off to the States lol 😉
Xx
Please, please, please? Think of the fun we would have. And, it is still pool time in October in LA.
Ha ha ha, maybe next year 🙂
I’ve already done 1 writers holiday, just about to do another…..but, it’s definitely tempting for 2013 😉
Xx
I certainly wouldn’t go for the Ishtar one. Unless Elaine May pays YOU per view.
Have a great time!
I wonder if you can even rent “Ishtar” anymore. I think it was laughed out of Hollywood.
It probably won’t be part of The Criterion Collection, that’s for sure.
Unfortunately it’s not in the budget this year, but I do eventually want to attend a writer’s conference (maybe next year?) and WD would definitely be one to consider. I loved your possible scenarios–they made me laugh! Good post 😀
Glad I made you laugh. Gosh, I crack myself up.
I’ll let you know how the conference goes and hopefully will have a gem or two to share when I get back.
Let’s hope! Because, of course, everyone else is imagining themseves to be the one huddled and tapping in the corner …
The corner might be crowded with all of us tapping and huddling. Or, the bar may be crowded.
Very envious! I haven’t been to a writing conference, did meet a famous BBC journalist at a work conference once. He did NOT like it when I got a laugh at the Q & A session so blanked me in the bar later. A young blonde with rather large frontage caught his eye and he barged me away with a swing of a rather meaty corporate lunch sized elbow.
Enjoy yours, take business cards andleave them shamelessly in lifts and slip one or two in anonymous pockets, you never know, OK maybe not a secure plan take that one back?
Please let us know how it goes, or if my lotto comes up I may get flights and see you in the corner with a kaftan, no I don’t look good in them either, with a chardonnay…
Hey Christie! Thanks for the reblog. That was fun to wake up to.
How rude of your BBC Journalist. I’d love to know what you said when you got the laugh. Good for you.
Great idea about the business cards. I will pass them out like candy. Maybe with a piece of candy taped to the card.
I’ve been to a lot of conferences, but never a writer’s one – would love to though! Unfortunately don’t think I can stretch to making a trip to LA this October. I’m sure you will find yourself somewhere comfortably in the middle, with some people more experienced than you and some less, but it doesn’t matter where you sit really, you will have plenty to offer and plenty to take away.
I bet there will be people there from all walks of life and who write all different genres. I will take lots of notes and share them when I get back . . . well, it I take away and gems of knowledge.
Sure you can’t make it? We could have the cocktail party we keep talking about.
I really would love to come. Should my lottery numbers come up any time between now and then (which is fairly certain because every week I really believe they will, so I must be right sometime soon), then I shall book my ticket!
Hey, HEY! You are Robin Coyle, writer extraordinaire and creator of Strong Words/Weak Words! You get in there, get a martini and swap stories.
Christie suggested I bring business cards to the conference. Would it be off-putting if I put my title as “Writer Extraordinaire?” I would put an asterisk with a footnote that says, “It must be true because Omawarisan said it.”
I wouldn’t fib about such things, agents know that…or something like that.
I’ve heard the business card thing too. All the cool kids are doing it.
I’m SO jealous! Please take pics and let us all know how you go. I’ve never been to a writer’s conference, but have been to awards nights and they can be very daunting. Hold your head high and wave an air of success around you – I can’t wait for the after-party blog 🙂
Come along!
Good idea about taking pictures. I’ll also take lots of notes and share any gems I learn.
I need to start practicing my confident strut and royal wave for when I make my big entrance.
Enjoy making new friends and the conference 🙂
I am looking forward to the conference and hanging out with fellow writers. Hope I learn a gem or three-hundred to share.
Damn it, really wish I was there. Sounds amazing.
You’ll do fine, trust me, you’ll have the time of your life.
I guess we’ll meet up when we go pick up our Pulitzer Prizes… 🙂
The award ceremony is next Tuesday, right?
This is super exciting! 🙂 I hope you have a fabulous time and that you learn a lot! I have not been to a writer’s conference before, but I am intrigued now. I might plan to go next year…and if you go as well, maybe we can meet then!
Looking forward to reading about how it goes for you!
I am excited about the conference, meeting fellow writers, and hopefully meeting agents.
Sure you can’t go this year? We’d have fun together.
Oh, how I would love to go. lol But I am moving out next month.
Congrats – I would love to go, but it would be quite a walk from my home in Ontario about 30 miles from Detroit and the border. And the last scenario is so you – I am so jealous!
I love that several of you have a picture of “me,” and how I would work the conference.
I wish I could afford to take you all with me!
me too
I really want to go, but between my work schedule and funding issues its not my year. I hope you have a wonderful time and tell us everything! 🙂
Tell me about your “funding issues.” Do you work in non-profit? I did for years, and wrote countless grants for funding. Not fun, but when your receive a grant, totally worth the long hours.
No, I’m a teacher, who hasn’t received a raise in 8 years. Although, this year I’m grateful that we didn’t get a pay cut for once.
What grade or subject do you teach?
10th Grade, World History 🙂
I want to hear all about it when you get back. Every moment. I can never imagine you sitting in the corner at cocktail hour. Never never.
I have never been to one but would love to.
In october I am taking the US medical licence exams so I think you’re october beats mine for fun.
Are you moving to the U.S.? Wow! Tell me about it!
Why can’t you imagine me in a corner at a cocktail party? I am a shy, retiring thing. You know. . . the angst-ridden the writer-type.
I would like to yes. I did my PhD in California and I would like to return to the US and practice for awhile. Plus there is this man I love and he lives there and I really would like to make things up to him if I could, so studying for the exam is a positive in that direction. 🙂 (Maybe I should include studying some grammar too )
No one puts Robin in a corner.
Where did you go to school in California? And, if you practice in the State, where would that be?
Ha Ha! Are you as big a fan of “Dirty Dancing” as I am? One of my favorite movies.
Wish I could but I can’t so I won’t. Whoa! How many weak words did I just use in that sentence???
LA is too far away for this pup. I went to the WD Conference in NYC in Jan 2011, and it was a really great romp. But very expensive, like I have to save for 5 years and sell a child kind of expensive.
Oh well, another time perhaps…but thanks for the invite anyway! 😉
I love when weak words are used in conversation. I also love that you thought about it when you used them.
Which kid should I sell to finance my WD conference trip?
Sure I can’t entice you to join me?
I would love to. I am far away from California, but I can dream, 🙂
Have you been to a writer’s conference? I forget . . . where do you live? Surely there are flight from where you are to LA!
I’m in Sydney, across the pacific from you. I’m afraid we have our holiday set for this year but that is definitely something to think about for next year. I would love to hear all about it.
Oh gosh! I knew that! Of course, Sydney. Duh.
I will let you know about the experience. Next year . . .you ~ me . . . rockin’ the conference.
If I were anywhere near, you bet I’d join you! 🙂
Oh come on! Join me!
You are a temptress … I wish *dreamy look in eyes*
That last vision does sound nice. I have never been to a writers conference. I wouldn’t mind going to one. Meet a few new fellow writers. Unfortunately LA is a little too far from Sydney to make it.
Isn’t the flight something like 16 hours? But can’t I beg you to go with me?
Begging wouldn’t hurt your chances of getting me to come along. 🙂
I’m on bended knee. I’ll buy our drinks. I’ll tote your bags from the airport. PLEASE?!
Now I feel cruel for getting you to beg. 😦 As much as I’d love a free drink, to have my bags totted and to meet you, my travel plans this year are for HK to visit a friend. Why can’t we all live on one continent? Why doth the sea separate us? Damn you large bodies of water that aren’t lakes!
HK as in Hong Kong?
I’m not above begging . . . but darn, it didn’t work with you.
Yep, Hong Kong. I just have to buy a gas mask before I leave- with recent news of high pollution levels.
Oh good Lord. Now I need to worry about you!?
Wish I could go with you, Robin, but here I am on the East Coast! I just went to my first writers conference this year, and believe it or not, all of your scenarios apply (I even saw someone that looks just like you huddling in a corner. Okay, not really). But kaftans, tweed jackets, Birkenstocks and silver hair—they were all there…along with the baby agents (the twenty year old girls who hold your career in their hands).
But you Will stay out of the corner, and you will toss down that chardonnay and mingle chamingly, and you will learn a ton and enjoy it all very much.
All the best!
I bet it is a mixed bag of attendees. Think of it this way . . . with all the different book genres, the people will be just as diverse.
I promise to not huddle in the corner. I have a feeling that the attendees will be approachable. Heck, the writers I’ve met through blogging are delightful. Why wouldn’t the writers at the conference be the same way?
Great attitude!
And…exactly.
I have yet to attend one, and New York would be a lot closer for me. Although, New York in January doesn’t sound as pleasant as California in October….
I suspect the last scenario is the one you will encounter. This introvert has managed to introduce herself to people at other conferences when she’s gone solo, so I’m sure it will be easier for someone like you. 🙂
Will you be attending the conference in New York?
Someone like me? Not so sure about that. I can chat it up with anyone, anywhere . . . but for some reason, not at cocktail party type gigs. I’ll do it tho! I bet the people will be super nice.
Probably not in 2013, but maybe 2014 if I’m closer to “done” with at least one book. Well, I’d better be closer! Maybe if there’s a good regional one around DC this upcoming year I’ll try it…
Guess what, guess what, guess what! I am closer to done with my novel. It about killed me, but I can see the light!
Yay! 🙂 Now, back to my creating my 3rd draft….
I am on draft 1.2 million.
I’ve never been to a conference. I thought about going to this one since it’s in my backyard too, but October isn’t a good time for me to jet off to LA. Did you know there is a Mendocino Writer’s Conference every year? You may need your Birks for that one.
I hope your last scenario is the true one. You’ll have fun and meets loads of fabulous people.
No, didn’t know about the Mendocino conference. That is a great location. You could to the conference and then give yourself a lovely writing retreat in a house overlooking the ocean.
Definitely the last scenario. Aussie advice – have a glass (or 2) of “chardy”, think of all of us, have a “yarn”… and “you’ll be right mate” 😉
If my fellow attendees are half as nice as my blogging/writing friends, it will be a blast!
I wish… but lucky you!
You’ll have to give us a full report.
I will give you a full report. Have you been to a writer’s conference?
No. There’s a conf coming to Boston next year; I going to that one.
Is it a Writer’s Digest conference?
No. It’s AWP. http://www.awpwriter.org/conference/2013headliners.php
I’ve been reading about the conference and it might be wonderful to attend, but maybe not as great as meeting up with the likes of Robin. Alas, I am not attending.
I like your last scenario. Go with that one. Hope someone from the blogosphere does hookup with you and we get to hear about both the conference and new friends.
Oh come on! Go to the conference with me! Think of how much fun we would have.
I do hope to meet up with some blog friends so we can be real friend.
I’ve only been to one writer’s conference and I had a blast. It wasn’t as big as the Writer’s Digest conference but I learned a lot and we had tons of fun.
I am pretty sure your last vision is the closest one to what will take place. Enjoy yourself and have fun.
Thanks Jenny. I’ll give you all a full report after the conference.