Must-Attend Sessions: 2012 Writer's Digest Conference

Speaking at the 2011 Writer's Digest Conference

Once again, I’ll be speaking at the annual Writer’s Digest Conference in New York City this coming weekend. They have an incredible line-up of keynote speakers (plus the infamous pitch slam), but when it comes to breakout sessions, I’d like to share my picks for writers trying to get traditionally published.

Pitch Perfect (Friday, 6 p.m.)

If you’ll be pitching during the conference, it’s imperative you participate in or witness the pitch practice session led by Writer’s Digest editor Chuck Sambuchino. Not only is it great fun, it’s the best education you’ll ever get on how to pitch an industry professional.

Becoming an Author Entrepreneur (Saturday, 9 a.m.)

This session by industry professional Dan Blank overviews what critical business know-how every author needs to support a successful career.

Panel: Ask the Agents (Saturday, 10 a.m.)

Get a better understanding of what agents are looking for in a client, in a manuscript, and in a pitch.

Panel: Hard-Core Author Marketing (Sunday, 9 a.m.)

If you go to no other marketing/business session during the conference, don’t miss this one. You’ll be able to ask questions of a highly experienced and diverse panel. (Just try and stump them!)

My sessions at the conference include E-Publishing 101 (excellent for indie authors as well as traditionally published authors with an eye on their backlist), plus a panel focused on self-publishing.

If you would like to attend, but haven’t registered yet, I have a discount code to offer you. Visit this link, add the conference to your cart, then enter WDCSPEAKER12 upon check out. You can attend for the $410 rate ($115 savings or 20% off registration).

I hope to see you there!

For more on this event:

Here’s my recap of the best advice from the 2011 Writer’s Digest Conference
Here’s an excellent preview of conference season (including the Writer’s Digest event) from Dan Blank and Porter Anderson

Jane Friedman

Jane Friedman (@JaneFriedman) has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in digital media strategy for authors and publishers. She is the co-founder and editor of The Hot Sheet, the essential newsletter on the publishing industry for authors.

In addition to being a columnist for Publishers Weekly, Jane is a professor with The Great Courses, which released her 24-lecture series, How to Publish Your Book. Her book for creative writers, The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press), received a starred review from Library Journal.

Jane speaks regularly at conferences and industry events such as BookExpo America, Digital Book World, and the AWP Conference, and has served on panels with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund. Find out more.