WriterCon Newsletter (Week of Nov 3)
Cruise with us to Alaska and Improve Your Writing at the Same Time!
Welcome back! This is our first newsletter since I sent the last issue of the magazine to all subscribers. The next issue is well underway. Kadey tells me this will be a Winter Issue, though not necessarily a Christmas issue, since we did that last year. Any suggestions for what you’d like to see covered in the Winter issue, or any future issues of the magazine? How can we help most?
The other WriterCon programs are moving ahead as usual. I’ve attached the last episode of the podcast, containing an interview with biographer and celeb interviewer Glenn Plaskin. Fascinating! He interviewed both Hepburns! I’ve lined up some great guests for next year’s WriterCon conference and we’re hard at work updating the website with the new faces and making it ready to receive registrations for 2025. I’ll let you know when it’s set to go.
In the meantime, take a look at our other two programs coming between now and the conference. We’ve settled on Alaska for 2025’s WriterCon Cruise destination (May 31-June 7). I looked at several itineraries (ours is pictured above) before I chose and I think you’ll be pleased. This cruise sees a lot of cool stuff that most ships don’t visit. Feel free to ask me any questions (willbern@gmail.com) or to register.
The website doesn’t have a “one-click registration” and the reason is that your price depends on the room you choose. Double occupancy interior isn’t bad at all, but they charge more if you want windows, balconies, or a single room. So we provide a phone contact for you to book your room, then you pay us for the instruction—over 20 hours of discussion, editing, and feedback on your work in both classroom and small group settings. I will not schedule any writing programs when we’re docked so you’ll be free to go on land excusrsions. You get the best of both worlds. For more info, Click Here. Here’s the itinerary:
It’s also not too early to think about attending the July Retreat (July 17-21) at Canebrake Lodge near Tulsa, Oklahoma. We had a great time there last year so we’re returning. It’s the perfect location. The cabins are adorable, the meeting facilities are great, the food is abundant and excellent. You’re just remote enough to leave the rest of the world behind and take a really deep dive into your writing.
The number of cabins is limited. Last year we almost sold out and there’s a good chance we will this year. For more info, Click Here. Here’s a photo of Canebrake:
Let’s talk about what else is going on in the writing world!
The Latest News
What Do Other Writers Do? I think Written Word's Annual Survey provides the best info we get about contemporary publishing, especially for self- or small-press authors. Here's what they found this year: Self-pub is thriving, but most authors are not making big bucks. Romance is most popular by a huge margin, and covers and editing are your best investments. Read More About It Here
TikTok is Forming Its Own Publishing Company. Because, why not? They already drive book sales more than anything else. Some are wondering whether this move will drive BookTok influencers to talk about only TikTok books. Read More About It Here
Opportunities
New agent at Azantian
Mark O’Brien has joined Azantain as an associate agent. He has worked as both agent and editor and is coming from NetGalley. He’s open to fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. Learn more.
New agent at ArtHouse Literary
Hailey Stephens is accepting fiction and nonfiction as well as select middle-grade works. She is particularly (though not exclusively) looking for uplifting and diverse artists from rural communities. Learn more.
New publisher: Two Shores Press
Two Shores Press publishes South Asian literature. The house was founded by Aananth Daksnamurthy from NYU’s Center for Publishing. It plans to later expand into children’s books. Learn more.
The WriterCon Facebook Page
Join our Facebook group and learn about breaking book news and opportunities first! My favorite part of the page, though, is seeing how many WriterCon writers are successfully publishing and marketing their books. Something must be working! Click Here to Join.
The WriterCon Podcast
This time, we interviewed Glenn Plaskin, the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers, including Horowitz and Katie Up and Down the Hall. Glenn’s profiles of interview subjects including Meryl Streep, Paul Newman, and Robert De Niro have appeared in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Los Angeles Times among many others. Plus we cover the latest news, including Brandon Sanderson’s bookstore and the Romantasy Invasion of Hollywood. Here it is!
The WriterCon Magazine
Just in case you missed it, or you’ve recently joined this Substack, here’s the last issue of WriterCon magazine again. Enjoy!
See Ya Real Soon!
Till next time, keep writing, and remember—you cannot fail if you refuse to quit.
William Bernhardt
willbern@gmail.com
www.writercon.com