Living in Fredericton, NB, is awesomesauce. There's a buttload of nature everywhere, enough restaurants to keep it interesting, and increasingly-more-fashion-y places to shop (including a Target, opening in the Fall - YAY). However, there isn't much of a writing scene. And by that, I mean basically none at all. Yes, there are authors who live here but they have more of a historical fiction vibe than commercial women's fiction. As such, it's been impossible challenging to network (If it weren't for the internet, I'd be super lonely).
So when my main CP (Critique Partner--a fellow writer) forwarded me a link about the Writer's Digest Conference East in New York City, I got super pscyhed. And after clearing it with my medical peeps, I got even MORE psyched. Why?
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I, JENNIE SHAW, am going to the WD Writing Conference in NYC!
I will never tire of this GIF. E-ver.
The conference starts on Friday and goes until Sunday afternoon. Not only that, but I'm going to be attending a bootcamp led by the incredible Donald Maass!!
REPEAT: I'm going to a bootcamp led by DONALD FREAKING MAASS!!
For those who don't know, Donald Maass is a very well known literary agent and basically the bee's knees. He wrote a book called The Breakout Novelist and it totally took my writing game to the next level so I can't even imagine what I'm going to learn from him IN FREAKING PERSON.
And if that wasn't enough, there's also a very cool Pitch Slam where I'll be able to pitch my latest manuscript, Robin's A Little Hood, to agents IN FREAKING PERSON!
ME! Speaking to agents! IN REAL FREAKING LIFE!! It's an opportunity that's almost priceless, really, and I can't wait to feel like I'm part of the writing community.
Yes, that was a lot of FREAKINGs but all of them were totally appropriate.
So, because of that, there won't be a Book Club Friday posting, nor any Nail Files, or any other posts until next week because I'll be too busy with the Conference. I'm BEYOND excited to take the workshops, listen to the panels, and hopefully connect with other writers. It's also the first time that I'll be meeting my main CP in real life, so basically, I'm one step away from needing some kind of sedation.
I'll definitely be doing a post about my experience once I'm back, but if you think that you'll miss me, you can follow my Twitter feed for pictures and minute-by-minute updates. I kid, I kid, they won't be every minute...or will they? Haha!! They won't (mostly because the data plan I have for my phone won't allow it).
And now you must excuse me because I have to pack all of my prettiest clothes because I'm going to NYC and LuLuLemon pants just aren't going to cut it.
Oh awesome! I hope you have a wonderful time!
Oh my goodness!! So exciting! I hope you have a wonderful time :-) excited to hear about it.
I cannot wait to hear all the awesomeness!
No book club post? Excuse me? As if some little conference is more important than my book club?
...okay, fine. I hope you have a blast!! I've never been to NYC, so I'm a little (a lot) jealous.