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Workshop Details

Fees

  • Part I: Intensive Workshop, All day, Thursday, July 29, 2010

    •   $115.00  (includes lunch)

  • Part II: Classes & Programs, Thursday evening, Friday & Saturday, July 29-31 2010
    •   $240.00 (Includes Friday lunch & Pizza Party, & Saturday Awards dinner)
  • Part I and Part II Package                                                
    •   $325.00 (Includes Thursday lunch, Friday lunch & Pizza Party, & Saturday Awards dinner)

NOTE: We are offering the option of a boxed lunch on Saturday for an additional $12.00

Manuscript Submissions (for Part II only)

  • Guidelines for Manuscript Evaluation Team ($25)

Send us up to five pages plus a one-page synopsis of a manuscript, completed or in progress. (Sorry, no screenwriting or plays accepted.) All submissions should be typed and double-spaced; include your name, address, phone and email in upper left. The synopsis should detail your work from beginning to end. Synopsis may be single-spaced. This opportunity is available only if you are registered for Part II and will be onsite Friday and Saturday. The $25 fee covers a 15-minute appointment with a member of the Manuscript Evaluation Team who has read your work before the appointment. 

  • Manuscript Evaluation Team

Because of time constraints, each member of the Manuscript Evaluation Team will evaluate only a limited number of manuscripts. Manuscripts will be accepted on a “first-come” basis and no manuscript will be accepted for this program after July 3, 2010.  The Team Member will determine the day/time of each conference and post the list on July 29 during Registration.

2010 MET Members:

  •  CLOSED Marcus Sakey: 10 manuscripts

  •  CLOSED Sean Chercover: 10 manuscripts

  • Ann Tatlock: 10 manuscripts

  •  CLOSED Candace Fleming: 10 manuscripts

  •  CLOSED Jane Friedman: 10 manuscripts: nonfiction

  •  CLOSED Dennis Hensley: 10 manuscripts: fiction/nonfiction

  • Holly Miller: 10 manuscripts: nonfiction

The Manny Awards have become a tradition at Midwest Writers Workshop. The contest offers cash awards and is designed to recognize works in progress in four categories: short fiction, novel, poetry and nonfiction. The top winner will receive the R. Karl Largent Writing Prize. You may enter one category only. Entries are limited to the first five pages of a manuscript. Poems should be no more than three pages. Clearly identify the category and include "Manny Contest" in the upper right corner of your entry. Postmark no later than July 3, 2010. Judges reserve the right not to award a cash prize in a category that does not attract sufficient entries. There is no cost to enter the Manny Contest.

Please note: You can, if you wish, use the same manuscript for the Manny Award as you have used for the Manuscript Evaluation Team. Include your name, address, phone and email in upper left on all manuscripts. Please send a separate copy of your manuscript if submitting for the Manny contest and an evaluator. Indicate in the upper right-hand corner of your manuscript if you intend it as an entry in the Manny Contest category or if you want it routed to a Manuscript Team evaluator.

ALL MATERIALS should be appropriately labeled (i.e., LEFT CORNER: your name, address, phone, email; RIGHT CORNER: Manuscript Evaluator's name, or Manny Contest and category)

and sent to:

MIDWEST WRITERS WORKSHOP
Department of Journalism
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306

Agent Pitch Conferences (for Part II only)

We have agents who will meet with participants for 10-minute one-on-one conferences. There is no cost to these pitch sessions, but you MUST register for the agent you prefer. Each agent will meet with a limited number of participants, so register early.

How do I prepare for my Agent Pitch Session?

If you signed up for a 10-minute pitch session on your registration form, please check the posted schedule in the Conservatory by the Registration Table. Each agent will meet with individuals who pre-registered. Please come prepared. Note: not all agents will review your writing; some may prefer a verbal pitch only.
  • Agents may choose to scan your manuscript, but they will not edit it.
  • Bring all of these materials: One-page query letter that includes a one- or two-sentence pitch of your book. One-page synopsis of the book, including major plot points and the ending. The first five pages of your manuscript.
  • Do not talk beyond 1-2 minutes about you and your book. The agent needs time to read the your synopsis/writing sample, evaluate it, and offer tips. Keep your answers to the agent's questions as short as possible while still including the requested information.

Jane Friedman, editorial director at Writer’s Digest Books, offers suggestions on pitching to agents:

Ask agents to define what they want. For example:

Your pitch essentially should be one or two quick lines giving market placement (genre—which bookshelf in the bookstore would your book sit on), cool factor (I can’t stress this enough.  There’s something that sets your book apart from every other fantasy, thriller, cozy, urban fantasy out there.  Tell the agent that thing), and closing (which ideally should give an idea of how the book ends.) The most successful people pitching books to at last year’s MWW agents were able to boil their book down to these three things:

Genre: I have a middle grade novel about 11-year-old Billy.

Cool factor:  who starts an "anti-bully" business with Smacker, the monster under his bed.

Closing: Smacker disappears and darker creatures arrive under Billy’s bed, threatening to destroy the town, Billy’s friends, and Smacker, unless Billy can give them what they want—a chance to be on American Idol.

Check these helpful sites:

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/pitch.shtml

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/pitch2.shtml

Scholarships

Midwest Writers will award a limited number of scholarships for full participation in Part II. Awards are based on financial need, interest and a writing sample of five pages. Scholarship applications must be postmarked on or before June 1, 2010. Check the "scholarship" box on the registration form and send it with a biographical letter (explaining your financial need) and writing sample. Include your name, address, phone and email in upper left of your manuscript. Label your materials and envelope with name, address and "Scholarship Entry." (Do not enclose payment at this time.) Applicants will be notified in time to complete registration; unsuccessful applicants must re-register. Our workshop fills quickly. Participants can earn a scholarship once every five years.

Use the Scholarship form from the Registration page.

Motel Reservations

Reservations for your room MUST be made by June 25.

  • Fairfield Inn (Marriott), 4011 W. Bethel Ave., Muncie (765) 282-6666
    • Rate: $69.99 plus tax.
     
  • Best Western, 3011 W. Bethel Ave., Muncie (765) 282-0600
    • Rate: $69.99 plus tax.

All reservations should be made directly with the hotels to receive the rates quoted. Mention Midwest Writers when you call.

Several other motels are within easy access to the Alumni Center.

Signature Inn 

3400 Chadam Lane, Muncie, IN  47304    

1-800-822-5252 or 765-284-4200

Holiday Inn Express

4201 W. Bethel Ave., Muncie, IN 47304

765-289-4678

Lee's Inn 

3302 N. Everbrook Lane, Muncie, IN 47304

1-800-733-337 or 765-282-7557

Hampton Inn And Suites
4200 West Bethel, Muncie, IN 47304
765-288-8500

Comfort Inn And Suites
3400 N. Marleon, Muncie, IN 47304
1-877-424-6423

Ball State University Student Center

2000 W. University, Muncie, IN 47306

765-285-1555

You need to make room reservations ASAP as space is limited because several events are scheduled that weekend in Muncie.

Bookstore

Books about writing and by faculty authors and participants will be on sale at the MWW Bookstore. The Bookstore opens at 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, July 29. Operated by Reg Forder [800-21-WRITE, ACWriters.com, ACWriters@aol.com], the Bookstore accepts VISA and MasterCard payments. We also have a MWW merchandise table with sweatshirts, totes, and mugs (accepts cash/check only).

What to do if you have your own books to consign:

  • Contact the Welcome Center when you register or visit the Bookstore on Friday morning.
  • Please have the books you bring priced.
  • The bookstore has the established commission rate of 20%.

Do you want to contact us? Send us an email with your message and postal address. We'll add you to our mailing list.

midwestwriters@yahoo.com

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