What should I wear to workshop?
Since you’ll be in workshop sessions most of the day, you’ll want to wear something comfortable. However, because we have agents and editors in attendance, you may want to adopt a “dress casual” policy. Dressing professionally for your agent appointment will help you present yourself at your best. You may also want to bring a sweater as some of the classrooms may be cool. The building’s air conditioning system is located off-site so we are UNABLE to adjust the temperature for individual rooms. (We also have a selection of MWW sweatshirts for sale at our merchandise table!) You may dress up for the banquet if you like but it isn’t required.
What should I bring?
An important advantage to attending a workshop, besides all the knowledge that is available, is an opportunity to meet people who can help further your career. MWW encourages networking and building friendships with other writers. If you have business cards, you may want to bring some to exchange with individuals with whom you have made a special connection. You will receive a list of all participants and their contact information in your welcome packet. As far as packing, bring what you would normally take on vacation, including a swimsuit if your hotel has a pool. Be sure to pack comfortable shoes. You might want to bring tennis shoes to walk the beautiful BSU campus.
To help manage the quantity of information presented in the sessions, we will provide a spiralbound book of notes for each participant registered in Part II. You’ll need pen/pencil and perhaps an extra notebook. While it’s not required, you may bring a laptop/notebook computer if you wish. (Ball State is a wireless campus). You’ll need paper for our Great Midwest Writers Write-Off contest.
If you bring your cell phone, be sure that you put it on vibrate mode or turn it off during ALL sessions.
What should I do when I arrive?
If you are in Part I, plan to arrive on Thursday, July 28, between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. to pick up your welcome packet and nametag. Our Welcome Center and Registration Table are located in the Conservatory as you enter the Alumni Center. Parking is free at the Alumni Center (including handicapped-accessible). Parking lots are immediately north of the Center behind Schuemann Football Stadium. Look for Midwest Writers committee members wearing MWW denim shirts. We’ll have coffee available and you can begin meeting other participants. An introductory welcome session begins at 8:30 a.m. and the Intensive Sessions start at 9:00 a.m.
- If you are in Part II, arrive and pick up a nametag between 4:30 and 5:30 pm.
- If you are attending both Part I and II, you only need to sign in at the registration Table once.
What if I have my own books to bring?
If you’re selling books on consignment, take them to the MWW Bookstore after you register. Our Bookstore opens Thursday morning at 8:15 a.m. Please have the books you bring priced. There is an established commission rate of 20%. You must pick up any remaining books before the workshop ends. Books left after the workshop ends will not be returned.
The MWW Bookstore accepts VISA and MasterCard payments. Books about writing and by faculty authors and participants will be available.
We also have a MWW merchandise table with sweatshirts, totes, and mugs. (Note: the merchandise table accepts cash or check payments only.)
How can I get the most help with my writing?
Getting feedback from other writers can be very helpful. You are welcome to bring a few pages of your writing (3-5 pages/or beginning chapter). These may be handed out informally if you meet someone on your own. Or we have a place set up in the library to put your pages and come back for your comments. Please attach a few blank pages for feedback.
What about meals?
We provide coffee and pastries in the mornings, and light refreshments (cookies/chips) during the afternoons. If you need something more substantial to begin your morning, many of the local motels include breakfast. Part I participants receive a buffet lunch with their registration fee. Participation in Part II includes Friday buffet lunch and evening pizza party, and Saturday evening awards banquet. If you have any dietary restrictions, email the director: midwestwriters@yahoo.com
What if I paid for a Manuscript Evaluation?
If you paid the $25 fee for your manuscript to be evaluated by one of our Manuscript Evaluation Team, you are entitled to a 15-minute one-on-one discussion of your work with the Team Member you selected. Please include your name, address, phone and email on top left of your submitted manuscript. All discussion sessions between participants and the Manuscript Evaluation Team Member are Friday and Saturday during workshop hours. The Manuscript Team Members will schedule their one-on-one discussions and you can check the list for your name/time at the Registration Table when you arrive.
How to 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.
- Bring: 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; and first chapter (and prologue if there is one).
- Do not talk beyond 1-2 minutes about you and your book. Keep your answers to the agent’s questions as short as possible while still including the requested information.
- Agents will only scan your manuscript, not edit it.
Jane Friedman, former 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
What is the R. Karl Largent Writing Award?
Midwest Writers Workshop established the R. Karl Largent Memorial Fund and renamed its top writing award after long-time and popular committee member R. Karl Largent. The Manny Writing Contest’s top winner will receive a $200 cash award, made possible through Robin Vincent Publishers and MWW. The award has been named the R. Karl Largent Writing Award. It honors Largent, who died in 2003. He attended a MWW session in the 1980s and eventually became a full-time writer and teacher. He had more than 25 novels published and had taught more than 3,000 writing hopefuls since 1990. Karl was one of the most popular of all MWW instructors and writers-in-residence. His thorough and helpful critiques of student works stamped him as a favorite of aspiring writers along with his easy-going, friendly personality. “No one can possibly replace Karl,” said Jama Bigger, MWW director, “but we remember him and perpetuate his legacy through this writing award.”
What is the Great Midwest Writers Write-Off?
The Great Midwest Writers Write-Off contest is your chance to win $100 for writing 100 words! So plan to be at Assembly Hall on Friday evening to participate. Here’s how it works: First, you will receive the beginning paragraphs to a story, then everyone participating (it’s optional) will have a designated time to craft your best first 100 words in any genre you wish: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, mystery, children’s, etc. If anyone writes more, the judges will disregard them and read only the first 100 words. Midwest Writers committee members will select the top five entries. The winner of the Great Midwest Writers Write-Off will be announced with appropriate fanfare and $100 check.
What if I still have questions?
If you have questions, contact our Registrar, Jama Bigger, 765-282-1055 or e-mail midwestwriters@yahoo.com
MWW also has a social networking presence on Facebook and Twitter! Our FB Group connects you with other writers, authors, previous faculty, MWW alumni, and many previous participants. Maybe you have a question about pitching to agents, or manuscript submissions, or the facility. Maybe you’re looking to share a motel room or a ride to Muncie. Post a question on our Discussion Board or write a comment on our Wall. (To join: click the Groups icon at the bottom of your Facebook page, then search “Midwest Writers Workshop.”)
