Packed with agent pitches, workshops, speakers, critique feedback, panels, networking opportunities, and an abundance of add-ons, the sold out 23rd annual Writers’ Institute at UW-Madison was educational, inspirational, and just plain fun!
Between concurrent sessions and speaking myself, I had windows of opportunity to attend a few sessions. Here are two nuggets of gold from each session I attended:
The Writer’s Life – John Vorhaus
“Practice makes perfect progress.”
“As a writer, our job is to close the gap between where the work is, and where it needs to be.”
Agent Panel – John Bolger, Joelle Delbourgo, Linda Konner, Laurie McClean, Andy Ross, and Gordon Warnock
“Literary agents manage people’s expectations—you have to be realistic.”
Ask a literary agent who has expressed interest in you:
Who are your favorite clients?
What are the last three books you sold?
What impressed you about my writing?
How invested are you going to be in my literary growth?
The Play is the Thing – Brendan Sullivan
We respond to ideas in two ways:
“Yes, but” is negative and down pulling
“Yes, and” is positive and uplifting
“The most creative people on the planet are children between the ages of 3-7. They ask ‘Why?’ all the time. Get back to asking why.”
Anatomy of a Book Trailer – Susan Reetz
Similar to a movie preview, a book trailer is a 30-second to 3-minute video teaser for a book. It’s designed to generate buzz and interest. It can also be used to promote your work to agents and publishers.
A book trailer is a marketing tool you promote on your website, YouTube, Vimeo, Goodreads, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn—everywhere!
The Writer’s Magical Publicity Tour – Brian Christian and Jim Pappandrea
Once you’re book is published—Congratulations!—you’re now on the marketing team of your publisher.
“My antidote to nerves is preparation. Know your topic.” – Jim Pappandrea
“Think about nerves as energy, harness it and put it to good use.” – Brian Christian
Secrets of Famous Prolific Writers – Angela Voras-Hills
“You will never find the time to write. You have to make the time to write.”
“A schedule helps you [and your friends and family] take your writing seriously.”
Creative Bypasses & Detours for Better Driving – Brendan Sullivan
“Inspiration is a matter of observation.”
“There’s more than one right answer, but there’s only one best answer. To find it you have to look at them all.”
Publishing in the Post-Paper World – John Vorhaus
“The publishing world as we’ve known it is changing. We can no longer count on publishers to distribute, market, and promote our work. These responsibilities now fall squarely in the writer’s lap.”
“We are digital immigrants. Our children are digital natives.”
Whether you’re an aspiring or seasoned writer, I hope you’ll consider attending next year’s Writers’ Institute at UW-Madison. You can join their mailing list here.
Not just for writers—when was the last time you showed your creative work to someone else?
“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
— Laurie Buchanan
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© 2012 Laurie Buchanan– All Rights Reserved
Tuesdays with Laurie 
It looks like a great conference! Meeting other people and networking seems to be another benefit, too. Thanks for this information!
Megtraveling – The conference was “out”: OUTstanding and sold OUT!
Hi,
Wow, looks and sounds like a fantastic time was had by all, it certainly looked packed, I couldn’t imagine getting up in front of all those people and speaking. 🙂
I thought “We are digital immigrants. Our children are digital natives.” by John Vorhaus was very clever and very true.
I also liked “Think about nerves as energy, harness it and put it to good use.” – Brian Christian
Both very good quotes.
Magsx2 – I’m glad you enjoyed the quotes! And trust me, it was hard to whittle it down to just two from each session that I was able to attend.
Thank you so much for the update. I had SUCH a wonderful time at the conference and met so many amazingly talented (and nice) people… including YOU! 😉
Tina – It was great to meet you there, too 🙂
Gosh, Laurie, this looks like my kind of event. Wish I could have attended!
Hugs,
Kathy
Kathy – I hope to see you there next year!
It looks like it was an amazing conference. I had an image of you writing down these wonderful quotes to share with us. I want to remember the “Yes, and” possibility. It’s so much sweeter than the “Yes, but”. Thank you, Laurie. Couldn’t wait to hear some of your experiences.
Kathy – “Yes, and” makes all the difference in the world! Stay tuned, I’ll share a bit more (what I talked about) next Tuesday.
I’m saving this post! Very helpful in my writing and my quest to find the ‘right’ agent for my book – The Right Man. Thank you for sharing what you learned at the writing conference. Wonderful!
Roughwighting1 – In an effort to help writers just like you — people who are looking for a literary agent — I put links to each of the agents right in the body of the post. If you find one that is looking for your genre, follow their submission guidelines and send your manuscript.
Oh, so glad you mentioned this. Loved looking at the agents’ websites. I’ve met three of them at the Women’s National Book Association “meet the agents’ in San Francisco. These agents work hard! Thanks much.
Roughwighting1 – Yes, indeed, these literary agents work extremely hard.
Hi Laurie! This post is jam-packed with yummy, rich thoughts/quotes to spread on journal’s toast this morning! LOVE it! Thank you for sharing – and for suggesting others attend this conference. Haven’t been to one in years. They are definitely super-charging!
Hugs,
SuZen
SuZen – I hope to see you at next year’s Writers’ Institute at UW-Madison.
Some really good stuff there!
Andrew – It was f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c!
Hello to all my new BFFs from the Writers Institute. Remember, if I can be of further service to you, my doors — and facebook page and twitter feed — are always open. -jv
John – Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. You were directly responsible for most of my laughter at the Writers’ Institute this year. Stellar presentations – thank you!
Laurie, Thank you for the extremely detail summary of your experience at the Writer’s Institute. I appreciated all the time you took to share the programs and links to the presenters. You synopsis and comments offered so helpful “aha’s”! I loved your pre-workshop messages and am delighted to know you found your experience most worthwhile. However, I am missing the information about your panel participation. I hope you will be sharing that information soon. Your post brought back many lovely memories of my years at the Writer’s Institute. I enjoyed sharing your visit to the Conference, Madison, Lake Mendota, the Lowell Center and writers’ programs! I am sure Paden Plume is eager to apply all the “Green Brain Knowledge” you acquired at the Institute. Hurrah!
Sheila – No one’s getting off the hook that easy 🙂 Next Tuesday I’ll start posting about what I shared during my presentations 🙂
thanks for your post; will pray for huge time to absorb it; generous of you!
Sorrygnat – It took three days for it all to be presented. I suspect it could easily take that long to absorb it 🙂
Sounds like you did indeed enjoy yourself Laurie. Thank you for this “pot of gold” post. . . lots of GREAT opportunity to investigate your wealth of literary treasure!!
Alison – You’re most welcome for the “pot of gold” post 🙂
I can tell you truly had an amazing time at this conference and I thank you profusely for sharing the tidbits your gleaned.
Yes I think everyone has to sell whatever they are doing these days themselves….I learned that from the book review – THE ART OF THE SALE
Patricia – Regardless if an author is traditionally published or Indy published (independent/self-published), if an author doesn’t promote him/herself, the sales will remain with pretty much family and friends.
It sounds like your weekend was filled with insights and helpful tips. Thank you so much for sharing what you learned with the rest of us!
Dana – You’re welcome for the tips. I had an awful lot of fun gathering them 🙂
Laurie — it sounds as if you had an absolutely splendiferous time. Without a doubt, there are a few people who wrote down your words of wisdom and are now sharing them with their friends back home. I love the treasure trove of inspiration you brought back with you. Now, to answer the question you asked, I am now a part of a team of writers who will be writing blog entries for Loyola University. As soon as one of mine appears, I will let you know!
Barbara – Blogging for Loyola University…Oh how darned exciting is that?! Please let me know the MOMENT your work is posted!
Thanks for sharing, Laurie! I didn’t have a chance to go to as many panels as I’d have liked– this is a nice sampling of what I missed!
Angela – Thank you for visiting Speaking from the Heart and leaving a comment 🙂 I thoroughly enjoyed the session you presented.
Hi Laurie, I agree – the conference was great. I learned so much, and met so many great people! Thanks for mentioning me! It was a real blessing to be a part of it.
Jim – Thank you for dropping in and leaving a comment. I appreciated the workshop you presented.
By the way, this is Jim Papandrea – I forgot the post would have my Spiritual Blueprint book cover, rather than my name!
Jim – I could tell from the book cover and title that it was you. Thank you for the shout out from your blog post – I sincerely appreciate it.
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Ah what a time you have capture Laurie. I think it is so true in many areas about representing our own creative works – it is becoming more and more a direct world between the those creating and those wanting to experience these creations.
Terrill – “Direct world” is a great way to phrase it. And it’s made easier and easier with technology. You’re a perfect example. You showcase a piece of your artwork on your blog and it’s seen and purchased by someone on another continent. It’s mind boggling!
Laurie, you are a Light unto our feet, I would have never known to ask those questions, or what to expect from the answers! I will definitly file this one away in the off chance that some should ever inquire. As it is, I do live by my creative wits, only using a differnt medium, pottery and plants, cut flowers and silk flower keep my creative pot on the hob with out boiling over. Thanks for such useful information!
Sandi – You would have absolutely eaten this writer’s conference up as there were also several ILLUSTRATORS there!
Oh my I am running as fast as I can to catch up! Even blogs don’t stand still!
There is some wondrous advise here from the pro’s that you for sharing such words of wisdom.
“Inspiration is a matter of observation.”
Many of these can be use to shine light as a creative tool!
I am glad that you had a wondrous time!
Jeff – The quote that you highlighted (inspiration is a matter of observation) resonated with me too. As a matter of act, while in Madison I browsed in a metaphysical-type store named Shakti. While there, I found a lovely Celtic type pendant which I purchased. It has three intertwined knots that made me think: OBSERVATION sparks INSPIRATION, and inspiration sparks CREATIVITY.
Vorhaus was spectacular! A healer once taught me that only practice WITH FEEDBACK makes perfect. (If I teach myself the cello without a skillful mentor to guide me to improve, chances are I will never sound like YoYoMa.)
So wonderful to meet you, too, Laurie, and to be inspired by your blogging success! 🙂
Daria – So good to see you here at Speaking from the Heart. Thank you for leaving a comment. It was a pleasure to meet you at the Writers’ Institute. I love what you shared about “Practice WITH FEEDBACK makes perfect. Excellent point!
Laurie, I’m sure you have already pulled out your yellow-covered notebook (the one you keep in the top drawer by your living room night table) and listed this in the chapter section devoted to ‘the most memorable professional experiences of my life” and rightly so. I remember last year’s conference yielded similarly enriching results, but it just seems that this year they all have gone one better. I love all those applicable quotes especially the one from John Vorhaus that address “Publishing in the post-paper world.” This makes good writing that much more difficult to negotiate, and it establishes a fine line that can and will only be crossed by those on a mission.
Sam – “This makes good writing that much more difficult to negotiate…” You’re right! I wish you could have actually seen/heard John Vorhaus’ presentation – and while the delivery was very funny, the topics definitely struck deep chords.
Hi there! I’ve nominated your blog for a Sunshine Award 🙂 If you’d like to accept the award, you can get the details in my post here: http://zenandgenki.com/2012/04/19/3-new-awards-gratitude-gratitude-gratitude/ Have a beautiful week! Anne
Anne – THANK YOU so much for the nomination 🙂
Love the snippets you share with us Laurie. Thanks.
Ann – I’m glad you enjoyed this post, thank you for letting me know.
Thanks for the links.