Saturday
The day will begin at 8:15 for the workshop sign in then followed by the continental breakfast. If your are staying at the DoubleTree, you should allow 15-20 minutes for driving, parking and walking to Midland College’s F. Marie Hall. At 9:00 am, our featured presenter – Kristin Lamb – will begin her morning session. Lunch will follow at 12:00 pm and the afternoon session will begin at 1:00 pm. Breaks will be provided during each session.
Check the schedule for details.
Other important info:
Saturday evening, 5:30 – 7:30, we’ll be hosting a ‘Meet & Greet’ at the host hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels – Midland Plaza. You’ll probably be tired and a bit overwhelmed, but you won’t want to miss this. We’ll have entertainment, finger food and a no-host bar, but more importantly, it will be a chance to meet and network with your fellow writers, workshop presenters and agents. All in a casual rooftop setting overlooking the city, weather permitting. If not, we’ll move the party indoors and carry on!
Sunday
Time – is on the schedule
Location: Midland College, F. Marie Hall
Agent Pitching:
We’ve moved the Agent Panel to Sunday morning first thing, to answer your basic questions about pitching and agenting , so you don’t have to spend time asking those in your pitch. If you’re pitching, you won’t want to miss the panel.
One of the advantages of pitching at a local conference is that it’s more casual. You’ll have a full 15 minutes to pitch your book, then talk to the agent. Your pitch won’t take that long, so it’s good to be prepared with questions for them. What have you wanted to know? You’ll have an expert’s ear — ask them! Here’s a few ideas:
- What is hot in the market right now?
- What is your feeling on repping hybrid authors? (authors who self pub as well as write for a publisher).
- What is your ideal client?
- Do you edit clients’ work before sending it out?
- What publishers do you have relationships with an editor?
- What can I do to build my platform before I sell?
- Any other burning questions you have wondered about
Use this time to get to know who they are, and what they like to read. Remember, you’re interviewing them, too, and an agent relationship is a bit like a marriage, so think of this as speed dating!
If you’re nervous (and who isn’t?) remember that they’re not judging your acting ability – they care about your STORY!
We’ll have blog posts leading up to the event with tips for creating and giving a great pitch, so check back often.
Tips and Information
A continental breakfast, lunch and snack will be provided for registrants both days. Dress as you like, but if you have an agent pitch session, we recommend business attire. But whatever you decide, wear comfortable shoes! We try to control the temps in the rooms, but they can tend to be cool. You may want to bring a sweater.
The Bookies want to foster a healthy writing community in the Permian Basin. This is an opportunity to network with other writers—don’t waste it! Introduce yourself, ask what they write. You could meet a new critique partner and friend! Bring business cards. Bring a notebook to take notes; we’re planning an event to overwhelm your brain! There will be a bookstore onsite. Barnes & Noble will be selling writing craft books, and we’ll be selling the workshop instructor’s books as well.
Each workshop will have a short survey online. We encourage you to complete them for each session you attend: we need your feedback to improve for next year. Here is our sexual harassment policy.
Hotel
Though there are many hotels to choose from in Midland, thanks to DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels – Midland Plaza for offering rooms for Saturday and Sunday night at a fantastic rate of $90 a night (plus tax). You must use code PBW in order to get this rate.
You can book the rooms online or call DoubleTree today and don’t forget to use the #PBW promo code. 1-432-683-6131
Midland Area Map
Map Marker Are:
Midland International Airport
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels
Midland College
