Last year’s PYHIAB Conference had such a positive impact on me that I decided to join the committee for this year’s conference as the decorations chair. Now, I can’t believe the 2015 Conference is only days away! I stressed over everything to the point that I had nightmares about deflating balloons that fell in the food, but now that all the set-up is behind me, I’m hoping for smooth-sailing.
We have some amazing speakers this year including Kerrelyn Sparks, Beth Ciotta, Julia Quinn, and Margie Lawson. Julia Quinn’s keynote at RWA 2015 was incredible, so I’m particularly pumped to see her and attend her Pre-Conference Workshop.
I’ll be pitching (heart attack–cross my fingers!) and will be rooting for a lot of my NJRW friends who will be doing the same. I’m also stoked to see our authors at the Book Fair and Author Signing.
Finally, something incredibly fun last year was attending the Anonymous Author event during which the first 200 words of authors’ manuscripts anonymously to a panel of agents and editors. The agents and editors then gave honest feedback which was incredibly useful to hear, especially considering how powerful and carefully crafted those first few lines need to be. I submitted the beginning of STARCHILD and am incredibly nervous/hopeful to have it read!
Have you ever considered volunteering your time for a conference? If so, which one?
Here’s to PYHIAB 2015!
Michelle Joyce Bond
michellejoycebond.com 
Looks cool..
It’s going to be a blast! 🙂
Have a great time, and good luck with the pitching!
Thank you!!
Aloha Michelle,
To me, it sounds like your are on the right track. AND you have rekindled my interest in writer’s conferences. I attended one and was disappointed at all the sales effort aimed at me. Now, I think I will try again. Thank you.
A Hui Hou,
Wayne
Yay! I hope you find a good one. 🙂
Have an awesome time. All the best with your pitch!
Thank you! I’m doing my best to stay calm, but I’m pitching to an incredible agent and editor. 🙂
I can’t imagine how terrifying that is. But you can do this!
I’m not even sure where to find something like a writer’s conference. I’d love to attend one though.
I hope you receive some good feedback! That Anonymous Author event sounds rather valuable and useful.
Thank you! You might be able to research conferences by the genre you write. I joined the RWA and its New Jersey chapter because I’m obsessed with romance, and the NJRW happens to have a very good conference. 🙂