Writers Conferences - Algonkian Park, Fisherman's Wharf, Point Loma, New York Pitch, and More

INTERVIEW
OBSERVATIONS

"Any first time author can be made to look "fabulous" -- it's all about how an agent, author and publisher present the author. Every author has a background and a story, which can be told to the book- sellers and public in a boring way or a way that is spectacular."
  Barbara Zitwer

"If an author is a terrific writer and has a voice or perspective or style that's not been seen before, there is a far greater chance it will have a place in the literary market. Though it's true that it can be tough to get a first book published, agents and editors are always looking for the next voice or story."
  Elise Capron

"Whatever you're doing in this business, whether you're an agent, editor, or writer, it's crucially important to keep on top of what's happening in the industry. Agents and editors are much more likely to take writers seriously if they can name other writers in their genre whose work they admire ..."
  W. Gottlieb

"The truth is that most publishing professionals needn't read further than that ... Judging a book in five sentences might sound like an outrageous idea. But it's really not."
  Noah Lukeman

Algonkian Writer Conferences in 2009

Algonkian holds a dozen or so conferences per year including the New York Pitch and Shop Conference in September, June, December, and April. Events are now more evenly distributed between the east and west coast, including the new Fisherman's Wharf Writers Conference (replacing Half Moon Bay and Seven Mountains) in San Francisco. Our Algonkian Park workshops in Virginia will continue indefinitely, but the Harpers Ferry location at the Hilltop Inn is history--the Inn now closed for over a year's worth of restoration.

NOTE on event registrations: we accept payments in installments (two or three), for our events. Please notify us by email if you feel this is necessary, but not until your application has been accepted. Thank you.

FAQ About Algonkian: How is Algonkian Different? Which Event to Attend First--Algonkian or NYC Pitch? If I Wish to Attend, Will I Automatically Be Accepted? ...

Fisherman's Wharf Writers Conference
July 8-12, 09. OPEN TO APPLICATIONS. Tuition $695

"From the Heart, but Smart - Premise, Platform, Market and Execution" beside the San Francisco Bay ... Agent sessions With Michael Larsen, Elizabeth Pomada, Amy Burkhardt and Scott Hoffman; structure and narrative workshops with Michael Neff; Short Fiction Workshop, Novel Into Film. Author Kathi Goldmark and Editor/Author Sam Berry.

New York Pitch Conference
Sept. 10-13, 09. OPEN TO APPLICATIONS. Tuition $595

Writers workshop their novel before pitching it to major publishers such as Scribners, Penguin, Random House, Holt, St. Martins, and more. See NYC Pitch and Shop NEWS for latest. Book publicity pros and top workshop leaders from Algonkian and NYC.

Algonkian Park Workshops
Sept. 16-20, 09. OPEN TO APPLICATIONS. Tuition $865

Beside the waters of the Potomac, writers go to the fireplace with lots of coffee and hunker down for five days of intensive novel and fiction crafting with Michael Neff, Robert Bausch, and Paige Wheeler.

Fisherman's Wharf Writers Conference
Oct. 21-25, 09. OPEN TO APPLICATIONS. Tuition $695

"From the Heart, but Smart - Premise, Platform, Market and Execution" beside the San Francisco Bay ... Agent sessions With Michael Larsen, Elizabeth Pomada, Amy Burkhardt and Scott Hoffman; structure and narrative workshops with Michael Neff; Short Fiction Workshop, Novel Into Film. Author Kathi Goldmark and Editor/Author Sam Berry.

FW Writers Conference
7/08 - 7/12/09 - One of our best for writers serious about publication. Craft, pitch and market workshops led by Scott Hoffman, Michael Neff, Pomada and Larsen, and many more.

• New Literary Agents

• Damn Good Advice

WRITERS AND AUTHORS
TALK ABOUT
ALGONKIAN CONFERENCES

Interview with Algonkian attendee, author Thierry Sagnier: "I was stuck, hadn't done any serious writing for months, and a friend of mine�also a writer�suggested I attend a workshop to kickstart me. So I looked on the net and found that there were quite a few places that offered what I wanted, but when I researched the Algonkian conference, I recognized the name of a reporter I really respect. He'd been there and was highly complimentary, so that sealed it for me."

Interview with Algonkian attendee, author Julie Kaewert: "Because I was changing agents, I knew it was important to learn how to package the MS effectively ... When I saw the Seven Mountains Writers Conference on the website, it looked like just the thing. In fact, it far exceeded my expectations in every way."

Interview with Algonkian attendee, author Kate Gallison: "One way to lengthen your life is to stretch it backwards, and so I read a lot of history. Early movies fascinate me. They were both like and unlike stage plays of the time, borrowing actors and melodramatic plots, but developing entirely new techniques for portraying dramatic action. "

Interview with Algonkian attendee, Candy Somoza: "The preparation work got us thinking about the book in the store, how it got there, what makes it sell. While we read works and studied the writing, we also focused on the outside, so to speak, the marketing, and that was essential to prepare us."