We have arranged for informal contact with those key faculty members who can provide insight into the world of publishing as it exists today. These networking experiences, the manuscript evaluation scheme, the agent pitch sessions, the query letter critiques, the hands-on help with social media, AND the class sessions make the 2012 Midwest Writers Workshop, our 39th! – July 26-28, 2012 – a must for all writers.
We have continued the successful format of the past few years, with the workshop divided into two parts. Part I offers seven genre-specific Intensive Sessions.
Part II is filled to the brim with information on marketing and writing techniques that is valuable to writers of any genre. Participants in Part II also have the opportunity to send a 5-page manuscript to our Manuscript Evaluation Team. You may enroll in both parts, or choose just one.
NEW SESSION FOR 2012!!
In between Part I and Part II we are offering a brand-new opportunity for those of you who will be with us on Thursday night. Jane Friedman, former publisher of Writer’s Digest, now serving as a full-time assistant professor of e-media at the University of Cincinnati, will consult with us about how to get digital! Changes in the publishing industry have forced writers to become “author-preneurs”—marketers, promoters, social media experts, and much more. At MWW, we know how time-consuming and confusing these tasks can be, and we want to help by offering individualized social media services. This isn’t just about “self-promotion.” New technologies allow us to seek out other readers and writers, to participate in a community that isn’t limited by geography. Consultants will be available to show you how to start a blog, or how to join and engage with Facebook or Twitter.
The 2012 MWW includes quality instruction by authors, plus the opportunity to meet other writers with similar interests. Don’t miss this one!
The following MWW opportunities are exclusive to those registering for Part II (or both Parts).
MWW Extras include:
- Agent Pitch Sessions
- “Practice Your Pitch” Session (Thursday evening) NEW FOR 2012 MWW!
- Manuscript Evaluations (additional fee)
- Query Letter Critiques (additional fee) NEW FOR 2012 MWW!
- Social Media Consultations (additional fee) NEW FOR 2012 MWW!
- Writing Contests (win money & prizes!)
- Popular “Buttonhole the Experts” informal session
- Awards Banquet
Message in a Bottle
This informal event was such a big hit last year that we decided to schedule another one at this summer’s workshop on Friday evening, July 28 following our Great Midwest Writers Write-off Contest.
So, we welcome all participants to bring some of your writing! If you would like to be in the spotlight to read from your work for five minutes, you will need to write your name on a ticket and drop it into our specially designed “Message in a Bottle” bottle during the day on Friday.
Then, after our writing contest we’ll begin our Coffeehouse-style Message in a Bottle Reading with emcees Kelsey Timmerman and Cathy Shouse selecting tickets from the bottle. Lucky winners will read for five minutes. We’ll sip delicious coffee, listen to your works-in-progress, and applaud!
Buttonhole the Experts
Buttonhole the Experts is our fun Saturday morning activity. We have 15 or so tables in the banquet hall with an “expert” (our faculty members) at each one. Everyone gets their coffee, muffins/bagels, etc and then six participants sit at each table and chat informally with the expert for about 20 minutes. Then at the ring of a bell and it’s like musical chairs, the six at each table rise and head to another table of interest for another 20-minute chat. This process is repeated four times. In other words, everyone drinks way too much coffee but learns much about the various genres/topics from our experts.
Bookstore
Books about writing and by faculty authors and participants will be on sale at the MWW Bookstore. The Bookstore opens at 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, July 26 and accepts VISA and MasterCard payments. We also have a MWW merchandise table with sweatshirts, totes, and mugs (accepts cash/check only).
What to do if you have your own books to consign:
* Contact the Welcome Center when you register or visit the Bookstore on Friday morning.
* Please have the books you bring priced.
* The bookstore has the established commission rate of 20%.
Scholarships
Midwest Writers will award a limited number of scholarships for participation in Part II. Awards are based on financial need, interest and a writing sample of five pages. Scholarship applications must be postmarked on or before June 1, 2012. If you are applying for a Scholarship, click here for the Scholarship Application, print out the Registration Form and mail it with a biographical letter (explaining your financial need) and 5-page writing sample. Include your name, address, phone and email in upper left of your manuscript. Label your materials and envelope with name, address and “Scholarship Entry.” Applicants will be notified in time to complete registration; unsuccessful applicants must re-register. Our workshop fills quickly. Participants can earn a scholarship once every five years.
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