CONFERENCE SCENE
1 2020 Writing Conference of Los Angeles
Enjoy a full day of intense instruction at this “How to Get Published” writing event sponsored by Writing Day Workshops in Culver City.
May 2, 2020. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles, Westside, Culver City, Calif. $189 registration, with add-on options such as pitching an agent ($29), query critiques ($69), and first 10 pages critiques ($89). Spaces limited. See website for details. This event is aimed at novice or intermediate writers. “Knowing it’s hard to block off a whole week or weekend for a conference, this one is short, sweet, and as helpful as possible,” says Coordinator Kerrie Flanagan. Recognizing the value of pitching to literary agents face to face, the event prides itself on gathering many for attendees to choose from—with 12–16 onsite to meet with aspiring authors. “Classes address nuts-and-bolts important topics such as how to get published, find an agent, and build your platform and sell books.” 175–200. Sessions are typically led by literary agents or traditionally published authors. This year’s lineup includes novelist Sarah Enni () and agent Rachel Beck (Holloway Literary). Attendees can choose from three simultaneous session tracks. “Topics run the gamut, from those specific to writing nonfiction or speculative fiction, to sessions on querying and crafting amazing first pages that wow an agent,” says Flanagan. The day’s centerpiece is the First Pages panel, where agents review anonymous attendees’ first pages and provide blunt feedback. This gives writers a chance to see how agents make the decision of whether or not to keep reading. Visit the library made famous by Susan Orlean’s bestseller . Situated between downtown hotels and skyscrapers, the Los Angeles Central Library is an architectural landmark with influences of Spanish Colonial Revival design that’s been described as part-museum, part-event space, and home to a variety of unusual collections.
