Writers really want to talk to people. We had a ton of people sign up for one-on-ones, including pitches, first pages, query letters, and synopses, as well as just talking shop. Those writers realized getting another set of eyes—especially experienced, professional ones—on their work can only benefit them. (Oh, and by the way, those professionals who took the time to read submissions and make critiques beforehand, and do the one-on-ones, were volunteers who just wanted to help other writers.)
The morning workshop gave new writers and experienced authors a game plan they could implement to speed up the process from an ugly first draft to a quality product ready for submission in three passes. Oh, how I hope it works for me!
There was almost an equal number of people interested in traditional publishing versus self-publishing. The breakout workshops were neck and neck with who was taking what, and I heard more than one (And more than just me!) saying they wished they could clone themselves and attend both tracks. The information from either will save writers a lot of time and effort getting to the finish line.
There are more marketing options than you can shake a pen at, and for every option, there were a wide variety of opinions on if it was the best method. But that was the brilliance of the panel—it wasn’t just one writer telling everyone how they should be doing marketing; it was several successful, knowledgeable individuals discussing what they had personally tried, or seen done, or wanted to do. The attendees were able to see that no one way will work for everyone, and some writers are more comfortable with specific methods and aren’t interested in some of the others.
And last, but not least: Writers should never stop learning. Never stop writing. Never stop hanging with their tribe.
Thanks for sharing, Terri. It’s such a good point about marketing. It would be easier if it were simpler, but more options ultimately means there are more chances to find a marketing method that fits your strengths and works for you.
I agree. I really worry when I go to a workshop that says “you must do this to succeed” because what if I just can’t do that? I’ll fail? But the panel had a lot of different ideas, and it was clear some worked for some, and others worked for others, so I have hope.
Thanks for putting together a great workshop, Terri!
You’re welcome. It’s fantastic that RMFW has such amazing resources.