Frequently Asked Questions

		What is the origin of this new writer conference?
		What genres are you looking for?
		Do I have work to do ahead of time?
		What kind of experience is necessary?
		Do I have to have a complete ms?
		Is there any extra charge for the additional workshops on short fiction and pitching?
		Will I get to pitch agents?
		How big? How much does it cost? What is included?
		Where is the event and where do I stay?

		What is the origin of this new writer conference? This writer conference was originated by the people who bring you Algonkian Writer Conferences and the NYC Pitch and Shop. It is designed to be a first conference, i.e., an event designed to provide the aspiring author with a comprehensive overview of what the current market demands from a writer. Also, it is the only event that provides a detailed pre-submission or work-in-progress screen by New York professionals (prior to conference arrival), as well as a lengthy Algonkian Competitive Fiction Guide.
		What genres are you looking for? General and upscale fiction, literary fiction, cozy and other mystery, historicals, thrillers, crime/detective, SF/Fantasy, YA Fantasy, YA non-fantasy, urban fantasy, serious and light women's fiction, paranormal romance, erotica, and romance. All genres benefit from the interactions, agent advice, pre-event screening, and the content of the pre-event assignments which include craft and structural techniques that give writers an edge in today's market. See the schedule for more details on conference topics.
		Do I have work to do ahead of time? Yes. If you have a work-in-progress, you must take the pre-submission/work-in-progress project screen. It is a comprehensive Q&A about your novel, and it rates and comments on your work, the analysis performed by New York publishing business professionals. Also, you will have several writing assignments involving matters of premise, plot, marketing, and character development. You will also have a few novels to read. It's a lot, we agree, but if you are serious about writing a competitive novel, you will faithfully do the work. Of course, we cannot force you.
		What kind of experience is necessary? Given the nature of this writer conference as a foundation-building conference, no experience is necessary. We only ask that attendees be serious about their calling and their tasks.
		Do I have to have a complete MS? No. You can attend with only a concept, or with nothing at all. We feel that the training and interactions at the conference, as well as the pre-event tasks, will have a dramatic impact on your creative process.
		Will I get to pitch agents? How much time do I have? Yes. We open to the doors to agent pitch sessions on Sunday morning. Attendees are provided with 200 word pitch models ahead of time. The point is to make the pitch professional and concise enough to cover the major points agents want to hear, and to allow more time for post-pitch dialogue. There are no bells or timers, and no running for lines. The agents are also there to help you evolve as a writer.
		How big is this conference? How much does it cost? What is included? We expect 80 to 110 attendees for this west coast event. The entire cost is $329.00 for tuition and there are no other fees. Attendees have their choice of where to stay. Meals are not included, but there will be continental breakfast and coffee, etc., in the conference rooms.
		Is there any extra charge for the supplemental workshops on short fiction and pitching? No. These are optional, but highly recommended for serious writers.
		Where is the event and where do I stay? In Corte Madera, California, just north of San Francisco. All information regarding location and lodging can be found here.