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Writer’s Digest Books Editor Chuck Sambuchino will headline the 99th Annual “Fifty Shades of Writing” Missouri Writers’ Guild Conference from April 11-13, 2014 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel St. Louis Downtown Convention Center. Early registration opens today and runs through Dec. 31.
“This year’s conference reflects the many ‘shades of writing’ through our conference line-up, which addresses topics like non-fiction, query letters, agent etiquette, mystery writing, character building and more,” said 2014 Conference Chair Lisa Miller who is also the owner of St. Louis-based Walrus Publishing, Inc. “Regardless of whether they’re published or not, conference attendees will have an opportunity to network with writing professionals from around the country who can help them reach their writing goals.”
Sambuchino will welcome conference attendees Saturday morning with his “Pitch Perfect” presentation geared to help attendees with their agent pitches. He will spend 20 to 40 minutes talking about what a pitch is and what not to do when sitting next to an agent. He’ll also break down what does and doesn’t need to be in a pitch. In addition, he will present the keynote address during the “Annual Show Me Awards Banquet” on Saturday night. Sambuchino edits the GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS and the CHILDREN’S WRITER’S & ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET. His Writer’s Digest Guide to Literary Agents Blog is one of the largest blogs in publishing.
Register before Dec. 31 to receive a chance to win a query letter critique from Sambuchino or a One-on-One practice pitch session with Author Matthew Fredrick
“Writers and authors will want to secure their spot as soon as possible this year,” Miller said, “because, in addition to receiving a considerable Early Bird discount, everyone who registers early may enter a raffle for a chance to purchase one of a limited number of in-person query letter critiques from Mr. Sambuchino.”
Sambuchino has donated 10 in-person query letter critiques to the Guild, a non-profit organization. Early bird registrants may sign up for the raffle during the registration process. Ten names will be randomly drawn in the first week of January. For a $50 tax-deductible donation to MWG, the winners will receive one of the in-person query sessions.
In addition to Sambuchino’s sessions, Author Matthew Frederick will do 10, One-on-One Pitch Practice sessions with registrants. Early bird registrants must sign up for this session during registration as well. These sessions will take place on Friday afternoon. There is no charge for the pitch practice sessions.
The “Fifty Shades of Writing” Conference begins Friday afternoon with an early arrival session presented by Literary Agent Sorche Fairbank. Friday night sessions, include a Reading the Slush Pile agent panel, Night Cap Networking sessions and an Open Mic session, presented by The St. Louis Writers’ Guild. Friday afternoon activities will also include Sambuchino’s One-on-One Critique sessions and Matthew Frederick’s Pitch Practice sessions.
Conference breakout sessions, packed with craft-specific instruction and inspiration, begin Saturday morning. Additional activities included in the conference registration fees are agent pitch sessions on a first-registered, first-served basis and a luncheon keynote address by USA Today Best-Selling Author Mary Buckham. In-depth, 3-hour Master Classes are available on Sunday for an additional fee.
The full speaker line-up is as follows:
Early Bird Registration runs through Dec. 31. Registration fees during this period are $135 for MWG members, $145 for chapter members and $165 for the general public. Prices will increase on Jan. 1.
“The breadth of experience and insight provided by this year’s list of writing experts, agents and successful authors will once again prove that the Missouri Writers’ Conference offers, not only Midwest hospitality, but provides the best value of any writing conference anywhere,” Miller said.
Registration information and payment through PayPal is available at www.missouriwritersguild.org.
Additional opportunities include the Saturday night banquet, Sunday Master Classes and book signing events. Tickets for Saturday night’s writing awards banquet, featuring Chuck Sambuchino, can be purchased for an additional $40 for conference attendees and $45 to the general public. For an additional $50, conference attendees can register for an in-depth Master Class to be held Sunday morning.
Additional information regarding speakers, classes or registration can be found at www.missouriwritersguild.org or http://mwgconference.blogspot.com.
Requests for additional information or questions, contact Conference Chair Lisa Miller at mwgconferenceinfo@gmail.com.
About the Missouri Writers’ Guild
Established in 1915, the Missouri Writers’ Guild is a statewide, non-profit organization for professional writers in all genres. The Guild has 14 chapters throughout Missouri that provide regular opportunities to network with other writers, authors and publishers and learn more about the craft of writing.
