On Sunday, September 25th join us for a wine tour down to the Oliver Wine Village.
Though this is not an official part of the Wine Country Writers’ Festival we will facilitate the van transport from the Lakeside to the Village and return.
Cost is $41 (transport and gst included)which must be paid before.
This is an opportunity to sample more wines and even a craft brewery. Space is limited to 14 in one van but another can be commissioned.
If you’re interested please email wcwfestival@gmail.com and put WINE TOUR in the subject line.
$41 is the cost of transportation only and does not include any of the wine tasting.
The wine tasting costs vary per winery. Please check the website.
Have you checked the schedule online yet? It’s jam packed with great presenters and workshops!
The last session of Saturday September 24 will be a SLUSH PILE.
This is always a lot of fun.
What’s a slush pile? Wikipedia does a great job of defining it as follows:
Source: Steve Laube Agency
In publishing, a slush pile is a set of unsolicited query letters or manuscripts that have either been directly sent to a publisher by an author, or which have been delivered via a literary agent representing the author who may or may not be familiar to the publisher.
as per Wikipedia
In other words it’s a pile of stuff that will be dealt with sooner or later… or not at all.
These are the places where query letters and manuscripts go an fight a valiant fight to be noticed amongst the others.
Well, we’ll have our own little slush pile party. Bring the first (yes first) page of your manuscript. No name as its anonymous.
Polish it off and bring it along with you. There’ll be a collection bin at the registration table where you can leave it.
Pages will be randomly selected and read aloud to the panel and audience. Those on the panel will then tell everyone their thoughts on the writing, the premise, the hook… Normally this exercise is done with agents and publishers but we’re using authors too. The critique will be about the words on the page… does it hook me? do I want to read more? does the writing need help?
Remember it’s anonymous. You do not need to reveal your identity unless you want to.
This means you can hear the good and perhaps the not-so-good, of each reading.
Learn from the different styles, voices, and techniques. Listen to what the expert panel has to say.
This is an opportunity for anonymous feedback from industry professionals.
Print it off and bring it along… no names–remember.
It’s pretty dang hot out there, but the days are getting shorter and the sun a little less intense.
We’re getting closer to that beautiful September weather and of course the Wine Country Writers’ Festival.
We just wanted to let you know that if you don’t already subscribe to the newsletter it may be a great time to do so. We’re offering a $20 registration discount with a coupon code, but only through the newsletter.
Please keep in mind that this is a LIVE-IN-PERSON event.
If you saw a discount on the website, but didn’t take advantage, there’s still another chance.
Registration for the entire Festival is $179–which is a super fantastic deal but, you can get a $20 discount through the newsletter. This is a limited time offer.
The newsletter also contains some suggestions for Blue Pencils and Pitches.
Everyone who signed up for the blue pencil/pitch will be notified by email in the next two to three weeks so please ensure that your documents are ready to forward to us.
You should be putting your finishing touches on now.
While you may not get your first choice for blue pencil, please know that each person doing the blue pencils are seasoned and trained writers. Each has a unique perspective and you’ll be in good hands no matter who you speak to.
Prepare your work and wait for the email.
Be set.
The specific appointment times for pitches and blue pencils will be provided in your registration package. It will be during the day Saturday September 24th.
Remember a blue pencil is not an edit. It’s a discussion of your work, your style, and suggestions how to make it stronger.
Pitches are a discussion about representation and your work. Prepare your documents to include a query, comparables, a synopsis, and bio.
Don’t hesitate to email wcwfestival@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Stay cool. Keep writing. Subscribe to the newsletter–you may find it informative.
Wine Country Writers' Festival 