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.
Please be aware that the deadline for signing up for a Blue Pencil or a Pitch coming soon. It’s not too late and it is included in the price of registration.
Documents are to be sent by September 10th, 2022 to wcwfestival.com
Please put BLUE PENCIL or PITCH in the subject line.
Spots are limited. If you’re requesting an appointment then you must pick your top three choices as some are already full.
A blue pencil will consist of no more than four (4)- five (5) pages–double spaced.
Your blue pencil appointment will take place live during Saturday September 24 during the Festival (except for Jonas Saul or Anna O’Keeffe –which will be done by Zoom also during the Festival)
You will have 12 minutes to discuss your work.
Submissions requested now.
Ensure your s*am filter doesn’t filter out the WCWF email.
You’ll get your scheduled appointment with your registration.
Be aware that you may not get your first choice but each presenter doing the critiques has something unique to offer.
Your patience is appreciated.
Remember, a blue pencil is NOT an edit. It is a discussion about your writing and asking advice and being open to suggestions about your writing etc.
PITCHES
For a pitch. Please put together these items:
query letter–with comparables (see the Reedsy link below)
500 word synopsis
one or two sentences as to why you’re the best to write this book/project
first six pages
watch your email
Make your work as professional as possible… That means that’s it’s edited and formatted. Do a little bit of research on how to pitch. Check Jane Friedman or Reedsy
Also please check your sp*m filters to ensure that our emails WCWFestival@gmail.com get through. There will be a lot of information coming your way over the next several days.
Wine Country Writers' Festival 