Thank you for your interest in joining us! Below are descriptions of the many ways you can choose to participate in WriteOnCon 2021.
Speakers may sign up for a maximum of TWO events total.
If you have any questions about any participation options, please don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected]!
RSVPs must be submitted by November 10, 2020.
All of these options (except Feedback Sessions) are prepared at your convenience during the winter and submitted to us by mid-January. These events are pre-scheduled to post at set times during the conference weekend (one every half-hour). You do not need to be available during conference weekend. However, we invite you to swing by your event after it’s live to answer questions from attendees.
Each year we offer a broad selection of posts covering a diverse range of topics pertaining to writing craft, career, and the publication process. These are pre-scheduled to post at half-hour intervals throughout the conference.
Length: 800-1500 words long
Example: What’s Up, Danger? An Analysis of the Turning Point by Alyssa Hollingsworth
Deadline: Submit completed materials by January 19
You do NOT need to be available on conference weekend.
(*) This is a shell post, not the original (which is under member restrictions).
Each year we offer a broad selection of posts covering a diverse range of topics pertaining to writing craft, career, and the publication process. These are pre-scheduled to post at half-hour intervals throughout the conference.
Length: Maximum 15 minutes
Example: How to Not Be Miserable On Your Writing Journey by Matthew Landis
Deadline: Submit completed materials by January 19
You do NOT need to be available on conference weekend.
New this year, these events will feature very short vlog contributions from multiple speakers, compiled and presented as a single video.
Length: Each vlog segment a maximum of 3 minutes.
Assignments: Speakers indicate their group vlog topics of interest on their RSVP. Two topics are available to choose from, and a maximum of seven speakers will be assigned to each.
Requirements: Speakers will be asked to film themselves demonstrating and discussing the topic of the group vlog. A set of questions will be provided that may be used to help inspire the content of your vlog, but do not need to be answered directly.
Example: This is a new event, so we don’t have examples yet.
Deadline: Submit completed vlog segments by January 19
You do NOT need to be available on conference weekend.
These are blog posts where the event speaker commits to being available for the one-hour window after the post goes live in order to answer questions left in the comments section in realtime – like a live chat with attendees.
Length: 700-1000 words long
Deadline: Submit completed materials by January 19
You MUST be available on conference weekend.
These are blog posts where multiple speakers share their thoughts on a topic by answering a series of questions.
Length: Each answer maximum 300 words
Assignments: Speakers indicate their roundtables of interest on their RSVP. Assignments are made in early December. Eight topics are available to choose from. A maximum of four speakers will be assigned to each.
Questions: Each topic will have five to six questions. Questions are sent out in early December.
Example: Writers on Writing Diversely by various authors
Deadline: Submit completed answers by January 19
You do NOT need to be available on conference weekend.
These casual and conversational interviews are recorded with one of our team members on a topic of your choosing. These are audio-only (no video).
Length: 45 minutes; 15 for setup and 30 for the interview
Requirements: We will prepare a list of questions that may be used as conversational prompts. You will be provided these prior to the interview.
Disclaimer: While the conference event will be audio-only, we may include your video feed during recording if it makes conversation more natural. Any recorded video component will be removed during the editing process.
Example: Building a Writing Career by Mary Kole
Deadline: Interview must be completed by January 12
You do NOT need to be available on conference weekend.
These events review pitches or pages submitted by attendees, offering first impressions and feedback about what works and what doesn’t. In the past these were limited to agents, but this year we are opening to authors and editors, too, recognizing that all professionals have valuable insight to offer attendees.
NOTE: These were previously held live and called “pitch sessions”, but this led to some confusion in expectations among attendees.
Requirements: You will be provided with a selection of 40 pitches. Because your event is 50 minutes long, we ask that you spend no more than a minute or two discussing your thoughts on each pitch..
Equipment: A computer with a stable internet connection and good quality mic is necessary.
Timeframe: All attendee submissions will be accepted in the two weeks prior to conference weekend and will close January 16. Pitches will be selected the evening of January 16 and a document containing your assigned pitches will be emailed to you, for you to review prior to your session. Feedback sessions will be recorded with a staff member on either January 18 or January 19 and then placed into the conference schedule.
Process: We will have you screenshare the document of assigned pitches so attendees can read the pitch that’s being critiqued and you can save time by not having to read it out loud. We will also provide a link with the pitches to attendees for the hearing impaired or others who wish to follow along.
Options: You may choose the length and type of pitch/materials you wish to offer feedback on, including age category and genre restrictions if applicable. Available options are query pitch, twitter pitch, or first page (250 words).
Example: Pitch Session with Saritza Hernandez
You MUST be available either January 18 or January 19.
These events (except Showcase events) all take place during conference weekend. You must be available for at least 60 minutes on conference weekend, and complete a “test run” in advance. Some prep work may be involved depending on the option you choose.
One live event is scheduled per hour during the 3-day conference, plus 5 Showcase events held before the conference, resulting in 44 live event slots. Please RSVP soon to ensure your spot if you want one.
WriteOnCon is a harassment-free conference. Events are secure and only registered attendees can access live-streamed content. All live events are overseen by a WriteOnCon moderator who will review attendee comments and remove any deemed inappropriate. Please review our harassment policy for more information.
Length: 60 minutes; 10 for setup and 50 for the live event
Additional time: All live event speakers MUST complete a 15-minute test run prior to the conference.
Platform: Live events are run using StreamYard (no account necessary! we’ll send you instructions). If you feel strongly about being on video, we have the option to turn your camera off so the interview operates like a live radio program.
Requirements: You must have a fast and stable internet connection to participate in a live event. You should also have a good quality webcam and mic; we can provide recommendations if necessary.
Disclaimer: If we are unable to assure a strong video/audio feed during your test run, we may need to withdraw you from your live event. You will be given the option of a second test run if you wish to try upgrading your equipment or connection.
These sessions take questions from attendees on a designated topic. Your moderator will screen questions and pass them along to you.
Requirements: Speakers must prepare a short 5 to 10 minute talk introducing the topic of the Q&A. This provides attendees with an information base that helps inspire questions.
Options: You may choose to be alone on screen and receive your questions via a built-in text “chat” with your moderator, or to share the screen with your moderator who will ask attendee questions out loud.
Example: Drawing on Fairy Tales by Gail Carson Levine(*)
(*) This is a shell post, not the original (which is under member restrictions).
These multi-person events operate like the Live Q&A events, taking questions from attendees on a designated topic. We will do our best to select a time convenient to all participants. Please RSVP soon if you’d like to participate in a panel.
Assignments: Speakers indicate their panels of interest on their RSVP. Assignments are made in early December. Twelve topics are available to choose from. Three speakers will be assigned to each (maximum four).
Custom Panels: If you have a group of friends you’d love to do a panel with and a topic already in mind, you may submit your custom panel for consideration on your RSVP forms. All members of the panel must submit separate RSVP forms; there is a maximum of four participants per panel.
Requirements: Each panel will begin by pitching the following question to participating speakers in lieu of the 5 to 10 minute introductory talk used in Live Q&A events: “Why is this topic of interest to you?”
Example: Diversity in Kidlit by various authors
(*) This is a shell post, not the original (which is under member restrictions).
These are craft-development sessions that allow attendees to work alongside an industry professional in a virtual classroom-like setting. Some component of attendee involvement/interaction is expected.
Requirements: Speakers will present via live video; attendees will participate through text/comment feeds on the event page. The goal is to help attendees learn a new technique or hone their craft using tips and feedback provided during your workshop.
Options: You may either 1) present a tutorial for 20-25 minutes then have attendees briefly practice the learned material, followed by 20 minutes of providing feedback on their efforts and answering questions, OR 2) present your material with two or three incorporated pauses to allow attendees to try applying what was just taught, followed by 10 minutes of open questions at the end.
Equipment: No additional special equipment is required; however, you may screenshare if you wish to prepare a PowerPoint presentation or other digital materials.
Examples: The Objective Correlative (Live Workshop, 2019) (*) (option 1) AND The Magic in the Details (Live Workshop, 2020). (*) (option 2)
(*) This is a shell post, not the original (which is under member restrictions).
These events are run live, but between January 11 and February 12 instead of on conference weekend. If your schedule conflicts for the actual conference but you’d like to do a live event, sign up for one of these!
Scheduling: We will work with Showcase speakers to choose a time between January 11 and February 12 that works with your schedule.
Conference Weekend: After your event finishes, the recording is archived and unavailable to access until conference weekend. On conference weekend, the recording goes live as part of our free content available to all paid and unpaying attendees (like our keynotes).
Options: You may choose to do a Live Q&A or Live Workshop. Additionally, we will be offering one Live Panel with three speakers as a Showcase event.
These have been renamed “Feedback Sessions” and are no longer being held live. Please see previous section on pre-scheduled events for more info.
Topics are available on a first come, first served basis. We will try to not have multiple events on the same topic unless the two events are discussing distinctly different aspects of that topic. Topic suggestions are listed on the RSVP form and will be removed as they are selected.
You may also opt to speak about a topic of your own choosing. Fill in the write-in spot at the bottom of the list. We can accommodate most suggested topics.
When choosing your topic, please bear in mind that the purpose of WriteOnCon is to help writers grow and feel inspired. Speakers should focus on topics that provide either inspiration or education and do their best to minimize reflection on personal experience (a little used for illustration purposes is okay) or self-promotion.
We do not designate our keynote speakers in advance, but instead select our keynote events from our blog, vlog and podcast events once all materials have been submitted. When choosing our keynotes, we look for topics that are broadly applicable across all age categories, genres, and levels of writing experience. Keynote topics may be inspirational, business-oriented, or craft-related, and the prepared material must be very high quality.
Keynotes are offered for free to all paying and unpaying attendees as part of the regular conference schedule. All blog, vlog and podcast events are automatically considered for keynote status and selected speakers notified by February 1. If you would like to OPT OUT of consideration, please check the appropriate box on your RSVP form.
Industry professionals are invited to participate in the critique forums during the 10-day conference period (February 12-21) and leave feedback on users’ queries and pages.
All Supers will be provided an official account with which to comment during the conference. By default, agent and editor accounts will be anonymous, while author accounts will show your alter-ego name. However, for all professions, you may request that your name be shown, or not, on your Superhero account. For authors who choose to display their name, we will add a signature (post footer) to the account that links to your website and showcases your book(s). You must meet the eligibility criteria outlined here to participate as a Superhero.
Each Super will be assigned to a different part of the forums to help reduce duplication of effort and hopefully increase the number of writers who receive feedback. However, all Supers will have access to all boards.
Agents and editors are encouraged to make requests for manuscripts that interest them. Requests should be made through the forum’s Private Messages using your anonymous account. We ask that you reveal who is requesting to the writer when you do so. We will never post or share the identity of anonymous Supers ourselves.
Please note that we request no active self-promotion in the forums. If you would like to participate as an author but would prefer to remain anonymous, we can accommodate this when we set up your official account (please just let us know).
It means a lot to attendees to receive Superhero feedback on their work. Even if you can only pop by for an hour or two, even if you only leave a few quick sentences of broad-stroke feedback, whatever you can offer will be incredibly valued by the recipient.
Authors who are published with a micropress or self-published are invited to share their experience and knowledge with other interested writers in our Indie Headquarters! This special section of the WriteOnCon Forums is dedicated to learning about the unique challenges and rewards associated with this publishing path.
The Auditorium section of Indie HQ will host blog post presentations. Only indie authors will be able to post threads in the Auditorium, but everyone can leave replies on these threads to ask questions. You have the option to stick around for an hour and answer questions in realtime after you post your presentation, or drop by over the weekend when you can. If you plan to be available to answer questions, please let us know when you’ll post your talk so that we can add it to the Indie HQ schedule of events. (The Auditorium will only be open for posting during the conference window, February 19-21, 2021.)
We will also have a Reception Area where indie authors and writers aspiring to the indie publishing path will be able to mix and mingle. Everyone can ask questions or post comments in this area. Indie authors can browse the conversations and answer questions at their convenience and according to their interest/experience. (The Reception Area will open when the forums do, on February 12, 2021.)
Each year we offer attendees the opportunity to purchase critiques of their writing from industry professionals. Our approach to offering these is changing this year. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY to understand the new platform.
Professionals interested in taking part in our critiques program will be assigned to a Critique Team. Each Team will be assigned a WriteOnCon email inbox. Buyers will select a Team to submit to and email their materials to that Team’s inbox. Any Team member may log in to the inbox and “claim” a critique to complete. Completed critiques are returned to the buyer through the Team’s inbox, via the Team’s WriteOnCon email address. Our staff will review the inbox each day to note what each Team member has completed. At the end of each week, we will pay critiquers for what they have completed that week.
Please note that professionals will be paid for their services at the following rates:
Query critique – $20
First 2 pages – $20
First 5 pages – $30
First 10 pages – $50
First 50 pages – $100
Full PB manuscript – $100
Full manuscript (MG or YA) – $500 up to 70k; $0.007 per additional word
We are no longer offering specialty services (red pencil sessions, personal phone calls, story consultations, sensitivity consultations).
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