Support WriteOnCon 2018

Description

So… What is WriteOnCon?

WriteOnCon is a three-day online children’s book conference for writers and illustrators of picture books, middle grade, young adult, and even new adult. In its original iteration, it ran from 2010 through 2014 and drew a huge crowd from the kidlit community — we’re talking over 13,000 people in one year alone! WriteOnCon was dormant for the next two years, but made a comeback in 2017 with a new team of writers eager to hearken back to the awesomeness from years past while bringing fresh new elements to the mix. The re-launch was met with a warm welcome and we are delighted to be back again for another year!

WriteOnCon features blogs, vlogs, pitch sessions, Q&As, critique forums, and more — there’s something for every writer/illustrator, in every stage of their career. From the comfort of your home, a library, a coffee shop — any place with an internet connection — you can meet agents and editors, connect with potential critique partners, and generally soak up a whole bunch of knowledge!

Note: If you click “pay with PayPal,” it will take you to a screen where you can choose to pay with debit or credit, PayPal account not required. It’s confusing, we know.

Updates

F.A.Q.

Why the Fundraising Campaign?

We know how expensive in-person conferences can be, having attended a few ourselves. You’re not just paying the conference fee, but also for the hotel room, meals out, plane fare or gas money, lost wages from your day job, etc. An online conference eliminates these concerns.

Unfortunately, the donation system formerly in place made WriteOnCon unsustainable for the long-term. But we believe that knowledge and community should be available to all, so we’re asking for a simple and affordable contribution of $1.

The keynote speeches and critique forums are free and open to all, but for a measly dollar, you’ll also have access to the conference’s blogs and vlogs. Five dollars gets you all of that, plus access to the live events. And the perks only go up from there! All contributors at the $5 amount or more are automatically entered into our raffle to win items such as a query critique from an industry professional, and there will be multiple winners. Check out the list to the right for other opportunities to get your work looked at by published writers, agents, and editors.

How Do I Attend?

Any one of the perks included in our campaign will give you admission to the conference events. You can use either PayPal or a credit card in order to purchase one of our perks.

The conference will be hosted through our website: writeoncon.org. All backers of perks will be provided with instructions for entrance into the conference as we near the conference dates.

How Will the Money Be Spent?

In addition to covering the expenses associated with hosting and maintaining the WriteOnCon website and forums, along with the advanced plug-ins required to keep our site happy (ie. not crashing), we also hope to compensate all of our organizers and speakers, even if it’s just a small honorarium. We believe that artists, writers, and industry professionals shouldn’t have to work solely for “exposure” or because of “passion,” but should be rewarded for their time, effort, and knowledge with something that can actually buy them groceries.

Those providing critiques will receive nearly all of the funds paid for their critiques; only a small portion will be retained for WriteOnCon, PayPal, and credit card transaction expenses.

I’m Excited! When Is This Taking Place?

This campaign will run for one month, from November 1st through December 7th, 2017.

WriteOnCon itself will be live from February 9th-11th, 2018, and the forums will remain open for a while afterwards.

Is the Campaign My Only Chance to Join WriteOnCon?

You will still be able to sign up for the conference even after the campaign is over, but the cost will be a little higher and we will only be offering the general, full, and extended access admission levels. As you can see to the right, the critiques and consultations are all campaign perk exclusives, so we recommend signing up ASAP through this page!

This Sounds Great, But I Write Adult Literature/I’m Busy In February/I’m Not A Writer or Illustrator/Etc.

First of all, you don’t have to write/illustrate kidlit to participate in the conference! The blogs, vlogs, and live events will provide craft and industry knowledge that applies to writers and illustrators across the board.

Second, take note of our “Extended Access to the Conference” perk level, which allows you to enjoy the conference at your own pace for up to a month after it officially ends.

And finally, you could still help us by spreading the word! Share this page, re-tweet our account, email your critique partners. Are you a member of SCBWI or a local writing group? Are you participating in NaNoWriMo or know someone who is? Be a pal and let them know about our campaign! We here at WriteOnCon thank you.

I Bought a Perk, What Now?

If you bought a critique: We’ll be in touch within a week of purchase with instructions for how to submit!

If you bought entrance to the conference: You’ll be automatically added to our membership on Dec 1, and any further instructions will come then!

If you win a raffle item: We’ll email you the details! You’ll have 48 hours to respond and claim your prize before we select another name from the hat.

Do I have to Pay with PayPal?

No! If you click “pay with PayPal,” it will take you to a screen where you can choose to pay with debit or credit, PayPal account not required. It’s confusing, we know.

I have More Questions!

Sweet! Shoot us an email and we’ll help you out.

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See something you like?

Browse our perks below and then buy what you want in the sidebar!

Query/First 2 Pages

Query OR first 2 pages (your choice) critique from Rosalyn Eves, YA author of BLOOD ROSE REBELLION. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

Query critique from Laurel Gale of contemporary or historical novels. She is the author of DEAD BOY and MONSTER, HUMAN, OTHER. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

First 5 Pages

First 5 pages critique from Annie Berger, children’s book editor at Sourcebooks. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

First 5 pages critique from Linda Camacho, currently a literary agent at Prospect Agency, previously with Random House and Penguin. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

First 10 Pages

First 10 pages critique from Linda Camacho, currently a literary agent at Prospect Agency, previously with Random House and Penguin. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

First 10 pages critique from Karen Chaplin, senior editor at HarperCollins for PB, MG, and YA. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

First 50 Pages

First 50 pages critique from Hannah Fergesen, literary agent at KT Literary. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

First 50 pages critique from Caitie Flum, literary agent at Liza Dawn Associates. Includes Full Conference Admission.

Full Manuscript

Full manuscript critique from Akemi Dawn Bowman, author of STARFISH and SUMMER BIRD BLUE (coming 2018). Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

Full manuscript critique from Charlee Hoffman, professional ghostwriter of more than twenty books, freelance editor and designer. Her previous work includes editorial consultant at Harlequin Teen, assistant at The Bent Agency, bookseller at Barnes & Noble, and more. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

PB Manuscript

Full PB manuscript critique from Gaia Cornwall, author and illustrator of JABARI JUMPS. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

Full PB dummy (text + illustrations) critique from Gaia Cornwall, author and illustrator of JABARI JUMPS. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

Sensitivity Read

Sensitivity read of full manuscript (no length limit) from Caitie Flum, literary agent at Liza Dawn Associates. Sensitivity read for disability, vision issues, connective tissue disorders, chronic pain, and unknown disorders. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

Sensitivity read of full manuscript (no length limit) from Leah Henderson, MG author of ONE SHADOW ON THE WALL. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

Red Pencil Session

Gail Carson Levine, author of Newbery honor ELLA ENCHANTED, THE TWO PRINCESSES OF BAMARRE, FAIREST, EVER, and more, will read the first 5 pages of your project and discuss her critique with you during a 15 minute Skype or phone call. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

Associate agent Jessie Devine from D4EO Literary Agency will read the first 5 pages of your project and discuss his critique with you during a 15 minute Skype or phone call. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

Story Consultation

Story consultation to discuss your project via e-mail or Skype/phone call with Caitie Flum, literary agent at Liza Dawn Associates. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry. Note: No manuscript pitches, please.

Story consultation to discuss your project via e-mail or Skype/phone call with Tara Lazar, PB author of WAY PAST BEDTIME, WHEN 7 ATE 9, and more. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

Phone Call

Personal phone call to chat about the publishing industry with Caitie Flum, literary agent at Liza Dawn Associates. Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

Personal phone call to chat about the publishing industry with Natascha Morris, literary agent at BookEnds.Includes Full Conference Admission and Raffle Entry.

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