My Very Brief, Not Terribly Witty Synopsis of the 2017 PPWC

By: Darby Karchut

You know how they say Disney World is the happiest place on earth? Well, it had nothing

Source Pixabay

over the Marriott during the 2017 Pikes Peak Writers Silver Jubilee Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The April 27-30 conference included:

• Sessions: designed for writers of all levels and genres, the workshops were presented by an outstanding faculty of authors, agents, and editors, and other professionals in the publishing industry
• Query 1-On-1: a private appointment with an agent or editor, who read and gave feedback on a writer’s query letter
• Read & Critique: small groups where writers received feedback on their first two pages from authors, editors, or agents

 Additional goodies for attendees were:

• Author headshots
• Keynotes speakers at mealtimes
• Opportunities to rub elbows with some literary legends
• Book signings galore
• A chance to hang out with old and new writer-y friends

This year, the most excellent folks at the Conference (all hail Laura Hayden, Charise Simpson, MB Partlow, and the entire conference staff—superheros, each and every one) tried something new. In the past, the book signing was held in one large room, with the entire faculty signing their books at the same time. This year, the signings were staggered throughout the three days, and took place in the lobby near the fireplace, with no more than four authors signing at one time. Certainly, a more relaxed and cozy location, and the set-up gave authors a better chance to visit with fans. I liked this arrangement much better, and I hope the Powers That Be keep it for next year.

Some of the personal highlights of this year’s conference for me:Teaching a session about the lessons we’ve learned in our writing careers with MK Meredith.

• Participating in a YA Panel with FT Bradley, Laura DiSilverio, and Darynda Jones
• Laughing all the way through my author photo shoot with Jared Hagan
• Mugging for the camera with Kevin Hearne
• Catching up with old friends
• Lunching with my SCBWI protégée
• Working my way through the truffle bar in the Green Room
• Cheering for every “the agent/editor requested pages!”
• Thumbing my nose at the weather. “You call this a storm?”
• Absorbing all the positive energy from fellow word wranglers
• Knowing that next year’s conference is already in the planning stage

 So, well done, Pikes Peak Writers, for a shiny-bright Silver Anniversary Conference. Here’s to another 25 years!

About the Author: Darby Karchut is an award-winning author, dreamer, and compulsive dawn greeter.  A native of New Mexico, she now lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where she runs in blizzards and bikes in lightning storms. When not dodging death by Colorado, Darby is busy writing for children, teens, and adults. She is represented by Amanda Rutter at Red Sofa Literary.

www.darbykarchut.com

www.darbykarchut.blogspot.com