This January 20th to 22nd, I will be participating in the Writer’s Digest Conference at the Sheraton in New York City! I’m very excited about this conference.
On Saturday morning, I will be speaking on an agent panel and taking agent- and publishing-related Q&A with some fellow agents and moderated by 2012 CHILDREN’S WRITER’S AND ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET editor and Guide to Literary Agents blogger Chuck Sambuchino.
Then, Saturday afternoon, I will be in a room with over 60 literary agents for the annual Pitch Slam. You will have unprecedented access to come and pitch your book to some of the brightest and most hungry agents in the business. There is a nice mix of kidlit, adult, and non-fiction agents represented (and representing!).
On Sunday, I will be speaking about today’s kidlit marketplace and how to get published there. Yep, I am all over this conference, guys. But I’m not the only fantastic speaker. The Saturday keynote is digital/indie publishing guru and adult thriller writer Barry Eisler and I just saw that Chris Baty, the genius behind NaNoWriMo, which I know some of you just finished, has been added as a speaker, too!
The great thing about the Writer’s Digest Conference is that they’re running a special holiday promotion right this minute. If you register for the conference before midnight on December 16th, you will get a $50 discount. Just click here and use the following promo code: HOLIDAYWDC
If you’re going, spread the word on Twitter and Facebook by mentioning @WritersDigest and the hashtag #WDC12
It’s not too late to book that dream trip to NYC and get your 2012 writing goals off to a strong start at the Writer’s Digest Conference. And, of course, if you’re reader and planning on going, I would love to meet you!
Now, I also have a super special holiday gift for you guys. Speaking of Chuck Sambuchino and the new 2012 CHILDREN’S WRITER’S AND ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET, I have two copies to give away!
Inside this handy volume, you will find articles on craft, writing, submitting, and landing an agent, interviews with kidlit glitterati like M.T. Anderson and Meg Cabot, and updated listings for agents, publishers, and magazines that take work from children’s writers and illustrators. If you want to land an agent or find a market for your work in 2012, this is the book for you.
I highly recommend it. In fact, you will see a familiar face featured on the back cover, and an official blurb from me that reads:
Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market is the most complete, trusted, definitive, and inspiring source of publishing opportunities for children’s writers and illustrators working today.
It’s true. Not only did I lend my mug and stamp of approval to the book, but I have two articles featured inside. One is about writer’s conferences, like the Writer’s Digest Conference this very January in NYC, and how to make the best of your investment in them (whether it’s your first or your fiftieth), and the other covers my three favorite craft issues: Voice, Character, and Authority, with lots of juicy annotated examples from my favorite MG and YA books on shelves.
So if you want to see examples of Voice that works — an especially tricky topic that lots of writers struggle with — pick up a copy today! This elegant guide is crammed full of useful information and updated agency, publisher, and magazine listings to make your quest toward publication a no-brainer. Let 2012 be the year you really MARKET your writing!
Because I want you to have an awesome writer’s holiday gift this year, either for you or for a loved one, I am giving away two free copies of the 2012 CHILDREN’S WRITER’S AND ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET to two writers randomly selected from the comments. Leave a comment below (make sure to include your email address in the comment form, though know that only I will be able to see it and it won’t be published on the site). Deadline for entries is midnight, Tuesday, December 20th. The winner will be announced in Wednesday the 21st’s blog, and then I will ship your copy to you next week. (US residents only, please.)
Ooooohhhh, would so love to be there. It sounds fabulous, and I’d love to hear James Scott Bell, too. Maybe next year 🙂
Sounds like it will be a fantastic conference!
Have super fun at the conference! Thanks for the chance to win!!
I’d love to win a copy of the CWIM. (I currently have it checked out from my library.)
Hope you enjoy the conference. Wish I could be there.
Very cool, Mary and so generous of you! 🙂 Have a wonderful time, wish I could come!
Oh man! That Pitch Slam sounds awesome! I’d love to try that. Someday…
THANKS for the giveaway. I’ve never owned one of those books though I have checked it out of my library.
“It was a dark and stormy psychologically devastating night.” (Just kidding.)
My mother thinks she has bugs all over her. She boils her underwear, sprays her bed with bug spray, and gives herself head lice treatments weekly. (not kidding.)
I think I’m normal, but…I’m a writer, so that’s to be determined in the future.
I’d love a copy of CWIM.
Thank You,
Mary Ann Duke
Sarasota, FL
Hmm… I would love to go to the conference, I’ll have to see if I can swing it! Sounds like it’s going to be amazing. And thanks for the chance to win!
I heard about this book from you via this site a couple of months ago and instantly added it to my TBR list. I would love a copy. Thanks for the contest!
Winning this would be great!
Thanks so much:)
And Happy Holidays:)
I’d love to win this! Thank you!
I would love to win this book and this conference sounds great. I’m going to have to check it out because I’m unable to attend the SCBWI winter conference due to work but this would fit into my schedule perfectly.
I`m looking forward to taking a look through this book whether I win it or not. Thanks!
What a fantastic resource! Fingers crossed…
Great book, great conference. I’d love both.
Thanks so much for the contest! I only wish I could make it to the contest…
I would love to go to the conference but I will be skiing in Colorado. I enjoyed your talk at the SCBWI Wisconsin Retreat last year. I would love to win one of the books.
Ohh, nice! Thanks for the giveaway! I really want to go to a conference at some point next year. Would love for it to be this one, but something tells me I won’t be able to convince the husband to let me spend money on a conference when we’re Christmas-poor. Le sigh.
What a nice giveaway! Thanks, Mary. And have fun at the conference. Wish I could be there, too!
I’ll be at the Writer’s Digest conference! I went last year and it was incredible. I look forward to seeing you at the various sessions and pitch slam. 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway! I definitely need to get my hands on this book.
Thanks for the giveaway, Mary! Count me in!
I just read the procedure for the Pitch Slam, and it sounds terrifying. It would take me at least 90 seconds to stop hyperventilating enough to be able to speak! Just wish I was able to go this time, since I know it would be a great learning experience.
Oh CWIM! Did Santa already peek at my wish list?
Please let luck come my way!
Would love to be at the conference…sounds terrific!
I love Chuck and want this book!!
Sounds like fun. Count me in!
I’ve been preparing to submit and am finally ready. The conference sounds amazing but isn’t something I can do this year. However, I would love the 2012 Children’s Writers and Illustrator’s Market Digest!
Pick me! Pick me! 🙂
Ooo, what a great giveaway! Pick me! 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway. Happy Holidays!
I’d love to have this. Thank you for the great posts and tweets. I’ve been following for a while. I’ve learned a lot. =)
Thanks for this giveaway!
Oh fantastic! I wish I could take the time off from school for the conference. Alas.
But I’ll throw my hat in the ring for the book! xx
As an aspiring writer continually inspired by my grown children and young grandchildren, this book would be an invaluable resource.
Would love to go to the Conference, but up here in the great white north we are terrified of going to the Big Apple. Don’t do well without polar bears. Would love the book though.
The pitchfest would be an awesome way to open some doors for writers. I wish I could go. Hopefully I can make the summer conference in LA.
Random comment. 🙂 Thank you for the opportunity to enter the giveaway!
Thanks for chance to win and for tweet that led me to your site. Will bookmark. Happy holidays!
Thanks for the chance to win, as an aspiring young adult author, its a priceless gift.
Wonderful-looking event! I will tap my ruby red slippers three times on January 20th. Apologies in advance if I land on top of anyone.
Oooh oohh! Me Me!
My wife brought this up over dinner. I have been out of the publishing business for nearly a decade. With the birth of our son she suggested that a children’s lit project would be a fitting re-entry point.
That conference sounds great, Mary! I wished I lived closer to New York, so I could go! And thanks for doing this contest!
Wish I could be there! Sounds like fun. Also, thanks for the chance to win the book!
Sounds like a great read for writer break!!
Happy Holidays!!
I would love to win a copy! Thank you for the opportunity.
The conference–especially the Pitch Slam–looks fantastic, as does this book! Good luck everyone!
Count me in. Thanks, Mary!
Just joined twitter and came across your blog via WritersDigest. The conference sounds like a great learning and networking opportunity, especially for a newbie like me. Maybe next year, the pitch room sounds awesome!
Alas, with two very little kiddos and limited travel budget,I can only dream of making it to the conference this year. Instead I’ll have to use that advice on making the most of conferences at the Willamette Writers conference. Ah, the Sheraton in Portland should be lovely in late summer.
I wish I could make it.
I live in NYC, and I’m very tempted to register for the conference. Your description of it makes it sound like an amazing event. I’m going to sleep on it. The book, however, is going on my TBR right now!
The conference and book both sound amazing. Thanks for this contest!
Definitely count me in for the contest! 🙂
That would be an awesome birthday gift for me! Here’s to hoping!
The book and the conference sound great! Count me in for the contest, please. Thank you.
The book sounds interesting. Now, I am curious about it. I hope my local library has a copy of it. Great contest!
I am hoping to have the time and money to attend. Your post makes it appealing. I’d love to get the boil.
So awesome of you! I would love to win this. And the conference sounds great!
Rjljohnson dot Janet at gmail dot com
The conferences always sound like such a great time–hope you have fun!
Adding the book to my 2012 wish list…
My recent fist fight with breast cancer may keep me from the conference, but has my bruised knuckles plinking away on the Mac, weaving my experiences into my writing.
I’d love a copy of the book.
Crossing my fingers to win the contest!
The conference sounds great. And thanks for the contest. I’d love to win!
I’m not entering the contest because I already have a copy. Just wanted to say it’s a great book. Very informative.
I would LOVE a copy of this book! Thanks so much for holding this contest! I need all the help I can GET! Have a great day!
The conference sounds great and so does the book!
I wish I could go to the conference! But having the book would be nice. 🙂
I would love, love, LOVE to go to NYC for this conference. And thanks so much for the book giveaway!
Your writing on this blog is powerful. The conference and the book must be
sweet deals.
Count me in for the contest, thanks!
I can’t attend the conference because all my money is going into our April wedding. *sigh* If only I won the lottery…
But congrats on making the panel. 🙂
Yay for giveaways!
I have been eyeballing this book… and the conference!
That sounds like a blast! Too bad I can’t make it. One of these days.
I’m entering the contest though!
Happy Holidays!
Would love to win a copy of the 2012 CWIM. Thanks!
The NYC SCBWI conference sounds wonderful, I’ve heard terrific things about it from writer buddies. I hope to attend in 2013. Please add me to your entries for the CWIM book, thank you for offering a great contest! 🙂
I’d love to read your articles in this book. Also, wish I could go to NY for your conference. Sounds like fun. lauriawhitereyes(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway, would love to win.
Thanks for the contest, what a wonderful prize!
Sounds like a great conference. The books sounds useful too — I’d love to read your second article especially.
What a fabulous offer!
Great contest!
Will comment for giveaways.
Happy Holidays, Mary! And thanks for the contest!
Conference and book both look great. So much to learn!
I wish I lived close enough for the conference. Sounds amazing. And the contest is awesome too 🙂
I could definitely use a copy! Thanks for the contest.
Sounds like an amazing conference…and book!
Thanks for the chance to win this! Someday I’ll stop being cheap and go buy the books (maybe)! 🙂
I so want this!!
You are kidlt glitterati! kidlitterati?!
If I am randomly selected I have a US friend who would love the book!
Conference sounds amazing….sigh.
Does anything that cool happen in the UK? Anyone?
I just finished the first draft of a nonfiction graphic book! It’s the first book I actually finished (at least the first draft), so on to the edits! Thanks again for your Webinar and your comments on the first few pages of my novel.
The conference sounds amazing! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d love to attend the SCBWI NY conference but can’t afford it this year (2 sons in grad school). Man a copy of the CWIM would be the next best thing.
Thanks for sponsoring a give away.
Happy Holiday to you.
Hi, I’d love to be added to your drawing for the CWIM
Thanks. 🙂
So excited about the contest (and the conference sounds awesome too), and thanks for having it!
Chance of a lifetime for this small town girl!!
The conference sounds amazing, and a copy of the new Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market is definitely a great tool to have!
Wish I could make it to the conference this year! Thanks for having this contest!
Thanks for the contest. The book sounds great!
Awesome! Thanks for presenting the contest, Mary!!!
Are you showing off your Rubics Cube talent at the NYC conference?
Thanks for another great year of Kidlit, Mary, and for the contest as well!
So much to learn and so little time. Count Me In!!
I just love your giveaway’s. Happy Holidays!
Um, forgot to enter my email address in my comments. Am still interested in winning a copy of CWIM. Wish I could attend the NY SCBWI conference but it’s not to be this year.
Thanks again for sponsoring this and for your wonderful and informative blog.
djmich1@verizon.net
This would be a wonderful birthday present… for me of course. : ) Thanks for the contest!
Thanks for the info (and opportunity to win)!
Thanks for the contest Mary!
Meeting you and Mr. Sambuchino this summer at the HAWC was extremely helpful to my writing. I wish i could see you both again at the WDC. Winning a CWAIM copy would be a great consolation. *fingers crossed
Thank you and awesome opportunity to win!!! :O)
Since you are randomly selecting winners, I guess it won’t help for me to compliment you on your amazing looks, debonair personality, and enormous talent. Oh well.
What a wonderful contest. I Love it! Of course, I’d love it more if I win, but it’s still amazing either way!
Now that I’m back in the kiddy market again, putting up my out-of-print books on Kindle and CreateSpace, I’d love to win a copy of CWIM.
Happy Holidays!
Ooo, I am so in need of this book. In 2011, my querying came to a halt as I focused on revising one novel and starting another; now, I’m ready to query again, and I haven’t kept tabs on who’s new. Thank you for the opportunity. Happy holidays!
Write, illustrate, write, illustrate, write, illustrate. Now which shall I do first? Mmmm.
Would love to win this book! Happy Holidays!
Thanks for all the great info and advice!
just squeaking in under the deadline (b/c you’re on West Coast time, right?). The conference sounds wonderful…would love to go. (And I know you’ll kick bootay because you were a great speaker at our Vermont gathering last summer.) Thank you for the chance to win the book!
Happy Holidays!