writers conference

Top 8 of 2014
I'm exhausted after this wonderful year :)

I’m exhausted after this wonderful year 🙂

I’ve never been able to keep a diary for more than a week, so I’m amazed that I’ve been able to keep up this blog for over three years. It’s easy to forget how much happens in the year, so I love reading old posts to remember all the great times and lessons. This was originally a top 10 list but I parred it down because I know you’re busy 🙂 Here are some of my favorite posts from the last year:

  • During the busy holiday season, this advice is a must read.

Here’s what to expect from the next year of the HeSo Project. I’m planning to change the look of the site, so don’t get scared if it looks different in January. I can’t wait to write about the retreat I’m organizing this February in the Catskills (there are only 3 spots left if you want to join), the reading series, and the upcoming conference! I hope to have exciting news about my novel in the new year.

I hope the next two weeks are joyous and peaceful for you. See you in 2015!

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Interview with Sojourner

Check out my interview on Sojourner’s Sojourns, a wonderful blog that covers diverse topics from international travel with an infant to organic lotion recipes.

Writers Work! A Brand New Writer’s Conference is Coming to New York.

Exciting News!

Do you ever have one of those months where everything finally comes together? I hope you do, because it feels fantastic. After a lot of hard work, I have some great news to share:

  1. I have a new website for my Writers Work conference series, and I’ve added a writer’s retreat feature! I used the logo you guys chose. Check it out and let me know what you think.
  2. I sent out my first query letter for my novel!
  3. I submitted a short story to The New Yorker and The Missouri Review.
  4. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY…discounted tickets are now available for the next Writers Work Conference 9/20/14 in Times Sq. NY! Have lunch with an agent, hear about authors’ experiences of getting published, meet approachable editors and publishers who want to share the inside scoop with you, and connect with other writers. It’s going to be an amazing day
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Ahhh the joy of getting sh*t done!

You Choose the Logo

I’m working with an amazing graphic designer to come up with the logo for my writers conference and I want my wonderful readers to choose. Here are the first proposals by Callan Silver. Let me know which one you like the best:

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Only 35 tickets left!

writers conferenceMy free writers’ conference is booking up quickly – make sure you register to save a seat. Click here to register! Here’s a review of the amazing and talented speakers and their presentation topics:

“How I Got a Job in Publishing” by Tricia Remark, contributor for Pyragraph, creator of the blog, Tricia’s Remarks, and Promotions Associate at Workman Publishing.

“How I became a Writing Mentor” by Whitney Jacoby, publishing sales and marketing specialist. She is finishing up her third year as a mentor at Girls Write Now, an organization that pairs high school girls who want to be writers with women mentors.

“How I Got a Literary Agent” by Melissa Baumgart, writer and tutor for Admit1MBA andAdmit2College. She is currently working on a Young Adult novel.

“How I Turned My Mortifications into a Memoir” by Jen Doll, author of Save the Date: The Occasional Mortifications of a Serial Wedding Guest. Jen has also written for The Atlantic, Mental Floss, New York Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, and other publications. 

“How I became a Freelance Writer” by AnneLise Sorensen, contributor for New York Magazine, MSNBC, Galavante, NewYork.com, DK Top Ten Barcelona, and Gourmet Magazine. 

“How I Got Over Getting Published” by Christina Bryza, author of Are You My Boyfriend?, and founder of Golden Glance Editing. Visit her at ChristinaBryza.com or follow @christinaBEaneon Twitter.

“How I Get Paid to Travel” by Jamie Cat Callan, author of Ooh La La! , Bonjour, Happiness! and the wildly popular French Women Don’t Sleep Alone. Jamie’s work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Allure Magazine, Glamour, Woman’s World, The Huffington Post, and The New York Times Sunday Styles Modern Love column.

Making Dreams Happen!

reamsNearly two years ago I had the desire to create an inspirational conference for my readers. Writing a novel, starting a businesses, and getting married were huge (and happy) distractions from this dream. Now I’m proud to say on Saturday, May 17, I will be hosting a conference for writers!

This is a fast pace conference with 7 presenters sharing a wide range of writing expertise, from freelance work, to mentoring, to getting an agent, to publishing.  After the presentations, there will be an hour to socialize and network with the presenters. My hope is that people will leave this conference with practical tips, motivation, and a larger support network for their dreams. And it’s FREE!

Here’s the link to register. Space is limited, so please only register if you’re absolutely positive you can come.

So how did I get this dream rolling?

  1. I developed the idea as I went along. All I knew was that I wanted quick presentations with lots of socializing. When I started asking people to join me, they shared their ideas and it was easy to incorporate them into my general concept.
  2. I focused on the little steps. If I had thought about everything that I had to do to organize the event, I probably would have gotten overwhelmed. Instead, I only emailed one person a day.
  3. I thought about it like it was already successful. For a while I only had one person confirmed, but I talked about the event like it was already well established. This sense of delusion not only helped others believe in the idea, but it helped me stay committed.
  4. I was selfish. I kept thinking about what I wanted to see, and what I wanted from a conference. Now I have a conference that I would love to go to, and I’m certain others would enjoy as well.

I hope you can join us at the conference!