Katie Bartlett, Author

I went to a great seminar recently sponsored by Women Who Write, Inc. in New Jersey.  It was an afternoon panel discussion for authors, Q&A style, that covered finding an agent / editor / publisher, preparing your ms for submission, and marketing your published work.  The audience had seven published authors from all mediums available to answer any and all questions.  What an incredible body of information. 

I’ll try to share everything I learned, but it may take a couple of posts.  On this post, I’d like to share some of the classes and opportunities I learned about.  I’ve spoken about the SCBWI and the New School, but here are some others worthy of checking out:

Rutgers University Counsel on Children’s Literature (RUCCL) One on One Plus Conference.  This year it will be held on October 16, 2010.  Applications will be due sometime in July.  Check out the website for details which should be coming this month.  A great opportunity to have a one on one mentoring session with a professional PLUS you get to submit to all participating professionals.  This is the KEY.  Skip that slush pile, y’all.  Hop to the top!

The Gotham Writer’s Workshop in NYC ( http://www.writingclasses.com).  Holds classes both in NYC and ONLINE.  This is also key – you don’t need to be here to take advantage of what they have to offer.  I’ve heard great feedback on their classes.  Often times writers will take the same class season after season – and they find all the other writers in the class do as well.  Before you know it, you have another great network of writers to support you.  Another defacto critique group, if you will…

Peter Murphy (http://murphywriting.com) holds a series of writing seminars and retreats here in the New Jersey area and “across the pond”.  I am told by several writers who attended one of his retreats, he changed their lives.  

Media Bistro (www.mediabistro.com) is an online resource for media professionals.  They offer writing courses for all types of mediums across the country and online.  If you can’t find the seminar you are looking for in your home state, simply sign up online.  What’s great about their offerings is that it includes items other than “just” writing.  For example, writing a proposal, starting a website, blogging, editing, getting over writer’s block, etc.  As you know, writing the book is not the only step to getting published.  These other offerings can fill in.