Pennwriters 35th Annual Pennwriters Conference is coming your way . Registration is now open for the three-day conference and for the intensives held the day before the conference. Let's get back to sitting with friends in the lounge and at meals and all the parts you love! The conference begins at 9:00 am on May 13 and runs through Sunday, May 15.
Overview
Our conference pricing structure offers three-day, two-day, and single-day prices. The base conference fee includes the following, based on your choice of days:
- Friday Networking Luncheon
- Saturday General Meeting with Breakfast
- Saturday keynote lunch with Jon Sprunk
- Saturday night social
- Pitch appointments with agents (first registered, first assigned)
- Friday Night Read & Critique
You can enhance your conference experience with these add-on items:
- Pre-conference intensive workshop with Jonathan Maberry (May 12)
- Friday keynote dinner with Jonathan Maberry
Check back soon to download a full schedule!
Here are some of the highlights:
Keynote Speakers
Just like in years past, attendees can enjoy our Friday evening and Saturday Keynote speakers. Jonathan Maberry will present the Friday Keynote address and Jon Sprunk will present the Saturday luncheon address. Read more about the Conference Keynote speakers and their presentations.
Pitch an Agent or Editor
Schedule a pitch session with agents and/or editors! Check back later for a current wish-list for the Agents and Editors. Do your homework and pick the best match. Pitch appointments are on a first come-first served basis, but there will also be a panel of agents and editors to answer all your questions about the industry.
Your Agent for 20 Minutes with Sandy Lu and Louise Fury
Want an agent to answer your questions or read your material right now? When you sign with a literary agent, your agent becomes your business partner, often providing you with insight, strategy, and expertise to grow and manage your writing career. This is an exclusive opportunity to meet with literary agents Louise Fury of The Bent Agency or Sandy Lu of the L. Perkins Agency for 20 minutes on a one-on-one basis, In this time, they'll use their experience to relay their opinion and answer (as best as they can) your industry-related questions, and/or review related material, such as the first 5 pages (max) of your manuscript, your query letter, or your synopsis. Please bring printed copies. There is no extra fee to participate, but the number of slots is limited to 24 for each agent, and they will be filled on a first come, first served basis.. Note these are NOT pitch sessions. All materials need to be double-spaced and in 12pt font.
(Depending on ever-changing restrictions, the two agents may decide to do the sessions virtually.)
Read and Critique
Get some feedback on your WIP Friday evening after the keynote! Once again, there will be a Read and Critique opportunity for all conference attendees. Everyone is welcome even if you haven't submitted a written piece. Submission spots are limited, so make sure to choose this option during registration.
Workshops
This year's conference will feature more than 45 workshops lead by experienced instructors. Check back later for more about the presenters and their classes on the Presenters and Bios/Classes page. Attendees will have a choice between multiple workshops each hour of the conference.
Annual General Meeting
Saturday morning will start with the Annual General Meeting for all members. We hope you'll attend. We'll also be including a chance for Area Members to meet with their perspective groups!
Writing Intensive with Jonathan Maberry
Read more about PreCon Intensive. A full day with Jonathan: The Novel: From Idea to Final Draft or you can select the afternoon only intensive.
We hope you'll join us in May for the 35th Annual Pennwriters Conference!