Festival of Writing 2015

I think most of you have heard that I'm attempting to write a book. Let me state that another way… I am writing a book and I am attempting to have it be good enough that other people may some day want to read it. In that vein, I have been learning a lot more about the art, craft, and business of writing. I have been reading books, blogs, and articles all while writing, writing, writing. 

Late last year I bookmarked a bunch of writing websites that I visit periodically. One website, the Writers' Workshop, is like a small, UK-based Writers' Digest that hosts a lot of seminars, on-line lectures, and the like. Their premier event is the Festival of Writing, which happens every September in York. Bill encouraged me to go, so I signed up and attended - what a whirlwind of learning and adventure it was!!

I attended a 4-hour seminar on Friday on how to edit your own novel hosted by Emma Darwin and Debi Alper. After that first session alone I knew I had gotten my money's worth, and I still had two full days of education ahead of me! 

During the weekend, I had two 10-minute one-on-one sessions, one with a book doctor (again with Emma Darwin), and the other with a literary agent. I had to send in my prospectus and first chapter of my book several weeks before the event so that Emma and the agent could read it and provide detailed feedback during our 10-minute window. I received a lot of good criticism that I have taken to heart as I edit my first draft manuscript. It will probably take a few more drafts before I feel ready to actually 'pitch' the book, so I'll keep plugging away! 

Oh! And a few weeks after the event, I was reading Emma's writing blog and realized, much to my surprise, that she is named after her great-grandmother, Emma Darwin, wife of Charles Darwin. CHARLES FREAKIN' DARWIN was her great grandfather!!  

York University Campus

Even though York University is only an hour away, I heeded their advice and stayed on campus for the duration of the weekend. All meals, parties, workshops, etc. are held within a few main buildings and all full-weekend attendees are given a private, en-suite dorm room to call their own, just a short way away from the event buildings. 

I couldn't help but wish I had some U2 posters and fairy lights to adorn my dorm room, but I was only there to sleep for two nights, so bare it stayed. 

My dorm room

In addition to Friday's editing workshop and my one-on-one sessions, I attended seminars on the craft of writing as well as business seminars taught by big-named book agents and publishers who want to find all the good writers out in the big wide world. The whole weekend was intimidating, informative, and inspirational. 

I met fledgling and seasoned writers alike and many publishing gurus and agents - all of whom came from all over the place to attend the Festival of Writing. Most attendees were from England, but I met a diplomat's wife who lives in The Hague, three or four writers from New York, a first-time writer (and winner of the festival's first chapter competition) from Australia, and an American living in Germany who had purple hair and donned a grand, vampire-esque cloak to the Saturday night gala. 

Every single person I met was so friendly, helpful, and encouraging. I can't wait to go back next year!