 |
| AWG Conference Keynote Speaker, author Lisa Cron (Wired for Story) |
The Alaska Writers Guild was formed several
years ago by then-Anchorage resident Jim Misko and a collection of other Alaska writers who were looking for ways to not only improve and promote their own
writing, but to extend that opportunity to other Alaskans as well. Upcoming
events include the annual Alaska Writers Guild Conference in September and the
first Alaska Book Week Book Fair, a collaboration between AWG and hostAlaska
Pacific University
which they hope will become a signature event of this annual celebration ofAlaska ’s
writers and their books.
years ago by then-Anchorage resident Jim Misko and a collection of other Alaska writers who were looking for ways to not only improve and promote their own
writing, but to extend that opportunity to other Alaskans as well. Upcoming
events include the annual Alaska Writers Guild Conference in September and the
first Alaska Book Week Book Fair, a collaboration between AWG and host
which they hope will become a signature event of this annual celebration of
writers and their books.
What are
some of the monthly activities hosted by the Guild?
some of the monthly activities hosted by the Guild?
The Alaska Writers Guild offers a monthly program with topics ranging from writing well-crafted sentences, to using the
Internet to promote your writing, to The Grammar Game (our July program) – a
game-show style contest where attendees pit their grammar skills against one
another for prizes. We try to vary the locations of our programs betweenEagle
River Anchorage
to accommodate our members.
Internet to promote your writing, to The Grammar Game (our July program) – a
game-show style contest where attendees pit their grammar skills against one
another for prizes. We try to vary the locations of our programs between
to accommodate our members.
What
sets your fall conference apart from theKachemak Bay
sets your fall conference apart from the
While the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference is
renowned for its author faculty and focus on literature, the Alaska Writers Guild Conference makes every effort to gather speakers across all branches of
the writing spectrum. This year’s conference (September 7 and 8) features an
agent and editor seeking works in a broad range of genres, including literary
fiction, romance, fantasy, mystery, and science fiction; two agents from
renowned children’s literary agency East West Literary; and two national
bestselling authors, as well as a handful of well-known local speakers. We are
also offering a special Saturday track for writers concentrating in
children’s literature, in conjunction with the Society for Children’s Book
Writers and Illustrators,Alaska .
renowned for its author faculty and focus on literature, the Alaska Writers Guild Conference makes every effort to gather speakers across all branches of
the writing spectrum. This year’s conference (September 7 and 8) features an
agent and editor seeking works in a broad range of genres, including literary
fiction, romance, fantasy, mystery, and science fiction; two agents from
renowned children’s literary agency East West Literary; and two national
bestselling authors, as well as a handful of well-known local speakers. We are
also offering a special Saturday track for writers concentrating in
children’s literature, in conjunction with the Society for Children’s Book
Writers and Illustrators,
This conference will be focused on
connections—connecting with agents, connecting with editors, and, sometimes
most importantly, connecting with other writers. The conference venue is theCrowne
Plaza Anchorage
(corner of International andC Street ),
which can host up to 150 attendees.
connections—connecting with agents, connecting with editors, and, sometimes
most importantly, connecting with other writers. The conference venue is the
(corner of International and
which can host up to 150 attendees.
Do you
have success stories from past conferences?
have success stories from past conferences?
I met my first editor at an Alaska Writers
Guild conference, and that manuscript has since been requested by a handful of
agents (still waiting for the results!). My local critique group was also
formed from writers concentrating in Science Fiction and Fantasy who met at the
2011 Alaska Writers Guild Conference. And of course the manuscript critiques,
agent and editor breakout sessions, and lunch round tables with speakers give
any author a chance to be “discovered!”
Guild conference, and that manuscript has since been requested by a handful of
agents (still waiting for the results!). My local critique group was also
formed from writers concentrating in Science Fiction and Fantasy who met at the
2011 Alaska Writers Guild Conference. And of course the manuscript critiques,
agent and editor breakout sessions, and lunch round tables with speakers give
any author a chance to be “discovered!”
Your
conference every fall seems to be a well-kept secret, with a handful of agents,
editors, publishers, and other artisans. It’s a great ratio of
instructor-students, central location, and reasonable price.
conference every fall seems to be a well-kept secret, with a handful of agents,
editors, publishers, and other artisans. It’s a great ratio of
instructor-students, central location, and reasonable price.
This year we’re offering a variety of pricing
options, the best being early registration before June 30th, which is only
$190 for AWG members and $225 for non-members for the full conference, or $80
for the Society of Children’s and Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) members
and $100 non-members (for SCBWI Track only). As for the payment plan, it isn’t
advertised, but we will work with attendees who would like to space out their
payments.
options, the best being early registration before June 30th, which is only
$190 for AWG members and $225 for non-members for the full conference, or $80
for the Society of Children’s and Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) members
and $100 non-members (for SCBWI Track only). As for the payment plan, it isn’t
advertised, but we will work with attendees who would like to space out their
payments.
The Alaska Book Week Book Fair will take
place October 10-12 and is a joint effort of the Alaska Writers Guild
andAlaska Pacific
University
Writers. With a
Thursday Writers Workshop, a Friday Night author discussion with Don Rearden, and the Saturday Book Fair and author readings, this year’s Alaska
Book Week is set to be the best ever! Our author sign-up isn’t live yet, but
will be available soon via 49 Writers and the Alaska Writers Guild.
place October 10-12 and is a joint effort of the Alaska Writers Guild
and
Writers. With a
Thursday Writers Workshop, a Friday Night author discussion with Don Rearden, and the Saturday Book Fair and author readings, this year’s Alaska
Book Week is set to be the best ever! Our author sign-up isn’t live yet, but
will be available soon via 49 Writers and the Alaska Writers Guild.
For
more information on attending the 2013 Alaska Writer’s Guild Conference or to see how
you can get involved, go to www.alaskawritersguild.com.
Alaska Book Week, (October 5-12), an annual statewide celebration of Alaskan authors and their books, is coordinated by 49 Writers/49 Alaskan Writing Center.
more information on attending the 2013 Alaska Writer’s Guild Conference or to see how
you can get involved, go to www.alaskawritersguild.com.
Alaska Book Week, (October 5-12), an annual statewide celebration of Alaskan authors and their books, is coordinated by 49 Writers/49 Alaskan Writing Center.