Book Recommendations from Midwest Writers Workshop 2016

I attended the fabulous Midwest Writers Workshop a week and a half ago, and I'm still coming down from that particular high you get from being around hundreds of like-minded people.

In addition to some great revision advice, I also came away with a to-read list as long as my arm! There were tons of extremely talented authors there, and once I have an interesting conversation or interaction with someone, I always want to check out their books. Here are some of the MWW16 books I can't wait to read:

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

After attending one of Natalie's technique sessions, I can't wait to get my hands on this one! She was so hilarious and entertaining that if her writing includes even a fraction of that, it's going to be a great read.

It's a Wonderful Death by Sarah J. Schmitt

This one has actually been on my to-read list since it came out, but hanging out with Sarah at the workshop reminded me to bump it up. What-happens-after-death stories are always interesting (fellow Thinker to Inker Stacy has a great one!), and this looks like a corker.

Luck, Love & Lemon Pie by Amy E. Reichert

I read Amy's debut, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake, after last year's workshop. From what I hear, this follow-up is just as frothy and fun!

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Julie was another faculty member who charmed me to the point where I immediately wanted to go buy one of her books. So I did—and I've already finished it. (Spoiler alert—it's amazing and I couldn't put it down!)

Seven Sides to Every Story (tentative title) by Dee Romito, Jen Malone, Rachele Alpine, Ronnie Arno, Alison Cherry, Stephanie Faris, and Gail Nall

I'm going to have to wait a while for this one, because it's not releasing until Summer 2017 (hence the lack of finalized cover and title), but the idea is so cool that I had to mention it. Seven MG authors are  collaborating on this book, each writing a different character's perspective. The characters' lives intertwine Love Actually style as they go through a single night. Doesn't that sound awesome? I got to talk to Dee and Jen about how the writing process went with seven authors involved—let me just say that these ladies are organized.

What about you—do you find yourself adding books to your reading list when you meet the authors?

Why You Should Go to Writers' Conferences, Even if (Especially if) You're Scared

I attended one of my favorite writers' conferences last week, the Midwest Writers Workshop. It was a blast, as usual—tons of great writing advice, valuable networking with industry professionals, and fun times with writer friends I don't get to see often enough.

I pitched to two agents, had a one-on-one query critique with the Query Shark herself (which was amazing!), and did more socializing than I normally do in a period of several months. On the way home, I was thinking about how comfortable and relaxed I felt the whole time—a complete 180 from the way I felt before attending my first conference back in 2012. I remember sitting in my car in the parking lot, literally shaking as I psyched myself up to go inside the hotel where the conference was being held.

That conference, by the way, was where I met friends and critique partners I still keep in touch with (hi Stacy, Jenn, and Lauren!). I learned that agents and editors weren't scary people—they were just looking for something they loved that they could sell. I also got the expert advice I needed to improve my writing to the point where I finally started getting lots of requests for partials and fulls from agents. If I hadn't been brave enough to sign up for that conference (and actually leave my car), I firmly believe I would have kept spinning my wheels for much, much longer.

We writerly types often (usually?) would rather sit at home with a good book than spend two or three days interacting with a ton of people. But it's so worth it. It's impossible to describe how good it feels to find people who think and feel and write just like you do. And I guarantee that your writing will improve.

If the very idea of a conference still makes you want to throw up, try starting small. Many SCBWI chapters have mini-conferences where they bring in one or two publishing professionals to do a day of workshops. You can also attend an online workshop (like the fabulous WriteOnCon) to get a taste of what an in-person conference might be like.

Or just take the leap and sign up for that big conference you've been eyeing. You definitely won't regret it.

Some happy Midwest Writer's Workshop attendees (I'm second from the right!)