Thursday, August 19, 2010

A Day on Whidby

Yesterday, I went to Whidby Island, as I do most Wednesdays, to meet with my agent/mentor/boss/friend/teacher Andrea Hurst, president of Andrea Hurst Literary Management.  We talked books and work and conferences, and then we went to the Pier in Coopeville, to Just Write, a writer's group Andrea put together.  Most Wednesdays, these writers can be found in the coffee shop or in the sunshine on the pier writing.  Days like yesterday, we are all treated to a guest speaker.

Tom Masters was our very talented and oh-so-knowledgeable guest speaker.  I've said it before, I'll say it again, I don't know everything.  I don't want to know everything.  I want to learn from the experts.  And Tom Masters is an expert on blogging.  In his talk, Blog to Book, he shared the importance of blogging and using other online tools to create a platform and excitement for your book.  There are so many resources out there to help the scared, lonely, and computer illiterates.  You can find Tom Masters' book, "Blogging Quick and Easy", on Amazon.

After Just Write, we had a farewell dinner with our lovely intern Katie Flanagan, who returning to roam the stately halls of Northwestern.  Follow her journey from lowly water-cooler-changing intern and creative writing student to a big wig in the Big Apple and literary genius, http://katieflanagan.wordpress.com/

In case you hadn't heard it before, and in case you have just nod and follow along, things in publishing move rapidly.  Interns and assistants come and go within months.  Agents leave and reestablish themselves just as quickly.  And (hopefully in my case) new agents can spring up like daisies in spring.

Next week at Just Write, fellow agent Gordon Warnock will be speaking about "How to interest a literary Agent".  Everyone is welcome.  More information can be found at http://www.andreahurst.com/classes/

Happy writing!

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