WORDS and MUSIC: A Literary Feast in New Orleans
http://www.wordsandmusic.org/
$$ See Various Rates Below. Some meals provided.
Thursday November 19 - Sunday November 22, 2009
Held at the renown Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter of New Orleans, LA. Hosted by the Faulkner Society. Director: Rosemary James.
Discounted rates at the Monteleone and a few other nearby hotels. Find bed-and-breakfasts a trolley ride away. Award-winning authors lead the Master Classes. Agent and editor critiques included in tuition fees.
The name says it all. I attended in 2001 and would return every year if my finances allowed. A few of my favorite features:
*Light refreshments available at the morning panel discussions.
*Luncheon speakers and gourmet dishes at famous restaurants in the Quarter, including Antoine's.
*Wine, bottled water and fruit at late afternoon poetry readings in small art galleries.
*Midnight poetry slams at sidewalk café in Pirate's Alley.
*Books made available onsite by Faulkner House Books, ready for autographs from noted literary authors.
*Dance on Saturday night. Casual Dressy.
*Prestigious contest with high-dollar awards - Novel: $7,500/ Novella: $2,500/ Novel-in-Progress: $2,000/ Short Story: $1,500/ Essay: $1,000/ Poetry: $750
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES:
Full Tuition Pkg. - Writers: $350
Students/Competition Finalists: $175
*Both packages above include the one-on-one agent & editor critiques.
*First 50 pages of your mss. sent to agents/editors prior to conference.
*Each writer gets two 30-minute appointments with the agents/editors of their choice, whenever possible.
Overall Discussion Pass: $250 (Includes discussions, but not critiques)
Lunch (with speakers at famous restaurants) and Dinner Events (Buffet): Passes available in package plans or à la carte pricing.
Sunday Night - Buffet Banquet: Dressy. Speaker (The year I attended: Comedic actor/magician Harry Anderson), musical entertainment, awards presented.
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You need to rise early, stay up late or stay over a few days to find time to experience the Quarter on your own:
-Ride in a horse-drawn carriage and three different trolleys.
-Stroll through the Quarter.
-Loiter in indie used-books stores, unique shops and the French Market. (Loretta's makes the best pralines!)
-Sample Cajun, Creole, American and International Cuisine.
-Applaud day-time street musicians playing for tips.
-Crisscross down Bourbon Street nightly to the beat of a dozen bands playing blues, Cajan, country, jazz, rock 'n roll and zydeco.
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GREEN RIVER WRITERS NOVEL-IN-PROGRESS WORKSHOP
http://www.greenriverwriters.org/nipw.html
$400+ for Full Workshop
An entire week during March of 2010. Exact dates TBA.
$ ?? for Afternoon Classes Only.
The economic slump forced them to cancel this year's event but they plan to resume the workshop in 2010.
Held in Louisville, KY. Hosted by Green River Writers, a 25-year-old nonprofit group. They live up to their motto, "Writers Helping Writers." Director: Jeff Yocom.
Accommodations available in nearby motels/hotels or inexpensive dorm-type rooms onsite.
First 50 pages of your mss. sent ahead of time to instructor of your choice . Upon arrival, each student receives the first 20 pages of every mss. in their critique group. (Max. of 5-7 students in each group).
I attended in 2002 and 2003. I remain in contact with the friends I made there, including a talented, multi-published author, who eventually became my mentor.
Sunday Evening: Check in. Orientation. Informal Meet and Greet.
Monday - Friday: Each student gets at least one-hour of private consultation with instructor during the week.
-----Mornings: Critique Groups Meet with Instructor.
-----Mid-days: Long lunch break. Free to eat, write, tour bookstores or nap.
-----Afternoons: Lecture/Discussion Classes.
-----Nights: Free time to write, hang out with faculty or whatever.
Friday Afternoon/Evening: Agents & editors arrive. They go to a restaurant with faculty.
Saturday:
-----Morning: Agent & Editor Panel Q & A.
-----Lunch: Writers (3-5) volunteer to treat one agent or editor to lunch at a restaurant. Sign-up the day before.
-----Afternoon: Everyone gets 10 minutes with many different agents/editors of their choice. Some want to hear a brief verbal description of your novel. Others want to scan a synopsis and/or the first chapter. Come prepared with all three.
No sign-ups. Stand in (short) lines, first come, first served. Because the workshops are limited to 40 or so participants, no one gets turned away and the agents/editors don't get worn out. When I attended in 2002 and 2003, I discussed my novel with three agents and one editor each year.
-----Night: Cocktail Party. Casual dressy. Refreshments served.
Sunday Morning: Check out.
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PEN to PRESS WRITER'S RETREAT
http://www.pentopressretreat.com/
$685 - $735
Tuesday May 25 - Saturday May 29, 2010
Held in the French Quarter of New Orleans, LA. Director: Deborah LeBlanc.
