Gotham Writers Conference
Teaching creative writing since 1993, Gotham Writers Workshop is a creative home in New York City and online where writers develop their craft and come together in the spirit of discovery and fellowship. Their conference debuted in 2019 and was voted Best Conference in N.Y.
October 15–17, 2021. Virtual. $145 for panels and presentations on days one and two. $395 for pitching roundtables on day three (for which you must apply and be selected to participate). $495 for all three days. “We founded this conference with the help of many agents. We took their advice, building one that is good for both writers and agents,” says Director of Publishing Guidance Josh Sippie. “Pitching sessions are designed for you to make a genuine connection with agents—that’s why you spend four and a half hours with two.” You’ll discuss your query and first pages, as well as hearing everyone else’s. Being able to listen to the pitches of others at your table allows you to see what an agent sees and seeks in materials. The event also strives to deliver a powerpack of panels, carefully curated to provide universal appeal no matter where participants are in the writing and querying process. 200–300. Presenters include: Mateo Askaripour, K-Ming Chang, Lilly Dancyger, Gabriela Garcia, Daniel José Older, Chuck Wendig, Hari Ziyad; and agents: Linda Camacho, Naomi Davis, Samantha Fabien, Jim McCarthy, and more. Visit the website for the latest additions. “We want people who are serious about their writing,” says Sippie. That ranges from people who have been workshopping their novel for 10 years, to people who have just discovered what the publishing industry is and want to learn more. “We mix beginner panels, like how to write a good query, with advanced stuff, like what to expect After you land an agent.” Sessions include: Query Quagmire: What Bogs Down Your Query; Featured Author Interview with Daniel José Older; When an Agent Calls: What to Expect, What to Know, What to Ask; While You’re Waiting: Moving From Getting an Agent to Getting Published; Author Power: Negotiating, Revising, and When to Walk Away; and The Home Stretch: Navigating What Happens After the Sale. It’s never too early to start preparing yourself for the publishing roller coaster. “We’re here to make it fun, encouraging, and educational,” says Sippie. .
