Take Five Interview: Publishers Weekly

Back-to-back interviews, aren’t you lucky?

Last week, I reported on the upcoming writers seminar hosted by Publishers Weekly, which takes place on Monday, September 22, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the NYU Kimmel Center in New York City. I wanted to know a little more about it, though, and I thought you might too. Our thanks to PW’s marketing manager, Krista Rafanello, for taking the time to answer my questions. Enjoy!

Q: We’ve heard you’re hosting a seminar for writers later this month. Is this a first for PW? Who’s your target audience for this event (genre fiction writers, lit fiction writers, adult vs. children’s fiction, etc…)?

A: Yes, PW is hosting our first event targeted to aspiring writers in NYC on September 22. Books and authors are our passion and we have wanted to do a seminar like this for some time. The program is shaped for aspiring authors or curious book lovers across all genres. The course is meant to be an introductory seminar to give unpublished writers great insight into how publishing works to help them navigate the entire process. We often hear from first-time authors that they were not very well prepared upon publishing their first book so we’ve put an incredible program together with experts to guide them.

Q: What are the event goals?

A: We would like everyone to leave feeling that they received a wealth of inside information and have a firm grasp on the ins-and-outs of getting their books published. Our attendees will leave informed and in a position solicit agents or take the first appropriate step towards getting their work published for their individual circumstance.

Q: There are plenty of writing workshops and the like available for people aspiring to become published. What sets your seminar apart?

A: Publishers Weekly is the most authoritative voice catering to the publishing industry. We work with authors, agents, large and small publishing houses, booksellers, printers, and more! Because we offer a truly well-rounded and unbiased view, attendees will get the most expert information from true experts with a great deal of industry success and experience under their belts. We understand that there are a lot of workshops available to writers, which makes us really happy! Our program is perfectly balanced with top agents, author service companies, editors, and marketing and publicity professionals responsible for putting bestselling authors on the map! Not to mention our bestselling author keynote speaker Wally Lamb. Who better to impart inspiration and wisdom than someone who has gone through the process and became an Oprah 2 time pick?

Q: Who are your presenters? Book agents, editors…?

A: We have an array of top presenters. Each can be found on the website, in the day’s complete schedule.

Q: Please provide us with some of the nitty gritty: cost, special promos, deadlines, etc…

A: The seminar costs $245.00 and we are offering a 50% discount to students of NYU. The cost includes breakfast, lunch, and a closing cocktail reception. Attendees will also receive a complimentary copy of Wally Lamb’s I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE.

Also! PW is collecting and reading proposals, or a piece of a manuscript in advance of the seminar submitted by registered attendees. We will select one writer’s work and profile it in the September 29 issue of PW to coincide with our follow-up report that will be seen by our industry readers. The deadline for registrants is September 10, 2008 but we aren’t being too strict about this deadline. We will continue to accept work through September 17. Submission guidelines can be found on the registration web site.

Thanks again for the extra info, Krista!

Therese Walsh

Therese Walsh (she/her) co-founded Writer Unboxed in 2006 and is the site’s editorial director. She was the editor of WU’s only book, Author in Progress, and runs the Writer Unboxed UnConference.

Her second novel, The Moon Sisters, received starred reviews and was named one of the best books of the year by Library Journal and Book Riot.

Learn more about Therese on her website, and sign up for her newsletter to be among the first to hear about any new projects.

www.theresewalsh.com/