Janet Q. Glaser, the Wordwright
The Writer's Life of Frivolity and Philosophy

The FREE Muse Online Writers Conference is a fantastic conference to attend in October 11-17. You can go in your jammies, eat chocolate at your desk, and catch up on laundry while you meet esteemed writers, publishers, workshop leaders, and writers of all genres.

You may attend the forums and interact any time of day or sign up for scheduled workshops that work into your day’s activities. The workshop  handouts are packed with information that you can save and peruse later at your leisure. (I know, what leisure???)

The Muse Online Writers Conference is FREE if you sign up before August 15. A nominal charge of $5.00 is added after August 15. (Just think, you aren’t spending any gas money to get to the workshops…) Registrations will not be accepted after September 10.

This workshop has been valuable to the development of my career. I think you will pick up a nugget or two that will help you in your writing as well as meet some wonderful, helpful, sincere folks at the conference.

Let me know if you sign up.  I will look for ya’!!!

According to an article in Publishers Weekly by Marcia Nelson, Author Solutions, a company made up of well-known self-publishing service providers–AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Trafford Publishing, Wordclay and Xlibris–is now establishing self-publishing associations with traditional publishers such as Hay House, Nelson, and evangelical Christian publisher, B&H. The plan is that the traditional publisher will monitor the self-published titles to glean books to add to their own lists.

Indications are that only self-pubbed titles selling 5000 or more could be considered for purchase by the traditional means. In self-pubbing circles, most books sell 300 copies.

This cozying up with the self-publishing services is a new way of thinking in the publishing world. Instead of looking down their noses at those who want to do all the work of publishing their fiction or non-fiction entries, the publishers are discovering that there really are worthwhile books written by authors who can not only write, but can offer different voices to topics that many traditionalists overlook. This opens up a whole new audience for purchasing books.

There are few and far between self-published books that are snapped up by a large publishing company, but with this new addition of self-publishing arms in the traditional field, there may be more opportunity to win a contract, if desired, with a traditional company.

Are you thinking about self-pubbing or have your book already finished? Then you may be interested in this Free self-publishers online conference to be held May 12-14.  Their website states–” learn about a wide range of book writing, publishing, and promotion topics from recognized experts in the publishing industry. Our speakers will inspire and motivate you, while helping you get the most out of your book publishing experience.”

From the information I read on the site, the conference was a huge success last year with glowing testimonials. I will attend this year and give you a report or hop on their site and check it out for yourself.

A well-written, clear explanation of differences in publishing your book via traditional publishing or self publishing is presented on the Writers Chatroom blog.  Kim Richards breaks down the topic by informing the reader about big traditional publishers, small presses, subsidy pubs, and self-publishing.  If you are trying to make a decision as to what is best for your book, please check this blog  for good information.

The Muse Online Writers Conference begins October 12, a unique writers conference that you can attend sitting in your jammies, eating chocolate at your computer, and not even wash your face! Plus the time you spend at this conference is determined by you because you can join in at your convenience to read the forums and interact with the presenters.

The old saying is “you just get what you paid for it” but in this FREE conference, you get a LOT more. Not only can you network with writers, editors, publishers, self publishers, you can pick up valuable writing tips, publishing information, writing courses, and even pitch your book idea to a publisher. BTW the conference is free, but you will want to throw in a donation because it is worth it.