Write Angles Conference

The Write Angles Conference

Most writers’ conferences cost hundreds of dollars. Western Massachusetts has a lovely conference for one hundred that takes place in October or November at Mt. Holyoke College. At least five agents from well-known agencies come to share their expertise and attendees are given the chance to talk to one (the conference tries to match the type of writing you do with the agents’ interests) for a short, scheduled meeting.

Schedule

A keynote speaker addresses the writers in the morning, after which two classes are scheduled. This year’s panels included the following subjects:

            Sustaining your writing practice

            The essay

            Choosing a point of view for your work (first or third person and others)

            Building a platform

            Writing about your experiences as a caregiver

            Critiquing

            Agents’ panel discussing what agents look for

            The poetry process

After an included lunch (continental breakfast during registration), the afternoon keynote address takes place and one more class.

Keynote Speaker

David Anthony Durham gave the afternoon keynote speech. He has written short fiction and has six published novels, including Walk Through Darkness, Acacia, and Gabriel’s Story. His novels went on to be published in a number of other countries and three have been optioned for feature films. He’s also taught at universities across the country and currently teaches at Stonecoast MFA Program of the University of Southern Maine.

Agents

Literary agencies represented were: the Susan Golomb Literary Agency, Trident Media Group, Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency, The Bent Agency, and Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency.

Anyone interested can read about the conference at www.writeangles.com