2011 Conference Countdown Update

It happens every year that I've worked with the SCWW conference. Just when I thought things couldn't get any better, it does. Here's a list of what we're working on and what you have to look forward to this year!

1. We're offering a specific batch of critiques attendees (already registered and those who haven't registered yet) through Sept. 15. If you already purchased a critique, those materials were due Sept. 1. If you haven't submitted your required electronic and hard copies, do so immediately. When you sent in your materials, sent you an email confirming the faculty for your appointment (unless you emailed or mailed a couple of days before Sept. 1. I'm still processing those!). Here's a list of the new critiques we're offering, in random order:

* Sorche Fairbank -- extended and standard critiques

* Jon Sternfeld -- extended and standard critiques

* Melissa Jeglinski -- standard critiques

* Jim Frenkel -- standard critiques

* Molly O'Neill -- extended critiques

* Alyssa Henkin -- standard critiques

* Eddie Schneider -- extended critiques

* Bernadette Baker-Baughman -- one extended critique

* Sarah LaPolla -- standard and extended critiques

* Stephanie Sun --standard and extended critiques

* Jessica Regel -- standard and extended critiques

* Stepehn Barr -- standard critiques

If you've already registered and want to add a critique, email scwwconference2011@gmail.com.

2. We really want to hear from our members! Tell us what you think about what's posted on the SCWW blog. To put our enthusiasm where our typing is, we're having a blog chapter challenge. For the month of September (all posts in September), the chapter with the most comments on the SCWW blog will win a free pitch to be given to the chapter member of its choice. Remember, for your chapter to get credit, you need to mention your chapter in your post. If it catches on, we'll give away something else for October, right before the conference.

3. I'm not sure if you've heard the news, but we have a new keynote for the 2011 conference -- Andrew Gross! The New York Times bestselling author will not only provide a keynote address Saturday night, he's teaching a session Saturday. For more on Mr. Gross, be sure to visit his faculty profile on the conference site, www.myscww.org/conference.

4. And one of our late faculty additions, Mollie Glick is hard at work this weekend helping me iron out a few details on her three sessions. Be sure to check the class descriptions next week for updated titles, but here's a hint -- her Friday session will guide you from putting together your list of who to query all the way to working with an agent to get your book into publication. Her appointment times are sold out, so you'll really want to add her Friday session to your schedule. Already signed up for the conference, but haven't added Friday? Email scwwconference2011@gmail.com and I'll walk you through the process.

5. When it comes to submitting critique materials, you've got to follow the SCWW guidelines. Not sure what that means or where to find the guidelines? Check out the following blog: http://scwwblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/2011-crituque-guidelines-reminder.html. It's incredibly important to follow these rules so everyone gets the most of their appointments. Also, if you registered for a specific faculty member who doesn't accept your genre, we try to catch that and let you know there's a problem. However, be advised that we've got a small group of volunteers and a lot of critique appointments. Do your homework BEFORE you request an appointment.

6. Have you reserved your room for the conference? Part of the way we're able to keep down the cost of the SCWW conference is by agreeing our members will use a specific number of Hilton and Royal Palms rooms. In exchange we get free meeting space and great room rates. So please, keep that in mind when reserving a room. Also, we've gotten a couple more two-bedroom and three-bedroom condos at Royal Palms. With a gaggle of beds, these are great for chapter folks heading down as a group. For rates and our discount code, visit http://myscww.org/conference/accommodations.php.

7. Finally, did you know we don't have a cut-off date on Pitch and Real-Time Query appointment purchases? We'll sell those until we can't sell anymore! So, if you missed your critique faculty dream, you might want to snag one of these. Here's a list of folks what's sold out and what's available:

* Bernadette Baker- Baughman -- Sold out Real-Time Query, One Pitch left!

* Sarah LaPolla -- Sold out Real-Time Query, One Pitch left!

* Toni Plummer -- Sold out Real-Time Query, Pitches available

* Stephen Barr -- Sold out Pitch, no Real-Time Query (check critiques above)

* Stephanie Sun -- Sold out Pitch, Two Real-Time Queries

* Jim Frenkel -- Sold out Real-Time Query, Four Pitches available

* Eddie Schneider -- Sold out Real-Time Query, Five Pitches available

* Alyssa Henkin -- Sold out Real-Time Query, Three Pitches left

* Sorche Fairbank -- Sold out Real-Time Query, Five Pitches left

* Jon Sternfeld -- One Real-Time Query, Two Pitches left!

* Melissa Jeglinski -- Four Real-Time Queries, Four Pitches

* Molly O'Neill -- Three Real-Time Queries, no Pitch

* Jessica Regel -- Three Pitches, No Real-Time Query

* Mollie Glick -- Sold Out of all appointments

Have any questions about the conference? Email scwwconference2011@gmail.com.

Sold Out Appointments

Appointments are really selling this week, especially with the critiques deadline less than a week away. Here's a quick list of faculty who are sold out of specific types of appointments. We're attempting to update the registration system as quickly as possible.

Bernadette Baker-Baughman -- SOLD OUT of Real-Time Query

Sarah LaPolla -- SOLD OUT of Real-Time Query

Toni Plummer -- SOLD OUT of Real-Time Query, Standard Critique

Stephen Barr -- SOLD OUT of Pitch

Stephanie Sun -- SOLD OUT of Pitch

Jim Frenkel -- SOLD OUT of Extended Critique

Also, if you register for more than three of a specific appointment type, be sure to send an email to scwwconference2011@gmail.com with the complete list of your top choices, providing one more choice than the number you purchased (in case one of the choices is sold out).

Please, don't attempt to request someone who was not a choice during the registration process. It will be impossible to fill the request.

Finally, if you would like to add an appointment to your registration, please email scwwconference2011@gmail.com. Do not start a new online registration.

There's still time to purchase a critique

September 1 is just around the corner, but there's still time to buy a critique. The following faculty (in random order) still have slots available:

1. Sorche Fairbank

2. Sarah LaPolla

3. Molly O'Neill

4. Bernadette Baker-Baughman

5. Alyssa Henkin

6. Jon Sternfeld

7. Jim Frenkel

8. Jessica Regel

9. Stephanie Sun

10. Melissa Jeglinski

11. Stephen Barr

12. Eddie Schneider

Already registered and want to add an appointment? Email scwwconference2011@gmail.com.

New Faculty Member & Other Updates

We’ve added our final faculty member for the 2011 conference – Mollie Glick of Foundry Media. For more information on Mollie, please be sure to visit the SCWW website, www.myscww.org/conference. You’ll also find updated pages on many of the faculty members, as well as more information on critiques.

Speaking of critiques and other faculty appointments, we've got several faculty members selling out or close to selling out. Here's a quick udate:


SOLD OUT:
Frenkel Extended Critiques
Plummer Standard Critiques

NEARLY SOLD OUT:
Baker-Baughman Standard Critiques
LaPolla Real-Time Queries
Barr Pitches
Barr Extended Critiques
Jeglinski Extended Critiques
Henkin Standard Critiques
O'Neil Standard Critiques
Sun Pitches
Sun Real-Time Queries

If you haven't registered yet, be sure to do so soon if you want the best chance to grab an appointment with your dream faculty member. All appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first served basis. And, to clarify some confusion from last year, that means first-to-register-online basis. Do not lose the chance to get one-on-one time with a faculty member because you think you can sign up for time when you get to the conference. All appointments must be purchased before the conference. In addition, to lessen confusion at the appointment rooms, you may not change, transfer or swap appointment times. This way, all attendees will be able to make the most of every second of their appointment times.

As mentioned before, attendees who register for critiques will be notified within five business days of receipt of critique materials who their appointments will be with in October. Shortly before the conference, attendees with appointments will receive emails with their times.

Should you have any questions about other faculty appointments, please wait until at least five business days after you register and then email scwwconference2011@gmail.com.

Finally, if you've already registered and would like to add an appointment, please email scwwconference2011@gmail for more information.

2011 Crituque Guidelines Reminder

Although the SCWW standard and extended critique guidelines are pretty much the same as it was in 2009 and 2010, please, read this before submitting your critique materials!

Before I cover some FAQs I want to make one thing totally clear. If you purchase a standard critique, send ONLY ten (10) pages of the material. You may send an optional one (1) page synopsis. I will not send any more than tweleve (12) pages to the faculty member: cover, synopsis, manuscript. The same goes for extendeds. Send only thirty (30) pages, the cover and the optional synopsis, bringing the total to thirty-two pages. If you send more, I will return the electronic copy to you and you'll have one chance to delete the extra pages. Beyond that I will destroy the copy and it will not be sent to the faculty member and you will not get a refund. Send ONLY what's asked for and included in the purchase price. Please, do not "force fit" all the information you want to get in for those pages. The material should be double spaced and with 1-inch margins. Do not change it to an 8-point font.

1.How should I format the hard copies I send to you?
Although some agents and editors have particular instructions for submissions, for the conference, it's best to stick with standard formatting. All critiques should be in Times New Roman or Courier 12pt font. They should be printed on regular printer paper (20lb., 92 brightness). Make sure all your margins are 1". For the header, place your name and the working title of your manuscript in the upper left hand corner. In the upper right, insert the page number and the estimated word count (if you know it). Send a title page, for each of the two copies, with the title of the manuscript and your contact information. You may send a one-page synopsis if you'd like--standard format. Bind each copy together with a binder clip, rubber band or paper clip. Now for the DON'T part: no report covers, no staples and please, PLEASE no cardstock weight paper.

2.How about the formatting for the electronic copy?Save the electronic copy as a .DOC or .RTF. Name the file like this:

2011manuscriptyourlastname.
For example, if my manuscript was named The Devil and Hotdog Smith, here's how the file would look once I save it.

2011TheDevilandHotdogSmithMcCullough.rtf

Include all three elements, manuscript, synopsis, and cover page, in ONE file. If I get your manuscript and it's not in the right format, I will return it to you and ask that you save it in the right format. To select the format, To do this, open your document, go to SAVE AS. Name your document (see instructions above) and then in the drop down, below the name, select one of the above formats.I hate to be a stickler for this but it's imperative, for all sorts of compatibility issues, that I get the files in this format. While I would like to be able to just fix it for you, I neither cannot nor will not do that. I do not want to alter your work, intentionally or otherwise, in any way.


3. How will I know you got my stuff?
When I get your materials, I will send you an email confirming they arrived safe and sound. In the case of hard copies, I will stamp them with the date and file them alphabetically. In the case of electronic copies, I will open them and check for any file corruption issues. If you have emailed or mailed your materials and you have not heard from me in a reasonable time frame, feel free to email. Please give the Post Office (and me) ample time to process your materials before you email.


4. Where do I send my stuff?
For the hard copies, mail them to the address below. Please copy this address EXACTLY to avoid any snags in delivery.
Carrie McCullough
SCWW Critique
2240 Cadden Road
Augusta, GA 30906

For the electronic copies, attach your file and email them to:
scwwconference2011@gmail.com


5. Can I revise my manuscript once I send it to you?
No. I will only accept the first version you send, unless of course there is some major disaster like my computer crashes or your file is corrupt. There's a lot of planning behind this aspect of the conference and to be fair to everyone, I cannot accept revisions. Make sure you send the best, most polished version to me. If you attempt to send a revision, the email will be returned with the attachement unopened and any hard copies will be shredded.


6. Can I change my faculty choices after you get my materials?
No. Once the manuscript has been received and assigned, there will be no changes -- unless the faculty member is for some reason unable to accomodate your manuscript.


7. What if I query my faculty member before the conference and receive a rejection letter after I've chosen that person to critique my work?
Still, NO. My advice would be to refrain from querying the person(s) you select for critique. It can make for a very awkward meeting. Save the query letter until after you've met at the conference.


8. If my book sells before the conference, can I get a refund for my critique?Once your materials have been received, logged in and confirmed, there will be NO refunds for critiques. Check out our policy for conference attendance refunds on the registration grid.


9. Will you call me if you see something terribly wrong with my manuscript so I can change it before it's sent to a faculty member?
If there is a problem with the file--corruption, weird characters, in another language---I will contact you and offer you the opportunity to resend. However, I will not, in any way, edit or read-though your submission for content or for copy-editing purposes. I will occassionally read the first couple of paragraphs to make sure your manuscript matches the requests of the faculty member. It is your sole responsibility to be comfortable and confident with your work before you send it to me.


Email me at scwwconference2011@gmail.com with any questions you have--or post to comments--and I'll answer them. It's best to get the questions out of the way before the rush of materials in late summer.

FAQs for Conference Registration

Registration for the 2011 SCWW conference opened June 15. If you haven’t had a chance already, please take a moment and give the sessions, faculty and other offerings a gander. The website, www.myscww.org/conference, has been updated, as has the SCWW blog, www.scwwblog.blogspot.com. To help with the registration process, here’s a couple of frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions not covered here, send an email to scwwconference2011@gmail.com or call me, Carrie McCullough, at 706-564-7998.

Q: I want to register for the conference. How do I do it?
A: Registration for the conference is done online, via a conference planning site called eventville.com. There are two links. You’ll need to choose that one that meets your payment choice – credit/debit or check. Those links can be found here: http://myscww.org/conference/.

Q: If I sign up for a critique, when will my appointment be held?
A: This year, we’re moving critique appointment times to Friday. This is to allow more time for attendees to go to sessions, and to offer as many sessions during the conference as possible.

Q: When do I need to get critique materials in by?
A: Attendees who register for a standard or extended critique must mail AND email their materials by September 1, 2011.

Q: Who is offering critiques this year? What about pitches and real-time queries?
A: For a cheat sheet of appointment times, by faculty member, visit this blog post: http://scwwblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/conference-alert-looking-for-some-one.html.

Q: I’m trying to reserve my room at The Hilton. What’s the discount code to get the SCWW block rate?
A: To get our special rate, be sure you use the code SWF.

Q: On the Hilton reservations site, I’m not sure where to put the code. There are several spots for those. Where does our code go?
A: Be sure to use the code in the convention code area. It should be the third box. If you have any trouble doing this online, you can always call the reservations desk at The Hilton. The number and our hotel rates are listed here: http://myscww.org/conference/accommodations.php.

Q: I just talked myself into adding an appointment time or meal ticket. How do I do this?
A: If you’ve already registered, please, don’t go through the registration system again. Instead, please email scwwconference2011@gmail.com. It’s better to email, rather than call, so that we’ll both have a written record of what’s being added.

Q: I know someone who wants to register, but doesn’t have Internet access. How can they register?
A: For registrations that can’t be taken care of online, please print out this page: http://myscww.org/conference/registration-fees.php. Instructions for mailing it in are included at the bottom of the page. You’ll need to mail it to the SCWW general mailbox:
SCWW
4840 Forest Drive, Suite 6B: PMB 189
Columbia, SC 29206

Q: Speaking of addresses, where do I mail my check, if I’m paying that way?
A: If you’re paying via check, please mail it to the following address, within THREE business day of your registration. Your registration is not complete until we receive payment:
SCWW
4840 Forest Drive, Suite 6B: PMB 189
Columbia, SC 29206

Q: Where do I mail my critique materials?
A: Please mail your critiques to:
Carrie McCullough
2240 Cadden Road
Augusta, GA 30906

Q: I noticed there’s two rates for each registration item. Why?
A: Attendees who register by September 1, 2011, received a discounted, early bird rate. For a full list of the prices, please visit: http://myscww.org/conference/registration-fees.php.

Q: Are there any changes to the Carrie McCray contest this year?
A: Yes, there are some changes. Please visit the Carrie McCray Memorial Literary Awards page for more information: http://myscww.org/conference/mccray/.

See you in October!

Conference Alert! Looking for some one-on-one faculty time?

As I pause from conference registration prep a few minutes ago, I pinched myself. No, it wasn't just to make a new bruise... I just can't believe it's the third time I've been behind the scenes of the SCWW conference registration launch. Each time I'm amazed all of the time the faculty gives SCWW to help members reach their writing goals.

Which brings me to a very popular part of the conference, one-on-one appointments. There are three types again this year -- critiques (standard and extended), pitches and real-time queries. Here's a cheat sheet of which faculty members are offering each type of appointment. In the coming days, we'll also have a cheat sheet on the faculty members -- what they're looking for and what they're teaching.

Agents

1. Bernadette Baker-Baughman: Standard and Extended Critiques, Pitches and Real-Time Queries


2. Stephen Barr: Standard and Extended Critiques and Pitches


3. Sorche Fairbank: Standard and Extended Critiques, Pitches and Real-Time Queries


4. Alyssa Eisner Henkin: Standard and Extended Critiques, Pitches and Real-Time Queries


5. Melissa Jeglinski: Standard and Extended Critiques, Pitches and Real-Time Queries


6. Sarah LaPolla: Standard and Extended Critiques, Pitches and Real-Time Queries


7. Jessica Regel: Standard and Extended Critiques and Pitches


8. Eddie Schneider: Extended Critiques, Pitches and Real-Time Queries


9. Jon Sternfeld: Standard and Extended Critiques, Pitches and Real-Time Queries


10. Stephanie Sun: Standard and Extended Critiques, Pitches and Real-Time Queries

Editors

1. James Frenkel: Standard and Extended Critiques, Pitches and Real-Time Queries


2. Molly O'Neill: Standard and Extended Critiques and Real-Time Queries


3. Toni Plummer: Standard Critiques, Pitches and Real-Time Queries

Authors

1. David B. Coe: Standard and Extended Critiques, Pitches and Real-Time Queries


2. Lisa Tucker: Pitches and Real-Time Queries

Editor Chuck Sambuchino and writers MJ Rose, Matthew Frederick and Bill Starr are also on faculty, but won't have any one-on-one appointment times.

So, now you know who you could meet with, but what do you need to do to make it happen? Register early! Conference registration will open at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2011. You must be registered for the conference in order to make an appointment. Also, please note that critiques will be held on Friday this year.