A writers’ conference focused on giving 30 fresh voices in adult or YA literature unprecedented access to the agents, editors and industry experts who can help make dreams come true.
The Work is all about details. From attendees to agents to lunch menus, the weekend’s finer points have been carefully considered and hand-selected.
A weekend of intensive attention to your novel, innovative programming, inspired revision, strong coffee, and big fun.
A: Yes and no. We do not require line editing from our workshop leaders, since much of the work at the Retreat is in-progress, but you can expect to receive written notes and personalized feedback during your one-on-one session.
A: Nope. After you put on the Sorting Hat — wait, no. That’s not right. You’ll be placed in a critique group based on your genre, style, and the workshop leader’s specific expertise/interests.
A: You sure do! No need to edit others’ submissions, though — that’s for your workshop leader.
The Work Conference is a force for writers serious about craft and the business of publication. The conference details were created with a thoughtful attention to all the participants […] That approach makes this debut conference a quintessential stop in a novelist’s year of writing.
The Work Conference broke down the barriers between writers, agents and editors. We spent three days together learning, talking, editing, sharing meals and going to happy hour. The casual environment made it easy to ask questions, whether in a workshop, a one-on-one meeting, or after hours in a karaoke bar.
This is the best conference I have ever been to, bar none. It doesn’t just raise the bar for what a conference should be like. It throws away the bar and does cartwheels across the mat.
A great educational choice for writers poised to breakthrough and become published.
Not only did this past weekend light a fire in me to take my writing to the next level, it also gave me the self-esteem to participate more in the writing community. I feel truly special and very fortunate to have been a part of this inaugural conference.
The panel discussions were superior to those I’ve been to at larger conferences (and many of those were good). There was an unhurried conversational feel to the discussions, and their depth was immensely helpful.
You felt like you were away at the most amazing summer camp ever and every day was rainbows, sunshine and a careful and measured dose of good reality.
Typically conferences do not give you a real chance to network, talk, make friends and/or critique partners. This was different.
Just when I thought the panels could not get any better, the next one came along. Every topic was relevant to me. The support from other attendees was mind-blowing.
Everyone came with an open mind and open heart, ready to meet other writers, learn and share. I made some great connections and got a deeper understanding of how others hear my work.