Why I love the Surrey International Writer's Conference
I have to confess, I’m not an expert. I regularly
attend the Surrey International Writer’s Conference (Siwc), and I love every
minute of it.
In Surrey, the hotel is populated by a large number of
very well known experts in their community. Donald Maass, one of the
writing world’s most prolific agents, speaks about composition and character,
as well as pitch. Sean Cranbury, a social media guru, speaks about
integrating social media into the author’s life, and leads by example with his
sites. Robert Dugoni gives inspirational talks including, “This Day we
write.” Chuck Wendig, Sarah Wendell, and others talk about their experiences in
the literary world. Mary Robinnette Kowalt leads conversations on
diversity in writing. And they all do it at the same time that Jack
Whyte is using his very rich Scottish brogue to read entries in the SiWC Idol
contest. And ANYTHING Jack reads sounds fantastic.
SiWC is a Thursday to Sunday conference, with Master classes
on Thursday, and then three time slots on Friday and Saturday, and two more on
Sunday. Each of those slots have eight classes that involve the
audience.
There are always numerous great topics at the same time, and
by the end of the day, every participant is swimming with too much information.
Friday night is a ‘Halloween’ type evening with live
theatre, including Michael Slade’s shock theatre. And Saturday
evening is book signings, and parties.
In the middle of all this are plenty of agents, editors, and
authors willing to help you strengthen your pitch, or your opening scene.
None of this is talking down to the participant.
Whether starting writers or established authors, editors or agents, everyone is
at the conference because they ENJOY the industry. Sarah Wendell says it
well when she points out that “we interact with our entertainment.”
Everyone is approachable, and willing to converse. It’s fantastic.
And the people who manage the conference and the volunteers
who work there are FANTASTIC. There is a whole community of individuals
with positive feedback.
And that is why I go to SIWC.
About the Book:
Title: I, James
Author: Mike Hartner
Publisher: Eternity4Popsicle Publishing
Pages: 293
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Format: Kindle
James Crofter was ripped from his family at age 11.
Within a year the prince was a pauper in a foreign land.
Is nature stronger than nurture? And even if it is, can James find the happiness he so richly desires?
Book Excerpt:
It required two days of marching to get to what I’d learned
was a plantation, which was in the middle of nowhere. When we finally
arrived at our destination, I considered how memorable my last 16 months had
been since I was removed from a prince’s life. Yes, they were
memorable. And even though I had a pouch full of coin hidden inside my
drawers, I was now a slave on a plantation in Africa.
About the Author
Mike Hartner was born in Miami in 1965. He's traveled much of the
continental United States .
He has several years post secondary education, and experience teaching and
tutoring young adults. Hartner has owned and run a computer firm for more than
twenty-five years. He now lives in Vancouver ,
British Columbia , Canada ,
with his wife and child. They share the neighborhood and their son with his
maternal grandparents.
Mike won first place blue ribbon for the 2013
Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction and first place blue ribbon for the 2013
Dante Rosetti Award in the YA category for I, Walter.
His latest book is the historical
fiction/romance, I,
James.
For More Information
- Visit Mike Hartner’s website.
- Connect with Mike on Facebook and Twitter.
- Visit Mike’s blog.
- More books
by Mike Hartner.
- Contact Mike.
- I, James is available at Amazon.
- Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
Mike Hartner is giving away one $25
Amazon Gift Card!
Terms & Conditions:
- By entering
the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
- One winner
will be chosen via Rafflecopter.
- This giveaway
begins November 3 and ends January 30.
- Winner will
be contacted via email on Monday, February 2.
- Winner has
48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!
I like the sound of the book.
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