Call for Presenters

Authors, Agents, Editors, Publishers

Whidbey Island Writers Conference, February 27 - March 1, 2009

Three days focused on the tools writers need — help with the craft of writing; generous access to editors, agents, and publicists; and encouragement from other writers. Now in its tenth year, the Whidbey Island Writers Conference (WIWC) offers both unique and traditional elements to invigorate writers. It features fireside chats in island living rooms, skill building sessions, consults with editors and agents, keynote addresses, panel discussions, a writing contest, word and book games, a poetry slam, and a book signing reception.

Authors conduct fireside chats and classes and may participate in panel discussions or interviews -- a total of four or five one-hour sessions during the Friday through Sunday conference. These sessions are a mix of motivational and how-to classes and discussions within various genres and specialty subjects.

Agents and editors each conduct one fireside chat and one skill building class and participate in a panel discussion about the publishing side of writing. In addition, agents, editors and publishers consult with participants on their writing projects and manuscripts. Each consult is 15 minutes long. They are scheduled on Saturday and Sunday.

The WIWC provides presenters with three nights of lodging on the island, conference registration including meals, air travel (if appropriate), and an honorarium for teaching:

• Fireside chats — hosted in comfortable island homes, these unique sessions center on informal and intimate conversations about writing. (Limited to 20 participants.) A series of three presenters are grouped in a single fireside chat location, united by a single theme. Cross-genre presenters may be requested to offer a second fireside chat session.
• Skill building sessions (classes) — located in classrooms or small auditoriums, in a local school complex. Classes are generally one hour long, but may be two hours, depending on topic.
• Panel discussions — a facilitated one-hour session among four or five presenters providing definitive insight into one or more aspects of writing or publishing.

To better understand the uniqueness of the Whidbey Island Writers Conference, please review last year’s program. http://www.writeonwhidbey.org/Conference/Program.html

Please submit the following to help us know how you support and encourage writers.

• A brief bio (125 words maximum) oriented toward your writing experience or, for agents and editors, your publishing expertise and focus when looking for manuscripts. Include your Web site URL address if you have one.
• Two or three references who can speak to your teaching/presentation experience and skills. (Not required for agents or editors.)
• Titles and 50 word descriptions of two fireside chats and two classes. Please designate if your sessions are geared toward emerging, experienced, or advanced writers. These descriptions will be used to help participants choose their sessions; titles should indicate content.
• Complete contact information (name, address, telephone number, e-mail, Web site).

Deadline for submission - June 4, 2008

Send proposals to:

or e-mail to writers@whidbey.com

The conference committee will review proposals during June 2008. I will contact you by July 15, 2008, regarding the 2009 conference program.

Pam Owen
Conference Director
360- 331-6714

Back to Top

Preconference workshops, February 26, 2008, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Whidbey Island Writers Association offers several intensive daylong sessions for small groups to focus on one of the many facets of writing — a particular genre, publishing, a writing or creativity technique. Conference faculty members are invited to propose topics that they would like to present in a format that includes ample opportunity for creative imagining, writing, and critiquing.

Session sizes range from 7 -15 participants. Lunch is provided. Workshops are held in locations throughout the island, selected for their comfort and access to traditional island scenery.

If you are interested in conducting a daylong workshop, please submit a title and 50 to 75 word description of what you would cover. Workshops should include critique of participants’ work (either submitted in advance or completed through writing exercises during the day). Please indicate what percentage of the day would be:

• instructional,
• group processing of information, and
• active writing and related exercises.

WIWA provides both an additional night’s lodging and honorarium for each presenter who conducts a workshop.

Deadline to receive preconference workshop descriptions is June 4, 2008.

Send that proposal with your conference proposal to:

Pam Owen
Conference Director
(360) 331-6714