J is for Jot

Real quick, before  you read this post…check this out. Roseanna White (my editor and publisher extraordinaire) is hosting a give-away on her blog. Go over and comment for the chance to win a digital download of PAINT CHIPS or a necklace from my Etsy shop. Fun, huh? Don’t miss out! Click HERE to go to the give-away. 

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to attend the premier Jot Writers Mini-Conference. Four gentlemen (a writing group known as The Weaklings) planned, hosted, presented, and encouraged a whole bunch of Grand Rapids area writers. One evening, 15 minute sessions, no cost mini-conference. The idea was crazy. But it worked.

Andrew Rogers, Josh Mosey, Bob Evenhouse , and Matthew Landrum spoke about such things as Flash Fiction , 3 Things Publishers Like to See on Book Proposals, Novel Writing/Drafting , and Finding Your Material. At the conclusion of the evening, Josh interviewed Chad R. Allen, editorial director of Baker Book Publishing. Chad answered questions about the publishing world. They even talked about Amish Vampire Novels. No really.   (Go ahead and click on the titles to watch the presentations on YouTube).

I was impressed that the evening worked. That nearly 60 people attended (The Weaklings anticipated 20). That the content was so rich, especially for a free event. That, even though each presenter spoke from a different genre, the entire evening was applicable to different types of writing. They made the evening relevant. I truly appreciated that.

I am eagerly anticipating the next Jot event. I love spending time with other writers.