Nov. 21 Webinar by Agent Andrea Somberg: "Writing and Selling Fantasy, Science Fiction, Paranormal, and Dystopian" Novels have the ability to transport us out of our lives, to introduce us to characters and events that are beyond our everyday. And this is especially true for fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and dystopian. Whether we're reading about a land ruled by magic, a deep space odyssey, a bleak future, or a paranormal creature living in a society that mirrors our own, there's always the question - how did the author do it? How did they so seamlessly blend the characters, the conflict, and the world to create a story that compels and entertains? This webinar -- "Writing and Selling Fantasy, Science Fiction, Paranormal, and Dystopian: Everything You Need to Know for Your Adult or YA Novel" -- will show you how, as well as give you the concrete and comprehensive tools you need to market and sell your adult or young adult novel. It all happens at 1 p.m., EST, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2014, and lasts 90 minutes. ABOUT THE CRITIQUE All registrants are invited to submit a query letter for critique. All submitted letters are guaranteed a written critique by literary agent Andrea Somberg. Andrea reserves the right to request more writing from attendees by e-mail following the event, if she deems the writing excellent. (Sign up for the webinar here.) WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: How to craft your concept, content, and pitch for maximum impact Advice and exercises to strengthen your novel, with special attention paid to character, conflict, and world-building What agents and publishers are REALLY looking for Where your book fits into the marketplace How the industry is changing and what that means for you How to craft the perfect query letter Advice on securing an agent and publishing deal INSTRUCTOR A literary agent for over fifteen years, Andrea Somberg represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, working with all of the major houses and imprints. Previously an agent at the Donald Maass Agency and Vigliano Associates, she joined Harvey Klinger Inc. in the spring of 2005. You can learn more about her and her list atwww.andreasomberg.com and www.harveyklinger.com. ( Sign up for the webinar here.)

Agent-Conference Opportunities There are plenty of opportunities for writers to meet agents face to face at writers' conferences and pitch their work in 2014 and 2015. Remember: Meeting agents in person is a great way to get past the slush pile. If an agent is interested in your work and requests a sample or book proposal, you can write "Requested Material" on your submission, making sure it gets a fair read and consideration. Know that there are two types of conferences. There are general writers' conferences, that address a variety of subjects, and then there are specialized conferences, which usually tend to focus on a single genre-such as western, romance, or mystery. You will find both kinds in this list below. Arizona Writing Workshops, Phoenix, AZ (sold out) and Tucson, AZ (seats available; Nov. 22, 2014) Attending agents: Adrianna Ranta (Wolf Literary); Steve Laube (The Steve Laube Agency); and Patricia Nelson (Marsal Lyon Literary). Eckerd College Writers' Conference, Jan. 17-25, 2015, St. Petersburg, FL Attending agents: Bill Contardi (Brandt & Hochman); Lisa Gallagher (Sanford J. Greenburger Associates). SDSU Writers' Conference, Jan. 23-25, 2015, San Diego, CA Attending agents: This event hasn't posted its exact faculty yet, but has 10-25 agents in attendance each year. The Kentucky Writers Conference, Feb. 6, 2015, Louisville, KY Attending agents: Victoria Lea (Aponte Literary); Natalia Aponte (Aponte Literary); Brent Taylor (Triada US); and Alice Speilburg (Speilburg Literary). Tennessee Writers Conference, Feb. 7, 2015, Nashville, TN Attending agents: Greg Daniel (Daniel Literary); Lauren MacLeod (Strothman Agency); Brent Taylor (Triada US); Julie Gwinn (The Seymour Agency); and Cate Hart (Corvisiero Literary). San Francisco Writers Conference, Feb. 12-15, 2015, San Francisco, CA Attending agents: There are already about 20 agents confirmed. You can see them all on the conference faculty page on the site. Portland Writers Workshop, Feb. 20, 2015, Portland, OR Attending agents: Sandra Bishop (Transatlantic Agency); Adam O'Connor Rodriguez (Hawthorne Books); and Mary C. Moore (Kimberley Cameron & Associates). The Writing Workshop of Seattle, Feb. 21, 2015, Seattle, WA Attending agents: Kathleen Ortiz (New Leaf Literary); Kristin Vincent (D4EO Literary); Genevieve Nine (Andrea Hurst & Associates); and Fleetwood Robbins (Waxman Leavell Literary). The Chesapeake Writing Conferences, Baltimore (March 27) and Washington DC (March 28) Attending agents: Jeff Kleinman (Folio Literary); Ella Kennen (Corvisiero Literary); Jamie Bodnar Drowley (Inklings Literary); Laura Strachan (The Strachan Literary Agency). The faculty is still growing. Carolina Writing Conferences, Columbia, SC (April 17) and Charlotte, NC (April 18) Attending agents: Melissa Jeglinski (The Knight Agency); Robin Mizell (Robin Mizell Literary). The faculty is still growing. Jackson Hole Writers Conference , June 2015, Jackson Hole, WY Attending agents: The 2015 faculty is not set, but this amazing event usually has at least 4 agents to pitch. Writer's Digest Conference East, late summer 2015, New York, NY Exact dates coming when available, but this conference usually happens somewhere in late July or early August over the course of one weekend.