conferences – Ron Writes Stuff

#WDC19 Wrap Up

August 28, 2019June 10, 2020 Ron Delaney Jr4 Comments

Another Writer’s Digest Annual Conference in NYC is in the books (*self-eyeroll*) but this one was different because it was my first as an agented writer. For me, that changed the vibe some and I found myself pulled more toward the marketing and book release side of things than ever before. I still attended craft sessions too, and sat some terrific, insightful presentations.

Which was the answer I gave to the question, “If you have an agent, why are you here?” late Friday night.

It’s no secret MANY attendees travel to WDC for the Pitch Slam. I did the same my first year, but what’s kept me going back is that I learn something every con. How could you not when listening to experienced talents like NK Jemisin, Steven James, Min Lin Lee, etc.? Every perspective, every way of approaching something adds to your own bag of tricks and development. None of us know it all.

BUT you’re not reading this for my high-horse soapboxing. You want to know how the sessions went. Happy to oblige.

Continue reading “#WDC19 Wrap Up” →

Writing Update: May, 2019

May 29, 2019 Ron Delaney JrLeave a comment

For whatever reason, I’ve always done my writing updates over on a dedicated page. Now that that page has gotten kinda long, it’s acting a little wiggy (and by wiggy I mean LOVES to crash while I’m editing it), so I’m going to do what I probably should have done from the jump and post updates as, you know, posts. Here we go!

WIP

I’m pleased as punch that my latest book, SILVER, is out to critique partners. It’s funny, quirky, a little sad in spots, a little angry in other spots, and hella different from what I’ve written before. I love it and can’t wait to hear what my readers think about it. I’d file it as literary Sci-Fi, if you’re curious.

WDC 2019

I’ve booked my trip to NYC (I live in Jersey so I’m using ‘booked’ loosely here) for Writer’s Digest Annual Conference in August. Looking forward to getting my learning on, catching up with friends from around the world, and seeing NK Jemisin give the opening keynote. I might even dip my toes back into the pitch slam this year. MIGHT.

Writer Friends Doing Writer Things

Lastly, some wonderful writers I know have recently put out books you should check out:

Equinox – Tabitha Lord
Renegade – Natasha Raulerson

That’s it for now. Hopefully I’ll have more to post soon 😀

Thanks for reading,

{RDj}

#WDC18 – You Know the Drill

August 19, 2018 Ron Delaney JrLeave a comment

Here we are again, ya’ll, deep in the post con funk that is the week after the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference in the greatest city in the world (don’t @ me, people from everywhere else, I didn’t come up with the nickname). This was lucky number five for me and, as always, it was a trip. New tips found, new writing depths explored, and new doubts over which to panic (I kid. *weeps*). Old friends and a metric ton of new ones, all there to get better at this insane make write words thing we does.

Maybe I should keep practicing.

Anyway, that brings us to my follow up post where I wax poetic about all the sessions I adored (like I did for past WDC cons here, here, here, aaaaaaaaand here). Let’s keep it tight this year, I think, yes? Simple day by day format, maybe? Okay, you convinced me.

Continue reading “#WDC18 – You Know the Drill” →

Observations and Thoughts on #WDC16

August 17, 2016August 23, 2016 Ron Delaney Jr7 Comments

This past weekend, I attended the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference in New York City. It was my third WDC in a row, and I’ve enjoyed them all. I plan on attending next year as well, as I’ve learned something from each one. You can read my impressions of the previous two here and here.

I think I’ll start with a review of the three sessions I loved (yes, there are sessions you attend and don’t like for one reason or another, but I’m not going to hammer anyone (even though a few deserve it)), and then wrap up with some general observations. Long post ahead, so get comfy (or scroll to the bottom for the tl;dnr version).

Continue reading “Observations and Thoughts on #WDC16” →

Thoughts on #WDC15 (Writer’s Digest Conference 2015)

August 4, 2015August 8, 2015 Ron Delaney Jr6 Comments

WDC2014 was the first writer’s conference I’d ever attended. I learned so much, including how not-ready my first book was for shopping (me shopping it to agents, not the book going out to buy shoes, or something), met some of the most creative/dedicated/fun people, and left feeling like a member of a supportive community. So to say I was looking forward to WDC2015 is a whale of an understatement. I couldn’t wait to get there, and spent the previous week daydreaming about experiencing the same incredible vibe I’d gotten the year before.

But after an hour at WDC2015, I knew that wouldn’t be the case.