The Annual Digital Author and Indie Publishing Writers Conference is ideal for every author who wants to take advantage of the “Golden Age of Publishing.” Learn how to write and sell in the brave new world of E-Books, Audio Books, DIY & Indie Publishing. Learn how to market your brand and products in an increasingly digital world -- as well as to the traditional and New York publishers. Each topic offers an educational and inspirational experience in a stream of learning that progresses throughout the event. This methodology allows you to participate and learn at a comfortable level and speed with peers of similar interests and disciplines.

Before the conference starts, attendees will receive a password to access the final program using the "Link to Event" buttons for each virtual meeting or webinar.

2022 Enhanced Schedule: Rather than a typical multi-track event with workshops concurrently opposite each other, in a unique first, this virtual event will present the program in a consecutive manner. Instead of being limited to attend only of 1/4 of an event, you will be able to attend virtually everything.

(The "Link to Event" buttons only function for paid attendees during the conference)
Friday • Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday

WC2 Executive Director Tony N Todaro has directed and/or programmed more than 1200 workshops, almost 200 special speaker events, and countless topics over the years.

Tony looks forward to sharing a wealth of new and updated topics, plus a few popular favorites by request. Plus, learn how you can thrive and benefit from this educational and inspiration event.

 

Writers Digital Coffee Klatch

A very popular event at our conferences is the opportunity to gather with popular author / editor / educator / screenwriter Art Holcomb for a round-table discussion + Q&A on the craft of writing. Even though we are meeting virtually, attendees can still participate in this popular event, updated into a coffee klatch. Just click up the link (to be provided to attendees) and have a leisurely coffee and networking discussion with Art. We will even include coffee packs in the swag bags we are sending by mail in advance of the event)  

Saturday Orientation and update

An overview of today's sessions as well as any important announcements or updates. This is the time to ask the president of West Coast Writers Conferences any questions you may have about the conference in general, or specific questions about what's happening this weekend.

The Fine Art of Pitching an Agent or Publisher

A writer needs to know how to talk about their book when dealing with an agent, a publisher, a potential reader. You don't use the exact same pitch with every entity you encounter. A reader will ask "Why should I read THIS book and not another?" An agent wonders "How can I sell this writer and his/her book?" and a publisher just wants to know if it's worth the time and money to get behind the book and the writer. This panel will offer up helpful advice and suggestions and feedback.  

Sara Anne Fox
Eric Miller
+ Special Guests

Tony N Todaro ^[M]

How to Create a Great Podcast

As of early 2021, there are over 2 million podcasts that have produced a combined 48 million episodes. More and more listeners are finding podcasts every day, and readers love audio. This is a huge opportunity for authors, especially since the biggest demographic for buying books is also the biggest demographic that consumes podcasts. Whether you write non-fiction or fiction, there are tons of ways to engage readers on a deeper level. Join USA Today bestselling author Russell Nohelty as he shows you how to set up a podcast that you love. 

The "POEM" Method of Book Marketing

Most authors know that book marketing is key to their success, but don’t often feel equipped to do it effectively. In this seminar, Keith Ogorek, President of The Author Learning Center, will reveal an easy to understand framework and way to build a marketing plan that will give you confidence in your book marketing efforts. The method he will share is based on the acronym POEM and includes all the elements of an integrated marketing campaign: Publicity. Online. Events. Multi-media.

Don’t miss this practical and helpful seminar that will help you become an even better book marketer

Time permitting, he will answer your questions

Goal Setting for Writers
How to Get the Most out of the Conference

Over the next week or so, you will get a ton of advice and inspiration to help make your writing dreams come true. But how do you keep track of what to attend, with whom to connect, and how to proceed?

In this session, goal-strategist Debra Eckerling, author of Your Goal Guide and creator of The DEB Method system of goal-setting simplified, will help you prioritize what sessions to attend and offer tips for turning the information you gather into action. She will also share strategies for connecting - and developing relationships - with experts and other attendees. Discover how to make this the most valuable conference of your writing career.

Pre-Writing for New Authors

There are a lot of new writers who start off writing with no particular direction. Having written their book with no clear path, they often end up needing an extreme amount of developmental editing, needing to start over completely, or they spend so much time on their manuscript draft that it never sees the light of day. 

Don't let this be you! 

Discover some tools that can help you visualize the elements of your manuscript and where your manuscript is going. Through the power of sticky notes and an ink pen, move your ideas from head to paper. In this session, you’ll learn the importance of pre-writing, how to organize your story with clarity, and how to write consistently to meet your writing goals. Through the tools of storyboarding, outlining, and implementing a writing calendar, you can finally finish the manuscript that you were born to write. 

Social Networking with Attendees (YOU) and Faculty

Most virtual events don't provide the opportunity or time to network with other attendees or speakers. Well, this is your opportunity to "meet and greet" other members of the conference. So, mix up your favorite libation, pull up a comfortable chair in front of your computer, and feel free to spend the evening in a hospitable environment with your fellow writers, peers, and friends.

Subject to
individuals
availability

Meet editors, agents and/or publishers for a personal consultation to pitch, discuss and improve pre-submitted pages of your manuscript. Schedule an appointment at the virtual Registration Desk. Some editors may take new submissions on site. A separate fee applies to ProCritque and Masters ProCritique consultations. Some agents do not read or edit material in advance. Consult the wcwriters.com website for details.

We recommend you attend the "How to Pitch" sessions in order to help identify the best professionals for your individual genre and work.

Reserve a calendar appointment
by calling the
"1-on-1 Desk"
at 310.379.2650

Meetings are held Online in confidence

Formatting Your Book for Kindle, Amazon, and Many Digital Formats

We will discuss proper formatting using the “3 clicks 2 one book” technique; then lead the class through making a Kindle formatted book, and previewing it (privately) with a Kindle app and on your own device. (Nook and Sony readers will be included as well, but we will concentrate on the Kindle). All free, no extra software.

You might not use this method for your book, but if you understand the principles, you will format your book easily and in a way that will make your writing easier, faster, and publishing a dream. After all, you want your dreams published. 

Fund Your Book with Kickstarter

Kickstarter is a cruel mistress. On one hand, it’s given creatives the ability to launch products directly to their audience. On the other, the competition is fierce, and launching a successful project gets harder each and every day. Even worse, every minute you waste is a minute you fall further behind your peers.

Luckily, there’s a ton of information on how to succeed on Kickstarter. Join USA Today bestselling Author Russell Nohelty, who has raised over $180,000 for publishing projects on Kickstarter, as he goes through the ins and outs on how to crush it on Kickstarter.

PREVIEW!
The Underground Guide to “KILLING” it at Your First Meeting with a Literary Agent

Best Practices in Book Marketing

You can have the best book in the world, however if you have no marketing plan no one will know about it. This webinar will delve into how to create a marketing plan for your book and future books. It will discuss the importance of advance publication dates, brief and long book descriptions, the pitch, getting reviews, endorsements, author bio, and classifying your book with subject codes. Modes of distribution will be discussed as well as award submissions and various aspects of promotion.

Marketing books comes down to three crucial activities that need to be done simultaneously: 1) printed materials; 2) online activities; 3) events. The webinar will guide authors on how to produce a marketing plan that covers all the basics and allows them to have a platform for success.

Read and Critique Workshop - - Fiction & Non-Fiction

Would you like feedback on your work additional to the quick pitch meeting? What is it like to work with a critique group of good, focused writers?

This is an opportunity for registered attendees to participate in a live editing of their work-in-progress. Fuel up on caffeine, drink and words, and join us for Renegade Late Night Read & Critique.  It is an amazing creative experience — not to be missed.

Prepare 3 <> 5 pages of your manuscript to read and share, and enjoy the feedback exchange!

Alycia Crane

How To Be More Productive as a Writer in 2022 and Beyond

Productivity isn't everything, but getting more words on the page and finishing more projects is an essential component in every working writer's toolkit.

Join USA Today bestselling author Russell Nohelty as he shows you how to have the most productive year of your life in 2022 and beyond

Russell Nohelty

The New Regime of Rights Granted vs. Rights Reserved

Back-in-the-day, what publishers wanted was almost a static industry norm, making the rights granted by most authors pretty static. Today, authors have more leverage.

This class will cover how to take as much advantage as possible of retained rights, either with your publisher or with third parties.

Presentation will be followed by a Q&A with attendees, time permitting.

Pre-Writing for New Authors

There are a lot of new writers who start off writing with no particular direction. Having written their book with no clear path, they often end up needing an extreme amount of developmental editing, needing to start over completely, or they spend so much time on their manuscript draft that it never sees the light of day. 

Don't let this be you! 

How To Publicize Your Book on TV

If you want national publicity for your business, BOOK, non-profit, event, public speaking career or anything at all, this session is for you. Your host, Darice Fisher, is a 20-year publicity veteran. Her super-power is helping others get T.V. Publicity. She also helps people with public speaking careers, print media, on-line media outlets, book publishing, video production and more.

Whether you are a seasoned on-camera T.V. guest or just beginning the publicity campaign planning for your book, you are in the right place. Having a solid publicity plan that features television exposure significantly increases your odds of landing a great book deal. TV exposure sells books. Ditch advertising and learn how to get FREE publicity on TV.!

Recapturing Your Publishing Rights

U.S. copyright law contains a little-known law that allows authors and their surviving heirs to recapture and get back publishing rights, simply by sending a notice to the current owner. The "Termination of Transfers" (ToT) law is valuable tool when a literary or artistic work was previously sold for a fraction of the later value, giving authors and their surviving heirs a so-called "second bite at the apple."

Learn how, for the price of a postage stamp, authors and their heirs can recover and get back copyrights sold decades before, potentially worth millions in book, movie, TV, merchandise and theme park rights.

Lawyer, author and copyright law expert, Greg Victoroff will explain how, when, where and why ToT law works and the potential value of the ToT tool for authors and their heirs is a multi-media.

Promoting Your Book in a Digital Marketplace:
What Actually Works and What Doesn’t?

•  Ads on Amazon, Facebook, Bookbub, YouTube, etc.
•  Informing readers about your 99-cent or Freebee “sales”
•  Press releases, on-line interviews/conferences/podcasts
•  Persistent presence on social media and your website/blog
•  Can winning book contests draw attention to your book, or are contests a waste of money?
•  Does hiring a publicist really help?
  

How to Have a Successful Virtual Book Launch

Author events and book launches are good ways to build momentum for your book. These events, usually done in person, have now taken an unexpected shift. In the aftermath of COVID, many people are still cautious about meeting in person.

How do you work within this uncertain time of social distancing to navigate a successful book launch or author event? Thankfully, with access to digital media, doing so is still possible. In this session, learn how to choose your media, build new fans, organize your virtual author event, and sell your book. 

What are Negotiation Rights...and Why They Matter

Gone are the days where publishing contracts only contained the Right of First Refusal. Learn about Rights of First and Last Negotiation, and their numerous variants...and why they matter for your current and future work.

Presentation will be followed by a Q&A with attendees, time permitting.

Things I Wish a Pro Had Told Me When I First Started Writing

Becoming a writer and then a published author is a steep, steep learning curve. Even for those with prior experience and previously published books, the rapidly changing landscape of the industry means you can easily make mistakes; in your writing, pitching, marketing and certainly when it comes to finding and signing a deal with a publisher or entering the shark-infested waters of the self-publishing pool. The aim of this session is to keep you safe, strong and smart as you progress in your work and career.

Closing Remarks, Drawing for Prizes

Open to all attendees and speakers. We will open the zoom room for everyone to ask questions, comment on the event and suggest new topics, speakers, and ideas for the future.