In Your Write Mind
Wednesday June 26, 2019 | By Hieronymus Hawkes | Blogging
Tomorrow I will be on my way to Pennsylvania for a writing convention. It’s more than that to me, though. It’s a bit like a homecoming. Except it’s not, because I
never lived there. I did, however, go to school there for my Master’s degree. I haven’t been back since I graduated, for various reasons, although I had intended to go several times. Life events overcame my plans.
I finished my Master’s in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University four years ago this month. Alumni from this awesome program loved the place so much that they started doing a summer con that happens at the same time as the summer residency for the program, so that they could see their classmates and former mentors. These wonderful people became an extension of our families.
It’s hard to describe how amazing it was to get there and for the first time be among a bunch of people that had a lot of the same goals and same writing drive that I did. I don’t have a writing group near where I live. Everyone was welcoming and supportive, and we talked about craft the entire week, and just enjoyed each other’s company. The group of people I went through the program with have maintained a relationship, and the program has a very prolific social media group, where we help each other and support each other in what can be a lonely profession.
In Your Write Mind (IYWM) is also a writing convention, with all that goes with that. Agents and editors and published authors will be there. I have a meeting planned with an agent, to pitch my latest book. There are lots of classes to sit in on, like how to pitch, writing to markets, plotting techniques and more, as well as critique sessions.
There is also a big book signing event in downtown Greensburg, and a costume ball with a different theme each year. This year it is Lost in Space.
I’m very excited to see a lot of my friends and mentors. I’ll try to remember to take some pictures to share.
Do you do any conventions?
I hope you have a great time at your convention and good luck with your agent meeting!
Thanks Tonya! I’m really looking forward to it!
Have fun at your convention. I attend them. Going to one next month in Savannah. It’s a reader/author convention, though, which are a lot of fun in a different way. I haven’t been to a straight writer convention in a long time. RWA Nationals are in Nashville in 2021, so I may go to that one, since I can drive easily to that. I try not to fly if I can help it.
I am driving right down I70, just past Pittsburgh for this one. Maybe I can pick you up on the way some year and we can go together to IYWM 😊