As luck or clever scheduling would have it, I found myself scheduled to be in Manhattan working for a client the first half of the week when the Writer’s Digest Conference kicked off. With a discount, I decided to do the full monty and sign up for the Pitch Slam, where you can meet and speak with agents and publisher during a single hour block. First day, I selected an 8-hour session with Jane Friedman discussing the business side of being a writer. Yes, Jane Friedman is real, she does exist beyond a webpage. It was great session.

The Midtown Hilton was COLD! I seriously thought we would need to build a fire at one point. Day 2 included the whole group of writers and I’m sure the numbers are down but several hundred people were in attendance, easy. The great thing about #WDC22 was the genre ribbons attached to the name tags. Helps to understand the writers you meet, at least regarding writing style. Met plenty of great writers (as always) and the WD staff did a great job with the conference scheduling and notifications.

Saturday morning, Day 3, was the Pitch Slam. I was able to speak with only four of my five selected agents but all four requested a sample or my whole manuscript. One declined after I sent it, but I had the feeling when we spoke she was asking everyone to submit. The other three I actually had a conversation with. I didn’t finish my prepared elevator pitch before they stopped and asked good questions. We’ll see where it goes, but, for the money, if you want to meet an agent, the bigger conferences give you a better statistical chance.

Did I mention the Midtown Hilton was cold?