The Author's Guide to Planning Book Events: Tips and Tools for Bookselling Success by Carol I Hoenig

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Before this evening's cocktail hour began, before the wine was poured, and before Wally Lamb began to speak to the roomful of hopeful writers, I dashed out of the historically-infused landmark General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen building where the New York Center for Independent Publishing is housed. True enough, Scout was alone for a major chunk of the day, so I needed to get home to feed her and let her outside, but my hurry was more so that I could jump on my computer, so to speak, and share what the energizing, optimistic day encompassed. Sure, I enjoy the downtime when I can socialize with the attendees and panelists, but for me, that will come tomorrow night at the end of the Fifth annual New York Roundtable© Writers' Conference. Tonight, I needed to collect my thoughts here with you.

            There were panel discussions covering the topics of "Indie" presses, online writing and blogging, as well as how to pitch one's manuscript. There were agents and editors for both fiction and non-fiction offering illumination, but the one subject that continued to crop up in a most positive light was self-publishing. Get ready, folks, because traditional publishing may have slammed the gate shut, but there are doors and windows flinging opened wide for all of us who have something to say. 

            Lee Woodruff, who was today's lunchtime keynote speaker and the author of two books, the first co-authored with her husband, journalist Bob Woodruff, was a delightful surprise. Admittedly, I initially thought her publishing career was from riding the coattails of tragedy, but that was not the case. I was wrong; very wrong.  So much so, that I bought her book In An Instant. Even though she's traditionally published, she made it clear that writers' voices can be heard thanks to all of the available avenues.

            So, here I am and, as I said, feeling energized because we writers are figuring out how to get our stories told. So, after today, what's next? Well, if you are in the New York City area, consider joining me tomorrow as I will moderate what will be a galvanizing discussion on-what else?-self-publishing! Following that, I'll be interviewing an original Saturday Night Live writer, Alan Zweibel, our lunchtime keynote speaker who has a lot of information to share. But there's so much more. Please check out tomorrow's schedule here: http://www.writersconferencenyc.org/.

            Hey! Now this is viral marketing!  Hope to see you there!