2024 Writing & Marketing Intensive
September 5-7, 2024
If you're serious about writing and marketing your work, then this intensive is the perfect investment.
What's Included
Start your journey to becoming a successful writer!
#AllTheTraining!
You'll get workshops and classes on platform, marketing, writing, craft, and business tips to make your writing career as successful as possible.
Personal Attention
We keep this event small so you're able to receive more focused and personalized attention within your classes and one-on-one appointments.
Lunches
Your registration includes lunch for both Thursday and Friday. Also you'll enjoy some of the best homemade desserts you've ever tasted!
1-on-1 Appointment
You receive one ten-minute appointment with a faculty member to pitch, learn, or receive career advice.
One-on-One Appointments
As part of your registration, you receive one 10-minute appointment with ONE member of the faculty. You can choose to:
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pitch a project,
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get marketing help,
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receive feedback on a first page or query, or
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get career advice.
The limited number of spots for each faculty member will be offered on a first-to-register, first-served basis.
During checkout, you may indicate up to three faculty members you'd like to meet with.
We will review the selections and schedule your appointment on your behalf. You'll receive your appointment information on Thursday morning during check-in. One-on-one appointments will begin Friday morning.
While we cannot guarantee everyone's first choice for one-on-one appointments, we will do our best!
Why come to the SW Intensive?
You'll learn everything you need to know to write and market your work like a pro, including personal attention to help you:
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Develop a strong writing voice,
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Craft compelling stories and articles,
- Run your social media, branding, and marketing more effectively,
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Pitch your work to literary agents and editors, and
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Build a successful writing career that works for your lifestyle and goals.
Plus, networking opportunities are priceless!
Faculty
Our intensive is taught by experienced writers and marketing professionals who will share their insights and expertise with you. You'll also have the opportunity to network with other writers and learn from their experiences.
Faculty List
Get some of the best mentorship and training from our prestigious faculty.
Eva Marie Everson is the founder and CEO of Word-Weavers International, as well as bestselling author in multiple genres.
Categories: Fiction and Nonfiction
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Johnnie Alexander is a CBA/ECPA bestselling novelist with experience in both traditional and indie publishing. Her popular newsletter is a model that many writers can emulate to build their own list of fans!
Categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Newsletters
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Vincent B. Davis II has sold over 100,000 copies of his self-published series and teaches authors how to utiize the Amazon algorithm in order to successfully sell their own books.
Categories: Fiction, Marketing
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Literary Agent Cyle Young has sold over 400 books for his clients in his career and built his own platform to over half-a-million followers in less than two years.
Categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Children's, Marketing
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Literary Agent Bethany Jett is an award-winning author who earned top honors in her Masters of Communications degree. Her first children's book deal as an agent is with a "Big 5" publisher (details not yet released!).
Categories Nonfiction, Children's, Marketing
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Literary Agent Andy Clapp is a multi-award-winning fiction and nonfiction author of several books and is also the host of the event!
Categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Film
Logistics
Venue • Travel • Lodging • Transportation
Plan Your Trip
Click each dropdown below for information regarding venue, travel, hotel, and transportation.
The event will take place at
3572 W Greensboro Chapel Hill Rd
Liberty, NC 27298
The event venue is roughly 15-20 minutes from the recommended hotel.
The overwhelming Southern hospitality that we receive from the members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and the Country Inn & Suites keeps us coming back to Liberty, NC.
We recommend staying at the Country Inn & Suites and have room rates available with them.
Country Inn & Suites
3211 Wilson Dr, Burlington, NC 27215
(336) 584-1115
Per night:
$103 for king bed room
$112 for double bed room
To get the room rate: call (336) 584-1115 and tell them you are with ANDY CLAPP as part of the Serious Writer conference. Make sure to mention Andy’s name!
- - - Additional Hotel Option - - -
Courtyard by Marriott Burlington
3141 Wilson Dr, Burlington, NC 27215
(336) 585-1888
Standard room rates apply. There is not a room rate associated with the Courtyard.
Transportation to-and-from the event is "on your own." To help you connect with other attendees who may be driving or willing to carpool, we have a Facebook group set up.
An email will be sent to attendees with the Facebook group link.
We recommend flying into the Raleigh-Durham (RDU) airport.
Please note: There is no shuttle service. We have a FB group for you to connect with other attendees to set up ride share.
An email will be sent to attendees with the Facebook group link.
Registration
Sign up today and start your journey to becoming a successful writer! Space is limited, so don't wait.
Club & Patreon Member Discount
In lieu of Early Bird pricing, we offer a discount to our Club & Patreon members.
SW Club and Patreon members receive a 20% discount, even at our $10 WORDSMITH level. To learn more about joining Patreon, click here.
New and current Patreon members: The coupon code will be listed in the welcome post inside of Patreon, as well as in a pinned post. Current Club members not yet in Patreon: The coupon code will be sent to your inboxes.
Choose the Plan that Works for You.
Choose from either a one-payment or two-payments option below.
$135
two payments of $135
Secure your spot today with the first of two-payments of $135.
Schedule
Doors open each morning at 8:30 AM.
Thursday, Sept 5th - Saturday, Sept 7th
Click the date below to open that day's schedule. The schedule is subject to change. *Updated 6.21.24*
8:30 AM: Doors Open.
9 AM: Welcome + Main Session #1 with Cyle Young: The Big Idea
10:00 AM: Break
10:15 AM: Main Session #2 with Bethany Jett: Pitches, Queries, and Professional Know-How in Publishing
11:00 AM: Break
11:15 AM: Main Session #3 with Johnnie Alexander: Email Lists: Create a Newsletter Your Readers Will Love
12 PM: Break for Lunch
1 PM: Main Session #4 with Cyle Young Open Q&A
1:45 PM: Break
2:00 PM: Genre Breakout Groups: Workshops*
2:50 PM: Break
3:00 PM: Genre Breakout Groups: Proposals
4 PM: Break
4:15 PM: Cyle Young & Bethany Jett: Open Q&A + Closing
5 PM: Done for the day!
*Please note: the genre-based workshops do not have descriptions, but are tailored to the genre: fiction, nonfiction, or children's.
8:30 AM: Doors Open.
9 AM: Welcome + Main Session #1 with Vincent B. Davis II: Amazon Ads Boot Camp
10:00 AM: Break
10:15 AM: Genre Breakout Groups: Practicums
11:00 AM: Break
11:15 AM: Main Session #2 with Bethany Jett: Social Media Content Creation
12 PM: Break for Lunch
1 PM: Main Session #3: Time to Create
1:45 PM: Break
2:00 PM: Genre Breakout Groups: Critiques
2:50 PM: Break
3:00 PM: Genre Breakout Groups: Critiques (continued)
4 PM: Break
4:15 PM: Cyle Young & Bethany Jett: Open Q&A + Closing
5 PM: Done for the day!
8:30 AM: Doors Open.
9 AM: Welcome + Main Session #1 with Bethany Jett: Level Up Your Author Website
9:45 AM: Break
10:00 AM: Genre Breakout Groups: Final Meeting
11:00 AM: Break
11:15 AM: Cyle Young & Bethany Jett: Open Q&A + Closing
12 PM: Have a safe trip home!
These are the descriptions for each of our main session presentations. Cyle Young will emcee the post-lunch main sessions, which do not have descriptions.
MAIN SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
CYLE YOUNG: The Big Idea
This session we breakdown the world of high-concept books, exploring what makes a concept stand out and how to craft one that resonates with agents and publishers across all genres.
BETHANY JETT: Pitches, Queries, & Professional Know-How in Publishing
This session pulls back the curtain what really goes on inside the world of publishing, including why advances range from $0 to millions, how to gauge what size publisher is the best fit for you, and some tips on how to query and pitch your work to get an agent or publisher’s attention.
JOHNNIE ALEXANDER: Create a Newsletter Your Readers Will Love
Do you dream of a community of engaged readers who eagerly await your next email?
Bestselling novelist Johnnie Alexander will guide you through the art of crafting irresistible subject lines, compelling content beyond book promotion, and how to create a template that reflects your author brand.
Whether you're a seasoned author or just beginning your journey, this session will equip you with the skills to craft captivating newsletters and build a loyal fanbase…even between book releases.
VINCENT B. DAVIS II: Amazon Boot Camp
Amazon is where books are sold. Nearly 80% of all eBooks are sold on Amazon, and upwards of 40% of paperbacks are sold there as well. But if other online stores feel like barren deserts, sometimes Amazon can feel like attempting to sell in shark-infested waters.
But there are tools and tricks available to all authors to improve their visibility on Amazon, and in this course we’ll be discussing some of the very best. We’ll go over the basics of metadata (keywords and categories), price points and price promotions, and the benefits of Amazon exclusivity.
Whether you’re a bestseller or a first-time author, this course will give you additional tools to help your book become more discoverable on the world’s largest bookstore.
BETHANY JETT: Social Media & Content Creation
In this session, Bethany shares tips on how to find and create content, help you determine which social media platforms are right for you (and which ones have a “sister-platform” where you can expand you reach with only a little extra effort.
BETHANY JETT: Level Up Your Author Website
This session dives into the essential elements of a successful author website, offering practical tips, including user-friendly website builders, what to include even if you don’t have a book published yet, and the four essential pages every author needs.
Got Questions?
Reach out to us at [email protected].
