I loved the way you wrote this (I’ve done a lot these things too and found them very effective). My favourite part is this didn’t come off as a “how to” advice column (which I don’t love), as much as a good story of the ways you’ve succeeded (and not succeeded). It was a great and magical read! Thank you for sharing your methods!
Totally free (but work intensive): (a.) run a critique group in your niche + pool submission deets -- especially off-the-radar or invitation only lit mags where you employ the sly speakeasy approach; (b.) apply for membership in a writers group, monitor your colleagues publication news, and request "introductions" to zines you've had no luck with but they have gained entry to.
When I got to "Not all conferences have to be Bread Loaf" I actually put my fist in the air and said YES! I have clients who attended Bread Loaf, Sewanee, Aspen Words, and Tin House over the last few years, and of course it's been very useful for their careers and self-esteem. But, there are so many good ones that aren't juried or which have higher acceptance rates. Jackson Hole Writers Conference played a big role in my writing life back when I was 24. I'm now on faculty, helping it continue supporting folks--mostly in the mountain west--at a variety of stages in their writing lives/careers.
We recently moved from June dates to November dates, chiefly because billionaires took over Jackson and visits popped during COVID and as a result there's no longer a hotel room in town under $500 in June (most are much more expensive). This limited both who could attend and how much we could charge for the conference itself on top of lodging (as you might imagine, this was tricky for the organization's stability). "Off-season" may seem like a weird time to come to Jackson, but we had exactly the conversation you mentioned in your piece: not everyone is an academic and not everyone finds summer the easiest time to focus on their writing or get away. I personally really love the quiet of November, the elk migrating south, the readily available parking, and I think that quieter energy will benefit writers who join us (they may actually write instead of getting in a hot air balloon!). Jackson Hole Writers Conference is beloved to those who have been coming for a while--truly a community experience despite also hosting top-notch visitors with excellent generation, craft, and publishing content. Anyway-- yes to "When I go to a conference like this one it’s like getting a straight shot of adrenaline to supercharge my writing game"!
I should mention that I also made better publishing connections (and felt more motivated to write) via NonfictioNow than any other conference I've been to. They've been on hiatus since COVID cancelled their New Zealand dates, but I think they're coming back in 2025.
Extremely informative. This may be unbelievable to some, but I'd never heard of Chill Subs. Can't wait to explore this platform. Really great common sense suggestions. Thanks so much for sharing your accrued wisdom on this subject.
I loved the way you wrote this (I’ve done a lot these things too and found them very effective). My favourite part is this didn’t come off as a “how to” advice column (which I don’t love), as much as a good story of the ways you’ve succeeded (and not succeeded). It was a great and magical read! Thank you for sharing your methods!
Thank you or taking the time to read and comment. Glad it was helpful.
I'm too busy memorizing Lori's Ten Ways I Found Homes for My Work to write much.
Ha ha. Use it as a prompt. :)
Wow, what a great post! Very informative and encouraging.
Thank you!
This is very good. Thanks, Lori.
Thanks for reading!
Lots of great ideas. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful.
Much appreciated your practical advice from hard-won experience!
I will definitely check these out! I also enjoyed how this is less a "how out" and more of a story.
Love this article, thanks Lori!
Glad you liked it. Thanks for reading!
This is such a thoughtful collection of ideas! Definitely forwarding it on.
Glad it was helpful!
Your two poems in North Dakota Quarterly are fab! ❤️
Thank you!
Totally free (+ extremely easy) method: swap links + backstage EIC deets with prolific writer friends.
Totally free (but work intensive): (a.) run a critique group in your niche + pool submission deets -- especially off-the-radar or invitation only lit mags where you employ the sly speakeasy approach; (b.) apply for membership in a writers group, monitor your colleagues publication news, and request "introductions" to zines you've had no luck with but they have gained entry to.
Good ideas!
Thanks, Lori. :-)
Love this Lori. Thanks for sharing it. I have a lot of stories I love, am finally venturing out of my comfort zone with them
Glad you liked it.
When I got to "Not all conferences have to be Bread Loaf" I actually put my fist in the air and said YES! I have clients who attended Bread Loaf, Sewanee, Aspen Words, and Tin House over the last few years, and of course it's been very useful for their careers and self-esteem. But, there are so many good ones that aren't juried or which have higher acceptance rates. Jackson Hole Writers Conference played a big role in my writing life back when I was 24. I'm now on faculty, helping it continue supporting folks--mostly in the mountain west--at a variety of stages in their writing lives/careers.
We recently moved from June dates to November dates, chiefly because billionaires took over Jackson and visits popped during COVID and as a result there's no longer a hotel room in town under $500 in June (most are much more expensive). This limited both who could attend and how much we could charge for the conference itself on top of lodging (as you might imagine, this was tricky for the organization's stability). "Off-season" may seem like a weird time to come to Jackson, but we had exactly the conversation you mentioned in your piece: not everyone is an academic and not everyone finds summer the easiest time to focus on their writing or get away. I personally really love the quiet of November, the elk migrating south, the readily available parking, and I think that quieter energy will benefit writers who join us (they may actually write instead of getting in a hot air balloon!). Jackson Hole Writers Conference is beloved to those who have been coming for a while--truly a community experience despite also hosting top-notch visitors with excellent generation, craft, and publishing content. Anyway-- yes to "When I go to a conference like this one it’s like getting a straight shot of adrenaline to supercharge my writing game"!
I should mention that I also made better publishing connections (and felt more motivated to write) via NonfictioNow than any other conference I've been to. They've been on hiatus since COVID cancelled their New Zealand dates, but I think they're coming back in 2025.
Glad that part resonated with you. Jackson Hole Writers Conference sounds like a really awesome experience.
Extremely informative. This may be unbelievable to some, but I'd never heard of Chill Subs. Can't wait to explore this platform. Really great common sense suggestions. Thanks so much for sharing your accrued wisdom on this subject.
When I discovered it, it realy helped me because it allows you to filter out closed markets, search my genre, look for themed cals, etc.
What a great resource for me resuming the submission gauntlet. I had been resisting for years! Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks, Lori. All of these suggestions sound good. I'll be archiving this.
Glad to hear that they were helpful.