Conversations and Connections Pittsburgh 2022

What do editors hate? What do they love? Should you stress out about your cover letter? Is there really a "good rejection?" This panel features veteran editors answering these and other questions and generally pulling back the curtain to show you what really happens behind the scenes.  

Many writers call themselves “bad” at titling their own work, and few writing workshops focus on finding that perfect title for the piece under consideration. Yet we’re told that an agent or editor is making quick decisions about whether to keep reading…shouldn’t a title grab their attention? This interactive talk will focus on why titling is tricky; consider what a “good” title might achieve; and explore the differences in titling various genres and forms.

Diversity and Inclusivity: Experiences in the Literary Community and World of Publishing a panel for collective discussion and questioning that is cross-genre and dedicated to understanding the ways in which we as a community can and should be more inclusive and diverse and the steps being taken to increase representation. This panel will be facilitated by ideally a few panelists of diverse backgrounds. An initiation of dialogue is key to the facilitation of inclusivity and diversity beyond tokenism and brown washing.

The Write-In is a loosely guided "alone together" writing exercise.