What are your thoughts on writer’s retreats, workshops, and bootcamps? Commercial gimmick preying on the hopeful? Or legitimate programs?
The language on some of the websites sound like these workshops are on par with ivy league schools. You have to pay just for the privilege of applying and then the programs run approx $4000-$5000 for 6 weeks.
Would an editor / agent be impressed that a writer was “accepted” to such a program? In your experience, do you see an elevation in quality from those who’ve attended? For example, can you always spot a ‘Clarion man’?
Do some programs carry more legitimacy than others?
Also, can I get Evil Editor’s (and minions) thoughts on the highlighted portion below, taken from one workshop’s website?
Commercial gimmick preying on the hopeful? Or legitimate programs? As with everything from book publishers to snake oil salesmen to literary agencies to politicians, there are some of each.
$4000 a week for 6 weeks? Including room and board? I'd pay that much, skip all the classwork, and enjoy a 6-week vacation at about $100 a day. Beats staying at a luxury resort at $500 a night including only one meal, a breakfast bar with eggs that have been sitting there three hours.
Would an editor / agent be impressed that a writer was “accepted” to such a program? Only if it's an editor / agent who taught at the retreat you attended and was paid well. In your experience, do you see an elevation in quality from those who’ve attended? For example, can you always spot a ‘Clarion man’? If we're talking specifically about Clarion, that is not a commercial gimmick. It's intense and useful; I have that first-hand from a few people who attended, and the names of authors who've been on the faculty is impressive: http://clarion.ucsd.edu/clarions-distinguished-alumni-faculty/ Also, while I can't always spot a Clarion man, I can always spot a Clarion woman.
Yes some are better than others, and it makes sense to do some research.
As for what an adverb is and why you shouldn't use one, I know you've read Evil Editor's Why You Don't Get Published, vol. 2, article #4, but for those who haven't, here's a link to the original article on the EE blog: https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/26791026/3559145757560460699
3 comments:
That link took me to a comment thread about film processing on some other blog.
On my iPad it takes me to a page telling me my browser doesn't support blogger. However the link works fine on my desktop computer. IN any case, you can get there by searching the blog for Q & A 132.
Thank you! I guess I can dial down the cynicism.
Touché about the $100 a day cost. I didn’t bother to do the math.
The equation I saw was: $$$ + time off work = no guarantees.
Post a Comment