Frequently Asked Questions
Please choose from the following categories. If you have a question not covered here, please contact us and we will respond to the question and add it to the list.
Carrie McCray Literary Contest
Critiques and Faculty Appointments
Registration Forms and Brochure
Agents and Editors
When I pick my top three choices for my manuscript critique, do I pick from the list of agents and editors?
When you pick your top three choices for critique, you will select from a list of all faculty members who are doing critiques. Most of them are, and if you register early you should not have a problem snagging one of your choices.
Besides the one-on-one session and group critique sessions, are there going to be times available for pitch sessions with agents and editors?
Besides the one-on-one appointments, we are offering 12 different sessions throughout the conference called "Slush Fests." Technically, these are not pitch sessions, but participants will take either their query letter or synopsis, along with the first page of their manuscript, or the first two pages of their manuscript, and the work will be critiqued live (but anonymously) by agents and editors. Since they are in the business of acquiring manuscripts, if they see something they like, (one would surmise) they're going to ask who it belongs to, and possibly for more of the manuscript.
The other opportunity we'll offer is in the built-in faculty interaction. All faculty members will be hosting tables at dinner on Friday and Saturday. They'll also be available for informal interaction between and after sessions. If you strike up a conversation with one, you may just hear the magic question, "What is your novel/project about?"
Book signings
Can SCWW members bring their published books and participate in the book signings?
Yes. However, because space is limited, anyone who wants to participate must sign up in advance by emailing (click here for email) as soon as possible. Space will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Those who participate will have an assigned spot with a name sign that we'll provide (just like the faculty) and space for a small stack of books (with more room under the table for storage). Set up should be minimal, and can begin at 4:30 for the 4:45 event. Anyone registered for the conference is eligible to participate as long as she/he signs up in advance.
Aside from the book signing from 4:45 – 6:00 pm on Saturday, are there other opportunities to offer my books for sale during the conference?
Yes. Any SCWW member — and if you are attending the conference, you are a member from the point of registration — or faculty member may drop off a stack of books at the SCWW Book Nook from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Thursday, October 23rd, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm on Friday, October 24th, or from 10:00 am to 6:00pm on Saturday, October 25th. SCWW volunteers will log in your inventory, and we will offer the books for sale (at whatever price you have marked them) during scheduled hours throughout the conference.
At conference close on Sunday, you may pick up a check for books sold, and any remaining inventory. Although it is not a requirement, SCWW appreciates those who chose to donate a percentage of their sales to the organization. Donations to SCWW are tax deductible. Any books left at the Book Nook after 1:00 pm on Sunday, October 26th will be considered as donations to the organization.
Will there be an on-site bookseller from whom I can purchase faculty books to have them autographed?
In addition to the SCWW Book Nook, Barnes and Noble will be on site to offer faculty books and faculty recommended books on Saturday from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm.
There will be a faculty book signing on Saturday from 4:45 - 6:00 pm. Poets on faculty will also perform readings during this time. As the book signing overlaps with the social hour, they will be held in adjacent areas, allowing attendees and faculty to easily move between the two events.
Carrie McCray Literary Contest
Is the contest open only to Conference attendees?
Yes. You must be registered for the conference and your fees must be paid before sending your entry.
Conference Dates
When is the 2008 Conference?
October 24th – 26th, 2008. Anyone attending the Friday morning Intensive Workshops will want to arrive on Thursday, October 23rd, unless they live in the immediate area.
Is the conference held the same week every year?
No, but it is generally the third or fourth weekend in October.
When do you begin planning for the Conference each year?
Immediately following the conference, we start planning for the next year.
Critiques and Faculty Appointments
How do I sign up for a critique or appointment with a faculty member?
This is part of the registration process. If you register online and indicate that you would like to purchase a critique, you will be prompted to select the type of critique or appointment and indicate your first, second and third choice of faculty member. If you mail in your registration, you will fill in your preferences on the registration form.
Is there an extra charge for critiques?
Yes. Standard length critiques (10 pages plus a synopsis) are $50, and extended length critiques (30 pages plus a synopsis) are $100. There is no charge for appointments without pre-reading of your manuscript pages. There are a very limited number of appointments without critique available.
Why are critiques not included in the registration fee as they were last year?
There are two reasons. One, not everyone wants a critique or appointment, and recent AAR guideline changes allow us to price them separately without running afoul of their code of ethics. The second reason is that, like most things, conference expenses have gone up since last year. Pricing critiques separately allows us to pass the associated costs along to those who want them, and not those who don’t. The alternative would have been to raise the registration fee for everyone.
If I sign up for a critique, do I also get an appointment?
Yes. Each standard and extended length critique comes with a 20-minute one-on-one appointment or participation in a critique workshop with only five total attendees.
What are group critiques? Do they cost the same as critiques with a one-on-one appointment?
Because some participants (and some faculty members) are uncomfortable with the format of a one-on-one critique, we are offering something new this year to take some of the pressure off. Some faculty members will be offering group critiques rather than (or possibly in addition to) the one-on-one appointments. In both cases, your work will be submitted and read before the conference.
The group sessions will be limited to five attendees per session, so those who chose this format will get the same amount of face time with a faculty member. They will also get the opportunity to hear responses to questions that others in their group ask, and hear what the faculty member has to say to everyone. If you sign up for a group critique, you will need to send extra copies of your work for the others in your group. The cost is the same as for one-on-one appointments.
If I sign up for an appointment (without having a faculty member read my material in advance), can I ask the faculty member to read and critique my work?
It’s your 20 minutes—you can use it any way you like. However, this is probably not the most efficient use of your time or theirs. If you want a critique, sign up for a critique and submit your material ahead of time. This way, the faculty member critiquing your work will have more time to give it consideration. The appointments are designed with attendees in mind who are not at a place in the writing process where they are ready for a critique, or who would rather ask questions regarding issues they are struggling with.
What if I want to pitch my idea to an editor or an agent?
You can use your 20 minutes to do this. However, the agent or editor will have a lot more time to consider if your work is right for them if you send in sample pages for critique.
What is expected of me during the appointment?
That depends upon your goal. First of all, relax. All of our faculty members are nice people. They will not bite you. Agents and editors come to conferences because they want to help authors and they are looking for new talent. Authors, poets, and others come to share their expertise.
If you have signed up for a critique, above all, listen to what the faculty member has to say. Take notes. Don’t argue or defend. Be professional. Ask questions based upon the feedback you’re given. Remember, if you’re being critiqued by an agent or editor, even if they liked your work, if you don’t come across as professional, they may not ask to see more of it. You are selling yourself as well as your work.
If you intend to pitch an idea and did not send in sample pages, this is your opportunity to sell your work (and yourself). Please only pitch a novel if it is complete. You will need a log line—think ten seconds of radio airtime to sell your book to readers. Boil the essence of your book down to as few words as possible and make it compelling. This is possibly the hardest thing you will ever do as a writer.
Most editors and agents don't want to see your material unless they ask for it, and usually this will entail you sending it to them after you return home from the conference marked with “Requested Materials,” or something similar. They will give you specific directions if they are interested in seeing your work. It doesn't hurt to have a sample (perhaps your first 50 pages double-spaced) on hand just in case, but this is rare. (These folks are flying home, and probably don’t want to lug extra weight through the airport.)
If you have signed up for an appointment to pick a professional’s brain about some writing or publishing issue that you are struggling with, plan what questions you want to ask before you get there. Be specific. Listen carefully. Take notes.
When are appointments scheduled?
All one-on-one appointments (both critique and non-critique) and group critique sessions take place during breakout session time slots. There are a limited number of appointments available, and they fill up very quickly. As faculty assignments are made on a first-come-first-served basis, we strongly recommend that you register early and list more than one choice.
When will I find out who my appointment is with and when?
When you check in at the conference. Additional appointments may be made Friday evening after the dinner session, subject to availability.
My critique is scheduled in the middle of a workshop that I wanted to attend. Can I go to the first part, slip out and come back?
Absolutely. Just please come and go as quietly as possible, and sit close to the back.
When do I send my pages for critique?
Any time after you have registered, as long as it is postmarked on or before September 1, 2008. The earlier you send it in, the more time you give the faculty member to consider your manuscript. However, you don’t want to send it in before it’s ready. It does not have to accompany your registration if you register by mail.
Conference Etiquette
Are cell phones allowed in conference sessions?
While you can certainly carry them with you, please turn them off before entering any General Session or workshop.
Can I enter a room after a session starts?
Yes, but please be considerate and move as quietly as possible to a seat near the back of the room.
If I discover after a session has started that it wasn't what I anticipated and I want to switch, is that okay?
Absolutely. Please exit the room as discreetly as possible, and move as quietly as possible to a seat nearest the back in the workshop you relocate to.
When is the best time to pitch to an agent or editor?
During an appointment, critique, or any time you hear one of them say the words, “What is your novel (or project, etc.) about?”
What are some embarrassing moments I'd be better off to avoid?
Unless you hear the magic words (see above) do not pitch your book at lunch or dinner. Use this time to develop a rapport, and to begin feeling comfortable conversing with the faculty.
Don't ask any member of the faculty for their phone number so you can discuss your project in more depth. If, by some fluke, you are offered this information, by all means take it, but don't flaunt it to your friends until after you get home.
Don't pitch to an agent or editor during a panel discussion or Q&A session.
Don't approach a faculty member with a question just before a workshop is scheduled to begin.
General
What should I bring to wear?
Ours is a casual conference. Please dress comfortably. No need to bring the cocktail dress or the black tie. Seriously, our staff will likely be in jeans or khakis and golf or T-shirts. You may want to bring a jacket or sweater in case the meeting rooms are chilly.
What will the weather be like?
It's a good idea to check the forecast before leaving home, but, usually, late October weather in Myrtle Beach is quite pleasant. Temperatures range in the low - mid seventies, with ocean temperatures in the mid-sixties to low seventies. Humidity is generally high, which makes the temperature feel warmer than it actually is. Last year, the weather was comfortable enough for many to slip in some beach time!
Can we buy Conference logo t-shirts, mugs and other merchandise?
Yes. Items for sale at the Book Nook this year will be T-shirts, golf shirts, mugs, cover art posters from The Petigru Review, and additional copies of The Petigru Review. Please bring checks or cash, as SCWW will not have the necessary equipment to process credit cards at the conference.
Do we get to mix with the faculty?
Absolutely! That is the best thing about our conference. We have built in as many opportunities for attendees to mingle with faculty as we could think of. At dinner on Friday and Saturday, the faculty will be hosting tables. They will also be available in the common areas of the conference facilities in between sessions for informal interaction.
Is there an age limit for the Conference?
Writers under age 18 are welcome, but, for liability reasons, must be accompanied by a parent. Few, if any, workshops contain adult content, and if your young writer has parental approval to attend, that’s fine with us. Parents accompanying minors may either purchase a guest meal plan or register for the conference to attend breakout sessions. Neither South Carolina Writers Workshop, nor The Hilton, assumes any responsibility for minors. That said, we're here for writers, and want to encourage talent at all ages.
Can I bring my spouse or a guest?
Absolutely! The Spouse/Guest Registration is $185, and includes the welcome reception/dinner on Friday; breakfast, lunch, dinner and breaks on Saturday; and breakfast, and break on Sunday, but no conference breakout sessions or workshops. Spouses/Guests are welcome to accompany attendees to all meals sessions, and Night Owl Gatherings.
Can I bring my family?
Absolutely! The Hilton is a part of Kingston Plantation, which offers a wide variety of accommodations for any size family, and the Myrtle Beach area offers countless attractions to entertain your family while you are at the conference.
Due to space limitations, and to limit distractions, only registered conference attendees who have purchased the complete package (including dinners and lunch on Saturday) and registered spouses or guests may attend the conference meal sessions. If you are traveling with other family members, there are several dining options on the resort, and countless in the Myrtle Beach area.
What should I NOT do?
You should not stay in your room any longer than necessary. Get out there and network. Find your favorite authors and strike up a conversation. Reconnect with old friends. Make new ones. Find a critique partner in your genre.
Genre Connections
What are “genre connections.”
Another good opportunity to network. On Friday and Saturday evening, after the meal session ends, one of the options you will have for the remainder of the evening is to meet with other authors in your category or genre.
Looking for a critique partner?
Want to discuss forensics, creating alternate universes, or building a platform with someone else that speaks the same language?
Check out Genre Connections. Locations will be listed in your conference notebooks, and there will be signs.
Will faculty members be there?
Possibly. These are informal sessions, and faculty members are welcome and encouraged to participate, but there is no guarantee.
Location & Accommodations
Where is the conference being held this year?
Our host hotel this year is The Myrtle Beach Hilton Resort.
Does The Hilton offer a Conference discount?
Yes. The SCWW discounted conference room rate is $97 per night (plus an 11% room tax) for rooms in The Hilton. Rooms and two and three-bedroom condos are available at the adjacent (connected) Royale Palms for $109, $199 and $249, respectively. (All rates are subject to the 11% room tax.)
What if I need a condo or villa to accommodate my family?
The Hilton is a part of Kingston Plantation, a 145-acre resort offering a wide variety of accommodations. If you plan to bring your family, and would prefer a villa, condominium, or lodge, they have many to choose from. The conference rate applies only to rooms in The Hilton and the rooms and condos in Royale Palms. Rates on other types of lodging will vary based upon the type and size. For a map of the resort, visit their website. The Hilton is located at the northern-most edge of the property, oceanfront.
The nearest condominium tower, Royale Palms, is connected to The Hilton by a covered walkway and has everything from traditional guestrooms to three-bedroom condos. The nearest group of villas is Richmond Park, which offers one, two, and three-bedroom villas.
Where will the conference events take place? Will we be too spread out for the conference to have the intimate feel it's had in the past?
All conference activities will take place at the Hilton, most of them on the mezzanine level and/or the new adjacent conference facilities. If you want to be in the middle of things, and prefer the easiest access to workshops, group sessions, and mingling, you will want to stay at The Hilton. We anticipate that most attendees will stay at The Hilton to preserve that intimate atmosphere.
If you’d rather be a little away from all the activity, or need larger accommodations, you will want to consider a villa, condominium or lodge.
I have more questions about the accommodations, and am not sure which type of room I want. Who do I call?
For more information on Kingston Plantation and the different types of accommodations available, please visit their website or call (800) 876-0010. You will reach a Kingston Plantation reservations specialist who can answer general questions about the lodging options at the resort, and can reserve a villa, condo or lodge, but will not be able to make a conference-discounted reservation at the Hilton.
How do I make a reservation at The Hilton?
To reserve a room at The Hilton, call (800) 876-0010. Be sure to mention that you are a part of the SCWW conference (group code SWR) in order to get the discounted rate.
Or go directly to our Hilton conference reservation page, where you can book your discounted Hilton room.
Is there a deadline to make my reservation?
SCWW has a block of rooms reserved for October 24-26, 2008. The special room rate will be available until September 24th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. We strongly recommend that you make your reservations early.
Can I get the conference rates for an extended stay?
Yes, The Hilton will extend the conference rate for nights immediately prior to and/or following the conference subject to availability.
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Membership
My membership expires in August, but I plan to register in June. Do I need to renew my membership when I register?
Yes. If your membership expires prior to November 1, 2008, you will need to renew when you register to get the discounted member rate. However, you won’t lose those months. Your membership will be extended one year from its current expiration date.
How do we renew our family membership when my wife and I register for the conference?
Since you'll each need to go through the registration process separately, either online or by mail, this can be confusing. It has to be done separately because you'll each need to select your first, second and third choice faculty members for a critique, meals and workshops.
The registration form has changed this year. At the top, you'll check one of the following categories:
Dues Current Member
Membership does not expire before November 1stRenewing Member
Membership will expire between registration and the conference unless you renew when registering. This is many of us -- we renew each year when we register for the conference.
The family member who registers first should check the "renewing member" box, then further down the form, check "family renewal." The discounted family renewal rate will be added into your total.
The other family member(s) should simply check the "dues current member" box at the top, and not include a renewal fee. We have all family memberships noted in our database, and will mark you both as paid.
In the event that one of you is a renewing member, but the other family member is joining the organization--you are in effect converting to a family membership as you renew--you'll need to renew as a family prior to registering for the conference if you plan to register online. The system will have no way to recognize a name not currently on the roster as a member. The family renewal can be done online*, and you should be able to both register for the conference the following day.
If you want to renew and register by mail, simply fill out both registration forms as outlined above (one of you checks "renewing member" and "family membership," the other checks "dues current member,") and mail them together. *If you've never renewed online before, it's easy!
Go to www.myscww.org
Click on the "Join Us!" link on the left hand side of the page.
Scroll down until you see "Family Membership" (or individual, if applicable)
Click "Add to cart"
Click "Proceed to Checkout"
You'll be redirected to a PayPal web page, but you will have the option of paying with your personal PayPal account or with a credit or debit card.
Fill in your payment info and follow the directions.
Make sure to enter both/all family member names in the "Message to seller" field on the final check out screen.
As with any conference related issue, if you need assistance, please email us.
Open Mic
How do I sign up for open mic readings?
Signup sheets will be at the door of each Open Mic session.
I noticed that there is more than one open mic session on the schedule. What is the difference between the sessions?
On Friday, the Poetry Society of South Carolina will host a poetry open mic, and there will be a separate session for prose. On Saturday night, poetry and prose will be combined.
Why did you move the open mic readings to other locations, rather than having them in the ballroom at the end of the meal session as in years past?
According to last year’s survey, Open Mic is one of those things upon which our membership is almost evenly divided. Half the membership can’t wait for it; the other half leaves the room when the readings start.
Holding open mic in the ballroom immediately following the meal session is not fair to either group. Those who want to read and listen should not have to strain to hear and be heard while others exit the room. Also, it’s a bit disconcerting to have folks walk out when you’re reading. On the other hand, those who would rather spend the time socializing, meeting faculty, or otherwise should not be put in the position of having to choose between doing something they feel is rude—leaving—or staying for something they’re not interested in.
Registration
When will registration open?
Registration opened June 1. To register, please visit the Registration Fees page.
Do we receive confirmation of our registration?
Yes, we will confirm all registrations upon receipt.
Does the cost of registration include the hotel room?
No. You will need to make hotel reservations separately. This can be done by calling The Hilton at (866) 454-8309 or by visiting our Hilton conference reservation page
If I decide at the last minute to come, can I just show up?
It’s better for you and us if you pre-register. Registering prior to September 1st saves you money, and allows us to plan conference room sizes appropriately.
However, if you thought you could not make it, and then find out you can, we welcome walk-in registrants. If you have not registered, but would like to attend, you can register at our conference registration desk inside The Hilton lobby anytime after 4:00 pm on Thursday, October 23. Hotel reservations can still be made through The Hilton. (Please see Accommodations page)
A very limited number of meal tickets will be available for purchase onsite, and walk-in registrants will not be able to purchase a critique (but can sign up for an appointment based on availability).
What do I do if I need to cancel?
If you must cancel your registration, registration fees are refundable, less a $30 processing charge, if canceled in writing, postmarked by October 1, 2008. We regret that refunds cannot be issued for cancellations received after October 1st, 2008 for any reason. Critique fees are non-refundable if the manuscript has been received.
Registration Forms and Brochure
Link to printable registration forms that you can fill out and mail.
For a printable form, please visit the Registration Fees page.
Brochure
Click here to open PDF full color brochure complete with faculty listing.
(This is helpful to have in front of you even if you are registering online.)
Register Online
To register online, please visit the Registration Fees page.
Saving Money
I am on a limited budget. How can save money attending the Conference?
There are several ways:
Consider sharing a hotel room. This will cut your costs considerably.
You can share rides with others from your area, or to and from the airport if you're flying in.
Purchase the Conference Basic Package, which includes breakfast and breaks, but not the lunch and dinners. This you should consider as a last resort because you will miss not only the great speakers at the meal sessions — including the keynote speaker — but the opportunity to interact with the faculty members, as they will be hosting tables.
What should I NOT do?
You should NOT stay home because you think you can't afford this conference. The South Carolina Writers Workshop Conference is the place to be for writers seeking to hone their craft, connect with other writers, learn about the publishing world, and meet agents and editors. For the array of workshops offered and the potential connections, this conference is a bargain. It’s an investment in yourself.
Our conference is the most affordable of its size, curriculum offerings, and location. We are a non-profit organization, manned 100% by volunteers. Our goal is to provide the best conference for the money anywhere!
What's the single best way to save money?
Come to the conference. It’s less expensive than purchasing a stack of craft and how-to-get-published books, then taking classes and paying for critiques—not to mention the value of the time you will save because your work will be ready for publication that much sooner. And just think about all that postage you will save on SASE’s when your work is accepted.
Slush Fests
What is a “Slush Fest?”
One of the most popular new things we offered in 2007 is back! Two of the classes offered in each time slot are “Slush Fest” sessions. These are interactive workshops, with two faculty members — usually an editor and an agent—who will comment on participant submissions.
For any prose session, bring your query letter or synopsis along with the first page of your manuscript, or the first 2 pages of your manuscript on transparencies. For poetry sessions, bring a poem on a transparency. As you go into the class, your transparencies will be collected at the door, and selections will be picked at random, put on the overhead projector and feedback will be given to the class. This will all be done anonymously. Do not put your name on your transparencies, and no one will know which one is yours except you. The idea is for faculty members to discuss what catches their attention—and what does not—and why.
Most copy shops (Kinko’s, UPS Store, countless others) will make a transparency of 2 pages for a minimal charge. Should you need assistance, we will have transparencies at the conference, and the Hilton will make them for a small fee. You can also make them yourself in the Hilton business center.
You must bring your work to these sessions on transparencies for it to be critiqued. Please do not bring more than 2 pages total. Here’s an awesome opportunity to get feedback on your work from the experts!
Special Requirements
Are there vegetarian meal options?
Yes. Breakfasts are a deluxe continental buffet with few options with meat. Lunches and dinners are either buffet style (with vegetarian choices) or have vegetarian selections. Please indicate your preference during registration.
Is the Conference wheel-chair accessible?
Yes. There are elevators in the Hilton to take you back and forth between your room and the mezzanine level where the workshops are held. The Hilton, its guest rooms and common areas are in full compliance with the public accommodations requirements of the ADA.
Tips
Should I bring business cards?
Business cards are an easy way to exchange contact information with new friends, potential critique partners, etc. However, if an agent or editor asks to see your work, you will no doubt send contact information with the sample pages, making a business card redundant.
Should I bring my laptop?
Yes. You may just decide on Friday night that you want to Google an agent to get more information once you have learned that she is doing your critique. (Although, hopefully you will do the research before you list your 3 choices, you may need to refresh and update your information.)
You may also have a last minute inspiration to revise that query letter you’re taking to a Slush Fest session. New transparencies can be made at The Hilton, but if you do not have your laptop, you won’t have the document to revise.
There are probably 20 other scenarios that could make you wish you had your laptop. It’s best to bring it if you have one. If you don’t, make sure to prepare ahead of time.
With so much going on, how can I avoid getting brain overload before Sunday afternoon?
Step outside for fresh air during breaks. Catch a great ocean view and soak up the sea breeze. Drink plenty of fluids, and take a break for a walk on the beach when you need one. Wear the most comfortable shoes you own—tennis shoes are fine.
Is it better to stay in the conference hotel, where it will be busy, or in another hotel where you relax (and possibly save some money)?
Stay at The Hilton if you possibly can. This gives you the opportunity to rest well before the conference starts, and pop back to your room if you have forgotten something—or to grab a nap. You won’t be nearly as rushed—and frazzled if you are on-site. There are so many opportunities for faculty interaction, and so much going on that you aren't going to want to miss a minute of it traveling from hotel to hotel.
What if I don't like . . .
The beautiful views; the long days; too many great workshops at the same time; too many fantastic faculty members to meet; a presenter; the food; the hotel; the fact that there was not a hurricane—I came to see a hurricane; all the smiling people...
Some problems we can resolve immediately. Please bring those to our attention at the conference registration desk in the hotel lobby, which will be manned from 8:00 am until 8:00 p.m. throughout the conference. An emergency number will be posted for contacting someone with the conference outside those hours, or, possibly, someone at The Hilton registration desk can help—they will always be there.
For other issues, please use your conference evaluation survey to let us know what worked and what needs work. We will be sending surveys immediately following the conference. Our goal is to make the SCWW conference a wonderful learning experience. We would really appreciate the benefit of your perspective.
Workshops
How and where do I choose my workshops?
Initial workshop preferences are indicated when you register. This gives us an idea of how many attendees are interested in each workshop so that we can match the room size to the session. However, you can change your mind before the conference and go to any workshop you like. Or, once the class starts, if it’s not what you expected, move on to your next choice. It would be helpful to have your first and second choices marked for each workshop so that you can quickly change if necessary.