Monique Antonette Lewis knows a thing or two about building a community of writers. Her At the Inkwell series in New York is quite the success, and it soon expand to other cities. She’s excited about sharing her experiences with attendees as part of our literary citizenship panel. And she’s also excited about putting on her writer hat and enjoying the conference. Here’s a peek:
Hippocampus: Tell us who would benefit most from your panel and why.
Monique: If you are feeling lost and don’t know where to begin to meet other writers, I will discuss how to get started creating a reading series/writing community in your neighborhood. Connecting with other writers is easier than it seems, no matter where you live.
What is your best advice for attending a writing conference, whether it’s for newbies or veterans?
Network, network, network. It feels awkward to go up to someone you don’t know, but you can break that icy feeling with a warm smile and introducing yourself. Ask the person where they are traveling from and if they’re enjoying the conference. Which session are they excited to attend and why? The conversation will naturally progress from there. Don’t forget to exchange contact information before you part ways. You never know who knows someone and how that person may be a resource for you in your writing/publishing career.
What’s on your personal conference agenda? Perhaps share with us a session/event you don’t want to miss.
I’m going to attend How to Get Published in Literary Magazines; Acting the Book: Putting Pizazz into Your Literary Readings; and One Moment Memoir: Writing Flash Essays. I’m really excited for all three because I want to get more publishing credits in lit magazines, improve my reading series as I expand At The Inkwell across the country, and I plan to write an essay collection in the fall about dating in NYC.
What are you most looking forward to about visiting Lancaster? (And if you’re from the central PA region, what are you most excited to share with attendees and other speakers?)
I’ve never been to Lancaster and I’m looking forward to visiting the downtown shops and restaurants. I love visiting new cities and exploring their history.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Monique! We’re pleased to welcome you to Lancaster! (P.S. We absolutely adore that photo of you!)
