Our own Linda Meyer and Allison Collins were featured presenters at the Molalla Writers’ Faire. Linda, our COO and Editor in Chief, was the keynote speaker, and Allison, our Director of Marketing, led a well-attended book-marketing workshop. Linda also heard editorial pitches from writers attending the Faire. This community event-in its second year-offered “local talent a chance to pitch their work and pick up tips from seasoned veterans of the publishing industry,” said reporter Abby Sewell in the Molalla Pioneer newspaper. Among the tips discussed at the event, as John Flavin of the Oregonian said, were “bringing characters to life, doing research for nonfiction work, and facing the challenge of getting published.” Linda addressed these issues in her keynote speech, and encouraged writers to think about what they want and need from a potential publisher, versus what they can expect to get. She offered realistic advice for building solid working relationships with editors and publishers, and pointed out the benefits of being published by a small press versus a large press. “New and emerging writers will find that many large publishing houses are less likely to take a chance on an unknown,” said Meyer. “Researching and submitting to small and midsized presses can improve your odds of getting picked up. You are also more likely to get personal attention and feedback from an editor at a small or midsized publishing house.”

The 2008 Molalla Writers’ Faire was held January 25-27 in Molalla, Oregon. It was sponsored by Molalla Community Schools, and was made possible by funding received from the Clackamas County Tourism and Development Council and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation.