Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the PWC’s Mission?
A. The Philadelphia Writers’ Conference is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to bring writers together for instruction, counsel, fellowship and the exchange of ideas.
Q. How can I get on the PWC mailing list to receive a conference invitation?
A. There are a number of different ways. The simplest is to subscribe to our newsletter by providing your email address in the box on the right margin. You could also attend the conference, or send your full name, mailing address, and email to info@pwcwriters.org or by mail to:
Q. How do I register for the conference?
A. We have a great registration site. The site allows you select your workshops, choose your dinner options, and pay for everything with check, credit card, or Paypal. It applies scholarship and manuscript winner discounts and provides printed and email confirmation of everything you selected. It even allows you to forward invitations to others and post your registration onto Facebook and Twitter! Registration is open now!
Q. Are there special hotel rates for conference attendees?
A. Yes, we have a block of rooms reserved for conferees at a discounted rate. Check out the location page of our registration site for more detail.
Q. Can I pay for my tuition and food function costs by credit card?
A. Credit cards can be used to pay for the tuition and food functions through our registration site. We also accept pay pal, personal checks, and money orders.
Q. When can I register for the conference?
A. We typically try to open registration by March 15th each year. We send invitations to prior attendees and individuals who have signed up for our mailing lists and send out a post card mailer for those we home addresses for. Watch this site and our Facebook page for additional information as the conference approaches.
Note: Registrants who are submitting manuscripts for either the contest or workshop critique must submit via the registration site by May 1st. ( the number of critiques are limited, so it’s advisable to register early.)
Pre-registered conferees need only sign-in and pick up a conferee packet. It’s also possible to register at walk-in registration. Sign-ups for food functions must be in by noon Friday.
Walk-in registration starts at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, the first day of the conference.
Q. Can I pick up my pre-registration or do walk-in registration later in the day or on the second or third day?
A. Yes, the registration table is staffed the entire first day, and most of the second day. Even the third day there’s usually someone there.
Q. Is it possible to sign up for only one day, or for one workshop?
A. No. Only full three-day conference registration is accepted.
Q. Can I sign up to attend only the appointments with agents or editors?
A. No. Appointments with agents and editors are free to full three-day registrants, with PWC conferee badge required to participate.
Q. Do people ever sign up for the full three days and not attend it all?
A. Yes. Some can’t come on one of the days, or can’t stay for evening events–but there’s enough to provide a good conference experience even it’s necessary to curtail attendance times.
Q. Why can’t a conferee just bring a manuscript for the workshop leader to look at during the conference?
A. Our workshop leaders are dedicated writers with their own heavy schedules, who teach at the conference, and additionally take time to critique submitted manuscripts on their own time. It’s not fair to expect them to take more time during the conference itself to look at manuscripts. We ask that conferees respect the May 1st submission date for manuscript critiques.
Q. What is the purpose of the half-hour free time between workshops? Couldn’t it be shorter–or longer?
A. The half-hour free time is provided for conferees so they can stretch their legs, use the restrooms, have a break, and have time to meet and talk with other conferees in a relaxed atmosphere. PWC provides a Conferee Lounge with complimentary coffee, decaf, tea, and herbal tea at the 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. breaks. (Some conferees have suggested the time of the a.m. and p.m. breaks could be shorter, others have suggested it might be longer–the happy-medium seems to work well.)
The lunch break of 1½ hours allows those who like to walk to get out for a bit or to frequent outside restaurants. It also provides a time when some instructors like to meet with conferees.
Q. How do I register if I was a first-prize winner and received free tuition for the following year’s conference?
A. Your discount is automatically linked to the email address with which you registered the previous year. If you are no longer using the same email address, please contact the registrar at 2013pwcreg@gmail.com.
Q. Can I bring a laptop computer or tape recorder to take notes?
A. Yes, laptops are allowed. Taping is not permitted because it infringes on the rights of the presenters.
Q. Can I sell my own books at the conference?
A. No. Arrangements with the Book Fair and city sales and tax codes do not permit this. However, conferees may put a limited number of small flyers about their work on the tables in the Conferee Lounge.
Q. Exactly where in the Wyndham Hotel does the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference take place?
A. All PWC events are in the hall that leads off from the left end of the hotel lobby. The PWC Registration Desk is right there. All sessions are in rooms in that hall and the agent/editors appointments are at the end of the hall on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Book Fair is in that space.
Q. How do I submit my piece to a workshop leader for critique?
A. During the registration process, you will be provided a dedicated link for each workshop leader’s Submittable site. We recommend you save those links to your shortcuts right away. If you didn’t get a chance to do that, you’ll also find the links for each workshop leader on the “Critique” tab of the registration site. (Note, this link won’t work unless you’re actually registered). If you can’t find your confirmation statement or the links, email 2013pwcreg@gmail.com.
Q. I missed the critique deadline. Can I still submit something?
A. No, sorry, we must cut off contest and critique entries with a May 1 deadline. If you submitted after that, your submission was discarded. Feel free to bring along to the conference a one-page entry for our fiction, nonfiction, and poetry Words on the Wall contests however.
Q. Why are you now charging for critiques?
A. Our workshop leaders commit a lot of time to preparing their workshops and providing critiques for attendees, time they ordinarily would be spending writing or editing or marketing. After reviewing the overall fees charged by dozens of other writing conferences and the time our workshop leaders invest in preparing individual critiques, we determined it was only fair to compensate them. Please note, none of the charged critique fee goes to the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference. Save for a small amount covering administrative costs, the reading fee goes directly to your selected workshop leader.
Q. How do I submit my piece for the annual manuscript contest.
A. After you register for the conference, you’ll find the links to the Annual Manuscript contest on the “contests” tab of the registration website. (This link will only work when you’re registered).
Q. Do you have a discount for early registration?
A. Yes. If you register by a May 1 postmark, your three-day registration will be $300. After May 1 the price increases to $350. Students and Writers’ Club scholarship recipients pay a flat rate of $175.
Q. Are the food functions and master classes included in that cost?
A. No. In order to allow you a conference experience that you can customize for your budget, you must purchase these items a la carte.
Q. Is there an age restriction to attend the conference?
A. Yes. Conferees must be at least 18 years old.
42 Comments
Katherine Hogan
March 8, 2013 at 1:29 amHi, I’m still not clear about something. Is the hotel offering a special rate
for confrerees who’ll be taking rooms? If so, what is the rate? Thanks
Jim Knipp
March 9, 2013 at 10:06 amHi Katherine, The Wyndham Hotel is offering a special rate of $162/night for conference attendees. You’ll need to register by phone (877-999-3223 or 1-215-923-8660) and mention that you are attending the conference to receive the special rate.
Barbara Custer
March 12, 2013 at 1:53 amI have a question about the parking. Will we get parking for free again this year or will there be a charge? If there is, how much?
Barbara of the Balloons
Jim Knipp
March 28, 2013 at 8:33 amHi Barbara – Unfortunately, no discounted parking. Please check with the hotel on the rates.
Brad Hecht
March 25, 2013 at 8:23 amHey Jim;
Do you know who the agents are that will be taking our pitch?
Who are they?
Will we have fiction & non fiction agents to pitch?
Are there publishers this year?
Thanks
Brad
Jim Knipp
March 28, 2013 at 8:31 amHi Brad, check the bottom of the conference page for agents and editors
Elaine
March 27, 2013 at 2:47 amIs this conference only for published writers or for aspiring writers? What is the average attendance for the conference? How does the attendance break down with regard to attendees? Thanks.
Jim Knipp
March 28, 2013 at 8:32 amHi Elaine, the conference is open to everyone. Hope to see you there.
Cheryl
April 12, 2013 at 10:01 pmWhere does it say how much the registration fee is?
Jim Knipp
April 16, 2013 at 9:10 amHi Cheryl. You can find conference prices on the FAQ page as well as the fees page on the registration site
http://www.cvent.com/events/2013-philadelphia-writers-conference/fees-d238b903a47249ffa7275f304599a421.aspx?i=a8e51bea-f856-4498-b5e6-8d63853e1d16
Hannah Bellinger
May 5, 2013 at 12:51 amDo we have to bring a print-out of our registration confirmation when we arrive?
Jim Knipp
May 10, 2013 at 9:17 amHannah, it won’t be required, but probably not a bad idea to bring with you just in case.
Tara
May 6, 2013 at 3:22 amHi! Are attendees allowed to park at the hotel garage even if they aren’t staying overnight? Thanks!
Jim Knipp
May 10, 2013 at 9:16 amHi Tara, you can use the parking garage, but there is no discounted rate this year. Please check with the hotel for their normal parking rates.
Lora Sickora
May 16, 2013 at 12:11 amI’m a book editor who’s interested in participating in the Quick Pitch. Is it too late to sign up to receive pitches?
Jim Knipp
May 21, 2013 at 9:03 amThank you for your interest, Lora. I believe we’ve finalized our agent and editor panel, but I’ll forward your information to our agent and editor chairperson.
Hannah Bellinger
June 5, 2013 at 5:28 amI have already registered for the conference, but what is a conferee badge and how do I get one?
Mina R Raulston
April 21, 2014 at 2:43 pmI would like to receive email updates regarding your organization and conferences.
Hannah Campbell
May 14, 2014 at 6:33 amAre scholarships available? My husband is sick with cancer and blood clots and there is no way I can afford the $220.00. Thank you.
Jim Knipp
May 23, 2014 at 5:39 amHannah, I’m very sorry to hear about your husband. We do have some memorial scholarships, but all have been taken for 2014. Please review our website for how to apply. If you’re part of a writers group with at least six members, we do provide individual 50% scholarships. Check with your group leader to see if they received the scholarship code. Take care!
Sidney Cohen
May 20, 2014 at 6:12 pmI would like to register for the Conference. My question is: I have self-published two books. Am I too late as far as arranging to speak with any of the agents present on Friday afternoon about my books?
Jim Knipp
May 23, 2014 at 5:36 amHi Sidney, it’s definitely NOT too late! You actually sign up for the Agents and Editor sessions at the conference. You can sign up for one five minute session to start, and you can come back later to sign up for additional once everyone ha a chance to sign up.
John Langan
May 27, 2014 at 9:21 pmI’d love to attend the conference, but have a prior commitment on Friday and Saturday. Is there a registration option to attend Sunday only?
Thanks!
Jim Knipp
May 28, 2014 at 8:37 amHi John, right now there isn’t a single day registration option. The core classes are three day workshops that are cumulative (the instructor covers new things each day of the workshop). I’ll let you know ASAP if any of that changes.
Noreen Mallory
June 6, 2014 at 9:52 pmHi…I wish I had known about this conference earlier. I am just now seeing info about this year’s conference and unfortunately will not be able to attend. I am an author and really would have liked to have been there. Thanx!
Jim Knipp
June 9, 2014 at 5:36 amHi Noreen, hope to see you next year. Watch this website and our Facebook page for information about the 2015 conference plus other events throughout the year!
Robert Hebditch
April 30, 2015 at 12:21 amI have been told that a group of 7 gets a 20% discount for the conference. But it appears that one person has to register each person in the group and foot the bill. Have I got it right or can individuals register independently, pay their own bills but still form a group? The discount being applied retroactively.
Jim Knipp
April 30, 2015 at 9:32 amHi Robert, Each Group member can bring other members into the group (by registering them with the Add a Group Member button), but obviously someone has to start the process. Individuals can pay their individual bills, but we’ve found the software works best by first selecting “pay by check” and then having those individuals go back in and pay with their credit cards (or they can pay by check). We’re still working out some of the kinks, but if you have your group together already, feel free to email me at 2013pwcreg@gmail.com and I can help push everything through.
Robert hebditch
April 30, 2015 at 11:29 pmI’m really puzzled by the “single sided” thing with submissions. It sounds like a hangover from the days when all submissions were on paper. Word 2010 makes it very difficult to insert blank pages, and damned near impossible when page numbers are required in a header or footer. Microsoft’s basic position is that there is no such thing as a blank page in electronic media and I think they are right. All pages, blank or not, are counted, so the non-blank pages show only even or odd numbers. What is the point of the blank pages? And what are we to do if we cant paginate properly? Is it acceptable to indicate pagination every other page? I’m really concerned about what to do when I submit.
Augustus Cileone
June 8, 2015 at 4:31 amJust a question about parking at the hotel. Is there still a discount for conference members, and how does one obtain it? Thanks.
Jim Knipp
June 10, 2015 at 8:14 pmGus there is discounted parking. It’s $18 (including tax). The front desk can provide you a ticket to get the discounted rate.
Katherine Hogan
February 29, 2016 at 10:50 pmHi, Jim. I am anxiously awaiting this year’s conference. No complaints–honest! I know how hard you all work and how much you all must do to make the Conference happen–before, during, and after. I’m hoping that the workshops and other events will be listed soon as it takes time to prepare the various manuscripts. Any idea when? Again, I’m aware and appreciative of all the unpaid work that must be done. Katherine
Jim Knipp
March 8, 2016 at 10:14 amHi Katherine – we’ll have everything up by March 15th! Thanks for your patience!
Sandy Bachar
March 31, 2016 at 9:02 pmHello, I am about to pay for my registration but had a few questions not answered on the FAQ’s .
I chose two different three day workshops, does that sound like too much? Do they over lap in time? I see my first one starts at 11 am how long is it? Should I stick to one?
Is there a price difference?
This is my very first writing conference/workshop I am half way through my manuscript and I am 46 years old, is this the right one for me?
Thank you so much for your time and guidance.
Sandy
Jim Knipp
April 2, 2016 at 9:48 pmHi Sandy, thanks for your interest. You actually should choose THREE 3-day workshops and four features and/or master classes. Three-day workshops and features are each one hour long. Master Classes are 90 minutes. The registration site is set up to not allow you to overlap classes, so you don’t have to worry about that. And we certainly think we are the right one for you. The PWC offers opportunities for writers at all stage of their careers! (though as a new writer, we’d suggest sticking to the features and not the master classes, which are smaller classes geared towards more established writers). Looking forward to seeing you in June!
Sandy Bachar
April 3, 2016 at 9:52 pmThank you so much Jim! I appreciate your response.
Sandy
Mary Wild
April 3, 2016 at 4:29 amIs the conference open to out-of-state writers with ties to Philadelphia?
Jim Knipp
April 5, 2016 at 6:37 amHi Mary – the conference is open to everyone (over the age of 18). We have conferees that come from New York, California, even a few from Canada in the last few years. Hope to see you there!
David Krakow
May 30, 2016 at 11:35 pmHi
Just to clarify…..I was planning on working part of the weekend, darting in and out of the conference (for what its worth I work at Barnes & Noble and we have a corporate-mandated event the same three days). Is it not possible to pick and choose certain events and pay for those only or do I have to pay for the entire conference ? Thanks, David
Jim Knipp
June 7, 2016 at 8:27 amHi David, we don’t offer ‘ad hoc’ class selection. The way the conference is set up, particularly the 3-day workshops where what you learn builds upon things learned the previous day, really requires us to only offer the complete package only.
Julie Greenbaum
February 20, 2017 at 5:46 amHello Jim,
I have a question regarding the PWC Writers’ Club Scholarship. I facilitate a writers’ group. Would it be one person per group that would receive the scholarship? Thank you, Julie
Jim Knipp
March 1, 2017 at 8:48 amHi Julie…that’s exactly right. Just go to our submittable site and register your group. We’ll email you a code that you can provide that one member a 50% discount on the cost of a base conference.