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September Co-working & Critique Crew dates – Great for Non-writers & Writers

Throughout September, I am hosting co-working dates & a critique group.  Try a co-working session to help focus and motivate you to get some work done. Co-working sessions run: Mondays 10 a.m. – noon CST Wednesdays 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. CST Fridays 10 a.m. – noon CST September’s upcoming sessions are: Wednesday 9/1 – 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. CST  Friday 9/3 – 10 a.m. – noon CST Monday 9/6 – 10 a.m. – 12 noon (*This is a US …

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Conferences are back & It feels a little strange.

I’m excited to present in real human life this Thursday and Friday at the SMIAH Writers Conference. Imari & I are both attending and we’ll be learning all the writerly things and meeting some new people. I’ll also be teaching a few things about the business side of writer world. I’m not going to lie, it feels pretty weird. I’m a little nervous about it and feel out of practice for presenting. I’ll have to put on a whole outside …

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The Last Question I Expected to Hear

In this series apprentice, Imari Berry selects essays from Jessica Conoley’s archives.  Imari shares why the essay resonates with her as a newer creative, & Jessica’s original essay follows. I chose this essay because: Why do writers write? This question hit me in my gut and this essay makes me think about the reason I write. Sometimes there’s more than more answer and I’m figuring out mine with each word I write. Initial publication date: 9/15/2015 The Last Question I …

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Writers Helping Writers

I’m excited to have my work on Building Your Writing Support Triangle featured over on Writers Helping Writers. They’re publishing my work three weeks in a row! Last week we talked about Critique Support; we’ll cover mentors and accountability next. Thank you Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi for having me! Check out WritersHelpingWriters.net to read more.

April break & story follow ups

I am taking the month of April off for family leave. I am not taking any new clients during this time. I will have delayed access to email, and will respond at my earliest opportunity. Thank you for your understanding. Back in February, I told you about how I’ve Been Reading Again. To follow up on the p.s., it’s been confirmed there are no longer bruises in the back of my eye, so I guess my brain has reconciled whatever …

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A Website Refresh

I’ve been making some updates over on my website. I switched hosting providers so things are moving more quickly, and it should be easier to find all the ways you can work with me or join my writing community. When you head over to jessicaconoley.com if you notice anything that can be improved, or make the site more user friendly please let me know!

Three Voices. One Story.

I did an experiment! With friends. My friends and I wrote this week’s essay together. It was pretty fun writing with other people.  This is the first time I ever tried it, and I may try it again in the future. When the world is on fire I turn to my writer friends because they understand the compulsion to use our writing in a meaningful way.  I turn to two particular writer friends because they are the women I’ve been …

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Stealth Edits at Jo Co Library’s Writers Conference 11/16

  If you would like the chance to get four pages of your work edited, for free, by me, here’s what you need to do: 1) Join my writer email list. 2) Format your work in standard manuscript formatting. 3) Print a copy and bring it with you to the Jo Co Writers Conference on Saturday, November 16th. 4) Make sure your e-mail address is somewhere on the submission. (Hand write it, type it, put it in braille, doesn’t matter …

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3 Reasons Editors Love Standard Manuscript Format

Did you ever wonder why publishers & agents are so concerned about formatting? 1. It’s easy on our eyes. The double spacing, simple fonts, and wide margins minimize editor eye strain. 2. There’s room to write our notes when we edit by hand. Yes, sometimes we still print out entire manuscripts and mark them up! We notice different things while editing on paper that are often overlooked on a computer screen. 3. It lets your writing stand out. Editors and …

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Podcasts for days! What’s your favorite listen?

I had a great time getting book recommendations from you in response to my Best of 2018 Reads newsletter, I thought I’d pick your brains yet again. But this time I want to know what’s in your ear-balls? There’s a slight chance I may have become addicted to podcasts. I like listening while I take a walk or clean the house or when the radio stations are sucking at playing music. Since there’s a podcast for pretty much everything, I …

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