BookExpo America/Writer's Digest Books Writers Conference...

Contrary to what some of you who were fooled by the Publishers Weekly April Fool's Day piece might think (you know who you are), BookExpo America is being held as planned at the Javits Center in New York May 28-31.

The coolest BEA event is happening before the show gets started, however. It's the BookExpo America/Writer's Digest Books Writer's Conference which takes place Wednesday May 27 (which is also my brother's birthday. Jim, if I forget to call you this is my excuse.)

What so cool about it? Speakers include Karin Slaughter, Donald Maass, Christina Katz, and a host of WD authors and editors (myself included). Plus there will be 66 (!) agents on hand for an exciting afternoon Pitch Slam (also known as Chuck Sambuchino's Lawn and Garden Scotch Fest. We won't actually be serving Scotch but it's an idea I am in favor of).

Agent Janet Reid said on Twitter: "I found one of my biggest juiciest projects at this conference last year. Damn straight I'll be back in 09!" So if you have a big juicy project our event might be a good place for you. There will be plenty of agents who handle children's material on hand including Michelle Andelman, Michael Bourret, Andrea Brown, Debbie Carter, Vivian Chum, Rachel Downes, Jennie Dunham, Stephany Evans, Mollie Glick, Jenny Rappaport, Jessica Regel, Elana Roth, Michael Stearns (who said in this space "the only things that should be pitched are baseballs"), Gretchen Stelter, Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, Jennifer Weltz, Tina Wexler, and Christine Witthohn.

If you can't make it you'll have the opportunity to vicariously enjoy the event through blogs and Twitter. (More details on that closer to the conference).

Writer's Digest Has a New Online Bookshop...

If you like Writer's Digest Books (and I hope you do because CWIM is one of them) and you like cheap books (and who doesn't?) you should check out our new Writer's Digest Shop.

Some cool things about the new Shop are discounts (20% off or more), free U.S. shipping if you spend $25, and a Member Reward program which is cool in that once you spend $100 you get an additional 10% off all the other stuff you buy from the shop in the future. And since the shop just had it's grand opening, there's an extra 10% off any books you order before April 15th-- which makes the 2009 CWIM a real bargain. Here's the secret 10%-off code: WDPB0309.

There's an area featuring writing books focusing on Children's & Young Adult (published by WD and others), but also an array of other great offerings including our Elements of Fiction and Write Great Fiction series which everyone seems to love. And Jane Yolen's wonderful title Take Joy is currently on sale for $7.50.

P.S. Check out the new Writer's Digest Community Facebook page. We need fans.

P.S.S. We've got a survey open about online writing courses and we'd love to have your opinion. It's only 10 questions, so if you have a minute click here to take the survey.