I’ve been an active member of the Maryland Writers’ Association for several years now, and so it’s with great pleasure that I will be participating as a speaker at this year’s Maryland Writers Conference. The MWA is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a two-day event. That means double the networking, double the fun, and double the amount of excellent information for authors of all levels.

This year’s conference features screenwriter and consultant to the stars Michael Hauge, known for his motivational writing workshops; the Poet Laureate of Maryland Stanley Plumly presenting a half-day workshop, and award-winning thriller writer John Gilstrap. Agent pitches, keynote talks at breakfast and lunch on Saturday, panels and workshops. This is one conference you won’t want to miss.

I’ll be there giving my presentation, “5 Steps to Self-Publishing Success.” With so many options, it can be difficult to navigate your way to self-publishing success. But if you want great results, you need to get real! Just copying what indie phenoms like Amanda Hocking or J.A. Konrath are doing may not work for you. You need a plan designed for your type of book and your particular situation. This presentation will give you a simple five-step roadmap while revealing crucial industry secrets to help you get past the 100-copy ceiling that disheartens so many self-publishers.

I’ll also be available for private, one-on-one consults during the event along with several other excellent editors and agents.

The Maryland Writers Conference is happening on March 23-24, 2018 at the BWI Marriott. I’m speaking in the afternoon on Saturday (check out the schedule here).

For more information, you may visit the Maryland Writers Conference website or fill out the form on the site to contact Conference Coordinator Jess Williams.

Founder of The Writer’s Ally, Ally E. Machate is a bestselling book collaborator, award-winning editor, and expert publishing consultant who loves using her insider knowledge and experience with the publishing industry to lead serious authors toward success. She and her team live to help make great books happen, whether that means showing a writer how to improve a manuscript, get an agent, or self-publish; or coaching an author on growing her platform to sell more books. Since 1999, she has supported hundreds of authors on their publishing journey and takes pride in serving as their books’ best ally.