So much of what’s offered at writing conferences is based on craft, but at HippoCamp, we also LOVE to pay attention to what happens AFTER you have a story to share … and sell. Publicity is SO crucial and that’s why we were excited to receive Joey Garcia’s proposal for Pitch Yourself As A Guest On TV News Or Radio Shows!
We asked Joey — who is doing some amazing things for writers and students in her home country of Belize — a few questions about her upcoming appearance at HippoCamp.
HM: Tell us a little about your involvement in HippoCamp this year. What are you most excited to share during this session?
JG: One of my greatest joys is brainstorming publicity opportunities with authors of books or articles that deserve more attention and a wider readership. It’s like putting pieces of a puzzle together so that larger numbers of readers can discover books they can’t wait to read.
The marketplace is noisy but it’s still possible for authors and writers to shine on TV and radio, even if they are introverts or if they detest social media. Helping books and authors to get featured in the media—that’s my jam!
Why do you love true stories?
True stories bind us together as one human family. Our shared narrative is messy, creative, painful, yet beautiful. It reminds me of where we’ve been, where we’re going, and how to get there from where we are. What’s not to love?
What made you decide to participate in HippoCamp this year as a speaker?
I couldn’t resist participating in a celebration of CNF.
Attendees can learn more about you on our speaker’s page, of course, but there’s more to you than that bio! Share a fun fact with us, something we may be surprised to know.
My agent found me on Twitter! What a surprise to open my DMs and see a note from a literary agent asking if I had any manuscripts she might be interested in. I sent her a nonfiction book proposal and a novel. She accepted both. Stay tuned.
Aside from preparing for HippoCamp 2018 (of course!), what are you working on? Any recent or upcoming projects/publications you can share?
In April 2018, I launched the first writer’s conference ever held in my native Belize. Writers and authors attended from across the U.S. and from Belize. It’s basically a mashup: a beach vacation with literary agents and writers plus a professional development conference plus a yoga retreat. So fun!
I also established Belize’s first writer-in-residence program with support from Anya Fernald and the Copal Distillery Foundation. I’m passionate about improving literacy and elevating literature in Belize where 50 percent of high school students drop out before completing their studies and only about 3 percent of the population is university educated.
My advisory board and I are in the process of planning the 2019 Belize Writers’ Conference now. Details are at joeygarcia.com.
Since you’ll also be attending the conference, what are you most looking forward to learning or doing when you’re not wearing your “speaker hat?”
I’m really excited about the pre-conference presentation on writing a proposal for a memoir. I love learning more about the business of being an author and sharing that with my clients.
We love introducing Lancaster to attendees. What are you looking forward to about your visit?
I’m a foodie. Clue me in to the best places to grab a burger or any yummy local cuisine in Lancaster.
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Joey, we are SO looking forward to your session! See you soon. (And we’ll definitely let you know where to go for a good burger!!)
And, reader, register to reserve your place today.
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