My friend Karen and I road-tripped to Portland last month. We stayed in a skanky-ish hotel, and what we saved on lodging we spent on food. Totally worth it. We also went to Ooligan Press‘ Write to Publish conference at Portland State University.
Here’s what I learned: 1.) I suck at driving in Portland, 2.) everything at Andina is delicious, and 3.) Ooligan may publish my novel.
Andina is this Peruvian restaurant where Karen and I had dinner the first night. Every bite you eat there is mouth magic, so probably it’s run by fairies. While at Andina, Karen and I sat next to this super cute couple. The guy looked like Bradley Cooper, and we struck up a genteel convo about Dudeior photo shoots while consuming this:
The next day was the conference. Karen and I got all wrist-banded up and went to some very cool sessions. I learned tons about comic writing, querying and pitching. Then we ate more food.
In the afternoon, I pitched my novel speed-dating-style to REAL editors at Ooligan. Totally thrilled when they asked me to send a proposal!! Probably because I came equip with these flashy business cards.
On the way home, we at more delicious food at BURGERVILLE. I wish I had one of those burgers right now. Mmm. Delicious burgers.
I sent off my proposal (which included the first 60 pages of my young adult novel, Conspiring to be Meri) to Ooligan Press later that week and only days later, Ooligan’s fine acquisitions editors accepted my proposal and ASKED TO READ THE WHOLE NOVEL.
Then I freaked out for about 48 hours.
After said freak out, I emailed the novel. The Ooligan editors are reading it now, and I am patiently impatiently waiting to hear back.
While we wait, let’s gaze at these glorious ladies from the Writing for Comic Books panel (my favorite session), and imagine how cool it would be to write a comic book.
steve-
Good luck. Hope they publish it.
meagan mac-
Thanks, Steve! Me too!
hbandeen-
So excited for you, Meagan!! Fingers crossed for you in Minnesota. 🙂
meagan mac-
Thank you, Heather! I’m totally gonna make our call happen. We need to catch up!! I miss you!
Kellie Doherty-
Congrats, Meagan! Kellie Doherty here, Write to Publish co-manager and fellow Alaskan! I’m so happy you had such a positive experience at our conference.
meagan mac-
Hi Kellie! Very pleased to meet you here and on Twitter. I grew up on the Kenai Peninsula. Where abouts are you from?
Kellie Doherty-
You too! I’m originally from Pennsylvania but my folks moved to Alaska when I was one, so that was always my home. I grew up in Eagle River!
meagan mac-
Love that area. My college boyfriend was from Palmer, so I spent a fair bit of time just north of you getting into trouble in the Mat-Su valley. Eagle River has grown so much since then!
Kellie Doherty-
I love it there, too! I moved to Portland back in 2014 to start this masters program, but I go back on the holidays. Palmer is great, such a cool town. Eagle River has grown! I’m always surprised when I go back just how big it’s gotten. Progress, right?
Dawn Quyle Landau-
Fingers and toes are crossed!
meagan mac-
Thank you, Dawn!!!
Linda-
How did things fair out for you? Love the freak out photo, btw. Stumbled across your blog by way of lucky wreck. Looking forward to following your journey. 😊
meagan mac-
Hi Linda! Great to meet you! Lucky Wreck is a fabulous blog. I just posted an update re: my road to publication. The short version is YES! They accepted my novel!