What
an awesome experience! It felt like a "live" conference in a
virtual conference hall. Great presenters, great participants,
and so
much information I could hardly take it all in. Thank you so much! --
A.B.
Alice-ATTENDEE
****
The
Muse Online Writers' Conference is one of those historic Internet ideas that take on a life of their own. An unmissable
free-for-all of lively learning opportunities and global interchange of ideas. Inspirational. Made me feel like a writer.
Anne Duguid, UK--ATTENDEE
Moderator
Writers' Support Group Forum
www.sparkpeople.com
www.romanticjourneys.blogspot.com
****
Lea,
First
of all, thank you for all that you did to keep this online writing conference going. There were two occasions when the presenters
were unable to be at the chat and you stepped in and became the presenter. Your unceasing dedication to creating a climate
where we could all feel comfortable and creative was awesome! I have no idea how you got the energy to do all this, but congratulations
on a great conference.
Barbara Ehntereau: ATTENDEE
****
I
feel honored to have been a part of the first Muse Virtual Conference for Writers. Interacting with so many individuals who
have a passion for the art of writing both inspired and energized me. Congratulations to Lea Schizas and her helpers for their
great work in organizing and conducting such a groundbreaking online event. Bravo!
Betty Jo Tucker, Editor and Lead Film Critic for ReelTalk Movie Reviews--PRESENTER
http://www.lsswritingschool.com/TheReelDeal.html
****
The
2006 Muse Conference contained information for all. Can't wait
to see what 2007 hold for us.
C.R.--ATTENDEE
****
What
an exceptional experience! I attended the conference as well as being a presenter. It was awesome from both sides
of the coin.
I loved getting the opportunity to network with other writers from all over the globe. What a phenomenal
week.
Thanks, Lea.
Christina Barber--PRESENTER
www.christinabarber.net
****
Amazing conference. More interaction with other
writers than you would
ever find at a town sited conference. More opportunities and even a
virtual food bar. It is on my must attend list for next year too.
Diane the other-ATTENDEE****
I
think this is the most innovative thing this industry has ever seen, and the reaches of it were beyond belief. There are many
authors who can't afford to go to expensive "real life" conferences, or who have jobs and can't take the time, or they have
health issues or family issues that prevent them attending such a conference as this. I'm one of them. I could never have
done this any other way. I have dreamed of going to a writers' conference ever since I started writing, 25 years ago. You
made those dreams come true.
Janet Elaine Smith--PRESENTER
author, marketer,
website designer, editor--Jill of all trades, but nobody's mistress!
http://www.janetelainesmith.com
****
The
Muse online workshop was very inspirational. I was quickly hooked into it by the personal interactons and the generosity of
the presenters with their personal feedback and encouraging support. One might think an online conference would be impersonal;
it was not in the least.
You know it's good when you jump out of bed like a child on Cristmas morning at 3:30
AM to make it to a chat. Two days earlier I didn't even know how to chat. If you told me I would go through over 2000 e-mails
with joy, I wouldn't have believed you, yet I did. It was one of the most enjoyable weeks of my life. Thank you.
Jeanne Litt--ATTENDEE
****
The online
writer's conference was a wonderful opportunity, especially
for someone without the time or cash to make a traditional conference.
I was skeptical at first--after all, it was free, and you never know
what you're getting into with web-based groups--but I was pleasantly
surprised. The amount of information was overwhelming at times, but that's
a good problem to have. Thanks to Lea and Carolyn, and all of the
presenters!
Jennifer C.-ATTENDEE
****
The Muse Online
Writers’ Conference 2006 was a spectacular success. Lea Schizas and Carolyn Howard-Johnson started from scratch with
a new thought—an online conference. Not a seminar. Not a tutorial. Not a meeting. A conference with presenters and participants
from around the world. It went on all day, every day, for a week!
Most of the
people who signed up live at great distances from one another, and while we would all like to travel to conferences, that
is not always feasible. No one had to leave his or her computer to be at this one.
The variety
of experienced presenters enabled participants to attend events in various fields of writing and publishing—areas in
which they were already proficient and others that they wanted to learn more about. All genres of fiction and nonfiction—novels,
romance, nonfiction, horror, series writing, screenplays, poetry, magazine articles, writing for children, and so on—had
online venues where experts were available to answer hundreds of questions.
Publishers
and acquisition editors gave aspiring and already successful authors hands-on, to-the-point, valuable information so they
could refine their work for publication. Book marketing and promotion experts generously offered their time and expertise.
They gave publicity pointers, enabling writers to promote their books once they are in circulation and to have not just a
published title, but hopefully, a successful published title.
Everyone gained
new knowledge to apply to the books they have underway, as well as inspiration for future work.
This conference
allowed over 700 people from around the world to gather, teach, learn, and chat with each other. This means that over 700
people in the writing and publishing world have that much more to offer to people we will be in contact with over the next
year. Can you imagine how far-reaching the effects of this conference might be?
From the conference
organizers to the presenters to the moderators of each event to the participants, everyone’s contributions of time and
skill were generous and impressive. In addition to learning and teaching, we all made new friends and contacts.
I could not
imagine how this conference would work before it happened. Its success was astounding. I am already looking forward to the
Muse Online Writers’ Conference 2007!
Thank you to
Lea Schizas, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Janet Elaine Smith, Kathe Gogolewski, Penny Sansieveri, Terry Whalin, Connie Gotsch,
Shel Horowitz, Virginia Lowe, and everyone for an invaluable and memorable experience.
Jill Ronsley - ATTENDEE
www.SunEditWrite.com
Sun Editing & Book Design
Book Design, Typesetting & Cover Design
Editing & Writing Services
For nonfiction, fiction, manuals, children's books, screenplays, poetry, etc.
****
Lea,
this workshop has been the most fun—and the most useful—thing I’ve done in my writing career since getting
published!
Thanks SOOOOOOO MUCH for putting this on!
God bless,
Karina Fabian--PRESENTER
www.fabianspace.com
Editor, Infinite Space, Infinite God, now available at www.twilighttimesbooks.com
READ KARINA'S BLOG ABOUT THE CONFERENCE:
http://www.fabianspace.com/
****
THANK YOU for putting on such a professional, thought-provoking, and inspiring conference.
I have been in the writing doldrums for about six months and now I'm itching to get back to work. I don't know how you pulled
it off, but you did! This was incredible and I'm ready for next year.
Kathryn Anzak
****
Thanks for coming up with the
concept of a virtual writers conference and making it happen.
Lida
E. Quillen, Publisher
Twilight Times Books, Paladin Timeless Books, FMAM
and Web Mystery Magazine
http://www.fmam.biz/
http://twilighttimesbooks.com/
http://www.paladintimelessbooks.com/
http://www.webmysterymagazine.com/
****
The Muse Online Conference was an exciting, not-to-be-missed event! There were offerings
for all, from aspiring authors to polished professionals, covering virtually every genre and aspect of writing possible. I
will definitely be attending again in 2007!
Linda Morelli
Author, Editor, Reviewer--ATTENDEE
http://hometown.aol.com/lbmwriter/romance/Index.html
****
This was truly a remarkable experience. I am so glad that I found and signed up for
the conference. So much knowledge was imparted, so many great ideas shared, and the fact that you're leaving it available
for a year is awesome. I look forward to working with you in the future and am anxious to see what you have in store
for us!
Lisa J--ATTENDEE
****
The MUSE Online Conference was
hands-down the absolute BEST conference I've ever attended. The quality, availability and enormous generosity of the
presenters was superb. It truly was writers helping writers and that goes a long way for all involved. The resources,
contacts, and writing friends I've made at this conference will be with me for years and I plan to share my experience and
knowledge with any writer I can. I feel this is like "Pay It Forward", and the feeling warms the spirit. Strongly
recommended for anyone serious about their writing.
-Lisa J. Haselton--ATTENDEE
****
"A wonderful and uplifting event, both for presenter and attendee. If Lea Schizas has started a
trend, writers around the world have much to be thankful for."
Magdalena Ball, The Compulsive Reader, PRESENTER http://www.compulsivereader.com/html
****
I've attended many face-to-face conferences,
but there has never been
a more caring and hard-working group than you and your extended
family of presenters. It was a week of learning, sharing,
networking, and discovery, and I'm so glad that I got in on the
ground floor of this innovative venture.
See you next year,
Marilyn Heffernan****
The online writer's conference
was my first-ever writer's conference. It was a really great experience. I especially like that the transcripts
from the virtual conference hall will continue to be available until next August. There's so much interesting stuff
that I didn't get a chance to follow up on for lack of time, especially the Children's Book and the Publishing. I'm
eagerly anticipating next year.Margaret Fieland--ATTENDEEwww.margaretfieland.com **** The 2006 Muse Online Conference was
an interesting concept when I signed up for it, but I had no idea how wonderful the reality would be. I've participated
inseveral in-person conferences and the atmosphere at Muse Online was as informative and impressive. At the same time,
I'd recommend you allocate the time just as if you were out of town because you won't be able to focus on anything else.
The presenters were helpful
and encouraging; the whole feel was welcoming. I came out of the conference having both made contacts (networking is
one of the points of a conference after all) and learned more about areas I already knew as well as picking up information
about things new to me.
Margaret McGaffey Fisk -ATTENDEE
http://margaretfisk.mmfcf.com/
****
The 2006 Muse Online
Writers Conference was an amazing experience! I wish it had existed when I was a new author! As a presenter, I
loved the many details that made this conference feel like a real conference in virtual space. Awesome experience!
-
Marilyn Peake--PRESENTER
http://www.marilynpeake.com
****
This was my first conference of any sort, and I've got a helluva lot out of it!
Best Wishes
Paul
McDermott--ATTENDEE
****
Lea and Carolyn recruited an amazing group of presenters and motivated a great
deal of participation from writers at all levels of the publishing and marketing process. I was proud to be one of the faculty.
Well done!
Shel
Horowitz, author of Grassroots Marketing for Authors and Publishers and six other books including the Apex Award winning Principled
Profit: Marketing That Puts People First.
PRESENTER
****
I've been to several real time writers'
conferences but this virtual offering takes the cake. The handouts are a wonderful feature, the presenters are an amazing
group and the assistance exhibited was incredible. If I weren't so tired, I'd be ready for next year right now.
Sue Turner--ATTENDEE
http://www.sueturner.homestead.com
****
The Muse Online Writers conference was fabulous!
I thoroughly enjoyed the week long interaction with literally hundred of people who share my passion for writing. It was an
especial pleasure to be able to meet so many writers who for various reasons are not able to get to in person conferences. I
came away with renewed admiration for all writers and for Lea's energy in putting everything together. I can't wait for next
year's conference!
Check out our two new releases: Mother Feral's Love
by Lawrence Barker and The Knowing by Larriane Wills!
****
Testimonial in Tony Burton's
blog:
http://mntnview.blogspot.com
Tony Burton, publisher of Wolfmont Publishing-PRESENTER
****
A
stimulating though exhausting week – so much to learn! I’d recommend all writers take the plunge! They’ll
learn such a lot and have such a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw on!
Dr
Virginia Lowe--PRESENTER
Create a Kids’ Book
Stories, Pictures and Reality:
two children tell
http://createakidsbook.alphalink.com.au
****
I really enjoyed The Muse Online
Conference. For me it was the best thing ever. Having an 18 month old doesn’t allow me the time to travel
out of state for workshops and conferences. This gave me the chance to network, learn, and share my knowledge of writing.
Thanks so much for starting this online miracle.
VS Grenier--ATTENDEE
Children and Teen Author
www.vsgrenier.com
