The Secrets Behind Getting Published

A panel discussion with with top editors from the New Yorker, The New York Times, and Random House

The Secrets Behind Getting Published
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WHEN Wednesday, June 11, 7-9 pm

WHERE Cooper Union Great Hall
7 E. 7th Street, New York, NY 10003
(212) 929-2588 x318
(additional $5 fee when paying at the door)

*A portion of the proceeds will be donated to PEN American Center's Emergency Writer's Fund

DIRECTIONS subway directions, map

PRICE
$30 ($25 for )
more info

Course Details

Did you know that August is the easiest month to break into the New York Times Op-Ed page? That learning one odd factoid about a local politician's pet could get you into the New Yorker's Talk of the Town? That publishing an essay in a certain New York Times column that has recently spawned 10 memoirs is the fastest way in town to land an agent? That certain mistakes in your cover letter are making an editor delete you in seconds without even reading your submission?

In this panel, an amazingly distinguished group of top agents and editors will share the idiosyncratic magic tricks that could get you in the door, into their pages, and signing on the dotted line of a big book deal.

Panelists will include:

  • Vanessa Bush, former executive editor, Essence magazine
  • Trip Gabriel, The New York Times Style Section editor
  • Dwight Garner, The New York Times Book Review deputy editor and Paper Cuts blogger
  • Betsy Lerner, agent and author of The Forest For The Trees
  • Cindy Spiegel, Random House editor of the imprint Spiegel and Grau
  • Daniel Zalewski, editor, New Yorker, formerly of the New York Times Magazine
  • Susan Shapiro (moderator), mediabistro instructor and author of 5 recent nonfiction books including Only As Good as Your Word

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Instructor Bio

Susan Shapiro's Courses

The Secrets Behind Getting Published – New York (Panel on June 11)
Writing for NYC Newspapers and Magazines: Session 1 – New York (Class starts July 8)
Writing for NYC Newspapers and Magazines: Session 2 – New York (Class starts July 8)

Susan Shapiro
Susan Shapiro has written for the New York Times Magazine, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, The Nation, Village Voice, Salon.com, People, Glamour, and Jane magazine. o.) She's co-editor of the anthology Food for the Soul, and author of the books Secrets of a Fix-Up Fanatic, Lighting Up, and Five Men Who Broke My Heart (recently optioned by Paramount Pictures). Her new book "Only As Good As Your Word: Writing Lessons From My Favorite Literary Gurus" will be published in September by Seal Press, a California publisher. She lives with her husband, a TV/film writer, in Greenwich Village. Susanshapiro.net is her website.


Testimonials


If it weren't for Sue's class I wouldn't have a book deal. Sue is not only extremely savvy, but extremely generous with her publishing network. That who you know thing really paid off for me. I met an editor who was a guest speaker in her Publish your Memoir class. He heard my first page, emailed me the next day, and long story short, I have a deal with Penguin. -- Louise Sloan, Knock Yourself Up, a girlfriends' guide to choosing single motherhood

"I was coming down the homestretch writing the proposal. Before panic set in, I signed up for Sue Shapiro's workshop. As soon as Sue started to talk, fear backed off. Sue is passionate, fiercely strategic, authoritative, and demanding. Hers was just the kind of high-energy-get-your-ass-in-gear pep talk I needed. Just weeks later, I've got a deal with Penguin to publish my first book!" -- Bruce FrankelBetter Late: Stories of Americans Who Succeed After Sixty

"Sue's critique of my work was a crucial step in improving it. My novel eventually sold to Spiegel & Grau, a fantastic imprint of Random House. I couldn't recommend studying with Sue more." -- Liza Monroy, mediabistro instructor

"Sue helps her students break into print by sharing her knowledge, expertise and connections without reservation. Within five weeks, one of my assignments for class became a published piece in the NY Press. Sue went beyond my expectations to help me get three other pieces published, including one in the New York Observer. What Sue offered that was just as important as her practical and constructive advice was the feeling that she really wants to see her students succeed and will help every step of the way." -- Paul Smalera, freelancer

"Sue Shapiro's class gave me the kick I needed. I learned more from her in one day than I learned from most of my college professors over the course of a year. Six months later, I'm thrilled to say I sold my first book!" -- Kimberlee Auerbach, breaking news producer, Fox News and author, The Devil, The Lovers, and Me: My Life in Tarot

"Based on Sue's insider tips for cover letters and queries, I pitched an editorial to Metro New York & the editor bought it within an hour! Sue is available to her students 24/7 and has great connections with major newspapers and magazines." -- Kerri Allen, freelancer

"Sue's class was both fun an informative. I had already had some personal essays published years before, but had gotten out of the groove and needed guidance getting back into it. Sue gave insightful, encouraging feedback and had lots of great ideas about ways to rework essays and recast them for different publications. She's got lots of great tips to offer, plus she shares contacts, which is absolutely invaluable. I've placed all the essays I worked on in Sue's class." -- Sari Botton, freelancer
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