Happy May Day! And Links

After a full month of the A to Z blog posts, here are a few updates and opportunities from the writing world!

The Writer's Voice!
Today May 1: If you have a finished Young Adult or Middle Grade manuscript you plan to query, you can sign up for The Writer's Voice hosted by several bloggers who've helped many of us find literary agents. 150 submissions will be chosen by lottery to advance to a judging round similar to the TV show The Voice. Coaching/mentoring will ensue before a final round of agent judges who can request pages. Details Here at Love YA

Author Brenda Novak's Auction
May is time for romance author Brenda Novak's on-line auction for diabetes research. There are tons of items to bid on for writers and readers: you can bid on query and manuscript critiques from a slew of authors (not just romance), agents, and editors. There are book bundles, gift baskets, conference admissions, workshops, VIP meet &n greets. Use the Browse by category to see what's offered. Some of the bidding gets pricey toward the end, but if you're savvy, some things end up a good value and open lots of potential possibilities!

For example, last year I bid on and won a 30-page manuscript critique from a Young Adult writer. She not only fulfilled what I bid for, but offered additional insight, advice, chatted with me on gmail chat, and we met in person at a book event where she introduced me to her editor, who now is open to having my agent send her my manuscript when we go on submission. You never know what type of connections you'll make!

RT Booklovers Convention
Chances are, if  you are reading this, you are not in Kansas City for the massive Romatic Times Convention for readers and writers (including some big name YA authors). I really wish I would have gone last year when it was in Chicago, but I hadn't realized how completely cool it is! Catch updates on twitter with the #RT13 tag, or read RT book reviews on their daily blog.

Conference Season!
Speaking of conventions and conferences, here are some upcoming events:
May:
Backspace Writers Conference, New York, NY
Book Expo America trade show, New York, NY
June:
Printers Row Lit Fest, Chicago, IL (Free!)
American Library Association conference, Chicago, IL
July:
Romance Writers of America Nationals, Atlanta, GA
Midwest Writer's Workshop, Muncie, IN (At Ball State, registration almost full!)
August:
Society for Children's Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Los Angeles
September:
Chicago Writers Conference, Chicago, IL

Looking for more local? Here are some resources I found that compile lists:

1. NewPages.com --sorts by state if you scroll down
2. Writer Stacy O'Neal's Blog which was pointed out on the Absolute Write forums
3. Search "book festivals 2013" or use a mix of key words including your region to find tons of events across the country that celebrate books or promote reading.

Please share in the comments if you know of an upcoming book or writing related event this year!