Allison K Williams is a writer, blogger for Brevity, and she has coached authors to deals with Big Five publishers. Her work has appeared on NPR and the New York Times, just to name a few. Writers will feel inspired at this year’s creative nonfiction writing conference after her pre-conference workshop “Writing the Memoir Proposal” and her session “Building Your Platform With Instagram.” We talked to Allison about all things writing, Lancaster, and HippoCamp 2019.
HM: Tell us a little about your involvement this year at HippoCamp. What can attendees expect from your session/workshop?
AKW: I’m so excited to be teaching the pre-conference workshop, “Writing the Memoir Proposal.” Last year the participants each wrote substantial sections of their proposal, and we had a great time pitching our books to each other, too! The Instagram workshop is new this year–I’ve been doing a lot of Instagram research and practicing new ways to engage with readers, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve found out about making Instagram fun and effective, specifically for writers. My biggest takeaway for 2019? Writers don’t need thousands of followers for Instagram to be a solid part of their platform!
HM: Our motto is “memorable creative nonfiction.” Tell us about one of the more recent memoirs, essay collections, or individual essays you’ve read and why it was memorable.
AKW: I’ve been working with a wonderful writer on her essay collection in progress, and I’m so struck by her way with images and her ability to write about her culture and heritage without exoticizing or apologizing for it. I’ll holler when it’s published 🙂 But more and more I’m noticing writers of color refusing to exhaustively clarify/define their terminology and cultural references for white readers, and I’m so thrilled by that. As a reader, I’d rather do some work to figure stuff out than be explained to, and as an editor, I love seeing my clients write with abandon about the things they know well, trusting an engaged reader will figure it out.
HM: What made you decide to participate in HippoCamp this year as a speaker? How did your past experiences encourage you to want to come back?
AKW: It’s a wonderful conference, and I’m thrilled to be asked back. I really love those few days in Lancaster, walking to and from the conference center, and hanging out with writers I keep up with online. The sessions are great, but the hang-out is even better!
HM: What’s going to keep you busy between now and HippoCamp?
AKW: I’ve been working on finish-your-book retreats, upcoming in Italy this October and Costa Rica in May 2020. I’ve had so many editing clients wish they had their editor standing over them until the pages are done, so I made a retreat to do just that. Rebirth Your Book is super structured, and I’m reading everyone’s manuscript before they come, so it’s a lot of prep to make sure everyone has a clear work plan going into the retreat. And I’m thrilled to bits that former HippoCamp keynote speaker Dinty W. Moore will be co-leading Rebirth Your Book Costa Rica in 2020!
HM: Since you’ll also be attending the conference, when you’re not wearing your “speaker hat,” what are you most looking forward to learning or doing?
AKW: Talking to people about their books-in-progress. I feel like I get so much insight on publishing trends, and what people are looking forward to reading next year, by hearing what they’re writing right now.
HM: One last question: Do you ever worry that your love of teaching means you’re not meant to be a writer?
AKW: Oh goodness, this is such a weird paradox. I love writing, yes, but I also love teaching and editing. There’s something so incredible about watching the light go on for a writer wrestling with a craft issue, or realizing what their book is “really” about. I think it’s even more rewarding than someone saying how much they like my work! But not by much. I’m very lucky to be able to balance writing and editing/speaking/teaching, and I’m not sure what I’d pick if I had to choose!
Thanks, Allison, for sharing your love of teaching (and writing) with us! We look forward to seeing you again at the conference.
Are you interested in seeing what other great sessions will be at HippoCamp 2019? Register or learn more, here.
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