8:00a – 8:30a Lobby Check In/Registration
8:30a – 9:15a Auditorium
Introduction/ Keynote Address: Simon Wood – The 21st Century Author
WORKSHOP I 9:30a – 10:45a
Room 107 Business: Art of Submitting – Midge Raymond
In this workshop, we’ll discuss how to find the right agent/editor for your book; what agents/editors expect from author submissions; how to craft a good query letter; and what to expect as a writer during this process.
Room 108 Genre: Fantasy and Sci-fi – Lindsay Schopfer
Learn how you can write and promote a speculative fiction novel which both dedicated fans and casual readers will enjoy.
Room 110 Writing: Dreams as Inspiration to Write – Heather Dawn
We will cover how to remember dreams, keeping a dream journal, how to incubate a dream, and techniques on how writers can use dreams in their writing.
Room 111 Craft: Plot Thickeners, Part I – Simon Wood
This workshop will cover fast and effective techniques for plotting a novel from beginning to end. Don’t run out of ideas or pad out your novel again. The presentation includes the famous color-coded plotting spreadsheet.
WORKSHOP II 11:00a – 12:15p
Room 107 Writing: Great Dialogue – Midge Raymond
Come and study examples of good dialogue and discuss how and why these work, and we’ll go over tips for how to write engaging conversations, with writing exercises that will reinforce the major tenets of effective dialogue.
Room 108 Genre: Plotting the Picture book – Clare Meeker
Learn how to create a strong plot using a 3-problem approach to story structure that will hook your reader from the first word to the last.
Room 110 Business: Choose Your Own Adventure – Traci Hilton
You are in charge of what happens to your story! From formats to platforms, from advertising to social media, the choices are almost unlimited.
Room 111 Craft: Plot Thickeners, Part II – Simon Wood
Part two of Simon’s two part presentation! Part one presented at the 930a discussion.
12:15p – 1:15p Lobby LUNCH Pick-Up – then choose to join a panel discussion.
PANELS 12:30p – 1:15p
Room 107 Panel: Craft (bring your lunch with you)
TENSION AND THE SPARK – Using action to light up your story and drive it forward
Moderator: Amy Flugel
Panelists: Jordan Hartt, Bill Ransom, Midge Raymond
Room 110 Panel: Marketing (bring your lunch with you)
THE BEST OF MARKETING, THE WORST OF MARKETING
Moderator: Jennifer Vandenberg
Panelists: Kyle Pratt, Lindsay Schopfer, Simon Wood
See page 7 of the program for more information on the panels and presenters.
WORKSHOP III 1:30p – 2:45p
Room 107 Writing: Navigating the High Stakes Seas of Writing Contests – Midge Raymond
This workshop is for all writers, emerging and published, who have wondered what goes on behind the scenes of writing contests, from literary magazines to small presses.
Room 108 Genre: Flash Fiction – Jordan Hartt
This short course will be an introductory presentation of sensory detail, character, and plot.
Room 110 Business: Building a Freelance Writing Career – Andrea Culletto
In this presentation, discuss how to build a freelance writing career on a foundation of local publications.
Room 111 Craft: Collaborative Writing – Bill Ransom
As co-author of three novels with Frank Herbert, we’ll discuss the art of working with other authors.
WORKSHOP IV 3:00p – 4:15p
Room 107 Business: How to Sell Your 1st 50 books – Veronica Noize
This info-packed class will show you how to sell your first 50 books fast by revealing three great strategies, including the nitty-gritty details.
Room 108 Genre: Killer Suspense – Simon Wood
Simon outlines the key differences between suspense and mystery and discusses the techniques for building suspense and creating thrills.
Room 110 Writing: Writing for Self-exploration – Andrea Culletto
In this workshop we will explore various ways writing can be used for self-exploration, personal discovery, identity formation and therapeutic release.
Room 111 Craft: Revision – Bill Ransom (Bring a draft manuscript!)
We’ll identify strengths and weaknesses in language and explore opportunities for figurative language that enhances sensory effects.
4:15p – 4:30p Lobby Final Words
