Special Keynote
Prolific writer and ghost writer Cecil Murphy is committed to “stimulating minds and nourishing souls.” Also known as The Man Behind the Words, Cecil’s 90 Minutes in Heaven is a long-standing NY Times bestseller. He has 108 books published and often speaks about Christian living, spiritual growth and caregiving.
Cecil will speak about spirituality and writing on Friday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. (open to the public for $10) and Saturday, Oct. 17 at 9 a.m.
Workshop time slots:
Friday, October 16
Workshop 1---Friday, 1:45---2:45 p.m.
Jumpstart Your Writing Career---Ann Byle
Set goals, network, research markets: all are key to starting your writing career. Learn how to get your writing dreams into gear without stalling just past the starting line.
Agenting 101---Tim Beals
Everything you ever wanted to know about agenting but were afraid to ask: when to enlist an agent; where to find an agent; when you may not need an agent; what can an agent do for you.
Care and Feeding of a Writer---Linda Andersen
Learn the best ways to feed the writer in you through solitary activity, solitary inactivity and personal retreat. Lots of great suggestions gleaned from years of personal retreating and feeding the writing within.
I Think I Can, I Think I Can: Writing for Children, Ages 0-8---Crystal Bowman
This expert children's author will cover board books, picture books and learn-to-read books.
Workshop 2---Friday, 3:00---4:00 p.m.
Boo! Grab Your Reader From First to Final Word---David and Diane Munson
Acclaimed suspense writers David (former federal undercover agent) and Diane (former federal prosecutor) Munson share the art of building suspense into your writing. Your readers will be turning pages to find out who did what, to whom, and why!
Book Proposals: The Long and Short of It---Shelly Beach
Learn how to craft the best proposal possible, whether a detailed, lengthy proposal or a short and sweet one. Lots of examples to study.
Crash Course in New Media: How to Publicize Your Writing---Kathy Sindorf
Facebook, YouTube, viral marketing, guerrilla tactics, websites, blogging: Learn how to get the biggest bang for your buck in marketing your books, articles and yourself as a writer through social networks and the electronic media. Lots of new ideas to get the word out in innovative and inexpensive ways.
Does Anybody Care? Writing Memoir That's Not Just About You---Debra Rienstra
Memoir seems easy---just write down your memories and express your feelings. Unfortunately, unless you're rich and famous, few readers will be interested. Good memoir requires a difficult journey of self-examination, contextualization, layering of materials, audience connection, and even research. This workshop will consider examples of good memoir and help you develop your own "door through which others might pass."
Saturday, October 17
Workshop 3---Saturday, 10:15---11:15 a.m.
From Prose to Woes: Deciphering Your First Contract---David and Diane Munson
Don't let the legalese of your first contract ruin the joy of writing. Husband and wife team David Munson and Diane Munson discuss important elements of contracts from their experience as published novelists, as well as identify pitfalls to avoid.
Marketing your Book: What Publishers and Booksellers Want To See---Andrew Rogers and Josh Mosey
Should you be thinking about marketing before you have a book deal? What can you bring to the table to help sell your book? How can you effectively help your publisher market your book? Self promotion is a key for writers of any ilk. A short presentation on self promotion from a publisher and retailer. Discussion to follow.
Finding the Humor Vein in Your Writing---Lorilee Craker
Humor is everywhere, but tapping into it for your writing can be difficult. Lorilee will help you discover the humor, then use it in your writing. Prepare to laugh and learn from an expert.
Clean Up Time: Taking a Second Look at Your Manuscript---Robyn Brodie
Writers occasionally miss some of the common errors in the heat of their writing. This workshop will help you take another look at glitches such as comma splices, subject-verb agreement, dangling modifiers, etc. Come prepared to practice.
Workshop 4---Saturday, 11:25 a.m.---12:25 p.m.
Top 10 Lessons from 20 Years in Fiction---Tracy Groot
Tracy, author of Christy Award-winning Madman, shares the best lessons she's learned through two decades of writing fiction.
Taking Your Book One Step Further with Discussion Questions---Sharon Carrns
Deepen your book's impact by developing thought-provoking discussion questions with help from an expert in the field.
Need to Know---Judith Markham
This session is on a "need to know" basis for all writers: What's it like working with an editor? What should you expect? What is your responsibility and what is the editor's? What do you need from the editor and what do they need from you?
Magazine Boot Camp II: A Ropes Course on Getting Published---Lorilee Craker and Ann Byle
Veteran journalists Ann and Lorilee with help guide you through the process of getting published in magazines, from researching markets to writing a good query letter, from navigating "Writer's Market Guide" to grabbing those bylines.
Workshop 5---Saturday, 1:30---2:30 p.m.
Lights, Cameras, Action! Preparing Yourself for Media Interviews---Kathy Sindorf
Can you handle a media interview like a pro? Kathy has trained authors who have talked about their books on "Oprah" and "Good Morning America." As a reporter and radio/TV producer for three decades, she knows what the news media is looking for and how you can give a good interview while promoting your book. Find out what to wear, what to say and how to maximize your opportunities for publicity with the news media.
Wrestling Writing Demons---Cynthia Beach
How can you wrestle with your inner critic and win? How can you move forward despite getting some rejection slips? Discover creativity exercises that can help you win over fear, perfectionism and rejections. Taught by a "no" expert and creativity coach.
Devotionals and Bible Studies: Mining the Bible for Nuggets of Truth---Jean Syswerda
Learn the ins and outs of writing devotionals, meditations, and Bible studies from an author and editor of both. This hands-on workshop will help you create materials that speak from your heart into the hearts of your readers.
The New World of Making Books: The Benefits of Self-Publishing---John W. Frye
and Jeremy Bouma
John had his first book published the traditional way and self-published his second. Jeremy self-published his first book and has created his own publishing company. Compare the two routes to getting your book in print, plus address benefits and downsides to self-publishing.