Friday Evening Keynote Gayle Lynds GAyLe Lynds is a New York Times bestseller and award-winning author of 10 international espionage novels, including The AssAssins, The Book of sPies, and T he LAsT s PymAsTer. her books have won numerous awards. Publishers Weekly lists her thriller mAsquerAde among the top 10 spy novels of all time. Library Journal hails her as “the reigning queen of espionage fiction.”
Saturday Luncheon Keynote Wende Dikec Wende dikec is the award-winning author of three young adult novels, as well as two novellas and seven women’s fiction novels under her pen name, Abigail drake. A member of Pennwriters since 2013, Wende lives in Beaver, Pa., with her husband, three sons, and a very naughty Labrador named capone.
Schedule fridAy, mAy 18 8 a.m.
8:15-8:45 a.m. 9-10 a.m. 10:15-11:15 a.m.
registration opens (Lobby) If You mIss regIsTraTIoN, pLease see JackIe IN The presIdeNTIaL BaLLroom for Your regIsTraTIoN packeT. opening remarks (hospitality suite) Workshops (crystal I, II, III, regency I) Workshops (crystal I, II, III, regency I)
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
networking Luncheon (courtyard) *pre-regIsTered eveNT Published Penns Luncheon (state room) *pre-regIsTered eveNT
1:15-2:15 p.m. 2:30-3:30 p.m. 3:45-4:45 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Workshops (crystal I, II, III, regency I) Workshops (crystal I, II, III, regency I) Workshops (crystal I, II, III, regency I) Pre-dinner cocktails (crystal I, II, III ) dinner with keynote speaker Gayle Lynds (crystal I, II, III) *pre-regIsTered eveNT read & critique sessions (TBa) *pre-regIsTered eveNT
following dinner
sATurdAy, mAy 19 8:00-9:15 a.m. 9 a.m. 9:30-10:30 a.m. 10:45-11:45 a.m. noon-1:30 p.m. 1:45-2:45 p.m. 3-4 p.m. 4:15-5:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 8-10 p.m.
Breakfast and Pennwriters Annual meeting (courtyard) registration opens (presidential Ballroom) Workshops (crystal I, II, III, regency I, state room) Workshops (crystal I, II, III, regency I, state room) Luncheon with keynote speaker Wende dikec (courtyard) Workshops (crystal I, II, III, regency I) Workshops (crystal I, II, III, regency I) Workshops (crystal I, II, III, regency I) Authors’ Book signing (hospitality suite) After-hours social (crystal I, II, III) *pre-regIsTered eveNT
sundAy, mAy 20 9-10 a.m. 10:15-11:15 a.m. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 12:40 p.m.
Workshops (crystal I, II, III) Workshops (crystal I, II, III) Workshops (crystal I, II, III) closing remarks and basket raffle (hospitality suite)
( sch edu l e i s s u bjec t to ch a ng e)
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Keynote Speaker Bios Friday night keynote speaker GAYLE LYNDS is a New York Times bestseller and award-winning author of 10 international espionage novels, including THe ASSASSINS, THe BOOK Of SPIeS, and THe LAST SPyMASTeR.Her books have won numerous awards. Publishers Weekly lists her thriller MASQUeRADe among the top 10 spy novels of all time. Library Journal hails her as “the reigning queen of espionage fiction.” Lee Child says she’s “today’s best espionage writer.” The Associated Press calls her “a master of the modern Cold War spy thriller.” With Robert Ludlum, she created the Covert-One series. The first, THe HADeS fACTOR, was a CBS miniseries. A member of the Association of former Intelligence Officers, she is co-founder (with David Morrell) of International Thriller Writers, Inc. She lives outside Portland, Maine, with her husband and a bossy geriatric cat. Visit her online at www.GayleLynds.com and www.RogueWomenWriters.com.
Saturday luncheon keynote speaker WENDE DIKEC has spent her life traveling the world and collecting stories wherever she visited. She majored in Japanese and International economics in college and worked in import/export and as an eSL teacher before she committed herself full time to writing. She writes in several romance genres, and her books are quirky, light, fun, and sexy. She teaches writing classes for young people and is a member of Romance Writers of America, Three Rivers Romance Writers, yARWA, Women’s fiction Writers, Mindful Writers, and Pennwriters. Wende is a trekkie, a book hoarder, the master of the Nespresso machine, a red wine addict, and the mother of three boys (probably the main reason for her red wine addiction). A puppy named Capone is the most recent addition to her family, and she blogs about him as a way of maintaining what little sanity she has left. To learn more about Wende and her books, check out her websites: www.wendedikec.com or www.abigaildrake.com. She can also be found on facebook as “wendedikecwriter” and “abigaildrakewriter.” To read her dog blog, go to www.facebook.com/Capone-the-Wonder-Dog-911837042208982. 5
Agent and Editor Bios
Lauren Bieker Agent
Sheree Bykofsky Agent
Louise Fury Agent
Lauren Bieker / Fine Print Literary Agency Lauren is looking for commercial and upmarket women’s fiction and some well-crafted and differentiated yA novels. She is also open to select dystopian science fiction, as well as high concept and literary fiction works. She appreciates great storytelling and is a “sucker” for outstanding writing and convincing characters. While primarily interested in fiction, she will consider nonfiction proposals related to the world of fashion.
Sheree Bykofsky / Sheree Bykofsky Associates, Inc. Her agency represents all adult genres but is concentrating particularly on prescriptive nonfiction, especially health, business, self-help/psychology, parenting, food, spiritual, games, biography and current affairs, women's interest, humor, pop culture. In fiction, her agency particularly likes commercial fiction with literary appeal and mysteries. It is always looking for a bestseller in any category.
Louise Fury / The Bent Agency Louise is looking for writers with a unique voice and an unforgettable story, whether it be for kids or adults, fiction or nonfiction. “I’m particularly drawn to manuscripts that are written with an unforgettable voice—this can be deep, dark and gritty or literary, lyrical and emotional. I love unique or unusual formatting as well as art and/or graphics. Both fiction and nonfiction.” She is also interested in Graphic novels, mysteries and thrillers. “I want high-concept ideas, sports books, humor and pop culture manuscripts. I also love cooking and craft books.” Please note: all of louise’s “Your agent For 20 Minutes” appointments have been filled. to add your name to a waiting list, please see Heather Desuta, who is managing agent/editor sessions. 6
Agent and Editor Bios
Sandy Lu Agent
Alexa Pastor editor
Paul Stevens Agent
Sandy Lu / L. Perkins Agency Sandy is looking for submissions that will draw her in with a unique voice, make her miss her subway stop and keep her up all night. She especially loves historical fiction and anything dark, twisted, or with a supernatural bent. Commercial and upmarket fiction, mystery/crime, thriller, horror, sci-fi/fantasy, and yA. Nonfiction: narrative, history, biography, science, and pop culture.
Alexa Pastor / Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers Alexa is acquiring literary and commercial picture books, middle grade, and yA with fresh, honest voices that demand to be heard, and stories that make her laugh or cry enough that people look at her sideways on her long commute.
Paul Stevens / Donald Maass Literary Agency Paul is looking for science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, suspense, and humorous fiction. He’s looking for strong stories with interesting characters. Well-rounded LGBT characters and characters of color are a plus.
Ten-minute pitch appointments are scheduled for Friday and Saturday on a first-registered, first-assigned basis. Writers must have a finished manuscript ready to send, but please do not to bring it to the pitch sessions. 7
Pitching Dos and Don’ts DON’T pitch an unfinished manuscript. Not every agent asks for a partial. What will you do if they ask for a full? DO know your material inside and out. you should feel comfortable talking about it and have comparisons (to other published and successful books) ready. DON’T read directly from your notes. It’s okay to have notes with you, but you’re there to interact with the agent, not your note cards. DO relax. Agents are people too! They won’t bite. (especially if you buy him or her a drink or bring them pie.) DO be kind and courteous. If an agent isn’t interested in your manuscript, thank him or her for their time, and then move on. DO bring business cards. And write your elevator pitch on the back of your card. Give one to any agent or editor who is interested in your work. BUT… DON’T stalk the agents. This should go without saying. Unfortunately, you’d be surprised by the number of people who think it’s okay to follow an agent to dinner, back to his or her hotel rooms, or into the restroom. This won’t help your writing career—it will likely do the opposite. Agents talk to each other. you don’t want your name getting out in a negative way. DON’T pitch to an agent in the bathroom. Not even as a joke. This “don’t” comes directly from TWO literary agents (different events, different people, and neither were Pennwriters events). Bathroom time is private time. DO read the agent’s biography before your meeting. Know who you’re pitching to and what type of work he or she is looking for.
Ten-minute pitch appointments are scheduled for Friday and Saturday on a first-registered, first-assigned basis. Writers must have a finished manuscript ready to send, but please do not to bring it to the pitch sessions. 9
Friday, May 18 8-10 a.m. 8-4:45 p.m. 8:15-8:45 a.m.
Registration open in LOBBY HOSPITALITY SUITE open Opening Remarks in HOSPITALITY SUITE
CRYSTAL I 9:00 10:00 a.m. Four sessions to choose from—>
TwO-HOuR SeSSiON: Master Class in Pitching with Sheree Bykofsky (Agent, Bykofsky Associates, Inc. Literary Agency)
10:15 11:15 a.m.
CRYSTAL II
CRYSTAL III
REGENCY I
writing a Marketing Plan with Don Helin
Old School Scene Planning with Ramona DeFelice Long
New to writing? New to Pennwriters? with Bobbi Carducci
Play Jenga with Your Prose with Kathryn Craft
writing for New Technologies with Katie Ernst
Let Conflict Drive Your Romance with Susan Meier
11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m.
*Networking Luncheon with Claire McKinney - THE COURTYARD
1:15 2:15 p.m.
The Rules of Romance with Wende Dikec
Narrative Voice with Lauren Bieker (Agent, Fine Print Literary Management)
Non-traditional vs. Traditional Poetry with Veronica Mattaboni
Parallel Tracks: From Back Story to Front Ftory, Managing Multiple Character Trajectories with Hallie Ephron
2:30 3:30 p.m.
where Two or More are Gathered: How the Presence of Others Affects Behavior with Brent Maguire
More Stuff Tim is Tired Of with Timons Esaias
House Style: How to earn a Living as a Freelance editor with Stuart Horwitz
Robert’s Rules of Order with R.G. Yoho
3:45 4:45 p.m.
Publishing by the Numbers with Paul Stevens (Agent, Donald Maass Literary Agency)
Facebook Party Basics with Lisa Lawmaster Hess
Doing Historical Research for Authentic Stories with Jim Rada
The epic Quest with Jack Hillman
5:30 p.m. 6 p.m.
Pre-Dinner Cocktails in CRYSTAL I, II & III Keynote Dinner with Gayle Lynds in CRYSTAL I, II & III
Following Dinner
*Read & Critique Sessions (TBA)
*Published Penns Luncheon with Jim Rada - STATE ROOM
Four sessions to choose from—>
* Additional registration required
Register at http://bit.ly/2l7ooos Read workshop descriptions at http://pennwriters.org/2018-conference-workshop-descriptions/
Saturday, May 19 8:00-9:15 a.m.
Breakfast Buffet / Pennwriters Annual Meeting in the COURTYARD
8-10:00 a.m.
Registration open in the PRESIDENTIAL BALLROOM
9 a.m.-6 p.m.
HOSPITALITY SUITE open
CRYSTAL I 9:30 10:30 a.m.
REGENCY I
STATE
Story Shrink: writing the Synopsis with Kathryn Craft
Meditation for writers with Stuart Horwitz
London, Paris, or Dublin with Don Helin
New to writing? New to Pennwriters? with Bobbi Carducci
Organizing for writers with Lisa Lawmaster Hess
First Pages with Alexa Pastor (Editor, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
Harness Your inner Child to write for Children with Donna Galanti
Story is a Shapeshifter with Timons Esaias
writing the Sweet Romance with Susan Meier
Five sessions to choose from—>
Noon 1:30 p.m.
CRYSTAL III
Pitching to Agents and editors with Jon Sprunk
Five sessions to choose from—>
10:45 11:45 a.m.
CRYSTAL II
Keynote Lunch with wende Dikec in THE COURTYARD
CRYSTAL I
CRYSTAL II
CRYSTAL III
REGENCY I
writing a Mystery Novel: a Crash Course with Hallie Ephron
Agent/editor Panel Moderated by Suzanne Mattaboni with Agent Lauren Bieker, Agent Sheree Bykofsky, Agent Sandy Lu, Editor Alexa Pastor, and Agent Paul Stevens
Does Your Protagonist Need a Shrink? with Brent Maguire
western writing: The Good, the Bad and the ugly with R.G. Yoho
3:00 4:00 p.m.
world Building 101 with Jack Hillman
You, Too, Can write Killer Plots with Gayle Lynds
TwO-HOuR SeSSiON: *who Are You, and why Your Readers Care with Hilary Hauck
The Four-Act Novel with Jon Sprunk
4:15 5:15 p.m.
Damsels, Dames & Darlings: writing Realistic women with Ramona DeFelice Long
Making extra Bucks as a Freelance writer with Jim Rada
5:15 p.m.
Author Book Signing in the HOSPITALITY SUITE
1:45 2:45 p.m. Four sessions to choose from—>
* Additional registration required
Dinner on your own 8 - 10 p.m.
The Voice: Query edition with agents Lauren Bieker, Sheree Bykofsky, Sandy Lu and Paul Stevens, and Editor Alexa Pastor
*After-Hours Social - Shaken, Not Stirred in CRYSTAL I, II, & III
Register at http://bit.ly/2l7ooos Read workshop descriptions at http://pennwriters.org/2018-conference-workshop-descriptions/
Sunday, May 20 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. HOSPITALITY SUITE open Breakfast on your own
CRYSTAL I
CRYSTAL II
CRYSTAL III
what NOT TO DO as an Author with R.G. Yoho
Three sessions to choose from—>
Sorry, it’s Not for us: Dealing with Rejection without Losing Your Marbles with Brent Maguire
Real-life Perspective for Memorable Characters with Hilary Hauck
10:15 11:15 a.m.
How to Rock a Book Signing with Wende Dikec
How to Keep Your Readers Turning Pages: The Art of Pacing with Don Helin
writing Fantasy after a Game of Thrones with Jon Sprunk
11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
The eight Secrets to Creating Best-selling Thrillers with Gayle Lynds
Tips for Novelizing True events with Kathryn Craft
School Visits 101 with Donna Galanti
12:40 p.m.
Closing ceremony and basket raffle in the HOSPITALITY SUITE
9:00 10:00 a.m.
Register at http://bit.ly/2l7ooos Read workshop descriptions at http://pennwriters.org/2018-conference-workshop-descriptions/
WORKSHOPS FRIDAY 9 - 10 a.m. PART 1 OF TWO-HOUR SESSION: Master Class in Pitching with Sheree Bykofsky (Agent, Bykofsky Associates, Inc. Literary Agency) This fun and intensive two-hour seminar will focus on some of the most important aspects of the publishing universe, including: • The difference between a query letter, a pitch and a proposal • What agents are looking for • How to write a query that really sells • The difference between placing, publishing and marketing fiction and non-fiction • Why verbal pitches are important even when you don’t meet agents in person. Best of all, this workshop will give you one-on-one contact with an industry veteran who can answer your questions and guide you on the path to real authorship. everyone is encouraged to bring a writing pad and pen. Writing a Marketing Plan with Don Helin Once you are published, then what? Quality marketing requires a thoughtful plan. Learn the importance of a nonfiction hook and how to do successful book signings. Business cards, banners, bookmarks, postcards—what else does an author need to promote himself or herself ? Old School Scene Planning with Ramona Defelice Long Long before software, writers plotted out their stories using storyboards, note cards, and book bibles. Many of us still do! This workshop will share a traditional approach on how to plan effective scenes, place them in the best spot in the story, keep track of characters, action, and arcs, and record writing progress using non-digital tools. New to Writing? New to Pennwriters? with Bobbi Carducci Published author and Pennwriters Vice President Bobbi Carducci will provide information and answer your questions about the ins and outs of writing, publishing and what the Pennwriters organization can offer to writers of all levels. Attendees are invited to bring a sample of their writing to share, if time permits. continued on next page—>
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WORKSHOPS FRIDAY 10:15-11:15 a.m. PART 2 OF TWO-HOUR SESSION: Master Class in Pitching with Sheree Bykofsky (Agent, Bykofsky Associates, Inc. Literary Agency) This fun and intensive two-hour seminar will focus on one of the most important aspects of the publishing universe, including: • The difference between a query letter, a pitch and a proposal • What agents are looking for • How to write a query that really sells • The difference between placing, publishing and marketing fiction and nonfiction • Why verbal pitches are important even when you don’t meet agents in person. Best of all, this workshop will give you one-on-one contact with an industry veteran who can answer your questions and guide you on the path to real authorship. everyone is encouraged to bring a writing pad and pen. Play Jenga with Your Prose with Kathryn Craft We’ve all heard the advice: “Show, don’t tell.” But indiscriminate “showing” can create walls of words that build a barrier between the author and reader. examples from best-selling novels will show us how to invite the reader’s thoughts and memories to come to bear on the experience of reading. Writing for New Technologies with Katie ernst you’ve probably been hearing a lot about Amazon Alexa and Google Home, but have you considered that you could use these new technologies to advance your writing? Have you heard of the Radish app that allows you to serialize your novels? What about the app maker Choice of Games that produces dozens of text-only apps every year and is looking for writers? even if you don’t have a tech-savvy bone in your body, learn how you can use tech to become a full-fledged author-entrepreneur. Let Conflict Drive Your Romance with Susan Meier Good books are about people. Great books are about people in trouble—real, gut-wrenching, soul-hurting trouble. Join Susan Meier, author of 70 published books for Harlequin, to learn the basis for every internal struggle and how to achieve believable character growth that can carry your entire story and give your characters a real happy ending. continued on next page—>
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WORKSHOPS FRIDAY 1:15-2:15 p.m. The Rules of Romance with Wende Dikec Romance is the most popular and most widely read genre in modern literature, but what are the secrets to writing a successful romance novel? What is the difference between a romance novel and a novel with romantic elements? Award winning author Wende Dikec will discuss the most popular romance genres and explain the key elements to plotting out a romance novel that can bring your own “happily ever after” in the form of a successful book. Wende will analyze the difference between romance and women’s fiction, the importance of word count, the 50 Shades of Grey Areas when it comes to genres, and how to classify your novel according to its heat level. She will also talk about the structure of a romance and the special plot points that apply only to this genre. Narrative Voice with Lauren Bieker (Agent, fine Print Literary Management) fiction can be thought of as comprising two basic elements: Characters and what they do next (plot); and voice, which commits those characters to the page in a memorable way. Like listening to a singer who doesn’t quite hit the right notes, an audience knows instinctively when a performer is struggling or trying to “put one over” on them. If the voice of a piece of writing isn’t genuine or appropriate, it won’t be effective. furthermore, if the elements of the craft of writing such as rhythm, style, language, and so forth are not properly supported, the voice of a piece will fall flat. In this workshop, we will analyze use of voice in narrative and how you can use that analysis to make your work sing. Non-traditional vs. Traditional Poetry with Veronica Mattaboni This session will be a generative exploration of non-traditional forms of poetry. We will briefly address the attendees’ familiarity with classic poetry and their outlooks on poetry as a whole. Then, we will discuss several different forms of non-traditional poetry: free verse, short film, chapbooks, blackout poetry, genre poetry, slam poetry, etc. Lastly, we will explore narrative poetry and spoken word in depth by reviewing examples and discussing what aspects set them apart from classic poetry, and how those tactics can be used to strengthen skills. Parallel Tracks: From Back Story to Front Story, Managing Multiple Character Trajectories with Hallie ephron This workshop addresses the challenge of orchestrating multiple character trajectories in a work of fiction. We’ll talk about how to identify what you need to know about your characters’ pasts, the subset that will matter to the reader, and how to convey in a compelling matter. We’ll also talk about writing multiple viewpoint and multiple timeline narratives, including techniques for switching from voice to voice, from past to present, and how to keep track of it all without driving yourself nuts. continued on next page—>
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WORKSHOPS FRIDAY 2:30-3:30 p.m. Where Two or More are Gathered: How the Presence of Others Affects Behavior with Brent Maguire We behave differently when we’re alone than we do when we’re with others, sometimes in surprising ways. Do your characters? This workshop will present insights from social psychology with respect to the influence of others and the power of the situation on behavior. More Stuff Tim Is Tired Of with Timons esaias Timons esaias has been building a list of clichés, commons mistakes, and damnable habits ever since the publication of his infamous “Don’t Be A Bobble-Head...” essay. We will review the lowlights of that List, with occasional malt balls for those who testify. House Style: How to Earn a Living as a Freelance Editor with Stuart Horwitz This session focuses on what it takes to succeed as an independent book editor. An accomplished editor with 20 years of experience will decode the difference between ghostwriting, co-writing, and developmental editing; discuss income streams from copyediting to coaching; and touch on topics as varied as knowing how much to charge, fueling your referral engine, creating contracts, finding mentorship, diversifying your income stream, and having the right technology for freelancers today. Audience participation from aspiring and experienced editors welcome! Robert’s Rules of Order with R.G. yoho R.G. yoho will explain his approach to good writing, fiction or non-fiction. This class will appeal to any writer, no matter what stage that individual might be in his or her writing career. continued on next page—>
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WORKSHOPS FRIDAY 3:45-4:45 p.m. Publishing by the Numbers with Paul Stevens (Agent, Donald Maass Literary Agency) Paul will discuss the financial side of publishing: What an advance is, how royalties are calculated, what are reserves against returns, and the numbers publishers use to make publishing decisions, such as profit and loss statements. In this session, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the financial elements that affect a publisher’s decision to acquire a book; understand royalties, advances, and how the author actually earns money; and gain a better idea of pitfalls to look for when negotiating their own deal. Facebook Party Basics with Lisa Lawmaster Hess facebook parties are a great tool for authors. In this workshop, you’ll learn how a facebook party works, along with what you need and what you don’t. In addition, you’ll have time to sketch out your own facebook Author Party, so that when you’re ready, you’ll already be halfway to the invitations. Doing Historical Research for Authentic Stories with Jim Rada Are you interested in tips for researching books or your family history? This presentation will explore digital as well as print resources. We’ll take a look at some free and paid resources on the web and find out what types of resources you can find at local libraries and historical societies. The Epic Quest with Jack Hillman A lot of different types of stories are really epic quest stories. Stories that range from Raiders of the Lost Ark to A Christmas Carol are epic quest stories of one sort or another. These stories follow a series of characters, or one character, from point A to point B and then possibly back again. Come and see the basic outline of the epic Quest, presented in easy to follow steps that will get you where you’re going and not kill all the characters along the way. continued on next page—>
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WORKSHOPS SATURDAY 9:30-10:30 a.m. Pitching to Agents and Editors with Jon Sprunk It can be the most terrifying ten minutes of your life or the best part of your conference experience. Learn the tips and techniques for pitching your book. Story Shrink: Writing the Synopsis with Kathryn Craft you’ve spent a year compiling enough words for a novel, only to find that selling it requires you to shrink it back down. Why do agents and editors put you through this? (Hint: It’s more than an agonizing exercise.) How to make yours reflect your novel. Meditation for Writers with Stuart Horwitz In this session writers will learn an ancient yet simple meditation to center oneself before writing and combat the fear that can take over the first 5-10 minutes of a writing session. Meditation can assist writers in setting a reachable goal for the day’s writing session and bring consistency and continuity of approach to their material regardless of what draft they are in. As part of a personal ritual, meditation can sustains our writing for a lifetime. No previous experience or specialized equipment required! London, Paris, or Dublin with Don Helin Geographical regions can have a huge influence on your novel. Setting is a critical part of any novel. Many readers like new setting they can learn from while reading a story. It can either make your story more exciting or can hurt your story. How much is too much setting? find out in this interactive workshop. New to Writing? New to Pennwriters? with Bobbi Carducci Published author and Pennwriters Vice President Bobbi Carducci will provide information and answer your questions about the ins and outs of writing, publishing and what the Pennwriters organization can offer to writers of all levels. Attendees are invited to bring a sample of their writing to share, if time permits.
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WORKSHOPS SATURDAY 10:45-11:45 p.m. Organizing for Writers with Lisa Lawmaster Hess Creative people may be great at producing winning manuscripts, but that same mind can have trouble remembering which safe place we left that manuscript in. Come and explore common personal and organizational styles that interfere with getting organized and learn how to use them to your advantage. Bring your sense of humor! First Pages with Alexa Pastor (editor, Simon & Schuster Books for young Readers) Join Alexa Pastor as she goes through the do’s and don’ts of the all-important first page. Answering questions like why first pages matter and what agents and editors are looking to see on them, while offering tricks to hook your reader and pitfalls to avoid, you’ll learn everything you need to know about starting out your manuscript with your best foot (or words!) forward. Harness Your Inner Child to Write for Children with Donna Galanti Learn how to harness your childlike wonder and create an engaging story idea that tweens and teens can connect with—and how to steer clear of stories that can fall flat. Through writing techniques that will help you get inside the minds of young readers and see what issues they face, Donna will teach how to write a story that gets inside their hearts. Story Is a Shapeshifter with Timons esaias Many writers seem to be convinced that each element of their story is sacred and unchangeable, a belief that can leave them blocked, or inflexible, or without ideas. That premise is not true at all, and this hour will attempt to teach you how to change key elements, change genres, change outcomes, and change your career. you’ll see that the “same” story can be written anew repeatedly, without actually repeating. (That’s how series work, after all.) your own life experiences can be transformed into something unrecognizable (especially to lawyers), without losing the magic that makes it important. We will smelt story ore and pour it into new molds. Malt balls will, of course, make the whole thing worthwhile. Writing the Sweet Romance with Susan Meier your sweet story must have enough power to compete with steamier stories. Learn to use tension, the push/pull of conflict and the characters to tell your story with drama and honesty to create a book that will stay in readers’ minds long after they read “the end.”
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WORKSHOPS SATURDAY 1:45-2:45 p.m. Writing a Mystery Novel: A Crash Course with Hallie ephron you know you’re reading a great mystery novel when you’re awake at three in the morning, unable to put down the book. When you finally get to sleep, the characters go romping around in your dreams. you get to the final page and smack yourself in the head, because the solution is a complete surprise, and yet so obvious in retrospect. This session demystifies the art and artifice and gets down to the nuts and bolts of writing a killer mystery novel. Agent/Editor Panel Moderated by Suzanne Mattaboni with Agent Lauren Bieker, Agent Sheree Bykofsky, Agent Sandy Lu, editor Alexa Pastor and Agent Paul Stevens Does Your Protagonist Need a Shrink? with Brent Maguire This workshop will discuss normal versus abnormal behavior, perception, and the nature and process of diagnosis, to help you better understand your characters. If psychotherapy is needed, we’ll talk about this process as well, in contrast to what is sometimes portrayed in books and movies (Dr. Lecter, anyone?). We’ll also clarify who provides psychotherapy. Western Writing: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly with R.G. yoho In this class, R.G. yoho, a proud member of Western Writers of America, will share with you his ideas and insights on writing and publishing a successful Western, a genre that can also be incorporated in works of fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, romance, and thrillers. continued on next page—>
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WORKSHOPS SATURDAY 3-4 p.m. World Building 101 with Jack Hillman Whatever genre you write, the first thing you need to do is decide what kind of world you are going to write in. Sometimes the world will determine the story. Sometimes the story determines the world. But whether you can copy New york in 2015 or rebuild the universe from scratch, you need to know your world in order to finish the story. Come along as we journey from the farthest reaches of space to the joys of the inner city and find out where your story happens. You, Too, Can Write Killer Plots with Gayle Lynds Great plots illuminate stories and give characters the opportunity to reveal themselves not only to the reader but to themselves. Learn techniques to make your plots so very good that your story soars and, ironically, you’ll be known as a character-driven writer. PART 1 OF TWO-HOUR SESSION: *Who Are You, and Why Your Readers Care with Hilary Hauck It’s a challenge to stand out in an industry that sells three billion books a year. Drawing on lessons from leadership to develop vision and confidence, in this two-part workshop, you’ll learn strategies to identify your brand, then to use your brand to build a platform, and propel your writing career. Pre-registration required. The Four-Act Novel with Jon Sprunk How many acts are contained in your novel? One? Three? five? Well, how about four? Come listen to me bloviate about how messing around with your story structure can be fun, and possibly even rewarding. We’ll discuss the arcs, characters, twists, turns, and the dreaded Point of No Return. Or maybe we’ll just eat cake and chat about A Game of Thrones. continued on next page—>
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WORKSHOPS SATURDAY 4:15-5:15 p.m. Damsels, Dames & Darlings: Writing Realistic Women with Ramona Defelice Long Women star in their own stories, but how do you avoid clichés and clutter about womanhood to write a female character who is engaging and realistic? This workshop will help you figure out how to balance the real with the fiction to create a female character who is as intriguing on the page as the reader who will buy her story. Making Extra Bucks as a Freelance Writer with Jim Rada Learn how to get started on a successful freelancing career. you’ll learn about whether to be a specialist or generalist, how to approach and develop clients and how to run your freelance business. you will also learn how to get writing experience when you don’t have any. PART 2 OF TWO-HOUR SESSION: *Who Are You, and Why Your Readers Care with Hilary Hauck It’s a challenge to stand out in an industry that sells three billion books a year. Drawing on lessons from leadership to develop vision and confidence, in this two-part workshop, you’ll learn strategies to identify your brand, then to use your brand to build a platform, and propel your writing career. Pre-registration required. The Voice: Query Edition with agents Lauren Bieker, Sheree Bykofsky, Sandy Lu and Paul Stevens, and editor Alexa Pastor Modeled after the popular television show, this workshop focuses on queries instead of songs. Bring your one-page, double-spaced query letter (name blacked out) for a moderator to read aloud, and we’ll see which agents like which works, and when.
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WORKSHOPS SUNDAY 9-10 a.m. Sorry, It’s Not for Us: Dealing with Rejection without Losing Your Marbles with Brent Maguire As writers, we share similarities. We create with words. We strive to move our readers. And we inevitably (and often repeatedly) experience rejection. We make passing reference to it in conversation, or we may even avoid talking about it. In this workshop, we’ll tackle the topic head-on and develop strategies to maintain our balance. What NOT TO DO as an Author with R.G. yoho R.G. yoho will share a number of his 30-years of mistakes and pitfalls in the writing business and give you the means and knowledge to avoid them. Real-life Perspective for Memorable Characters with Hilary Hauck Stories help us make sense of life, so it follows that life should inspire our stories. But life’s a messy affair, muddled by emotions and unforeseen events. We’ll pare away the chaos of the human condition to reveal the elements that drive memorable characters through the mechanics of story.
WORKSHOPS SUNDAY 10:15-11:15 a.m. How to Rock a Book Signing with Wende Dikec Some authors love book signings. Others would rather have a root canal. But once you have a published novel, they become a necessary evil. In this workshop, award winning author Wende Dikec will discuss how to find a book signing, understanding whether a book signing will be worth your time and expense, what to bring, and how to prepare. Learn out how to make your name—and the name of your book— memorable, how to interact with your fans, and how to make your table stand out.
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How to Keep Your Readers Turning Pages: The Art of Pacing with Don Helin your novel should start fast and keep moving. Learn to balance backstory with compelling story telling. In this interactive workshop, you’ll find the secret of structuring a novel that will keep your readers awake at night and coming back for more. Writing Fantasy after a Game of Thrones with Jon Sprunk everyone is watching it, talking about it, cosplaying it. How does a mega-successful franchise change a genre? Is the extra attention good, bad, or even real? Let’s talk about how the genre may be evolving and how fantasy writers can evolve with it.
SUNDAY 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Eight Secrets to Creating Best-selling Thrillers with Gayle Lynds from concept to characters and action, learn how to use the classic tools of storytelling to make your books irresistible to agents, editors, and readers. Tips for Novelizing True Events with Kathryn Craft Many of us write as a way of delving deeper into issues we’ve experienced in our everyday lives. fiction gives us the freedom to do so without constraining us to true events as well as the tools to make our stories engaging on a number of levels. But predictable pitfalls abound. Here’s how to steer clear of them. School Visits 101 with Donna Galanti your children’s book is soon to be released, and one of the best ways to get it in the hands of your readers (and keep your book in print) is dong school visits! you’ve invested a lot of time, energy, and emotion into your book—what can you do to make sure it captures the spotlight? Donna will guide you on how to develop a tailored school presentation (whether in person or Skype), create a fee schedule, connect with educators, get testimonials, work with bookstores, and book the gigs.
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Speaker Bios Agent Lauren Bieker After a brief career in the fashion industry, Lauren made her move to publishing as an intern for agent Paige Wheeler. she moved to finePrint to assist with day-to-day administrative tasks and is now developing her client list and is open to queries. Lauren writes during her free time and has been published on various online platforms. she has attended many writing workshops and intensives, including the national Academy of Writing’s intensive at cambridge university in the uk. Agent sheree Bykofsky sheree Bykofsky founded her agency, sheree Bykofsky Associates, inc., in new york city and has represented over 100 authors. she is also the author of more than two dozen books, including five editions of The ComPLeTe IdIoT’s GuIde To GeTTInG PubLIshed (noT for IdIoTs). her agency represents all adult genres but is concentrating particularly on prescriptive non-fiction, especially health, business, self-help/psychology, parenting, food, spiritual, games, biography and current affairs, women’s interest, humor, pop culture. in fiction, her agency particularly likes commercial fiction with literary appeal and mysteries. it is always looking for a bestseller in any category. Bobbi carducci Bobbi is an award winning author and multi-published short story writer. her work has appeared in numerous anthologies and publications, in print and online. Bobbi’s website and blog can be found at www.bobbicarducci.com and theimperfectcaregiver.com. Bobbi also blogs monthly for Thecaregiverspace.org and Agingcare.com. kathryn craft kathryn craft is the award-winning author of two novels, The ArT of fALLinG and The fAr end of hAPPy, and the author of chapters in AuThor in ProGress and The comPLeTe hAndBook of noveL WriTinG from Writers digest Books. she has been a freelance developmental editor at Writing-Partner.com for 11 years. ramona defelice Long ramona defelice Long is an author, editor, and writing instructor currently living in delaware after eight years in western Pennsylvania. her writing has appeared in numerous literary and regional publications, and she’s a multiple fellowship winner. As an editor, she specializes in short story anthologies, crime novels, and women’s fiction. Wende dikec Wende dikec is the award-winning author of three young adult novels, as well as two novellas and seven women’s fiction novels under her pen name, Abigail drake. she has spent her life traveling the world and collecting stories wherever she visited. she teaches writing classes for young people and is a member of romance Writers of America, Three rivers romance Writers, yArWA, Women’s fiction Writers, mindful Writers, and Pennwriters. To learn more about Wende and her books, check out her websites: www.wendedikec.com or www.abigaildrake.com.
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Speaker Bios hallie ephron new York Times bestselling author hallie ephron, edgar Award finalist and five-time finalist for the mary higgins clark Award, writes books she hopes readers can’t put down. hallie teaches writing at workshops and writing conferences across the country. her WriTinG And seLLinG your mysTery noveL (Writers digest Books) was nominated for edgar and Anthony awards. katie ernst katie ernst is the co-founder and ceo of select a story, a publisher of interactive audio, print, and e- books. select a story’s first interactive audiobook, cinder/chArminG, is available now on Amazon Alexa. To start, say “Alexa, open select a story.” katie is also the co-host of the podcast Talk to me, on which she muses about everything voice and audio. Timons esaias Timons esaias is a satirist, poet, essayist and short fictionabulator. his works have appeared in 20 languages. A finalist for the BsfA, and winner of the Asimov’s readers Award for poetry, his story “norbert and the system” has appeared in a textbook, and in college curricula. he teaches in seton hill university’s Writing Popular fiction mfA Program. Agent Louise fury Louise fury represents literary and commercial fiction for teens and adults, as well as select nonfiction. A native south African, Louise lives in new york city and travels to cape Town every year, where she spends time educating south African writers and meeting with international publishers. Before agenting, she worked in marketing and advertising for both the consumer markets and publishing. Louise represents numerous new York Times and usA Today best-selling authors. Louise is a huge advocate of utilizing secondary rights—she has sold film/Tv, audio and foreign rights for her clients and believes in staying ahead of the pack by embracing change, not just adapting to it. donna Galanti donna Galanti is the author of the bestselling paranormal suspense element Trilogy and the children’s fantasy adventure JoshuA And The LiGhTninG roAd series. she is represented by Bill contardi of Brandt & hochman Literary Agents, inc. donna is a contributing editor for international Thriller Writers the big Thrill magazine and blogs with other middle grade authors at Project middle Grade mayhem. she’s lived from england as a child, to hawaii as a u.s. navy photographer. donna enjoys teaching at conferences on writing craft and marketing and also presenting as a guest author at schools. visit her at elementtrilogy.com and donnagalanti.com. she is also the creator of create your Awesome community for debut Authors, a proven 10-step system to building a successful author platform. Access her free video training series at yourawesomeauthorlife.com.
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Speaker Bios hilary hauck hilary hauck is a graduate of ruLe, Penn state extension’s leadership program, and current president of Pennwriters. her leadership journey, fluency in italian, and time spent in different countries inspire her fiction and poetry, where she explores the cultural and sensorial lenses through which people experience the world. don helin don helin is the author of five thrillers that draw from his military experience, including three tours in the Pentagon. his novel secreT AssAuLT was selected as the Best suspense/Thriller at the 2015 indie Book Awards. his latest novel, LonG WALk home, won runnerup for General fiction at the Greater southeast Book festival. you can reach him on his website, www.donhelin.com. Jack hillman Jack hillman is a published author of fantasy, mystery, science fiction, and horror, and a member of sfWA and hWA. he is a novelist, playwright, journalist and freelance writer, as well as a collector of swords and other muscle-driven weapons. stuart horwitz stuart horwitz is a ghostwriter, independent editor, and founder of Book Architecture. his clients have reached the best-seller list in both fiction and non-fiction, and have appeared on oprah!, The Today show, and in the most prestigious journals in their fields. he is the author of three books on writing: BLuePrinT your BesTseLLer, which was named one of 2013’s best books about writing, Book ArchiTecTure (2015) which became an Amazon bestseller, and finish your Book in Three drAfTs which was released in June of 2016. Lisa Lawmaster hess A transplanted Jersey girl, Lisa Lawmaster hess writes both fiction and nonfiction. she is the author of four books, a contributor to three others, and has written close to 100 articles for a variety of print and online publications. Lisa blogs at The Porch swing chronicles and organizing By sTyLe. Gayle Lynds new York Times bestseller Gayle Lynds is the award-winning author of 10 international espionage novels, including The AssAssins, The Book of sPies, and The LAsT sPymAsTer. her books have won numerous awards. Publishers Weekly lists her thriller mAsquerAde among the top ten spy novels of all time. Library Journal hails her as “the reigning queen of espionage fiction.” Lee child says she’s “today’s best espionage writer.” The Associated Press calls her “a master of the modern cold War spy thriller.” With robert Ludlum, she created the covert-one series. The first, The hAdes fAcTor, was a cBs miniseries. A member of the Association of former intelligence officers, she is co-founder (with david morrell) of international Thriller Writers, inc. she lives outside Portland with her husband and a bossy geriatric cat. Please visit her at www.GayleLynds.com and read her blog posts at www.rogueWomenWriters.com.
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Speaker Bios Brent maguire Brent maguire, Phd, is a psychologist with a consultation, psychotherapy, and teaching background. he is crafting a thriller series with a psychologist protagonist. veronica mattaboni veronica mattaboni is a poet and author living in the Philadelphia area. she is the editor in chief of Peach Velvet mag, a new Adult zine press. her work can be found on Penn and Anvil Press, The offing, otoliths, and The feminine collective. Peach Velvet mag can be reached at https://veronicamattaboni.wixsite.com/peachvelvet. claire mckinney claire mckinney has been working in public relations for more than 20 years. she has appeared on the Today show and csPAn as an expert on publishing, and she travels regularly to speak to authors and audiences about Pr and social media marketing. Authors she has worked with include della reese, Toni morrison, madeleine Albright, Walter mosley, robert dallek, rick moody, George Pelecanos, Plum sykes, noam chomski, richard north Patterson, and kristin Gore.
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Speaker Bios susan meier susan meier is the author of over 70 books for harlequin, entangled and Tule. her romances have been finalists in rWA chapter contests and have been nominated for romantic Times reviewer’s choice awards. in 2013 she lived her career dream of being nominated for rWA’s highest honor, a rita. editor Alexa Pastor Alexa Pastor joined simon & schuster Books for young readers in August of 2014. first assisting Justin chanda, and now working with Zareen Jaffery, Alexa has worked with some of the most celebrated voices in the industry, including morgan matson, Patricia macLachlan, s.J. kincaid, and mike Lupica. she is also the lucky editor of the AnnA, BAnAnA chapter book series by Anica rissi. Prior to landing her dream job, Alexa interned at both Bloomsbury children’s Books and running Press kids, was a bookseller at Barnes and noble, and graduated summa cum laude from villanova university (Go ’cats!). she completed her master’s degree in children’s and young Adult Publishing at rosemont college in 2015. Jim rada James rada, Jr. has written many works of historical fiction and non-fiction history. he also writes yA, fantasy, and horror as J. r. rada. As a freelance writer, he has received more than two dozen awards for his magazine and newspaper writing. To learn more, visit his website: www.jamesrada.com. Jon sprunk Jon sprunk is the author of The Book of the Black earth epic fantasy series as well as the shadow saga trilogy. his first book, shAdoW’s son, was a finalist for the compton crook Award, and a nominee for the david Gemmell Award for Best debut novel and Best fantasy novel. for more on Jon’s life and works, visit www.jonsprunk.com. Agent Paul stevens Paul stevens joined the donald maass Literary Agency in 2016. Before that he worked as an editor for 15 years, primarily at Tor Books, where he edited science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. Paul represents Jeremy finley, Agnes Gomillion, sean Grigsby, Alyc helms, iain hannay fraser, Leanna renee hieber, kel kade, dan koboldt, michael Livingston, matt maley, elle Andrews Patt, and stephen s. Power. Paul is an ohio native and a graduate of the ohio state university. he also grows carnivorous plants. rG yoho r.G. yoho is a West virginia native with a passion for history and tales of the American West. A member of the Western Writers of America, yoho’s the author of the fourbook kellen malone Western series, as well as other Westerns and works of historical fiction and non-fiction.
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