Keynote
MY FRIENDS ARE ALL FICTIONAL--The Journey from Teen Writer to Bestselling Author with Suzanne Young
Popularity and fame can be short-lived for an author in high school, but imagination and a healthy dose of stubbornness can lead to writing success. How to survive rejection, find your voice, and become a professional author.
Session 1
Workshop 1: Horror Panel - Things That Go Bump in the Night with Jonathan Maberry, Nancy Holder and Ryan Bradford
Bring your questions for the ultimate panel of horror authors. Mark Clements, Nancy Holder, and Jonathan Maberry will discuss what makes the horror genre different from any other, why it's so popular, and why it's a necessary part of our culture.
Workshop 2: College Essay Death Sentences with Chris Hamilton
What happens when your mom writes your college essay? Or when students confess their darkest secrets to college? How real is too real? We'll take a look at awkward moments in college essay rough drafts ("my father is a famous doctor") and discuss how to create compelling self-writing--without horrifying your reader.
Workshop 3: From Passionate to Published with Chantal Sicile-Kira
In this workshop, you’ll learn about how to turn your passion into a non-fiction book published by mainstream publishers. When my son was little, there was very little practical advice available about autism. I wrote the book I wished I could have read to help me then. In this way I helped many people, had five more books published, won book awards and developed a career as a international speaker and consultant. Being passionate about your topic and knowing how to write a killer book proposal can help you find the right agent and publisher for your project.
Workshop 4: Voice in Fiction with Eliza Wass
We all have our own voice—it’s in the way we speak, the way we think, our unique way of viewing the world. We all have one, but sometimes it takes courage to use it. In this workshop Author Eliza Wass will share her experience finding her voice and how it helped her sell her first novel. We will look at how you can find YOUR voice, and YOUR story, the story only you can tell.
Workshop 1: Horror Panel - Things That Go Bump in the Night with Jonathan Maberry, Nancy Holder and Ryan Bradford
Bring your questions for the ultimate panel of horror authors. Mark Clements, Nancy Holder, and Jonathan Maberry will discuss what makes the horror genre different from any other, why it's so popular, and why it's a necessary part of our culture.
Workshop 2: College Essay Death Sentences with Chris Hamilton
What happens when your mom writes your college essay? Or when students confess their darkest secrets to college? How real is too real? We'll take a look at awkward moments in college essay rough drafts ("my father is a famous doctor") and discuss how to create compelling self-writing--without horrifying your reader.
Workshop 3: From Passionate to Published with Chantal Sicile-Kira
In this workshop, you’ll learn about how to turn your passion into a non-fiction book published by mainstream publishers. When my son was little, there was very little practical advice available about autism. I wrote the book I wished I could have read to help me then. In this way I helped many people, had five more books published, won book awards and developed a career as a international speaker and consultant. Being passionate about your topic and knowing how to write a killer book proposal can help you find the right agent and publisher for your project.
Workshop 4: Voice in Fiction with Eliza Wass
We all have our own voice—it’s in the way we speak, the way we think, our unique way of viewing the world. We all have one, but sometimes it takes courage to use it. In this workshop Author Eliza Wass will share her experience finding her voice and how it helped her sell her first novel. We will look at how you can find YOUR voice, and YOUR story, the story only you can tell.
Session 2
Workshop 1: How I write a Novel with Susan Dennard
How a NYT bestselling author moves from a novel idea to a finished book.
Workshop 2: Thrills and Chills: Horror and Cross-Genre Thrillers with Jonathan Maberry
Scary is back! Cross-genre thrillers that draw on elements of the paranormal and supernatural are burning up the bookshelves in the adult and young adult markets. New York Times bestseller and multiple Bram Stoker Award winner Jonathan Maberry shares the inside scoop on how to write and sell this new breed of fast-paced shiver-inducing cross-genre thriller.
Workshop 3: Getting Published: Query Letters and Agents with Natalie Lakosil
Learn best practices and tips for the query letter, along with researching and finding agents. And anyone who attends the workshop can send her their query letters after the conference for her professional critique.
Workshop 4: Do You Have What it Takes to be a Journalist? with Sylvia Mendoza
The power of the written word comes to life in the field of Journalism. As a news reporter, the responsibility is heavy: the first obligation is to the TRUTH. But a journalist can work for more than just a newspaper and tell stories far beyond a courtroom scene. The purpose of journalism is to tell a story, offer surveillance, and serve as the watchdog for society. A journalist informs, educates, and entertains; she unearths the truth and documents history. With writing talent and an ethical foundation, journalism can also take you into many fields, such as advertising, public relations, news reporting and long form journalism/books. Find out if you have what it takes to make journalism your career.
Workshop 1: How I write a Novel with Susan Dennard
How a NYT bestselling author moves from a novel idea to a finished book.
Workshop 2: Thrills and Chills: Horror and Cross-Genre Thrillers with Jonathan Maberry
Scary is back! Cross-genre thrillers that draw on elements of the paranormal and supernatural are burning up the bookshelves in the adult and young adult markets. New York Times bestseller and multiple Bram Stoker Award winner Jonathan Maberry shares the inside scoop on how to write and sell this new breed of fast-paced shiver-inducing cross-genre thriller.
Workshop 3: Getting Published: Query Letters and Agents with Natalie Lakosil
Learn best practices and tips for the query letter, along with researching and finding agents. And anyone who attends the workshop can send her their query letters after the conference for her professional critique.
Workshop 4: Do You Have What it Takes to be a Journalist? with Sylvia Mendoza
The power of the written word comes to life in the field of Journalism. As a news reporter, the responsibility is heavy: the first obligation is to the TRUTH. But a journalist can work for more than just a newspaper and tell stories far beyond a courtroom scene. The purpose of journalism is to tell a story, offer surveillance, and serve as the watchdog for society. A journalist informs, educates, and entertains; she unearths the truth and documents history. With writing talent and an ethical foundation, journalism can also take you into many fields, such as advertising, public relations, news reporting and long form journalism/books. Find out if you have what it takes to make journalism your career.
Session 3
Workshop 1: Plot Like a Villain with Kiersten White
The good villain's guide to excellent plotting! Tricks and tips to making yourself the evil mastermind of your own writing.
Workshop 2: Grand World Building in Fantasy with Matt Wolf
Join Matthew Wolf as he teaches a 101 on "world building". Topics include: What is world building?, the different approaches to creating a fantasy or sci-fi world, how to start small and go big, and lastly, the self-deemed title and discussion of "Grand World Building".
Workshop 3: Writing for TV with Kendall Sherwood
A sneak peek inside the television industry, from the pitch to the page to the soundstage to TV screens across the world. When there are hundreds of people involved in each and every episode, what does the writer's role entail?
Workshop 4: Beginning the Novel with Alan Retzky
Learn how to galvanize your ideas into provocative first sentences that will engage readers.
Workshop 1: Plot Like a Villain with Kiersten White
The good villain's guide to excellent plotting! Tricks and tips to making yourself the evil mastermind of your own writing.
Workshop 2: Grand World Building in Fantasy with Matt Wolf
Join Matthew Wolf as he teaches a 101 on "world building". Topics include: What is world building?, the different approaches to creating a fantasy or sci-fi world, how to start small and go big, and lastly, the self-deemed title and discussion of "Grand World Building".
Workshop 3: Writing for TV with Kendall Sherwood
A sneak peek inside the television industry, from the pitch to the page to the soundstage to TV screens across the world. When there are hundreds of people involved in each and every episode, what does the writer's role entail?
Workshop 4: Beginning the Novel with Alan Retzky
Learn how to galvanize your ideas into provocative first sentences that will engage readers.
LUNCH AND BOOKSIGNING
Session 4
Workshop 1: Character Building with Greg Van Eekhout
Memorable characters are at the hearts of our favorite stories. What makes characters interesting? What makes them relatable? What makes them compelling? Can readers sympathize with characters who aren't likable? In this workshop, we'll address these questions through short and fun writing exercises. Come ready to write and share your work!
Workshop 2: Fast and Furious: Writing Great Action Scenes with James Matlack Raney
This workshop will help you turn your story into a real page turner. We'll break down what makes action scenes unique and important, look at how to set your action scene up for success, and break down the components of a well-written, heart pounding action scene. Get ready to push your writing into overdrive, and get your readers’ pulses racing!
Workshop 3: Introduction to Playwriting with Jenny Lane
Using a balance of lecture and exercise, this workshop will teach the basics of writing for the stage, focusing on the fundamentals: Character, setting, conflict, and plot. We will discuss how dramatic writing differs from other forms of writing, and what tools a playwright has at her disposal (space, actor, text and technical elements). We will discuss what it means to make a piece of theater in this film- and TV-saturated culture.
Workshop 4: Songwriting: From No Rules to Formulas with Lee Coulter
There is no right way to write a song. Lee's songwriting workshop will cover a few of the infinite ways to approach songwriting. From decoding common formulas to dropping everything you think know and writing whatever feels like the most cathartic, self involved lyrical therapy.
Workshop 1: Character Building with Greg Van Eekhout
Memorable characters are at the hearts of our favorite stories. What makes characters interesting? What makes them relatable? What makes them compelling? Can readers sympathize with characters who aren't likable? In this workshop, we'll address these questions through short and fun writing exercises. Come ready to write and share your work!
Workshop 2: Fast and Furious: Writing Great Action Scenes with James Matlack Raney
This workshop will help you turn your story into a real page turner. We'll break down what makes action scenes unique and important, look at how to set your action scene up for success, and break down the components of a well-written, heart pounding action scene. Get ready to push your writing into overdrive, and get your readers’ pulses racing!
Workshop 3: Introduction to Playwriting with Jenny Lane
Using a balance of lecture and exercise, this workshop will teach the basics of writing for the stage, focusing on the fundamentals: Character, setting, conflict, and plot. We will discuss how dramatic writing differs from other forms of writing, and what tools a playwright has at her disposal (space, actor, text and technical elements). We will discuss what it means to make a piece of theater in this film- and TV-saturated culture.
Workshop 4: Songwriting: From No Rules to Formulas with Lee Coulter
There is no right way to write a song. Lee's songwriting workshop will cover a few of the infinite ways to approach songwriting. From decoding common formulas to dropping everything you think know and writing whatever feels like the most cathartic, self involved lyrical therapy.
Session 5
Workshop 1: Whose Story is This? Point of View and Narrative Voice with T. Greenwood
Point of view may be the most important decision you make as a writer. But how do you decide who will tell your story? This workshop will examine the many point of view options available to writers and explore the benefits and drawbacks of each. We will discuss the importance of narrative voice and how you go about finding it.
Workshop 2: Starting in the Middle with Laura Preble
Starting a writing project is often the toughest part of creating a novel or a story. Come find some great strategies for starting ‘in media res’ (in the middle of the action) and start your stories with a compelling first page. (This is a hands-on workshop: after some discussion and examples, you’ll be writing (and sharing, if you want to.)
Workshop 3: Creating Impact with Sensory Detail with Courtney Killian
Utilizing all of the senses in your writing gives you the power to show vivid detail and make lasting impact. Sensations are a crucial tool in effectively transporting your readers into scenes and worlds of your creation, and in crafting enduring and believable characters. Join this workshop session for an exploration of the six senses (yes, we will take a look at intuition too!) with exercises specifically geared toward each sense and guided visualizations to tap into your own power of observation to enhance your writing.
Workshop 4: How to be a Poet:Spoken Word Poetry with Viet Mai
Poetry has historically been a voice of the people. Spoken word takes this art form from the page to the stage and has been captivating the minds of young people. Find out how you can tap into the powerful stories around you and share your story through poetry. Who would have thought a metaphor could change the way you look at the world around you? This workshop will inspire you with tools to imagine, be creative, make connections, and become the poet you already are!
Workshop 1: Whose Story is This? Point of View and Narrative Voice with T. Greenwood
Point of view may be the most important decision you make as a writer. But how do you decide who will tell your story? This workshop will examine the many point of view options available to writers and explore the benefits and drawbacks of each. We will discuss the importance of narrative voice and how you go about finding it.
Workshop 2: Starting in the Middle with Laura Preble
Starting a writing project is often the toughest part of creating a novel or a story. Come find some great strategies for starting ‘in media res’ (in the middle of the action) and start your stories with a compelling first page. (This is a hands-on workshop: after some discussion and examples, you’ll be writing (and sharing, if you want to.)
Workshop 3: Creating Impact with Sensory Detail with Courtney Killian
Utilizing all of the senses in your writing gives you the power to show vivid detail and make lasting impact. Sensations are a crucial tool in effectively transporting your readers into scenes and worlds of your creation, and in crafting enduring and believable characters. Join this workshop session for an exploration of the six senses (yes, we will take a look at intuition too!) with exercises specifically geared toward each sense and guided visualizations to tap into your own power of observation to enhance your writing.
Workshop 4: How to be a Poet:Spoken Word Poetry with Viet Mai
Poetry has historically been a voice of the people. Spoken word takes this art form from the page to the stage and has been captivating the minds of young people. Find out how you can tap into the powerful stories around you and share your story through poetry. Who would have thought a metaphor could change the way you look at the world around you? This workshop will inspire you with tools to imagine, be creative, make connections, and become the poet you already are!
Session 6
Wrap Up, Awards and
Inspirational Speaker, Anthony King
YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT: An uplifting and inspirational talk about how becoming a professional writer is impossible and there's absolutely no way on earth you're going to be successful. And also why that doesn't matter and isn't true.
Followed by Booksigning
Wrap Up, Awards and
Inspirational Speaker, Anthony King
YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT: An uplifting and inspirational talk about how becoming a professional writer is impossible and there's absolutely no way on earth you're going to be successful. And also why that doesn't matter and isn't true.
Followed by Booksigning