Presented by: Donald Maass

MASTER CLASS SEPARATE FROM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

$125.00 for conference registrants

$200.00 without conference registration

The emotional effect of fiction on readers is a craft.  Based on psychological research and study of what makes novels emotionally gripping, this intensive workshop takes participants beyond showing or telling to create an emotional journey for readers—one unseen but nevertheless deeply felt and ultimately unforgettable. This is an intensive, hands-on workshop for serious fiction writers.  Participants should bring a Work In Progress and writing materials.

Presented by: Kim Hornsby

Master Class included in conference registration

$50.00 without registration

Hollywood LOVES book adaptations and it’s not as hard as it looks. Have you thought about adapting your book to a screenplay but didn't know where to start? You are half way there as an author. In this 3-Hour workshop Intensive, you will learn how to boil down a story to the key scenes to transfer to a script format. Guaranteed pain-free, you’ll learn the method of finding the essence of the story and building on that. You’ll learn about 3-Act structure, script formatting, dialogue, slug lines, lean narrative, and will examine blockbuster movies adapted from books. Come prepared to adapt a story, book or play with a laptop or writing device and settle in to become a screenwriter!

Presented by: Damon Suede

Master Class included in conference registration

$50.00 without registration

Even when a happy ending is certain, a great plot keeps your writing fresh while amplifying your voice. Learn how to craft a sure-fire structure and launch your story. We’ll go beyond the bullet points. Rather hammering one “true” blueprint, we’ll break down major story models from Aristotle to Netflix, identify their seven shared points, and help you develop your won narrative strategy.   

Presented by:  Donna Cameron and Holly Harmon

“Never underestimate the importance of your book cover,” advises one prominent publishing executive. Despite the old adage to the contrary, we do judge a book by its cover. Authors who want potential buyers and readers to pick up their books in a store, or click to them online, need to be very intentional about both design and text choices. Whether publishing traditionally, self-publishing, or hybrid, authors must be involved in assuring that their book’s cover sends the right message about content, intended audience, and the author’s professionalism. In this session we will explore some of the factors authors must consider often in partnership with their publisher as they undertake the cover development process.    

PUBLISHING TRACK

Presented by: Brian Mercer

If you’ve been intimidated by this powerful writing software, then learn how to document research, organize world building, storyboard, outline, and create your prose using a single, streamlined interface and let Scrivener’s iPad and iPhone options capture and synchronize your ideas.

(Lunch concessions available for purchase)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Presented by: Steena Holmes

Master Class included in conference registration

$50.00 without registration

Your brand is your promise that you make to readers - breaking that promise could be detrimental to your career. We will go beyond the “talk” of what a brand is and create a foundation for you to build a brand that not only keeps that promise you will be making to your readers but to also find new ones. This masterclass is for every author who is struggling with their branding - whether you are a first time author or an established one looking to “rebrand”.

Presented by: Wendy Kendall and Avis Adams

Master Class included in conference registration

$50.00 without registration

Effective dialogue is real conversation, only better. It reveals who your characters are while bypassing the mundane, sometimes tedious and flawed components of everyday conversation in the real world. Great dialogue moves the story along and can be an integral tool for managing the pacing of scenes. Techniques for editing your dialogue can speed up revisions and rewrites. This workshop includes presentation of researched information, combined with examples from published authors, live demonstrations of dialogue examples spoken between the co-presenters, and hands on exercise. We will also detail Ten Specific Dialogue Tips, a list of what your characters should never say, how to develop characters through dialogue, how to use dialogue as a tool for managing point of view, as well as the important dialogue mechanics that include dialogue tags, exposition, and grammar. This workshop crosses all genres. 

Pizza Party included for workshop attendees only

Presented by: Gerri Russell, with guest authors

Before you can write a great pitch you must know your story inside and out. Answer these questions in preparation for writing your pitch and you’re off to a great start. Join New York Times bestselling author Gerri Russell and her author coaches as she helps demystify the art of pitching your story to agents, publishers and friends.

Keynote Speaker: Greg Bear