KEYNOTE: ELANA K. ARNOLD
The Transformative Power of Art: Radical Truth-Telling in Fiction
Elana’s talk, The Transformative Power of Art: Radical Truth-Telling in Fiction, will explore her personal history and the process of writing National Book Award Finalist WHAT GIRLS ARE MADE OF, and how creating art can transform the artist.
The Transformative Power of Art: Radical Truth-Telling in Fiction
Elana’s talk, The Transformative Power of Art: Radical Truth-Telling in Fiction, will explore her personal history and the process of writing National Book Award Finalist WHAT GIRLS ARE MADE OF, and how creating art can transform the artist.
SESSION 1
Workshop 1: No Longer Niche: LGBTQ fiction goes mainstream. Panel with Kristin Elizabeth Clark, Tim Floreen, MG Hennessey and Brie Spangler
In this workshop we’ll discuss writing books that feature LGBTQ themes and characters. We'll also discuss how important it is for everyone to read these types of books regardless of how they identify, and how to handle the subject matter thoughtfully and appropriately as a writer. Along the way we’ll touch on the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement (and backlash), the rise of sensitivity readers, and special issues with marketing and shelving these types of books. A takeaway list of books will be provided.
In this workshop we’ll discuss writing books that feature LGBTQ themes and characters. We'll also discuss how important it is for everyone to read these types of books regardless of how they identify, and how to handle the subject matter thoughtfully and appropriately as a writer. Along the way we’ll touch on the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement (and backlash), the rise of sensitivity readers, and special issues with marketing and shelving these types of books. A takeaway list of books will be provided.
Workshop 2: The Voice with Kiersten White
Alongside celebrity judges Adam Levine and Miley Cyrus, I will... Wait sorry, wrong voice. Instead, we'll analyze that elusive thing known as voice in writing, and learn specific tips and tricks to bring out your own inimitable style.
Alongside celebrity judges Adam Levine and Miley Cyrus, I will... Wait sorry, wrong voice. Instead, we'll analyze that elusive thing known as voice in writing, and learn specific tips and tricks to bring out your own inimitable style.
Workshop 3: Narrative Non-Fiction - The Best of Both Worlds with Henry Herz
Learn what narrative non-fiction is, and why it's the best of both literary worlds. Non-fiction features fascinating fun facts, while fiction promises plentiful plot possibilities. The workshop will conclude with some examples and a brainstorming session.
Learn what narrative non-fiction is, and why it's the best of both literary worlds. Non-fiction features fascinating fun facts, while fiction promises plentiful plot possibilities. The workshop will conclude with some examples and a brainstorming session.
Workshop 4: Let's Plan a Murder Mystery with Kathy Krevat
Join author Kathy Krevat to learn how to write a murder mystery. We'll discuss creating feasible victims, sympathetic sleuths and believable villains, planting and hiding clues, pointing to and clearing red herrings, and solving the mystery with a satisfying ending. We'll also work together to create a unique mystery right in the classroom.
Join author Kathy Krevat to learn how to write a murder mystery. We'll discuss creating feasible victims, sympathetic sleuths and believable villains, planting and hiding clues, pointing to and clearing red herrings, and solving the mystery with a satisfying ending. We'll also work together to create a unique mystery right in the classroom.
session 2
Workshop 1: Six Secrets for Great College Essays with Chris Hamilton
Well, perhaps they’re not secrets, exactly. But Chris Hamilton, a founder and principal of several international college consulting companies, will share six insights you must know to write a compelling and effective college essay. For instance, why is Aristotle—a 4th-century Athenian with a bad comb-over—essential to creating a great college essay? And why is your college “essay” not really an essay at all?
Well, perhaps they’re not secrets, exactly. But Chris Hamilton, a founder and principal of several international college consulting companies, will share six insights you must know to write a compelling and effective college essay. For instance, why is Aristotle—a 4th-century Athenian with a bad comb-over—essential to creating a great college essay? And why is your college “essay” not really an essay at all?
Workshop 2: Writing for Television with Kendall Sherwood
A crash course in writing for television, including instruction on structure, theme, and crafting a successful pilot episode.
A crash course in writing for television, including instruction on structure, theme, and crafting a successful pilot episode.
Workshop 3: Finding Your Voice - and Place - in Journalism's New Age with James Hebert
These are rapidly changing times for arts/entertainment writers and journalists in general, with an explosion of new forms that promise both opportunity and intense competition. But in spite of the upheaval, there will always be a place for fresh, original voices that rise above the noise. We'll explore how to identify, polish and honor your own writing and reporting voice, and to help it stand out no matter what you're writing about.
These are rapidly changing times for arts/entertainment writers and journalists in general, with an explosion of new forms that promise both opportunity and intense competition. But in spite of the upheaval, there will always be a place for fresh, original voices that rise above the noise. We'll explore how to identify, polish and honor your own writing and reporting voice, and to help it stand out no matter what you're writing about.
Workshop 4: Self Editing for Fiction writers with Karri Thompson
Self editing is a must, and it is more than just checking to make sure your commas are in the right places. Learn how to look for narrative and stylistic issues in addition to cleaning up your prose and eliminating grammatical errors. We’ll address common problems and look at trouble-shooting techniques you can apply to your own work-in-progress. You only have one chance to impress and an agent or editor, so make it the best it can be.
Self editing is a must, and it is more than just checking to make sure your commas are in the right places. Learn how to look for narrative and stylistic issues in addition to cleaning up your prose and eliminating grammatical errors. We’ll address common problems and look at trouble-shooting techniques you can apply to your own work-in-progress. You only have one chance to impress and an agent or editor, so make it the best it can be.
Session 3
Workshop 1: Movie, Book, Play, TV? How to Decide What Your Story is Meant To Be, and Write in Multiple Mediums by Abdi Nazemian
Sometimes you think of a great story, but you have no idea whether it's meant to be a film, a television show, a book, a play, or all of the above. Abdi Nazemian, who writes in all four mediums, will discuss both the creative and market forces that led him to hop across mediums, and engage students in a workshop that explores the unique challenges and opportunities each medium provides.
Sometimes you think of a great story, but you have no idea whether it's meant to be a film, a television show, a book, a play, or all of the above. Abdi Nazemian, who writes in all four mediums, will discuss both the creative and market forces that led him to hop across mediums, and engage students in a workshop that explores the unique challenges and opportunities each medium provides.
Workshop 2: Conflict - An Author's BFF by Daniel Sweren-Becker
There is a universal engine driving all of our favorite stories. Sometimes hidden in plain sight, other times screaming off the page, no great tale gets told without it and no writer takes it for granted. This workshop explores the importance of conflict in writing fiction -- what it means, how it's created, and why it works.
There is a universal engine driving all of our favorite stories. Sometimes hidden in plain sight, other times screaming off the page, no great tale gets told without it and no writer takes it for granted. This workshop explores the importance of conflict in writing fiction -- what it means, how it's created, and why it works.
Workshop 3: How to Find, Interest and Work with a Literary Agent with Jill Marr
How do you hook an agent right away, keep them hooked, and make the most of your new publishing relationship? In this workshop you'll learn how to get a literary agent’s attention and demystify the process of working successfully with an agent. The workshop will cover a range of important questions: What keeps an agent reading, what are the most common mistakes that make them stop, and what are the steps you need to take to correct them? What are the turn-ons and turn-offs when it comes to submissions? How do they make the judgment calls? With real-life examples of queries that do and don’t work, you will learn how you can refine your own query letter. The world of literary agencies can be an intimidating place. You’ll be lead through the inner-workings of finding the perfect literary agent, working with an agent and how to get the most out of your relationship. See what a day in the life of an agent looks like, and get tips about how to find your perfect author-agent match that will result in a successful partnership.
How do you hook an agent right away, keep them hooked, and make the most of your new publishing relationship? In this workshop you'll learn how to get a literary agent’s attention and demystify the process of working successfully with an agent. The workshop will cover a range of important questions: What keeps an agent reading, what are the most common mistakes that make them stop, and what are the steps you need to take to correct them? What are the turn-ons and turn-offs when it comes to submissions? How do they make the judgment calls? With real-life examples of queries that do and don’t work, you will learn how you can refine your own query letter. The world of literary agencies can be an intimidating place. You’ll be lead through the inner-workings of finding the perfect literary agent, working with an agent and how to get the most out of your relationship. See what a day in the life of an agent looks like, and get tips about how to find your perfect author-agent match that will result in a successful partnership.
Workshop 4: Coloring Your Voice: Use of Simile and Metaphors in Poetry with Amen Ra
The workshop consists of an example performance of two of my poems then leads into a simile/metaphor literary device exercise to educate young writers on how to use these in poetry. It would follow with a free write, then the last portion will allow students to share their work out loud.
The workshop consists of an example performance of two of my poems then leads into a simile/metaphor literary device exercise to educate young writers on how to use these in poetry. It would follow with a free write, then the last portion will allow students to share their work out loud.
session 4
Workshop 1: Getting to The End: Overcoming Writer's Block and Finishing Your Stories with Greg van Eekhout
Does writer's block give you headaches? Are you unable to finish your stories, or do you keep getting stuck in the same place? Using a combination of tough love, gentle encouragement, rousing inspirational speeches, and tried and true techniques, Greg will help you overcome the blockages that stop your stories in their tracks and give you the tools and approaches you need to get to The End.
Does writer's block give you headaches? Are you unable to finish your stories, or do you keep getting stuck in the same place? Using a combination of tough love, gentle encouragement, rousing inspirational speeches, and tried and true techniques, Greg will help you overcome the blockages that stop your stories in their tracks and give you the tools and approaches you need to get to The End.
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!
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: Songwriting: Rhyme, Reason and the Infinite Paths 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.
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 4: Dialogue! Dialogue! Dialogue! with Aleta Barthell
In writing a play, the story is told with dialogue and action. How do you write like people speak in your play? In addition to learning the fundamentals of playwriting, learn tools to help your characters talk to each other.
In writing a play, the story is told with dialogue and action. How do you write like people speak in your play? In addition to learning the fundamentals of playwriting, learn tools to help your characters talk to each other.
session 5
Workshop 1: Horror, Thrillers and Suspense in YA Fiction with Jonathan Maberry
Every story needs a good jolt, no matter what the genre. Young readers want to be on the edge of their seat, whether reading short or long fiction, genre or contemporary, historical or contemporary. Storytelling is about suspense. NY Times bestseller and five time Bram Stoker Award winner Jonathan Maberry, known for writing across genre lines, shares insights on the different ways to ratchet up the tension, creep the reader out, and get their blood pumping.
Every story needs a good jolt, no matter what the genre. Young readers want to be on the edge of their seat, whether reading short or long fiction, genre or contemporary, historical or contemporary. Storytelling is about suspense. NY Times bestseller and five time Bram Stoker Award winner Jonathan Maberry, known for writing across genre lines, shares insights on the different ways to ratchet up the tension, creep the reader out, and get their blood pumping.
Workshop 2: Character is Destiny with T. Greenwood
Many beginning writers believe that they should begin a novel or story by figuring out the story's plot. However, plot is meaningless without authentic and well-developed characters. In this workshop, we will explore the connection between character and plot and discuss techniques for both getting to know your characters and revealing these characters to your readers.
Many beginning writers believe that they should begin a novel or story by figuring out the story's plot. However, plot is meaningless without authentic and well-developed characters. In this workshop, we will explore the connection between character and plot and discuss techniques for both getting to know your characters and revealing these characters to your readers.
Workshop 3: In the Beginning: How to write a first paragraph that will make people want to read more with Laura Preble
What makes someone want to keep reading a book or story after the first paragraph? Is there an irresistible something that hooks a reader and won’t let go? This hands-on writing workshop will help you begin to craft a killer first paragraph. Please come with writing materials and/or a laptop and an idea or a character you’d like to develop. (But if you don’t have those, come anyway. You can brainstorm.)
What makes someone want to keep reading a book or story after the first paragraph? Is there an irresistible something that hooks a reader and won’t let go? This hands-on writing workshop will help you begin to craft a killer first paragraph. Please come with writing materials and/or a laptop and an idea or a character you’d like to develop. (But if you don’t have those, come anyway. You can brainstorm.)
Workshop 4: Fighting Hate With Dignity: The Poet's Pen in Comforting the Disturbed and Disturbing the Comfortable - Poem Making with Poet Jim Moreno
This 70 minutes workshop will begin with the importance of cultural respect followed by 20 minutes of poetry prompts from poets of diversity, including poems from some of Mr. Moreno's students. Students will then write for 20 minutes with 1:1 assistance available from Jim during the writing segment. The last 20 minutes students motivated to read their poems will do so. If time permits a discussion about how to change the current political climate of hate and ignorance to dignity and tolerance with poetry will follow.
This 70 minutes workshop will begin with the importance of cultural respect followed by 20 minutes of poetry prompts from poets of diversity, including poems from some of Mr. Moreno's students. Students will then write for 20 minutes with 1:1 assistance available from Jim during the writing segment. The last 20 minutes students motivated to read their poems will do so. If time permits a discussion about how to change the current political climate of hate and ignorance to dignity and tolerance with poetry will follow.
inspirational speaker
Taylor Williamson
Funny man and inspirational speaker Taylor Williamson Pretends He's Smart And Talks About Writing And Stuff!
Funny man and inspirational speaker Taylor Williamson Pretends He's Smart And Talks About Writing And Stuff!