LET'S FILL UP THESE SEATS!
Friday August 1, 2014 ( Conference attendees free. All others welcome at $25.00 per person)
5:00 – 5:45 p.m. Registration – Hampton Inn
5:45 – 6:30 p.m. Mingle
6:30 – 6:55 p.m. Keynote Jane Nickerson
7:00 – 9:00 More Mingling!
Saturday August 2, 2014
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Registration – Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center of Arts & Ed
8:30 – 9:25 a.m. Welcome/Keynote Sandra Beasley
9:30 – 10:40 a.m. Workshop I
10:45 – 11:55 Workshop II
12:00 – 12:45 Lunch Keynote Melanie Dickerson
1:00– 2:10 p.m. Workshop III
2:15 – 3:25 p.m. Workshop IV
3:40 – Introduction Keynote Terry Kennedy
3:45 – Keynote Terry Kennedy
4:10 – 4:25 Panel Discussion
4:30 – 4:45 – Closing Remarks
4:50 – 5:10 – Book sales/autograph
5:15 – 6:15 – Formal Critiques/Informal Critiques
5:00 – 5:45 p.m. Registration – Hampton Inn
5:45 – 6:30 p.m. Mingle
6:30 – 6:55 p.m. Keynote Jane Nickerson
7:00 – 9:00 More Mingling!
Saturday August 2, 2014
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Registration – Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center of Arts & Ed
8:30 – 9:25 a.m. Welcome/Keynote Sandra Beasley
9:30 – 10:40 a.m. Workshop I
10:45 – 11:55 Workshop II
12:00 – 12:45 Lunch Keynote Melanie Dickerson
1:00– 2:10 p.m. Workshop III
2:15 – 3:25 p.m. Workshop IV
3:40 – Introduction Keynote Terry Kennedy
3:45 – Keynote Terry Kennedy
4:10 – 4:25 Panel Discussion
4:30 – 4:45 – Closing Remarks
4:50 – 5:10 – Book sales/autograph
5:15 – 6:15 – Formal Critiques/Informal Critiques
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
AND REGISTRATION "LETTER"
Sandra Beasley –
A. "Sestinas: The Gyroscope of Form" - The sestina, with its patterning and repetition, is one of the most acrobatic and challenging of all forms. Ironically, it has found many devotees in the free verse world as well. Where did it come from, what makes it work, why is it rising in popularity today? We will read sestinas from a range of eras, discuss where the form is heading, and consider ways to honor the tradition in poems that are fresh, funny, and impassioned.
B. "How to Get Your Memoir Out into the World" - As writers, we may realize “This tale needs telling.” But recognizing raw memoir material is a long way from bringing 60,000+ words into print. We will focus on the different structural styles of contemporary memoir (and picking one that works for you), writing the sample chapter, and crafting a book proposal. We'll also have time for a frank Q&A on the realities of today's industry. Bring 3-4 sentences that capture your idea for a book.
KEYNOTE: "The Freelance Dance" (how to launch and maintain a career as a full-time writer) In 2009, Sandra Beasley left a high-profile editing job to write her first nonfiction book. Now, five years into the odyssey of supporting herself as a full-time writer, Beasley reflects on the pleasures and perils of freelance. She'll share lessons learned--and relevant to authors in every genre--about creating your personal brand, incorporating new forms of media, cultivating relationships with editors, and striking a balance between paying assignments and those ubiquitous offers of "great exposure."
Jane Nickerson:
C. Workshop 1: Out of the Mouths of the Past - Most modern readers of historical fiction wish to immerse themselves in the flavor of that age without the heavy baggage of stilted conversation and meandering sentences employed by long ago novelists. This session explores techniques to breathe life into your characters and to add realism and atmosphere to your setting by writing believable period dialogue. We will discuss both the art and craft of writing dialogue, how to use dialogue to bring out the basic humanity of characters whenever they lived, as well as researching appropriate period vocabulary, dialogue tags and beats, and the illusion of speech.
D. Workshop 2: Inspiration Sprung From History - Historical fiction gains realism and feels more current when it plays out against a backdrop of historical events. We will examine methods to weave accurate historical details in with the plot in order to engage the reader, how to choose time periods that best showcase your story, how to portray characters realistically molded by period society, as well as ways to develop the plot in conjunction with true events.
Keynote: Helping Readers Believe in Time Travel
Accurate research is essential to add realism and to avoid anachronism in historical fiction. It lends color and atmosphere and interest. However, in order to capture the reader, it must be carefully woven into a really great story so as not to overcome it.
Melanie Dickerson:
E. What Christian publishers look for in submissions: What makes a proposal or book idea stand out? How can you get an editor’s attention? What are publishers looking for? We will discuss the common mistakes that turn editors off, and the elements that will cause them to request the full manuscript.
F. How to develop characters and plots for the Christian genre that aren't preachy: How can we make our characters and plots intriguing, inspiring, and able to convey deep truths without coming across in a negative way? The key is showing and not telling, and knowing the difference between a parable and a sermon.
Keynote: How Writers Make the World a Better Place: Writers come from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences, but we use our talent and skills to entertain, inspire, and make the world a better place. The pen truly is mightier than the sword in its ability to touch people’s hearts.
Terry Kennedy –
G. What We Love: Placing Work at storySouth - In the end, editors are people who love to present new writing (and writers) to the world. The editors at storySouth are no different. In this workshop we will discuss what it takes to get to the “top of pile” at storySouth and present strategies and techniques for successfully placing your work at other literary journals and magazines as well.
H. Are You Ready? Sending Your Work to Writing Contests - When’s the right time to send your manuscript to a writing contest? How do you choose one? Is it worth the cost of entry? Writers struggle with these questions, sometimes sending their work out before it’s ready, sometimes holding on too long. And even if the work is ready, the writer might not be. The submission process requires a certain level of objectivity that can be hard to achieve. In this workshop we will discuss tips for getting your manuscript in top shape, strategies for selecting writing contests for your work, and what to expect after you’ve put your “baby” in the mail.
Keynote: Beyond Print: Shifting Our Perception of Online Publishing as a Lesser Alternative
Digital literary magazines are often seen as the lesser children of print journals. However, many established literary journals are now re-imagining their publications online. In terms of costs and time, digital publishing is, in many ways, advantageous to editors. Meanwhile, it also provides new ways to connect authors and audiences. But let’s not toss print to the side just yet.
A. "Sestinas: The Gyroscope of Form" - The sestina, with its patterning and repetition, is one of the most acrobatic and challenging of all forms. Ironically, it has found many devotees in the free verse world as well. Where did it come from, what makes it work, why is it rising in popularity today? We will read sestinas from a range of eras, discuss where the form is heading, and consider ways to honor the tradition in poems that are fresh, funny, and impassioned.
B. "How to Get Your Memoir Out into the World" - As writers, we may realize “This tale needs telling.” But recognizing raw memoir material is a long way from bringing 60,000+ words into print. We will focus on the different structural styles of contemporary memoir (and picking one that works for you), writing the sample chapter, and crafting a book proposal. We'll also have time for a frank Q&A on the realities of today's industry. Bring 3-4 sentences that capture your idea for a book.
KEYNOTE: "The Freelance Dance" (how to launch and maintain a career as a full-time writer) In 2009, Sandra Beasley left a high-profile editing job to write her first nonfiction book. Now, five years into the odyssey of supporting herself as a full-time writer, Beasley reflects on the pleasures and perils of freelance. She'll share lessons learned--and relevant to authors in every genre--about creating your personal brand, incorporating new forms of media, cultivating relationships with editors, and striking a balance between paying assignments and those ubiquitous offers of "great exposure."
Jane Nickerson:
C. Workshop 1: Out of the Mouths of the Past - Most modern readers of historical fiction wish to immerse themselves in the flavor of that age without the heavy baggage of stilted conversation and meandering sentences employed by long ago novelists. This session explores techniques to breathe life into your characters and to add realism and atmosphere to your setting by writing believable period dialogue. We will discuss both the art and craft of writing dialogue, how to use dialogue to bring out the basic humanity of characters whenever they lived, as well as researching appropriate period vocabulary, dialogue tags and beats, and the illusion of speech.
D. Workshop 2: Inspiration Sprung From History - Historical fiction gains realism and feels more current when it plays out against a backdrop of historical events. We will examine methods to weave accurate historical details in with the plot in order to engage the reader, how to choose time periods that best showcase your story, how to portray characters realistically molded by period society, as well as ways to develop the plot in conjunction with true events.
Keynote: Helping Readers Believe in Time Travel
Accurate research is essential to add realism and to avoid anachronism in historical fiction. It lends color and atmosphere and interest. However, in order to capture the reader, it must be carefully woven into a really great story so as not to overcome it.
Melanie Dickerson:
E. What Christian publishers look for in submissions: What makes a proposal or book idea stand out? How can you get an editor’s attention? What are publishers looking for? We will discuss the common mistakes that turn editors off, and the elements that will cause them to request the full manuscript.
F. How to develop characters and plots for the Christian genre that aren't preachy: How can we make our characters and plots intriguing, inspiring, and able to convey deep truths without coming across in a negative way? The key is showing and not telling, and knowing the difference between a parable and a sermon.
Keynote: How Writers Make the World a Better Place: Writers come from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences, but we use our talent and skills to entertain, inspire, and make the world a better place. The pen truly is mightier than the sword in its ability to touch people’s hearts.
Terry Kennedy –
G. What We Love: Placing Work at storySouth - In the end, editors are people who love to present new writing (and writers) to the world. The editors at storySouth are no different. In this workshop we will discuss what it takes to get to the “top of pile” at storySouth and present strategies and techniques for successfully placing your work at other literary journals and magazines as well.
H. Are You Ready? Sending Your Work to Writing Contests - When’s the right time to send your manuscript to a writing contest? How do you choose one? Is it worth the cost of entry? Writers struggle with these questions, sometimes sending their work out before it’s ready, sometimes holding on too long. And even if the work is ready, the writer might not be. The submission process requires a certain level of objectivity that can be hard to achieve. In this workshop we will discuss tips for getting your manuscript in top shape, strategies for selecting writing contests for your work, and what to expect after you’ve put your “baby” in the mail.
Keynote: Beyond Print: Shifting Our Perception of Online Publishing as a Lesser Alternative
Digital literary magazines are often seen as the lesser children of print journals. However, many established literary journals are now re-imagining their publications online. In terms of costs and time, digital publishing is, in many ways, advantageous to editors. Meanwhile, it also provides new ways to connect authors and audiences. But let’s not toss print to the side just yet.
WORKSHOP CHOICES (LETTER RELATES TO SPEAKER WORKSHOP AS DESCRIBED ABOVE) TWO CLASSES WILL BE HELD DURING EACH WORKSHOP SESSION.
WORKSHOP I - Class E or Class C (Nickerson or Dickerson)
WORKSHOP II - Class A or Class G (Beasley or Kennedy)
LUNCH - Keynote Melanie Dickerson
WORKSHOP III - Class B or Class D (Beasley or Nickerson)
WORKSHOP IV - Class F or Class H (Kennedy or Dickerson)
WORKSHOP I - Class E or Class C (Nickerson or Dickerson)
WORKSHOP II - Class A or Class G (Beasley or Kennedy)
LUNCH - Keynote Melanie Dickerson
WORKSHOP III - Class B or Class D (Beasley or Nickerson)
WORKSHOP IV - Class F or Class H (Kennedy or Dickerson)
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