The Annual Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference is the perfect venue for you to learn from 40+ literary agents, best-selling authors, editors, publishers, industry experts, Hollywood veterans, educators, and publishing professionals. Over 3 days and nights, they will share expertise in the craft and business of writing to help take your writing to the next level and guide your career on the path to success.
You will find workshops for Aspiring, Active and Accomplished writers of fiction, nonfiction, and screenplays. Each offers an educational and inspirational experience in a stream of learning that progresses throughout the event. This methodology allows you to participate and learn at a comfortable level and speed with peers of similar interests and disciplines. We reserve the right to update and improve the schedule based on the availability of the best educators, agents, editors, publishers, and best-selling authors.
NEW PROGRAM/SCHEDULE COMING FOR 2023
2023 AGLAWC™ Hybrid Program/Schedule
The Annual Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference™ will be presented as a HYBRID event in educational and inspirational segments, which include lectures, demonstrations,
panels, and workshops. You save by registering early.
1-on-1 ProConsultations (pitch sessions)
with literary agents aresubject to their availability. Receive your complimentary swag bag at the event. The earlier you register, the more you save.
The Virtual Weekend will offer consecutive topics. Instead of being limited to attend only of 1/4 of the event as with a multi-track event and workshops running concurrently (opposite each other) you can attend everything from beginning to end. Attend from virtually anywhere in the world with a good internet connection.
Don't miss a weekend of In-Person "All Access" with pitch sessions, consultations, and 1-on-1 meets with agents, editors, publishers and industry professionals.
WC2 Executive Director Tony N Todaro has directed and/or programmed more than 1200 workshops, 200 special speaker events, 30+ conferences, and countless topics over the years. Tony looks forward to sharing a wealth of new and updated topics, plus a few popular favorites by request.
Plus, learn how you can thrive and benefit from this educational and inspiration event.
Yes, the world can change in a day. So can topics and speakers. Join us for the latest info to help make your event experience the most informative, educational, and enjoyable.
Tony N Todaro &
Event Officials
10:00 AM Pacific Time
How To Pitch an Agent or Publisher You've spent a year or more working on a great novel and now you feel it's ready to be shared with the world. Naturally, the first step is to pitch literary agents and find one who shares your passion for the work and is willing to sign you. While many authors submit countless query letters and emails -- without result, a few wise souls know that agents often look to conferences as a source for new talented writers. It is a unique window to have your work considered firsthand. But what do you say? How do you present yourself and your manuscript in order to have them ask for more?
This panel of agents, editors, and publishers du jour will discuss what they expect and answer your questions. This is an opportunity to hear what each agent needs in order to make a decision. Listen well, then rehearse before scheduling a pitch session with any or all of them later any day at the conference.
tba(M)
11:45 AM Pacific Time
What Comes First -– the Plot or the Characters?
What comes first - the plot or the characters? This battle has raged for centuries among writers. The fact is without good characters, it doesn't matter what your plot is. Story is who the characters are, what happens to them and how they feel about it and how they overcome their obstacles whereas plot is this happens and that happens. Writing good characters - both hero and villain - is an art that you can master if you learn what really makes them tick. They cannot be one sided stick figures. Understand them and you will understand write your story. In this session you will get tips on how to make your characters not only come alive, but maybe even whisper sweet somethings in your ears.
tba
1:00 PM
Pacific Time
Creating Strong Openings
Your First Lines, Your First Page, Your First Three Pages
Writing a first line that will grab an editor and immediately announce your authority as an author. This will cover first pages, first chapters, and first characters. This is a unique opportunity for you to learn how real pros consider the merits of the material and the intent of the author, then offer improvements covering everything from glaring grammar errors to story-structure flaws to the overall storytelling and more.
tba
2:15 PM Pacific Time
Crafting Compelling Characters and The Lives They Lead
Readers need to believe in the writer's characters; care about their plight, share in their joy. What are the secrets of painting a lively, compelling portrait on the pages of your novel without boring or losing the reader?
Mandy Jackson-Beverly
George Galdorisi
Sara Anne Fox
Christopher Paniccia
Nic Nelson(M)
3:30 PM
Pacific Time
Traditional or Self-Publishing: Which is the Best Option for You?
Speaker
4:45 PM
Pacific Time
Topic
Description
Speaker
6:00 PM
Pacific Time
Point of View: How It Can Make or Break Your Story
What is first person? What’s third person? What’s all this about limited vs omniscient…?
How you narrate a story – or what points of view you choose when writing fiction – can make all the difference to its appeal. What’s more, the choices you make now will affect every page (indeed, pretty much every sentence) of your novel.
So you’d better get things right, huh?
No worries. This panel will reveal everything you need to know.
tba
7:15 PM Pacific Time
Social Networking with Attendees and Faculty
Most virtual events don't provide the opportunity or time to network with other attendees or speakers. Well, this is your opporunity to "meet and greet" other members of the conference. So, mix up your favorite libation, pull up a comfortable chair in front of your computer, and feel free to spend the evening in a hospitable environment with your peer.
(The Read and Critique session is moved to Sunday night 6:00 pm til ?)
Speaker
