Welcome

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.

Creating Your Own "Yes"!
      Opening  Keynote

Hollywood Insider Angela Marie Hutchinson is a writer, producer, casting director
and former talent agent. In 2005, Hutchinson was elected as the first African-American president of the Scriptwriters Network, established in 1986. After serving a year tenure, she founded BReaKiNG iNTo HoLLyWooD, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps entertainment professionals pursue their careers.

Angela Marie Hutchinson

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.

Panel of Literary Agents Du Jour including: (IP = In Person, V=Virtually)

Paul S. Levine (IP), Tisha Morris (IP), Claire Gerus (V), Andy Ross (V), Tony N Todaro(M)

NOTE: The John Gwinner workshops, "Formatting Your Book for Kindle, Amazon, and Many Digital Formats" and "Websites for Authors" will be available virtually at a later date.

Meet editors, agents and/or publishers for a personal consultation to pitch, discuss and improve pre-submitted pages of your manuscript. Schedule an appointment at the Registration Desk. Some editors may take new submissions on site. A separate fee applies to ProCritque and Masters ProCritique consultations. Some agents do not read or edit material in advance.

We recommend you attend the Friday and Saturday "How to Pitch" sessions in order to help identify the best professional for your individual genre and material.

SIGN UP at 1-on-1 Registration Desk (Manhattan Beach Room)

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.

Mike Robinson, Kim O'Hara, Troy Lambert, Deanna Brady (V), plus moderator

How to Organize Your Writing to Stay On Schedule and Stress Free

Does this sound familiar: racing from deadline to deadline, constantly putting out fires, pushing back delivery dates, and losing sleep worrying about all the work you have to do? It’s time to get organized. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be complicated. In this presentation/workshop identify the main reasons we all fall behind and various techniques to condense all our work into one place. Once we have the work, we’ll look at how you can estimate the level of effort, prioritize the tasks and put it all on a schedule

C. R. Rowenson

The 5 Major Character Purposes

From the beginning of time, story analysts have written about, argued, and lectured ad nauseum about the importance of specific character types and archetypes going back to the writers of Ancient Greece.  They ask and offer solutions to what purposes those characters serve and why. Inspired by his book, PREWRITING YOUR SCREENPLAY, published by the #1 textbook publishers in America and the world, professional and working WGA screenwriter MICHAEL TABB will break down the five major character types that every writer should consider designing into a story in order to tell the most well-thought-out script imaginable.  Having written stories as diverse as family genre for Walt Disney Feature Animation, horror films for Universal Studios, war epics for producers at Warner Brothers, and superhero concepts for the late, great Stan Lee, Michael’s crisp and clear perspective is refreshing and comes from experience. 

Michael Tabb

A panel will discuss the state of the publishing industry in view of the pandemic. Panelists will also dust off their crystal balls and tea leaves to offer perspective on where the publishing industry is going in the future. This important workshops is of interest to all aspiring, active and accomplished writers. This topic was presented previously virtually on Zoom for GLAWS with different speakers. This is IN PERSON + a Virtual special guest.

Ken Sherman, Keith Ogorek, Steven Hutson, Stephanie D. Cohen, Sue Arroyo (V)
Tony N. Todaro (M)

Plotting Even if  You’ve Never Plotted Before

For at least a hundred years, authors have divided themselves into two camps, those who outline (or "plot") their stories first, and those who just sit down and write "by the seat of their pants" and then edit the result. But the closer you look at the actual process of writing, the more this dichotomy breaks down. Do you think outlining is too hard? Are you worried it will make your story too structured and steal your creativity?
Or maybe you’ve just never even tried outlining your story? In this workshop, you’ll learn how to go from a Big Idea to an outline in a few simple steps. Let's heal the schism today. Learn how to weave both approaches into a custom hybrid writing process individually tailored to fit you.

Troy Lambert

Many people want to write a book but are unsure of where to begin. This workshop gives you a blueprint for navigating the non-fiction writing process from concept to completion. Learn how to research your writing, build your audience, market your book and prepare for publication. Jump start your book through hands-on exercises and learn the basics of indie writing and publication. Come with a blank page, and leave with a strategy. Someone is waiting to read what you have to write.

Lakisha Baker

World-Buillding: It’s not just for Science Fiction

When most readers think about a story, they don't think of the setting as a character. But it is. Whether it's a Tale Of Two Cities, or Mitchner's Hawaii, Bridge on the River Kwai, Steven King's The Dome, or Jurassic Park, the world that an author imagines and place his/her characters in, often takes on a personality all its own. An author creating his story’s world has the power to develop it in every way. What will the world look like? How different is it from our own? What new and interesting creatures will inhabit it? What will the people be like? What about the cities and landscape?

These elements are crucial to creating an interesting, engaging and believable world — in any genre, not just fantasy or science fiction. Join this panel of veteran authors as they explain their process and how it benefits the story.

Neil V. Young (M), George Galdorisi, Guy Morris, Chrome Oxide, Peter J Wacks,

Turning Ordinary Facts and Personal Stories into a Compelling Memoir

Creative nonfiction can be an excellent vehicle for writers wanting to share stories of real life experiences. Writing about a personal experience can certainly be an effective way to connect with others, but turning an idea into a full-length book that engages readers and keeps them turning the pages comes with unique challenges. It takes a good understanding of story structure, some writing finesse, and considerable self-discipline.

For a memoir to grab readers, writers must borrow several key elements from fiction writing including a strong opening, an inciting incident, universal themes, rising conflict, well-structured scenes, and more. Through this session with Sheila Manna, Manager of Author Education for the Author Learning Center, writers will gain the knowledge and guidance needed to turn their idea or experience into a compelling memoir. Topics will include defining your idea, identifying your target reader, integrating key story elements, and understanding how all of these things work together to turn the ordinary into an engaging story. Become immersed in the fundamentals of memoir and discover what it takes to write a true story that will resonate with readers!

Sheila Manna
Manager of Author Education
Author Learning Center

Social Networking with Attendees (YOU) and Faculty

Your opportunity to "meet and greet" other members of the conference. So, order your favorite libation at the hotel lobby bar, pull up a comfortable chair, and spend the evening in a hospitable environment with your fellow writers, peers, and friends. No reservations needed.

Literary Breakfast
Join Nic Nelson, our popular author/editor/educator for a round-table discussion + Q&A on the craft of writing. No host breakfast, first floor West restaurant. Limited to 12. RSVP your intended participation to nic@glaws.org by Thursday August 4th.

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.

In-person Panel of the Literary Agents and Publishers Du Jour

Ken Sherman, Steven Hutson, Eric L. Miller, Sue Arroyo (V), Tony N Todaro (M)

The Business of Screenwriting

Everyone will tell you that screenwriting is an exceptionally complicated and difficult career to break into, navigate, and even understand how it works. Having made a living as a professional WGA screenwriter, MICHAEL TABB has been brought in to write stories as diverse as family genre for Walt Disney Feature Animation, horror films for Universal Studios, war epics for producers at Warner Brothers, and superhero concepts for the late, great Stan Lee, Michael’s perspective on the industry and how it works comes from experience.  This is truly a not-to-be missed lecture on the “must know” intel if you hope to understand one of the most difficult industries to navigate in the Hollywood. The author of PREWRITING YOUR SCREENPLAY (published by the #1 textbook publishers in America and the world) he breaks down getting work, unions, representation, film versus television, and networks versus studios.

Michael Tabb

Hook ‘em Dano:

How do you Keep Readers engaged chapter after chapter of your book? Learn how to do so by creating “potato chip” chapters for your readers. At the end of each, you want them to say, “Just one more” until they wake up at the end of the book, covered in fiction crumbs and wondering how it got so late. The key? Hooks. From sentence and paragraph level hooks to those big chapter hooks, putting the right tension n the right place can make your book nearly impossible to put down. Come learn how!

Troy Lambert

Meet editors, agents and/or publishers for a personal consultation to pitch, discuss and improve pre-submitted pages of your manuscript. Schedule an appointment at the Registration Desk. Some editors may take new submissions on site. A separate fee applies to ProCritque and Masters ProCritique consultations. Some agents do not read or edit material in advance.

We recommend you attend the Saturday "How to Pitch" session at 10:00 am in order to help identify the best professional for your individual genre and material.

SIGN UP at 1-on-1 Desk

Practice Before You Pitch

Before a writer pitches an agentor publisher, you should plan how to get that YES in a few minutes or less. This OPEN table session will allow attendees to practice pitching a coach BEFORE that critical 1-on-1 meet. Come tough and learn how to improve your chances for success. Learn what you may be doing right or wrong. All attendees are welcome to attend as an audience, but NOT comment. This is not your final "at bat" for a pitch. Afterwards, you should feel better qualified to schedule private 1-on-1 pitch meetings either in person or virtually with any of our agents and editors. Our Pitch Coach "green-lit" movies for 15 years in Hollywood.

Dan Watanabe

Panic for Fun and Profit: Deadlines as Lifelines

Usually, we do everything possible to avoid last-minute panic before a deadline. We break the writing project into chunks and give each one its own innocuous little deadline. We work at it bit by bit. We keep it quiet if we have no idea when we might be able to finish it. Finally, when we are confident we will feel NO PANIC if someone asks to see the full manuscript, we shop it around. But those innocuous little dates aren’t really deadlines, they are just "target dates." No one’s career falls dead if it crosses any of those lines incomplete. But …what if the panic you feel when facing a Real Deadline could be harnessed to bring your writing, your career, back to life? Learn the actual ingredients of “panic” and how they can energize, rather than paralyze, your productivity and creativity. 

Nic Nelson

Publishing Dream or Nightmare:
5 Publishing Pitfalls Every Author Needs to Know in Publishing Contracts

You’ve worked hard to get a book deal and there’s nothing more exciting to hear than a publisher wants to go to contract. However, the honeymoon can quickly fade if you’re not aware of what you’re signing away. In this lecture, Publishing Attorney Tisha Morris walks you through the biggest publishing pitfalls to look for in traditional and hybrid publishing contracts.

• Should a big advance be your primary objective? Know how and when you’ll get paid. 
• What to know about negotiating subsidiary rights for TV, film, and podcast.
• Should you give up or negotiate to keep audio rights?
• What are you agreeing to in the fine print? i.e. warranties and indemnity clause, minimum purchase requirement, copyright ownership, and rights reversion clauses.
• And the newest subsidiary right to be aware of - NFT rights

Tisha Morris, Esq.

Keynote Luncheon (with Guest Speaker, Keith Ogorek) REGISTER »»
Ballroom Outdoor Terrace

What Hollywood Is Looking For In A Good Book to Make Into A Movie

Hollywood is looking for books to adapt for the screen more than ever before, but what can you do to increase your chances for that to happen.

Drawing from his experience working with traditional publishers and in Hollywood, Keith Ogorek, President of the Author Learning Center will share 7 things that can make your book more appealing for acquisition by publishers and for book scouts in Hollywood no matter what the genre.

Securing Representation and Book-to-Screen Adaption

Writers will gain insider tips and traditional insights on how to secure literary representation. From querying and researching the right agents to sending your query at the right time, to writing the perfect query that’s authentic to your brand and developing a practical plan to land representation, attendees will leave this interactive workshop with the skills necessary to land an agent in 2022. Additionally, for writers with published books whether traditionally published or self-published, or even a completed manuscript, attendees will learn innovative ways to develop their book project so that it piques the interest of film and television producers.

Angela Marie Hutchinson

What is the difference between a copyright and a trademark? When is my work protected? When do I need an agent and how do I catch one’s attention. What are my responsibilities after signing? What alternatives do I have if a publisher or studio wants all the domestic, international, Ebook, Audio, and Film rights to my work? How do I protect my work Online, or in a writing group? What are the dos and don’ts of publishing and self-publishing?

Learn the answers to these important questions and more from this distinguished panel of experts. No matter what you are writing, this is an event you must attend! The panel will take questions, time permitting. Answers do not represent a legal opinion by the conference or the panel. Due to the group format, questions and answers are not confidential and confidentiality is waived for anything disclosed in the session.

Paul S. Levine Esq, Greg Victoroff, Esq., Tisha Morris, Esq, Stephanie D. Cohen, Esq

Bringing the World of Your Novel Alive as a Character (World-building)

When you hear the term “world building,” what comes to mind?

According to The Writer Life, it might be George Lucas’ classic Star Wars universe; for others, perhaps it’s the sprawling, gritty world of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, the not-so-distant future of Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game, or the richly detailed Middle-earth of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

An author creating his story’s world has the power to develop it in every way. What will the world look like? How different is it from our own? What new and interesting creatures will inhabit it? What will the people be like? What about the cities and landscape?

Considering these elements is crucial to creating an interesting, engaging and believable world — in any genre, not just fantasy or science fiction.

Chrome Oxide, Mike Robinson, Peter J Wacks, Russell Nohelty, Neil V. Young (M)

How to Optimize Your Book Proposal

Eric Lincoln Miller of 3ibooks Agency in Reno, NV shows authors and publishing operatives how to take their book ideas, both fiction and nonfiction, and create winning book proposals. There is a process to it, and Miller takes participants through each phase and explains the whys and wherefores of each section. This is a skill that will help enterprising authors to effectively approach agents and publishers with their work. Armed with inside knowledge on how to fashion a great book proposal, authors will also gain insight into things like the importance of comparable books, target markets for their books, the vital role of endorsements, synopsis vs. overview, and much more.

Eric Lincoln Miller of 3ibooks Agency

How to Recognize a Publishing Scam and Avoid It

Unfortunately, there is an increasing number of scammers out there targeting authors with false claims and promises, and some even pretending to be someone they are not. So, how can you tell the difference between a scam and a legitimate opportunity for your book? Author Learning Center President Keith Ogorek will reveal sure-fire ways to immediately recognize a scammer by the claims and promises they make, the job titles they use, and whom they say they represent.

Keith will also reveal how the publishing industry and Hollywood companies actually work so you can tell if the person contacting you is offering a legitimate opportunity or just trying to scam you.

Keith Ogorek

Infuse Your Fiction with Reality

Regardless of your genre, all stories revolve around the characters who are driven by an interesting plot to challenge those characters. Yet, grounding both the plot and character lay the myriad of details involving culture, language, profession, locations, cuisine, music, politics, technologies, spiritual belief systems, and so much more. Effective research can raise your fictional narrative to a new level of credibility and authenticity that will infuse a sense of reality that your readers will long remember. We will cover the processes for research from initial plot to final draft, and how to make your story stand out. 

Guy Morris

The Quintessential Query

Query Letters That Work

You've spent six months to a year developing your new book. Now it's time to find a literary agent or publisher who will deliver it to the public. However, the first item that potential acquisitions professionals want is a query letter. But how do you condense a year's work into three paragraphs on one sheet of paper? This need not be a daunting document. In this workshop, you will learn how to craft a query letter that sells you and your work. Plus, selected members of the audience will have a chance to read theirs out loud and have them critiqued on the spot. When you submit your work to an agent or publisher, you'll probably need to send a query. It's the most important single-page document that you will ever write. Learn the ten essential elements that will help you get to a "yes". This workshop is intended primarily for authors of fiction, but all paid attendees are welcome to participate.

Bring your work-in-progress query letter. Some will be read aloud and receive feedback.

Steven Hutson, Literary Agent & Consultant, Member AALA

Transformational Writing: Tell Your Story, Change the World

Writing your story can be a powerful way to shift your narrative about your past. It can also provide a catalyst for change for the reader’s own journey forward. In this lecture, learn how to tap into your authentic writing voice. Know when it’s time to write your story and when you’re still living your story. You’ll learn memoir structure, theme, and story devices to help your hero (you) jump off the page and captivate your readers’ hearts. 

Tisha Morris, Esq

Meet editors, agents and/or publishers for a personal consultation to pitch, discuss and improve pre-submitted pages of your manuscript. Schedule an appointment at the Registration Desk. Some editors may take new submissions on site. A separate fee applies to ProCritque and Masters ProCritique consultations. Some agents do not read or edit material in advance. We recommend you attend the Friday and Saturday "How to Pitch" sessions in order to help identify the best professional for your individual genre and material. SIGN UP at 1-on-1 Registration Desk

Beyond the First Draft – Techniques for Editing Your Own Work and When to Hire a Pro

Every professional writer knows that the first draft of anything from an epic novel to a short story is going to need considerable revision and polishing. To get your prose in shape for submission and publication may take several additional drafts. While some writers consider this process part luck and part voodoo, there are definite paths to success. Join us as a panel of editors discuss the right way to hone a masterpiece (i.e.: worthy of publishing) by knowing what to look for and share tips on how to fix it yourself. Then, we'll discuss when is the right time to bring in a professional editor, and what it might cost.

Steve Hutson, Mike Robinson, Alycia Crane, Russell Nohelty, Nic Nelson [M]

Screenplay Formatting for Beginners

Ready to try your hand at screenwriting? In this fast-paced workshop, the author/producer Christine will teach the basics of screenplay formatting and structure, how to build scenes and acts, how to create dynamic on-screen characters, and keys to writing visually. Christine Conradt is a screenwriter, producer, director, author and script consultant.
She's written more than seventy (that's 70+!) TV and indie movies!

Christine Conradt

Using Goal, Motivation, Conflict, and Emotion to Create
More Compelling Scenes:

Do your scenes sometimes feel flat? Is there something missing that would really make them pop? You’ll learn how to use goals (both yours and those of your characters), motivation, and conflict to drive your story forward, and how using the right words can evoke the right emotions in your reader. 

Troy Lambert

Adapting your Novel into a Screenplay

Think your novel would make a great movie? Some do, some don't. In this one-hour workshop, Christine will break down the elements needed to convert your story from book to screenplay so that you can decide for yourself. She'll also discuss how to translate prose-specific elements, like internal dialog, to screenplay elements. 

Christine Conradt is a screenwriter, producer, director, author and script consultant.
She's written more than seventy (that's 70+!) TV and indie movies!

Christine Conradt

How To Be More Productive as a Writer in 2022 and Beyond

Productivity isn't everything, but getting more words on the page and finishing more projects is an essential component in every working writer's toolkit. Join USA Today bestselling author Russell Nohelty as he shows you how to have the most productive year of your life in 2022 and beyond

Russell Nohelty

Tony N Todaro, Lillian Todaro, Nic Nelson, Brian Uptgraft, WC2 Staff

As of November 29, 2022 - Subject to Change