West Coast Writers Conferences | Program for the Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference

Program / Curriculum ( subject to change for all the usual reasons)
The Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference offers individual tracks for Aspiring, Active and Accomplished writers. Each workshop and panel offers educational and inspirational education in a stream of learning that progresses over the weekend. This methodology allows you to participate and learn at a comfortable level with other writers of similar interests and disciplines. You may jump from one track to another at any time, or over a period of days, experience as many as you can. Its your choice!

Program for August 16, 2019				Saturday » »\| Sunday
12:30	Walk-up Registration, Pre-Registration pickup of credentials, badge, program, swag bag
1:30	Orientation Session Welcome, Introductions, What's New / Updated for the Weekend
2:00	How To Pitch an  Agent or Publisher (Friday Edition) 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. Literary Agents and Scouts du jour
3:15 - 6:30	ProCritiques™ with Editors & Literary Agents 1 on-1 Pitch Sessions w/Agents & Publishers 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. Consult the wcwriters.com website for details. We recommend you attend the Saturday or Sunday "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 Meetings Desk* starts after agent panel.
3:15	Aspiring Writers Description Speaker / Faculty Active Fiction & Non-Fiction Description Speaker / Faculty Accomplished Authors Description Speaker / Faculty Screenplay Description Speaker / Faculty
4:30	Aspiring Writers Description Speaker / Faculty Active Fiction & Non-Fiction Description Speaker / Faculty Accomplished Authors Description Speaker / Faculty Screenplay Description Speaker / Faculty
5:45	Aspiring Writers Description Speaker / Faculty Active Fiction & Non-Fiction Description Speaker / Faculty Accomplished Authors Description Speaker / Faculty Screenplay Description Speaker / Faculty
7:00	"A Gathering of Writers" No-host cocktail party with the speakers and agents All attendees and guests are welcome to meet and network with the agents, speakers and special guests. Location TBA (Attend Orientation Session for details)
		As of April 7, 2019 Change			Download PDF

Program for Saturday, August 17, 2019				« Friday \| Sunday »
7:30 am	Literary Breakfast with Art Holcomb Join this popular author/editor/educator/screenwriter for a round-table discussion + Q&A on the craft of writing. No host breakfast. Limited space in Share Restaurant, DoubleTree lobby. Please RSVP
9:00	Walk-up Registration, Pre-Registration pickup of credentials, badge, program, swag bag
9:30	Orientation Session Welcome, Introductions, What's New / Updated for the Weekend
10:00 - 11:00	How To Pitch an  Agent or Publisher (Saturday Edition) 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. Literary Agents and Scouts du jour
11:15 am - 6:30 pm	ProCritiques™ with Editors Master ProCritiques™ w/ Agents 1 on-1 Pitch Sessions w/Agents & Publishers 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. Consult the wcwriters.com website for details. We recommend you attend the Saturday or Sunday "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 Meetings Desk
11:15 - 12:15	Aspiring Writers Description Speaker / Faculty Active Fiction & Non-Fiction Description Speaker / Faculty Accomplished Authors Description Speaker / Faculty Screenplay Description Speaker / Faculty
12:30 -1:15	Saturday Keynote Luncheon & Beverages (optional with complimentary light lunch) REGISTER »»
1:30 - 2:15	"Topic" Description Keynote Speaker: New York Literary Agent Speaker Bio.
TBD	Greater Los Angeles Writers Society Member Mixer By Invitation Only This is an opportunity for GLAWS members to meet and mingle with your fellow writers, plus meet some of our executive officers and committee chairs who will share the many opportunities of our dynamic society with you. Most of all, we want you to feel welcome by your peers and enjoy your new membership. We also have time for a few “Open Mic” readings, so if you want to share some of your work, bring a 3± minute polished excerpt. Please wear your GLAWS badge.
2:30 - 3:30	Aspiring Writers Description Speaker / Faculty Active Fiction & Non-Fiction Description Speaker / Faculty Accomplished Authors Description Speaker / Faculty Screenplay Description Speaker / Faculty
3:45 - 4:45	Topic Description Speaker / Faculty Topic Description Speaker / Faculty Topic Description Speaker / Faculty
5:00 - 6:00	Aspiring Writers Description Speaker / Faculty Active Fiction & Non-Fiction Description Speaker / Faculty Accomplished Authors Description Speaker / Faculty Screenplay Description Speaker / Faculty
6:15 - 7:15	Aspiring Writers Description Speaker / Faculty Active Fiction & Non-Fiction Description Speaker / Faculty Accomplished Authors Description Speaker / Faculty Screenplay Description Speaker / Faculty
7:30 - 9:00	"A Gathering of Writers" No-host cocktail party and dinner at a nearby restaurant. All attendees are welcome to meet and network with the speakers and special guests. DoubleTree Hotel, First Floor, Share Lounge & Restaurant
9 pm - ???	Renegade Late Night Read and Critique Workshop with tba An after hours opportunity for registered attendees to bring work-in-progress and participate in a late night live editing. Would you like feedback on your work additional to the quick pitch meeting? What is it like to work with a critique group of good, focused writers? Fuel up on caffeine, drink and words, and join us for Renegade Late Night Read & Critique. It is an amazing creative experience — not to be missed. Bring 3 to 5 pages of your manuscript to read and share, and enjoy the feedback exchange! (Hurry and sign up! Limited seating.) Mikado Hotel Lobby.
	As of April 7, 2019 - Subject to Change				Download PDF

Program for Sunday, August 18, 2019				« Friday \| « Saturday
9:30	Walk-up Registration, Pre-Registration pickup of credentials, badge, program, swag bag

10:00 am - 12:15 pm	Great Beginnings for Novels – Your First Line, First Pages You've heard that if the first paragraph of your novel isn't strong enough, agents and publishers won't read the first page, let alone the first fifty. Now you can learn how to separate fact from fiction and remain true to your story. Learn to draft a first line that will grab an acquisition editor and 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 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. Bring six (6) copies of your first 2 pages. Selected works will be read aloud, so the audience can follow along and learn how an agent or publisher reviews a manuscript. Time permitting, they may suggest improving the samples. A panel of literary agents and professional editors Great Beginnings for Nonfiction Books – Your First Line, First Pages You've heard that if the first paragraph of your novel isn't strong enough, agents and publishers won't read the first page, let alone the first fifty. Now you can learn how to separate fact from fiction and remain true to your story. Learn to draft a first line that will grab an acquisition editor and 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 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. Bring six (6) copies of your first 2 pages. Selected works will be read aloud, so the audience can follow along and learn how an agent or publisher reviews a manuscript. Time permitting, they may suggest improving the samples. A panel of literary agents and professional editors
10:00 am - 12:15 pm	Great Beginnings for Screenplays– Your First Line, First Pages You hear that if the first paragraph of your script isn't strong enough, the studios and producers won't read the first page, let alone the first fifty. Now you can learn how to separate fact from fiction and remain true to your story. Learn how to grab the attention of an agent and announce your authority as an screenwriter. This workshop will cover first pages, first chapters, and first characters. This is a unique opportunity for you to learn how pros consider the merits of the material and the intent of the writer, then offer improvements covering everything from story-structure flaws to the overall storytelling and more. Bring 5 copies of your first 2 pages. Selected works will be read aloud by actors or audience members for each part, so the audience can follow along and learn how a producer or agent reviews. Screenwriters are advised to network with fellow attendees to read "sides" of the script live for the panel. Time permitting, they may suggest improvements for the samples. A panel of screenwriters, studio veterans, and special guests
10:00 am - 12:15 pm	3 clicks 2 one book Formatting can be a mess – and it takes you out of your writing streak. Having to indent half a space on each line, adding blank lines, creating the # # # in between white space breaks, adding carriage returns – none of it has anything to do with writing, right? Yet – it does. A publisher will reject a manuscript if it doesn’t look professional. In this two hour session, learn how to make a professionally laid out book with only three clicks! Keep writing as fast as you can and learn one way to lay down three things: chapter headings, quotes, and section breaks by literally clicking a button. In the second half, we will also show you how to fix books that haven’t been done via the three click method. Time permitting, we will even publish a Kindle book at the end of class using these techniques. John D. Gwinner
12:30	Closing Keynote Address Topic Sponsored by the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society and featuring an all-pro industry panel. Panel
					Conference wrap up Thank you for attending!
	As of April 7, 2019 - Subject to Change				Download PDF

Use of this Site signifies your agreement to all its Terms and Conditions. Copyright & Trademark of
West Coast Writers Conferences, (WC²) is a Todaro Communications, Inc company. All rights reserved.