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

Program / Curriculum ( subject to change for all the usual reasons)
This event offers workshops for Aspiring, Active and Accomplished writers of fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting. Each topic 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.

Friday, August 5, 2022				Saturday »\| Sunday
1:00 PM Pacific Time	Walk-up Registration, Pre-Registration pickup of credentials, badge, program, swag bag
1:30 PM Pacific Time	Orientation Session
2:00 - 2:25 PM Pacific Time (Solo Spotlight)	Opening Keynote Description
2:30 - 3:15 PM Pacific Time (Solo Spotlight)	Topic Description
3:30 - 4:30 PM 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. Literary Agents, Scouts, and Talent Managers du jour
4:30 - 7:00 PM Pacific Time	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 "How to Pitch" session in order to help identify the best professional for your individual genre and material. *SIGN UP at 1-on-1 Desk* starts after agent panel.
4:45 PM Pacific Time	Topic Description Speaker/Panel Topic Description Speaker/Panel Topic Description Speaker/Panel
6:00 - 7:00 PM Pacific Time	Topic Description Speaker/Panel Topic Description Speaker/Panel Topic Description Speaker/Panel
7:30 PM Pacific Time	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: Lobby Bar (Attend Orientation Session for details)
		As of May 2, 2022 Change

	Saturday, August 6, 2022			« Friday \| Sunday »
7:30 AM Pacific Time	Literary Breakfast with Special Celebrity Guest 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 Lobby Restaurant. Please RSVP
9:00 AM Pacific Time	Walk-up Registration, Pre-Registration pickup of credentials, badge, program, swag bag
9:30 AM Pacific Time	Orientation Session Welcome, Introductions, What's New / Weekend Updates
10:00 - 11:00 AM Pacific Time	Topic Description Speaker/Panel Topic Description Speaker/Panel The Evolving Role of a Literary Agent in Today's Publishing World The classic image that authors have of agents has undergone a great change over the last decade. From the implosion of New York Publishers to the massive influence of self-publishing, it's a Golden Age for some authors and a Brave New World for others. This powerhouse round-table will discuss how the changes have effected their roll in the publishing process and authors can best work with their agents to achieve success.
11:15 am - 6:30 PM Pacific Time	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 - 12:30 PM Pacific Time	Topic Description Speaker/Panel
11:15 - 12:15 PM Pacific Time	Topic Description Speaker/Panel Topic Description Speaker/Panel
12:30 -1:15 PM Pacific Time	Saturday Keynote Luncheon & Beverages (optional with complimentary light lunch) REGISTER »»
1:30 - 2:15 PM Pacific Time	Keynote Address Description... Keynote Speaker: Literary Agent Bio... Book Give-A-Way, Scholarship Drawing
2:30 - 3:30 PM Pacific Time	Topic Description Speaker/Panel Topic Description Speaker/Panel
3:45 - 4:45 PM Pacific Time	Topic Description Speaker/Panel Topic Description Speaker/Panel Topic Description Speaker/Panel
5:00 - 6:00 PM Pacific Time	Topic Description Speaker/Panel Would My Book make a Good Movie? Secrets to Adapting your Manuscript to Film Many writers dream of seeing their novel or nonfiction book turned into a movie. But in the film industry, however, the path is not so “standard” or typical. There are many different inroads into the movie industry—not all of which are familiar to someone whose main business is putting words onto a page. A panel of industry pros share the trials and tribulations along with a lot of research, professionalism, and hard work that it will take to make that happen. Writer's Rights Join publishing lawyer Greg Victoroff, Esq. for an interactive, multimedia presentation teaching authors, illustrators and photographers to protect their work through contracts, copyright, trademark, and trade secret law, and protect themselves from unscrupulous agents, consultants, publishers and collaborators. Greg Victoroff, Esq. (Solo Spotlight) Topic Description Speaker/Panel
6:15 - 7:15 PM Pacific Time	Topic Description Speaker/Panel Topic Description Speaker/Panel The Legal and Business Aspects of Writing Fiction and Non-Fiction Books What is the difference between a copyright and a trademark? When is my work protected? What can I legally deduct from my taxes as a writer -- even if I’m not published, yet? When do I need a literary agent and how do I catch one’s attention. What are my responsibilities after signing? What alternatives do I have if a publisher 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 Literary Agent and Publishing Attorney. Paul S. Levine (Solo Spotlight) Topic Description Speaker/Panel
7:30 - 9:00 PM Pacific Time	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. Hilton Hotel, First Floor, Share Lounge & Restaurant
9 pm - ???	Renegade Late Night Read & Critique Workshop 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.) Hotel Lobby Business Area.
	As of May 2, 2022 - Subject to Change

Sunday, August 7, 2022			« Friday \| « Saturday
9:30 AM Pacific Time	Walk-up Registration, Pre-Registration pickup of credentials, badge, program, swag bag
	These Read and Critique workshops are by sign-up only. Attendees are free, non-attendees are $10 per workshop. While each live panel will try to read and review as many submissions as possible, there is no guarantee that all will be read. Submissions are first-come, first-read. Sign up at the main Registration Desk for the conference.
10:00 am - 12:15 PM Pacific Time	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. 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.
	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.
12:30 PM Pacific Time	Closing Keynote Address Your Outline for Creative Success
		Your fellow writers at WC² wish you the greatest success with all your literary endeavors!
	As of May 2, 2022 - Subject to Change

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