The Annual Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference is the perfect venue for you to learn from more than 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.
Walk-up
Registration, Pre-Registration pickup of credentials, badge, program, swag bag
Friday
Orientation Session
1:30 PM Pacific Time 08/04/2023 Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
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.
2:00 PM Pacific Time 08/04/2023 Friday Friday Friday Friday
Topic
Description
Speaker
2:30 PM Pacific Time 08/04/2023
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.
Panel of Literary Agents Du Jour including: (IP = In Person, V=Virtually)
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)
3:45 PM Pacific Time 08/04/2023
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.
Mike Robinson, Kim O'Hara, Troy Lambert, Deanna Brady (V), plus moderator
Topic
Description
Speaker
F
Topic
Description
Speaker
5:00 PM Pacific Time 08/04/2023
Publishing Industry Round Table
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.
Topic
Description
Speaker
Topic
Description
Speaker
6:15 PM Pacific Time 08/04/2023
Topic
Description
Speaker
Topic
Description
Speaker
7:30 PM Pacific Time 08/04/2023 Friday Lobby Bar
Friday Friday Friday
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 a 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 August 1.
9:00 am
Walk-up
Registration, Pre-Registration pickup of credentials, badge, program, swag bag
How To Pitch an Agent or Publisher (IN PERSON 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.
In-person Panel of the Literary Agents and Publishers Du Jour
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.
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.
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
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.
6:15 PM Pacific Time 08/05/2023Saturday
Saturday
Saturday
Playa Vista
Room
Saturday
Saturday Saturday
Topic
Description
Speaker
7:30 pm-12± Pacific Time 08/05/2023
First Floor
Lounge
Saturday Saturday
Renegade Late Night Read & Critique Workshop - Fiction & Non-Fiction An opportunity for registered attendees to bring work-in-progress and participate in an evening of live editing. Fuel up on caffeine, or libations, and join a GLAWS Critique Group Leader and your fellow writers for this creative experience.
(Hurry and sign up at Event Registration Desk! Limited seating.) Bring 3 to 5 pages of your manuscript to read and share, and benefit the feedback exchange!
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
Screenplay Sunday
Novels Sunday
10:00 am
Pacific Time 08/06/2023
Pacifica
Ballroom A Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday
10:00 am
Pacific Time 08/06/2023
Sunday Sunday Campground
Room Sunday Sunday
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.
Topic
Description
Speaker
11:15 am 12:15
Pacific Time 08/06/2023
Sunday Playa Vista
Room Sunday
11:15 am
Pacific Time 08/06/2023
Sunday Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Campground
Room
Topic
Description
Speaker
Topic
Description
Speaker
12:30 Pacific Time 08/06/2023
Closing
Keynote
Pacifica
Ballroom A
Topic
Description
Speaker
1:15± Pacific Time 08/06/2023
Pacifica
Ballroom A
Closing Remarks, Drawing for Prizes
Tony N Todaro, Lillian Todaro, Nic Nelson, Brian Uptgraft, WC2 Staff
Welcome
How to Optimize Your Book Proposal 
