| The 2020 program will be available as soon as our speakers and agents confirm. |
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Program for
Friday, March 20, 2020 Saturday
» | Sunday
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| 12:30 |
Walk-up
Registration, Pre-Registration pickup of credentials, badge, program, swag bag
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| 1:30 |
Orientation Session
Welcome, Introductions, What's New / Updated for the Weekend |
| 2:00 |
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, Agency Scouts Du Jour
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| 3:30 - 6:30 |
ProCritiques™ with Editors & Literary Agents
1 on-1 Pitch Sessions w/Agents & Publishers
Meet editors, agents and/or publishers for a personal FREE Pitch. Some editors may take new submissions on site. Schedule an appointment at the Registration Desk. 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
A separate fee applies to Advanced Submission ProCritque and Masters ProCritique consultations. Some agents do not read or edit material in advance.
SIGN UP at the "1-on-1 Desk" next to Registration in Monarch Hall
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| 3:15 |
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| 4:30 |
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| 5:45 |
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| 7:30 |
 "A
Gathering of Writers"
All attendees and guests are welcome to meet and network with
the agents, speakers and special guests.
RSVP at Registration Desk, |
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Program for
Saturday March 21, 2020 «
Friday | Sunday
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| 7:30 am |
 Generative Workshop Breakfast with Art Holcomb
Bring something to write with and write on. Join Art and a group of your fellow writers for a 90± minute round-table discussion and critique. You will go through a series of prompts and exercises that will get your creative juices flowing. No host breakfast. Limited to ten.
Must RSVP by Friday at WC2 Registration Desk. |
| 9:00 |
Walk-up
Registration, Pre-Registration pickup of credentials, badge, program, swag bag
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| 9:30 |
Orientation Session
Welcome, Introductions, What's New / Updated for the Weekend |
| 10:00 am |
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| 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 FREE Pitch. Some editors may take new submissions on site. Schedule an appointment at the Registration Desk. 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
A separate fee applies to Advanced Submission ProCritque and Masters ProCritique consultations. Some agents do not read or edit material in advance.
SIGN UP at the "1-on-1 Desk" next to Registration in Monarch Hall
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| 11:15 am - 12:15 pm |
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| 12:30 |
Keynote Luncheon & Beverages (optional
with complimentary light lunch) REGISTER
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| 1:00 |
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| 2:15 |
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| 3:30 |
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| 4:45 |
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| 6:00 |
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| 7:30 - |
A
Gathering of Writers
No-host cocktail party and dinner. All attendees are welcome to meet and network with
the speakers and special guests. DoubleTree Hotel, First Floor, Share Lounge & Restaurant
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| 9 pm - |
 Renegade Late Night Read & Critique Workshop with Marco Subias
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 this amazing 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 enjoy the feedback exchange! |
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| Program for
Sunday, March 22, 2020 |
«
Friday | «
Saturday |
| 9:30 |
Walk-up
Registration, Pre-Registration pickup of credentials, badge, program, swag bag
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| 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.
Panel of professional editors tba
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.
Panel of professional editors tba
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 script 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.
Panel of industry professionals tba
Great Query Letters
 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 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. This workshop is intended primarily for authors of fiction, but all paid attendees are welcome to participate.
Bring five (5) copies of your one-page letter. Selected works will be read aloud, so the audience can follow along and learn how an agent or publisher considers the query. Time permitting, they may suggest improving the samples.
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| 12:30 |
Closing Keynote Speaker Address
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