Keynotes
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2022
7 pm - 8 pm: Keynote Address #1
ROBIN CUTLER: Moving from Self-Published to Published Author: Things you need to know
The publishing world is quite fluid in terms of options for authors. In the beginning, many authors find that self-publishing on IngramSpark or Amazon KDP can give them all they need to be successful. For some authors, they find more success by partnering with a traditional publisher. In this keynote, veteran Robin Cutler (President of LMBPN Publishing; creator of IngramSpark, and former Amazon manager) will give you the pluses and minuses of what it means to contract with a publisher, as well as tell you what publishers are looking for in an author and their work.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
8:30 am - 9:30 am: Keynote Address #2
JANE FRIEDMAN: The Digital Era of Authorship: Thinking Beyond the Book
According to publishing futurists, we are now experiencing the late age of print. Publishers are beginning to see the print book as the last stage of author development, rather than the first step. A new model is emerging for content distribution, with publishers and authors experimenting with mobile apps, podcasts, and multimedia approaches. Jane discusses the changes underway and how writers can adapt no matter what the future holds.
4:00 pm - 5:10 pm: Keynote Address #3
STEPHEN SPOTSWOOD: Interrogating A Writer: Questions To Ask Yourself At The Start Of Your Career
The path to becoming a published author can be rocky, meandering, and frustratingly slow right up until the moment it starts moving at lightning speed. By asking yourself some key questions early, not just about your writing but about what you want out of a career as a writer, you can put yourself on more solid footing as you progress down that road. Stephen Spotswood will outline some of the questions that he encountered on his own journey, from completing a manuscript, to finding an agent, getting published, and beyond.
Workshops and Panels
9:45 am - 10:45 am: Session #1
9:45 am - 10:45 am: Session #1
11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Session #2
10 Easy Steps to Write a Novel - Han Nolan
As the title suggests, award-winning novelist Han Nolan will provide you with a template for success!
Techniques to Better Engage a Poetry Audience - Ray Sibley
As most poetry reading audiences can attest, some of the best poets have difficulty reading poems in public. This presentation will offer techniques and insight that will increase your oral reading competence and poise, decrease your nervousness, and, most importantly, help you better engage your listening audience.
Today’s Key Book Publishing Paths: What’s New, What’s Old, and What’s Right for You? - Jane Friedman
Over the last decade, the publishing industry has undergone tremendous evolution due to the growth of online retail and digital books, as well as the power of any author to publish and distribute their work at the click of a button. But which path is right for you and your book—and how do you sift through the increasing number of hybrid publishers and services that make a lot of promises, but cost you a lot upfront?
Jane discusses everything you need to know about how book publishing operates today, in plain English, to help
you understand the pros and cons of every major publishing path available. She’ll cover New York traditional publishing and what projects are well-suited to being represented by literary agents; the capabilities of mid-size publishers and independent publishers; how to evaluate small presses, micro-presses, and digital-only presses; what “hybrid” publishing is (or thinks it is) and how to evaluate such companies; and more.
Every Book Needs a Killer First Line - Wendy H. Jones
A compelling first line is critical to engaging your reader. Award-winning crime novelist, Wendy H. Jones (see bio), has presented this workshop countless times and with her guidance, you'll turn any novel's first line into a Killer First Line! Bring your manuscript's first line to this session.
11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Session #2
How to Make Money Writing Business Books - John Bachner
I don’t write art. I write how-tos. And to do them well, writers must have a death grip on the mechanics of writing, a need best explained by the unintelligible “how-to-assemble” guidance that accompanies innumerable Chinese products. Much of what I write relates to professional-liability-loss prevention, and much of my guidance in that arena relates to the need for effective writing, especially so given that the cost of an extra comma in one case amounted to $13 million. Have a few articles published for your own or a client’s ($) PR purposes and you ready yourself to write a manual or guide ($$). And once you do that, you’re in position to lead seminars and give keynotes ($$$). And – good news – making your living through writing does not at all preclude you from writing art (¢).
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Session #3
Revision and Rejection - Karen Outen, Donna Hemans, Melanie Hatter, and Pat Donohoe
These panelists will move the discussion from issues of rejection—the various reasons why it happens, for instance—to what you do next (how to gather yourself and regain motivation, through how you use revision as a form of editing). They’ll have examples of their our own and of others to share.
Writing with Multiple Authors - Catherine Baldau, Tara Bell, Ginny Fite, and K.P. Robbins
Four published authors discuss their book, Thoughts and Prayers, and the fun and challenges of collaborating on a novel.
Using Social Media to Gain Readers - Lisa V. Proulx and Wendy H. Jones
In this 20–30-minute program, you will learn the dos and don’ts of social media, why engaging with your audience is crucial, especially as a new author, hear important tips on connecting after attending a writers’ conference, and so much more! Afterward, there will be a short question-and-answer segment and Lisa will offer five participants a month of free author guidance and promotion. So don’t forget your business cards!
Writing a Query Letter that gets Manuscript Requests - Stacey Kondla
If you’ve written your query like a pro, then you should be getting requests for your manuscript or proposal about half the time. In this panel, literary agent Stacey Kondla will share expertise and insights on how to make you're letter grab attention.
Self-Publishing: Controlling Your Author Destiny - Keri Barnum
Tips for deciding when self-publishing is right for you and how to self-publish professionally.