A Special Pre-Conference Workshop
2-Day workshop opportunity with James N. Frey
8 a.m.–5 p.m. Thursday and Friday

“How to Plot Like the Pros” James N. Frey 

In this workshop James N. Frey, one of America’s leading creative writing teachers, will show you how to build a story from the ground up. He’ll ask participants to suggest ideas for a genre or mainstream story, then choose one of these ideas to plot as a demonstration of how it’s done. He’ll lecture a bit on dramatic theory to explain structural terms like motivation, premise, theme, pivotal character, hero/protagonist, villain/antagonist, story question, conflict, and so on, as he uses them. He’ll show you the most common structure for a dramatic story, called the “dramatic paradigm,” and then, with Frey’s guidance, the group will create some well orchestrated, fresh, and dramatically charged characters. Next, he’ll show you how, if you let them, the characters will create the story for you. We’ll then plot this story step by step, beginning to end, using a Hollywood scriptwriting technique called a “step sheet.”

Space limited to the first 60; enroll early.

*This workshop is optional and is NOT included in the Write Stuff conference price. If you are registering for the conference, you must also fill out a separate pre-conference workshop registration form and enclose a separate check made out to GLVWG for $115.

GLVWG reserves the right to cancel advance registration workshops that do not fill. In the event of cancellation, your check will be returned.

Typically an informal gathering held the second Wednesday of the month at Border’s in Whitehall, all conference attendees are invited to this special conference edition of The Writers Café to network, ask questions, and share tips. Feel free to practice your pitch on us—we’ll even provide feedback if you want.

Continuation of special two day Pre-Conference workshop.

Page Cuts

*Advanced registration necessary; sessions fill quickly. Page Cuts critique sessions are optional and included in the conference price. Participants will be assigned to a room headed by a team of publishing professionals who have been asked to provide off-the-cuff feedback. Your work will be read aloud by a room moderator and commented upon by our panelists; no names will be used. Opinions of workshop leaders are theirs alone and do not represent the opinions of GLVWG.

Limited to 36 readings. Participants who have been informed of their successful enrollment should bring to their session four copies of the first page of a longer work (fiction, creative nonfiction, or memoir) along with four copies of a 100-word overview of the entire work. Copies must be formatted: Double-spaced, 12 pt. “Times” font, 1-inch margins, Title & Genre at top of page. No names please. Print to start at the top of the page.

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Pitching Dos and Don’ts Kim Lionetti (Open Seating)

Kim Lionetti joined BookEnds, LLC as a literary agent in 2004 after working eight years as an editor at Berkley Publishing. On both sides of her publishing career, she’s heard hundreds of pitches—some fabulous, some horribly bad, and most just plain forgettable. In that time, she’s gotten a pretty good idea of what every perfect pitch needs and how to avoid the awkward silences and blank stares. She’ll outline the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them, as well as the best approaches for making a great, lasting impression on a publishing professional.

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SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FICTION WRITERS
(This Workshop is First Come First Served, but Advance Submission is Required)

Start a Fire on Page One Bill Kent 
"The purpose of the first page is to make us want to read more," says Bill Kent. "If that first page doesn't start a fire, then it really doesn't matter what follows." In this advance submission workshop, Bill will share techniques that will not only orient your readers fully to your story, but entice them to turn the page again and again. Prepare to rewrite! 

*After you have been informed of your successful enrollment, submit the opening page of your fiction manuscript (double-spaced, 1-1/4 inch margins, 12 pt. New Times Roman) via .doc., .docx, or .rtf to WriteStuffAdmin@gmail.com no later than February 25, 2010. Limit: 15 participants.

Concurrent Workshops (Open Seating)

How to Hook Young Readers (and even old ones!) Jordan Sonnenblick
What are the unique characteristics of great writing for teens? How can you adapt your craft to the specific reading needs and desires of kids? And what aspects of young adult writing would improve your writing for the adult market, as well?  Award-winning author Jordan Sonnenblick will show you how to control the flow of time and information to maximize the impact of your novel. 

Find Your Niche Spencer Soper
The Internet has changed the world of publishing, with audiences becoming increasingly fragmented. This has created opportunities for writers with interest and expertise in specific areas to build a following. Spencer Soper, a reporter and columnist for The Morning Call, will discuss finding your target and using social media tools to build your brand.

Agents Panel Moderator: Scott Heydt
Literary Agents Kim Lionetti (BookEnds, LLC), Evan Goldfried (Jill Grinberg Literary Agency), Jessica Papin (Dystel and Goderich Literary Management), Eddie Schneider (JABberwocky Literary Agency), and Michelle Humphrey (Martha Kaplan Agency), will share insights, guidelines and ideas for writers. Agents will meet with participants individually throughout the day to receive proposals.

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Concurrent Workshops (Open Seating)

The Power of Knowing Your Premise James N. Frey
Being able to articulate your premise will help you decide what developments and complications you need in your story and what kind of an ending you should be aiming towards. After honing their premise, James has had writers tell him their stories are more powerful and they can draft them much more quickly. If you’ve ever been told (and who hasn’t?) that your stories need to be “tightened,” knowing the power of premise will be an enormous help to you.

Magazine Writing that will Sell Maureen Sangiorgio
In this session an award-winning writer will teach you how to write a magazine article suitable for publication through five essential steps: identifying your audience, honing research and interviewing skills, preparing an outline, and writing an enticing lead. Oh—step five? Write, then rewrite – again and again!

Conversation with an Editor with Laurie Edwards, Kitty Keswick
Aspiring authors work hard at gaining the literary representation that will land them their first book contract. But…then what happens? Author Kitty Keswick, and her editor, Laurie Edwards, will discuss their working relationship as it applies to Kitty’s debut young adult novel, FREAKSVILLE. Moderator: Pattie Giordani

Concurrent agent and editor appointments

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