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Workshops
Friday Workshops
These workshops are slated to take place on Friday, July 17. Please note that this is a preliminary schedule and subject to change. The final schedule will be available in the program available at the conference.
8:30 - 9:30 A.M.
20 Questions to a Killer PR Plan (CAREER)
Speaker: Louise Ahearn
What are the 20 most important questions to ask yourself to create a killer promotional plan for your work? An award-winning public relations coach will talk you through them.
21 Years and Counting (PUBLISHING)
Speaker: Jo Beverley
Jo Beverley sold her first novel in 1988, and the years since have been up, down, and sideways. Join this RWA Hall of Fame author as she shares what she's learned along the roller coaster way.
Creating the Believable Anti-Hero: a Stepped Approach to Creating Believable Villains (CRAFT)
Speaker: Bethany Oliver
Use the same principals as the Hero's Journey and learn how to ramp up your antagonist's motivations beyond surface conflict to create a truly worthy opponent.
Mastering Your Domain: Research and Development of the Paranormal World (RESEARCH)
Speakers: Alyssa Day, Stephanie Julian, and Melissa Mayhue
Three paranormal writers and admitted research geeks will show you where to look and what to look for when blending folklore and mythology with modern genre fiction for extraordinary world-building.
Secrets of the Best-selling Sisterhood (PUBLISHING)
Speakers: Jayne Ann Krentz and Susan Elizabeth Phillips
What's it like to be a New York Times best-selling author? Join Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jayne Ann Krentz for the answers in this reprisal of their ever-popular workshop.
Straight Talk, Librarians to Writers (CAREER)
Speakers: Deborah Schneider, John Charles and Susan Gibberman
Straight talk about libraries and your books, from those who know best – librarians. Find out how to get your books on the shelves, work with libraries to promote your book and give successful programs for readers. (2 hours.)
What Came Before: the Art of Backstory (CRAFT)
Speaker: Winnie Griggs
Award-winning author Winnie Griggs shows how to effectively select what pieces of backstory to include on stage, when to reveal them, and how to thread them through your story in a subtle, yet effective, manner.
Writing the Hot Historical (CRAFT)
Speaker: Lucienne Diver, Janet Mullany, and Pam Rosenthal
This workshop is a guide for the perplexed, shy, or curious on writing erotic historicals that will sell.
Spotlight on Harlequin Single Titles
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9:45 - 10:45 A.M.
Straight Talk, Librarians to Writers (CAREER)
Speakers: Deborah Schneider, Chapple Langemack, John Charles and Susan Gibberman
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Breaking The Rules and Kicking Down Doors (CAREER)
Speaker: Suzanne Brockmann
A Q&A session about breaking the traditional rules of romance, with New York Times best-selling author Suzanne Brockmann - who hit the New York Times hardcover list with a romance novel featuring a same sex wedding.
Buy This Book! An Interactive Workshop Simulating an Editorial Board Meeting (PUBLISHING)
Speakers: Jenny Gardiner, Barbara Poelle, Holly Root, and Margo Lipschultz
In this hugely popular and interactive workshop, members of the audience take on the roles of various members of an editorial board meeting, including an editor pitching a book she wants to buy. (2 hours)
How to Write the Breakout Book (CRAFT)
Speaker: Joan Johnston
What elements does your book need to raise it to the next level? A New York Times best-selling author shares tips on ramping up character, plot, and conflict.
I Sold to New York…Now What? (CAREER)
Speakers: Lilli Fiesty, Melissa Francis, Maria Geraci, Lynn Raye Harris, Crystal Jordan, and Kate Pearce
Selling to New York can be both exciting and terrifying. Five authors discuss their experiences in that all-important first year after The Call.
Sex Scene Viagra (CRAFT)
Speaker: Elizabeth Hoyt
USA Today best-selling author Elizabeth Hoyt/Julia Harper discusses how to write a kick-ass love scene. You'll never have to worry about sex scene performance anxiety again!
The 15-Minute Synopsis: How to Create a Selling Synopsis Fast (CRAFT)
Speakers: Jessica Faust and Sharon Page
A successful literary agent and an award-winning author reveal the techniques to quickly build a synopsis that will catch an agent's or editor's eye and sell your book.
The Serendipitous Spark (WRITERS LIFE)
Speakers: Gwyn Cready and Elaine Knighton
Learn to embrace the unexpected signs life sends you. Find out how to recognize and use these serendipitous sparks to change your life, gain greater authenticity, and write the book of your dreams.
Spotlight on Avon Books
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11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Buy This Book! An Interactive Workshop Simulating an Editorial Board Meeting (PUBLISHING)
Speakers: Jenny Gardiner, Barbara Poelle, Holly Root, and Margo Lipschultz
Continuation
How to Make the Perfect Pitch (without Striking Out) (CRAFT)
Speakers: Christie Craig, Faye Hughes, Caren Johnson, Christopher Keeslar, and Kim Lionetti
Make sure you’re pitching to the right agent/editor, learn to condense your novel down to its essence, understand how to take cues from the agent/editor on whether your approach is working, and survive it all without a major meltdown.
Intellectual Property (SPECIAL)
Speakers: Amanda Brice and Jennifer Williston. Moderator: Nora Roberts
Two intellectual property attorneys will lead you through the murky waters of legalese and show you how to protect your works and not infringe on others. New York Times best-selling author Nora Roberts will moderate the panel.
Look Who's Talking: Mastering POV and Tense (CRAFT)
Speaker: Susan Lyons
Whether past or present, award-winning author Susan Lyons will help you find the perfect tense for your story, as well as through whose eyes the story should be told.
Online Promotion: B(u)y The Book (CAREER)
Speakers: Lori Foster, Jenna Petersen, Michelle Buonfiglio, and Danielle Jackson
Romance industry insiders and an Internet media expert teach you the simple, down home truth about successfully marketing and presenting yourself – and by extension, your work -- to online media and communities.
Paranormals: Writing Outside the Box (PUBLISHING)
Speakers: Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost, Melissa Marr, and Erika Tsang
Three New York Times best-selling authors and an Avon executive editor discuss the burgeoning urban fantasy/paranormal romance market for both adults and young adults.
Under Their Skin and Straight to the Heart: Creating Emotion with Significant Detail (CRAFT)
Speaker: Robin Wells
Award-winning author Robin Wells will help you chose telling details that will elicit an emotional response in your readers, touch their hearts, and drag them deep into your story.
Voices Within: Angels or Demons (RESEARCH)
Speaker: Mary Jo Fitz-Gerald, MD
A professor of clinical psychiatry discusses types of mental illness, common myths, and accuracy in the portrayal of mental illness in the media.
Spotlight on Avalon
Spotlight on Grand Central
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2:00 - 3:00 P.M.
Agent Secrets: What Agents Really Want from an Unpublished Writer (CAREER)
Speaker: Laurie McLean
How do you capture an agent’s attention, make your query stand out, and entice one to say yes? Literary agent Laurie McLean unveils ancient agent mysteries and tells you how to give these elusive creatures exactly what they want.
Critique Mystique: the Major Benefits to Turning Your RWA Chapter into a Critique Chapter (WRITERS LIFE)
Speakers: Simone Elkeles, Blythe Gifford and Ann Bleakley
Forget the critique partner! Award winning authors discuss the process and benefits of turning your local chapter into a critique chapter.
Do You Really Know What a Bigger Book Is? (CRAFT)
Speakers: Mary Buckham, Dianna Love, and Lauren McKenna
An editor, a New York Times best seller, and an award winner share the nuances of the bigger book. Bring your questions and come prepared for a high-energy workshop on how to expand a good story into a much larger one.
Face Off: the Many Faces of Suspense (CRAFT)
Speakers: Kylie Brant, Maria Carvainis, Cindy Gerard, and Roxanne Rustand
Whichever way you like your suspense served up, three best-selling authors and an agent can deliver the goods and explain what you need to do to acquire your spot in each specific subgenre within this flourishing market.
It's Not the Hottest Genre, So How Do Debut Historical Romance Authors Get Six-Figure Deals? (PUBLISHING)
Speakers: Helen Breitwieser, Courtney Milan, Kristin Nelson, Sherry Thomas, Tracy Anne Warren, and Tessa Dare
Two agents and their debut historical romance clients, who were initially bought for six figures, discuss the how and the why behind these big deals.
Neurotica: How Adding Humor Can Jumpstart Your Career Like Crazy! (CRAFT)
Speaker: Emily Bryan
Award-winning author Emily Bryan/Diana Groe explores why you need to add humor to your writing, how much humor fits your style, and explains the ten-point humor plan to liven up any manuscript.
The Fire in Fiction (SPECIAL)
Speaker: Donald Maass
New York agent Donald Maass reveals the techniques of master contemporary novelists. Some authors write powerhouse novels every time. What are they doing differently on the page? This workshop will show you. A workshop for advanced fiction writers. (2 hours)
You Say Tomato, I Say To-Motto: How Character Motto Influences Plot, Conflict, & Other Story Elements (CRAFT)
Speaker: Susan Gable
Character motto impacts every decision, every choice, every action your character makes. Award-winning author Susan Gable examines how character motto can influence everything from setting details to the character growth arc, plot and conflict.
Spotlight on Harlequin, Silhouette, Mills & Boon, and Kimani (2 hours)
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3:15 - 4:15 P.M.
The Fire in Fiction (SPECIAL)
Speaker: Donald Maass
Continuation
Spotlight on Harlequin, Silhouette, Mills & Boon, and Kimani
Continuation
Breathe, Focus, Achieve (WRITERS LIFE)
Speaker: Stacia D. Kelly, Ph.D.
A doctor of holistic health discusses relaxation techniques and hypnotic suggestions, which will help participants to move past fears and frustrations to connect to their creative muse.
Love Your Voice (CRAFT)
Speakers: Laurie Schnebly Campbell and Julie Rowe
A hands-on session to help you discover what makes your writing voice special, and how to capitalize on your natural strengths.
One, Two, or Three? Single vs. Multibook Contracts (CAREER)
Speakers: Natasha Kern and Kristin Nelson
Is a single book or multi-book contract the ideal choice for you? Two top agents examine some of the factors influencing one of the most difficult decisions in a writer's career.
Revision: Micro- and Macro-Managing Your Manuscript for Minor Revisions and Major Surgery (CRAFT)
Speaker: Robin Perini
Popular workshop presenter Robin Perini will help you tackle revisions by getting to the core of your story and layering plot, characterization, and conflict to anchor your book with a cohesive theme. (2 hours)
The Threaded Synopsis (CRAFT)
Speaker: Janet Spaeth
A multipublished author demonstrates how creating a threaded synopsis allows you to build a satisfying plot with no loose ends, maintain strong subplots, track character growth, keep track of time passage in the storyline, and streamline revisions.
The Wit, Wisdom, and Writing Advice of Jennifer Crusie (CRAFT)
Speakers: Jennifer Crusie, Sarah Frantz, Pamela Regis, and Jessica Van Slooten
Professors Sarah Frantz, Pamela Regis and Jessica Van Slooten examine the humor and writing advice in the novels of New York Times best-selling author Jennifer Crusie, who will respond to the literary criticism of her novels.
Why We Love Mr. Darcy: Insiders Tips on the Historical Market (PUBLISHING)
Speakers: May Chen, Laura Lee Guhrke, and Julia Quinn
Two RITA-winning authors and an Avon editor share the scoop on what makes a historical rise to the top of an editor's pile and offer tips on crafting your perfect historical—with or without Mr. Darcy.
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4:30 - 5:30 P.M.
Revision: Micro- and Macro-Managing Your Manuscript for Minor Revisions and Major Surgery (CRAFT)
Speaker: Robin Perini
Continuation
12 Stages of the Writer’s Adventure: Write from the Inside Out (WRITERS LIFE)
Speaker: Beth Barany
Creativity coach and multi-published author Beth Barany examines ways to increase self-knowledge and write better by learning to harness the power of the 12 stages of the hero’s journey.
Beyond the Basics: What Really Differentiates YA from Adult Fiction (CAREER)
Speakers: Ally Carter and Kristin Nelson
A New York Times best-selling author and her agent examine the questions writers should (and shouldn’t) ask when talking about writing for young adults.
Making the Jump to the Inspirational Market (CAREER)
Speakers: Shelley Shepard Gray and Leanna Ellis
It is indeed possible to break into the Christian market, but it's not necessarily easy. Two award-winning authors discuss the pros, cons, and steps in making the jump from category romance to the single-title inspirational market.
The Setting as Character (CRAFT)
Speaker: Jade Lee
Where your people live is as much a factor in their lives as a childhood trauma. Join this USA Today best-selling author to learn how to create a dynamic setting for your book.
What Came First, the Plot or the Character? The Yin and Yang of Creating Great Characters within Great Plots (CRAFT)
Speakers: Julie Kenner and Kathleen O'Reilly
Award-winning authors Julie Kenner and Kathleen O’Reilly interweave character and plotting techniques to help writers create page-turning stories that are truly unforgettable.
Writing the Best Seller: Six Magic Words (CRAFT)
Speaker: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
New York Times best-selling and RWA Hall of Fame author Susan Elizabeth Phillips shares the six magic words that lead to the best-seller lists.
Spotlight on Pocket
Spotlight on Tor
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5:45 - 6:45 P.M.
Mauled Men, Drowned Dames and Crispy Critters: a Body Disposal Primer for Writers (RESEARCH)
Speaker: Jeanne Adams
A multi-published author of fiction and non-fiction (and former funeral home employee) presents a body disposal guide, featuring burials, cremations, funerals, forensics and much, much more. (2 hours)
Sex Throughout History (RESEARCH)
Speaker: Delilah Marvelle
A multi-published author examines sex in a historical context – how we look at it, and how we write it.
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7:00 - 8:00 P.M.
Mauled Men, Drowned Dames and Crispy Critters: a Body Disposal Primer for Writers (RESEARCH)
Speaker: Jeanne Adams
Continuation
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