Writers Conference

Kick Your Writing Up A Notch – Janice Hardy

It’s not uncommon for writers to hit a point where they know their writing is good, but it’s not where they want it (or need it) to be. They could use a little help to push their skills and story to the next level, but they’re not sure how to get that push or where to apply it in their manuscripts. In this workshop, you’ll learn ways to improve your writing and story developing skills to take your novel from nice to “Wow!” From macro-level structure techniques, to micro-level word choices, this full-day of exercises and tips will dig into your writing and polish the gems within. Bring your laptop or pages and be ready to write!

E-Publishing – The Future Is Now! – Sharon Y. Cobb & Brad Kuhn

Forget about sending out cold query letters to agents and publishers. Stop getting form rejection letters in the mail. Publish your book yourself! E-books are hot and if you are a writer, you should consider this new path to being a published author. In this workshop you get all you need to know to e-publish your book. You will learn about: editing your e-book, designing your cover, choosing the best e-publishing outlets and preparing your manuscript for e-book distribution. You’ll also learn how to help your book rise to the top of Amazon rankings and ways to market your book. It’s time to take control of your writing career. Become an e-author now.

Kick Your Writing Up A Notch – Janice Hardy

The 9 AM Session continues.

Short Story Writing for Publication – Elizabeth Sims

The short story is not only the gateway to writing compelling longer fiction, it’s a legitimate and exciting literary form in itself. This workshop, taught by prizewinning author Elizabeth Sims, gets deep into the craft of story construction. Her goal is to help you approach the art and craft of writing short stories as a professional does, with ingenuity and verve. Moreover, you’ll learn how to become a better writer on your own, going forward. Emphasis will be on how to choose and write story elements—such as structure, character development, dialogue, image, and conflict—for maximum economy and impact, as the short story form requires. Together with Elizabeth, you’ll do a bit of analytical reading, then move into techniques to help you create new material freely and without anxiety. You’ll learn foolproof ways to map out a story, and you’ll get some writing done, with an eye to producing publishable work. Elizabeth will briefly discuss the habits of professional writers as well as the business of writing. Join her for this brisk, inspiring workshop!

Story Starters- Memory, Sensory, Arbitrary – Steph Post

Using a variety of techniques including exploring memory, visual art, archetypes, artifacts and collaboration, students will engage in writing exercises and discussions designed to develop story ideas, flesh them out, and find their direction. This workshop is designed for all levels of writers with the purpose of generating material for both short and long forms of fiction. Come with a blank slate, leave with a head full of ideas and a notebook full of words!

How to Turn True Crime into Fiction – Rich Wickliffe

Award-winning Florida author Richard Wickliffe explains the true stories and events that inspired his tropical crime thrillers, one of which was optioned by a major film studio. For aspiring authors, a great way to find inspiration within our own incredulous headlines. For readers, a peek behind the curtain, proving that truth can be as disturbing than fiction.

Diversity Schmersity – Rod Martinez

Diversity in writing has become a hot topic. From whether a person of one race can factually portray a protagonist of another, to dialect, to “isms” to dealing with cultures and sexual orientation. Diversity Schmersity flows through these subjects and more in a smooth, fun (non offensive) entertaining way while still keeping you on task.

Florida Book Award Winners: Researching, Crafting, Submitting, and Promoting Award-Winning Fiction
Kimberly Lojewski, Tara Lynn Masih & Gale Massey

From historical fiction, to magical realism, to crime thrillers, these three award-winning authors will discuss their journeys from conception to publication, and beyond. Through discussions on genre and craft, and tips on finding an agent, surviving the submission process, and promoting, marketing, and submitting to contests, this panel will give you the tools to start or finish and publicize your own prose project.

Your Blog, Your Brand – Sharon Y. Cobb

To sell books today, you must optimize your online presence. Your author blog is the heart of your new media platform and must connect to your social media accounts. Your brand is the umbrella that covers everything about you as an author: your books, your blog, your social media, your podcasts and your platform. Join us to find out the easiest way to set up your own blog for free, what social media accounts you must use and how to create a brand that will help sell you and your books.

Understanding the Scene: The Engine of Your Story – Janice Hardy

Scenes are the building blocks of a novel, but they don’t always unfold the way we want them to. In this workshop, you’ll learn the mechanics of scene and its troublesome partner, the sequel, and how to use this pairing to drive your story. You’ll also learn how to develop scenes and weave them together to build strong and focused plots, as well as what to do when you story grinds to a halt and you don’t know why.

Stomping Stage Fright – Rod Martinez

It is widely known that public speaking is one of the greatest fears among us all. It tops the score in almost every “What do you fear most” list next to dying, the IRS and having to eat broccoli at grandma’s house. When we began our quest in the literary world, several fantasies of fame were sure to follow. However, once we finished that masterpiece and knew how great it was, lo and behold those literary giants weren’t knocking on our doors. But maybe local notoriety happened. In either case, you as an author have to prepare for that dreaded fear – if you wrote a book, got it published, sooner or later you will stand in front of an audience of your peers, or readers or even students to promote it. We will cover this with different scenarios to help make you a literary rock star.

Writing Mythology- From the Epic to the Personal – Steph Post

Some of the most popular fictional sagas of our time are founded on archetypes, classical narrative arcs, elements of comparative mythology, and fairy tale tropes. A story doesn’t have to be epic, however, to dive deep and make use of these motifs. By dissembling visual art, engaging in discussion, reading modern myths and working with non-traditional writing prompts and development activities, students will create several pieces of workable fiction exploring the narrative mythological tradition on both the large and small scale.

Elementary, Dear Watson: Panel discussion of the Anatomy of Popular Commercial Mysteries – Sisters in Crime

This moderated panel of five published authors is perfect for those exploring the option of writing mysteries, or those readers with questions about how they are designed. Members of the Sisters in Crime organization which specializes in advocacy and support of women crime-fiction writers, all the authors and the moderator are multi-published in at least one genre, but most in more than one, including mystery.