Conference Session Descriptions and Speakers
Note: additional speakers may be added to these sessions throughout August
Note: additional speakers may be added to these sessions throughout August
Schedule for Sunday, November 1, 2015
8:45 to 9 am - Welcome
9 to 10:15 am — Morning Keynote Session
Writing Articles for Regional Publications
Marianne Partridge - Santa Barbara Independent, Sarene Wallace - Edible Ojai & Ventura County, Stacie Galang - VC Star, Bret Bradigan, Ojai Quarterly, and Michael Sullivan, VC Reporter. Moderated by Kathleen Kaiser
Getting published is important to any writer. Why not establish a reputation by writing for regional magazines and newspapers? There's nothing quite like freelancing for magazines, especially if you can write about topics related to your book. But admittedly, it can sound like an absurd, lofty literary dream—write for the venues you've always admired, geek out on subjects that interest you, travel, tell amazing stories and—best part?—make money for doing it all.
But unlike some things in the writing world, it's not snake oil. You really can do it. Five editors from the Central Coast will discuss what they want from a writer, topics of interest, submission policies, editorial guidelines and more. Time is set aside for Q&A.
9 to 10:15 am — Morning Keynote Session
Writing Articles for Regional Publications
Marianne Partridge - Santa Barbara Independent, Sarene Wallace - Edible Ojai & Ventura County, Stacie Galang - VC Star, Bret Bradigan, Ojai Quarterly, and Michael Sullivan, VC Reporter. Moderated by Kathleen Kaiser
Getting published is important to any writer. Why not establish a reputation by writing for regional magazines and newspapers? There's nothing quite like freelancing for magazines, especially if you can write about topics related to your book. But admittedly, it can sound like an absurd, lofty literary dream—write for the venues you've always admired, geek out on subjects that interest you, travel, tell amazing stories and—best part?—make money for doing it all.
But unlike some things in the writing world, it's not snake oil. You really can do it. Five editors from the Central Coast will discuss what they want from a writer, topics of interest, submission policies, editorial guidelines and more. Time is set aside for Q&A.
TRACK ONE
10:30 to 11:30 am
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense—Writing the Killer Page Turner
with John Raab, Publisher of Suspense Magazine and Suspense Publishing, Scottish Crime Novelist Craig Robertson, and former LAPD veteran turned novelist Paul Bishop, with moderator Lisa Wellman
These popular genre novels create avid readers and fans that stay with an author as long as they deliver “the goods.” Each genre has a number of subcategories such as spy thrillers, political thrillers, crime mysteries and more. Readers become the Watson, working alongside Sherlock, dissecting every clue and racing to the end before moving onto the next case. A thriller is about a crime (or another type of disaster) that is about to happen ... unless the hero can stop it.
A panel discussion will cover what is hot now, potential trends, character development and how to keep the thrill in the readers. Two award-winning authors and a suspense publisher will discuss key elements of writing a page-turner that sells.
10:30 to 11:30 am
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense—Writing the Killer Page Turner
with John Raab, Publisher of Suspense Magazine and Suspense Publishing, Scottish Crime Novelist Craig Robertson, and former LAPD veteran turned novelist Paul Bishop, with moderator Lisa Wellman
These popular genre novels create avid readers and fans that stay with an author as long as they deliver “the goods.” Each genre has a number of subcategories such as spy thrillers, political thrillers, crime mysteries and more. Readers become the Watson, working alongside Sherlock, dissecting every clue and racing to the end before moving onto the next case. A thriller is about a crime (or another type of disaster) that is about to happen ... unless the hero can stop it.
A panel discussion will cover what is hot now, potential trends, character development and how to keep the thrill in the readers. Two award-winning authors and a suspense publisher will discuss key elements of writing a page-turner that sells.
TRACK ONE
11:45 am to 12:45 pm
Writing a Viable Non-Fiction Proposal: The Awful Truth
Author Brian Fagan
Brian Fagan is America's most read archaeologist. To accomplish this, he has written numerous non-fiction book proposals on all kinds of topics for a wide variety of publishers. They range from National Geographic and university presses to textbook houses. He describes the key elements that make up a potentially successful proposal and talks about the complex issues of research on such varied topics as balanophagy, medieval herring fisheries, and obscure aspects of ancient climate change. This is a talk that will tell of horror stories and quiet triumphs, of innumerable drafts, helpful agents, and demanding, illogical publishers.
11:45 am to 12:45 pm
Writing a Viable Non-Fiction Proposal: The Awful Truth
Author Brian Fagan
Brian Fagan is America's most read archaeologist. To accomplish this, he has written numerous non-fiction book proposals on all kinds of topics for a wide variety of publishers. They range from National Geographic and university presses to textbook houses. He describes the key elements that make up a potentially successful proposal and talks about the complex issues of research on such varied topics as balanophagy, medieval herring fisheries, and obscure aspects of ancient climate change. This is a talk that will tell of horror stories and quiet triumphs, of innumerable drafts, helpful agents, and demanding, illogical publishers.
TRACK TWO
10:30 to 12:30 pm
Status Report: Book Marketing and Publicity—What's working and why?
with Publicist Flo Selfman, Book Marketers Jackie Lapin and Leann Garms, Build.Buzz.Launch Founder with Moderator, Kathleen Sexton Kaiser
Books can't sell if no one knows they exist. Thus the marketing and publicity campaign to promote the book is KEY to its success. Today there are more ways then ever to break a book through social media, websites and blogs, plus the old standards of TV, radio, and print. Three veteran publicists present case studies of recent campaigns, how they worked and, most important, how many books were sold. Learn which tools are available today that can launch a new book and then keep selling copies. The importance of your 30-second pitch, how to adapt it to radio, TV and more will be covered. And, some rough ideas of budgets will be presented.
10:30 to 12:30 pm
Status Report: Book Marketing and Publicity—What's working and why?
with Publicist Flo Selfman, Book Marketers Jackie Lapin and Leann Garms, Build.Buzz.Launch Founder with Moderator, Kathleen Sexton Kaiser
Books can't sell if no one knows they exist. Thus the marketing and publicity campaign to promote the book is KEY to its success. Today there are more ways then ever to break a book through social media, websites and blogs, plus the old standards of TV, radio, and print. Three veteran publicists present case studies of recent campaigns, how they worked and, most important, how many books were sold. Learn which tools are available today that can launch a new book and then keep selling copies. The importance of your 30-second pitch, how to adapt it to radio, TV and more will be covered. And, some rough ideas of budgets will be presented.
LUNCH BREAK
TRACK ONE
1:30 to 3:30 pm
New Authors Panel
with Alex Sheshunoff, Michaela Haas, Mark Miller, David Davis,
and Margaret Grundstein with moderator Kathleen Kaiser
Nonfiction, memoir, humor, biography, and mind/body—each panelist has a recently released book by a publisher. They will discuss what they had to do to get a publishing deal, the publishing process (and pains), and what they are doing to promote and market their books. Two are with major New York houses: Alex Sheshunoff's book is out through Penguin Books, and Michaela Haas' book is through Simon & Schuster's Enliven Books. Mark Miller is with Skyhorse Publishing, Margaret Grundstein is published by Oregon State University Press, and David Davis' publisher is the University of Nebraska Press. Time is allotted for Q&A.
1:30 to 3:30 pm
New Authors Panel
with Alex Sheshunoff, Michaela Haas, Mark Miller, David Davis,
and Margaret Grundstein with moderator Kathleen Kaiser
Nonfiction, memoir, humor, biography, and mind/body—each panelist has a recently released book by a publisher. They will discuss what they had to do to get a publishing deal, the publishing process (and pains), and what they are doing to promote and market their books. Two are with major New York houses: Alex Sheshunoff's book is out through Penguin Books, and Michaela Haas' book is through Simon & Schuster's Enliven Books. Mark Miller is with Skyhorse Publishing, Margaret Grundstein is published by Oregon State University Press, and David Davis' publisher is the University of Nebraska Press. Time is allotted for Q&A.
TRACK TWO
1:30 to 3:30 pm
Memoir: Your Life as Story
with Tristine Rainer, Author and Director at the Center for Autobiographic Studies
In Your Life As Story, autobiography expert Tristine Rainer explains how we can all find the important messages in our lives. Like Mary Karr or Frank McCourt, writers can shape those stories into dramatic narratives that are compelling to others. Blending literary scholarship with practical coaching, Rainer shares her remarkable techniques for finding the essentials of story structure within your life's scattered experiences. Most important, she explains how to treasure the struggles in your past and discover the meaning within those experiences to capture the unique myth at work in your life. At the first VC Writers' Weekend in 2011, Ms. Rainer was the highest rated instructor - 5 stars from each person who took her class. If you are considering a memoir, attend this class.
1:30 to 3:30 pm
Memoir: Your Life as Story
with Tristine Rainer, Author and Director at the Center for Autobiographic Studies
In Your Life As Story, autobiography expert Tristine Rainer explains how we can all find the important messages in our lives. Like Mary Karr or Frank McCourt, writers can shape those stories into dramatic narratives that are compelling to others. Blending literary scholarship with practical coaching, Rainer shares her remarkable techniques for finding the essentials of story structure within your life's scattered experiences. Most important, she explains how to treasure the struggles in your past and discover the meaning within those experiences to capture the unique myth at work in your life. At the first VC Writers' Weekend in 2011, Ms. Rainer was the highest rated instructor - 5 stars from each person who took her class. If you are considering a memoir, attend this class.
4 to 6 pm — Closing Keynote Session
Book Editors Panel
Roberta Edgar, Tammy Ditmore, Laurie Gibson, Flo Selfman, and Carol Fuchs
with moderator Toni Lopopolo
The manuscript is finished. You have gone through several drafts. Now begins the editing process that prepares your book for presentation to agents and publishers. You can't edit your manuscript—you're too close and too invested. Nor can you have a friend, family member or former school teacher do it. To present the best possible book, you need to have it reviewed by a developmental editor and then a professional proofreader/copy editor. The grammar and style rules of publishing are not what you learned in school, but continue to evolve each year. These five editors are in the trenches daily, editing books for publication. Learn what you can do yourself and when you need a professional.
Book Editors Panel
Roberta Edgar, Tammy Ditmore, Laurie Gibson, Flo Selfman, and Carol Fuchs
with moderator Toni Lopopolo
The manuscript is finished. You have gone through several drafts. Now begins the editing process that prepares your book for presentation to agents and publishers. You can't edit your manuscript—you're too close and too invested. Nor can you have a friend, family member or former school teacher do it. To present the best possible book, you need to have it reviewed by a developmental editor and then a professional proofreader/copy editor. The grammar and style rules of publishing are not what you learned in school, but continue to evolve each year. These five editors are in the trenches daily, editing books for publication. Learn what you can do yourself and when you need a professional.