7:00 a.m. Check-In table opens
Pick up registration materials at the check-in table
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Seminar Syllabus for Friday, March 24
| 8:30 – 12:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions |
“Story Closup” and “Writing Powerful Scenes”- Michael will take a single film and use clips to show how it illustrates all the core principles of great storytelling for all forms of fiction. This is his most popular 2-hour lecture, and a great follow up to the full day seminar – though this one can stand alone for those who aren’t there Thursday. Good scenes are like great movies in miniature: they draw the reader into a unique reality; create empathy and identification with the characters; reveal compelling desires and insurmountable conflicts; contribute to character growth and theme; and elicit bigger-than-life emotions. Using examples from a variety of recent successful novels and films, this seminar will reveal the essential tools for writing scenes that will insure a positive response to your novel or screenplay. |
| 8:30 – 12:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions |
Down the Author Marketing Rabbit Hole –
Take an adventurous magical tour through your own abilities to sell more books! At the bottom of the rabbit hole, you’ll learn the difference between selling and allowing people to buy. Uncover your book’s true |
| 12:00 – 12:45 |
Lunch With The Experts Included with full conference and Friday registrations |
| 1 – 4:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions |
Maximizing the Emotional Potential of Your Novel A novel is, above all else, an emotional experience. From the safety of their armchairs, readers want the protagonist to take them along on a journey that will help them benefit from the process we humans fear most: change. The last thing you want is for your reader to slide your manuscript back across the desk and say, “Hmm. I remained curiously unmoved.” Part story structure, part narrative arcs, and part sentence-level examination, this three-hour class will explore craft that will help you create—within any genre—the kind of heart-thumping tension, heart-breaking consequence, and heart-warming resolution readers crave. |
| 1 – 4:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions |
Insider Self-Publishing: Tips that Separate the Amateurs from the Pros Hands-on workshop that walks you through the self-publishing process! Keep all rights and profits while you design and market your stunning new book… and keep your costs low. We’ll look at the publishing process and pieces involved: setting up your new business, finding your niche, writing, interior formatting, where to find a cover designer, why POD printing is best, understanding ISBNs, and how to list your e-book and print book on Amazon. Since selling is the idea, we’ll also review tips for marketing including SEO optimization, platform, and connections. You can do it! |
| 5 – 7 p.m. | Friday Dinner buffet (not included) 6:00 p.m. Check-In table opens Pick up registration materials at the check-in table |
| 6:30 – 8 p.m. | Page Cuts Critique Sessions Advance registration necessary: sessions fill quickly. Page Cuts critique sessions are optional and included in the FRIDAY, SATURDAY or FULL 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, all works are COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS. Opinions of workshop panelists 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. |
| 7 – 8 p.m. |
Agent 101: An Insiders View of Getting an Agent As an Associate Agent and Author, Victoria Selvaggio knows firsthand that finding representation can be as hard as or even harder than becoming published. But…having a good understanding of the agent’s role, as well as your own, as the author, is just as important as advocating further, for the right agent-author relationship. Attendees will get a behind-the-desk look at what being an agent means for Victoria—from query letters to rejections to revision to requests to finally, representation and beyond—which will provide helpful tips on how to review your manuscript as if you were also an agent. |
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| 8:30 – 10:00 p.m. |
Welcome Reception (Open Seating) Join us for hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and the chance to network with agents, editors, presenters, and other conferees. Dress is business casual. Guest presenter: ‘Samuel Clemens‘ |
Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group 