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-- Conferences & Workshops --

The Master Class-Writers’ Retreat for Women will be held in Ancramdale, NY

August 27-29.

Cost is $495 for tuition and $100 per night room and board. Full information by contacting  RMarcus@woodhull.org

The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

September 18-19

 at the Sheraton Denver West.

Crash Course in the Business of Children's Publishing

What if nine children's publishing professionals invited you to spend a weekend with them learning the ins and outs of the publishing business?

What if they offered to share decades of hard-earned expertise with you? What if they would give you tips on avoiding or getting out of the slush pile? Answer your questions about contracts and rights? Help prepare you for your part in marketing your book?

What if a professional editor and writing coach would evaluate your manuscript (up to 10 pages) and give you specific steps to ready it for submission? What would you say?

If you would say "yes" then you're ready for A Crash Course in the Business of Children's Publishing. On the weekend of October 15-17, 2010, explore the ins and outs of children's magazine and book publishing with our expert faculty:

Clay Winters, president of Boyds Mills Press and former president of Putnam/Grosset Books for Young Readers

Larry Rosler, Boyds Mills Press editorial director

Andy Boyles, science editor, Boyds Mills Press and Highlights

Kim T. Griswell, senior editor, Boyds Mills Press

Joan P. Hyman, copy editor, Boyds Mills Press

Tim Gillner, art director, Boyds Mills Press

Joëlle Dujardin, senior editor, Highlights

Debra Hess, senior editor, Highlights

Margaret Mosomillo, Manager, Pre-media and Print Production for Highlights and Boyds Mills Press.

Each of these professionals will share honestly and openly what they've learned during decades of publishing children's books and magazines. Senior editor Kim T. Griswell will evaluate your manuscript so you'll know where it stands before you send it out. All nine publishing pros will answer your questions and help you understand the confusing maze of the publishing world.

This workshop is limited to twelve participants. To register, or for more information, contact Jo Lloyd at 570-253-1192 or e-mail jalloyd@highlightsfoundation.org.

Highlights Foundation Founders Workshops take place near Honesdale, Pennsylvania. You'll stay in your own cozy cabin, surrounded by 1,300 wooded acres and hiking trails. Workshop fee includes individual cabins; all meals (provided by a top-notch chef); airport pickup service, if needed; and an intimate teaching setting in the living room of the Founders of Highlights for Children.

FLORIDA WRITERS FOUNDATION 2010 FULL DAY WORKSHOPS
— The Best of the Best open to everyone who writes —

The Florida Writers Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable corporation, promotes literacy throughout Florida and enhances writing skills of children, youth and adults. On October 21, 2010, the Foundation presents The Best of the Best at its Second Annual Full Writer’s Day Workshop at the Orlando Marriott, Lake Mary.

“We had such a strong turn-out for the workshop we offered last year that we added four additional topics this year,” said Karen Lieb, President of the Foundation.

This year’s topics are Warrior Writer by Bob Mayer, Novel in a Day by Vic DiGenti, From Query to Pitch by Molli Nickell, How and Why to Use Social Networking Tools by Mary Ann de Stefano and Chris Hamilton, and Screenwriting:  From Idea to Big Screen by Chantelle Osman, Andrew J Robinson and John Castellano. 

As a convenience to FWA members, the Foundation planned its Full Day of Workshops for the day before the 2010 FWA conference, which is from October 22 -24. There is no membership requirement for those who are interested in attending the Full Day of Workshops on October 21.

“Our purpose is to serve the public. Everyone who writes, no matter what their level or whether they are involved with any organizations, is welcome to attend,” Lieb said.

The Foundation works to increase literacy through elementary school visits for reading days, sponsoring poetry contests, donating books to under-privileged schools, and contributing to middle grade writing contests. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible, including the workshop registration fees.

Receive an early bird registration special of $90 for FWA members and $110 for non-members before August 31. Beginning September 1 through October 21, the registration fee is $110 for FWA members and $130 for non-members. Workshops are held between 9 am and 5 pm. Contact Chrissy Jackson at chrissyj@floridawriters.net to locate the registration form.

FLORIDA WRITERS ASSOCIATION OCTOBER 2010 CONFERENCE
FEATURES INDIVIDUAL CRITIQUE SESSIONS

— Industry professionals to work with writers on works-in-progress —

The Ninth Annual Conference of the Florida Writers Association (FWA), which will be held October 22-24, 2010, at the Lake Mary Marriott in Orlando, promises to keep the estimated 350 attendees focused on improving their writing skills and promoting their work for publication.

FWA intends to fulfill every writer’s current interest. At least three workshops are held at any given time, and attendees may join whichever ones appeal to them.

In addition to perfecting their craft and networking with fellow writers, for an additional fee attendees may choose from among the faculty of authors, agents, and acquisition editors to make face-to-face manuscript pitches. They also may register for professional critiques. There is no limit to the number of pitch sessions or critiques available.

The 2010 faculty members available for critiques are Adrian Fogelin, award-winning author, for middle-grade and young adult manuscripts; Dr. Douglas Houck, Professor of English and Writing at Edison State College in Punta Gorda, Florida, for adult nonfiction; Dianne Ochiltree, nationally recognized author of children’s picture books and chapter books; and John Pelot, Professor of English on the Charlotte Campus of Edison State College, for adult fiction.

FWA does more than teach writers how to become published. We give published works exposure through professional exhibits and our FWA bookstore. Interested authors can submit their titles for sale and hold book signings.

Saturday night features a banquet, with author Carlo D’Este presenting the keynote speech, “Tell Me a Story.” Afterwards, an awards ceremony presented by the 2010 Royal Palm Literary Awards recognizes winning competition submissions. Activities remain in high gear on Sunday morning during a brunch and keynote speech closing the conference at noon.

Throughout the conference, attendees are eligible to win door prizes, some valued over $300. The third annual Silent Auction provides an impressive selection of books and gifts to be awarded to the highest bidders. The auction is run by the Florida Writers Foundation, a nonprofit charitable association promoting literacy among children, youth, and adults throughout Florida. The Florida Writers Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation, promotes literacy throughout Florida. All donations to FWF are tax deductible. Attendance is not necessary for bidding. For more information or to donate items, contact the FWF President, Karen Lieb at klieb@cfl.rr.com.

For the best conference fee of $289, register no later than July 31. From August 1 through September 22, the conference registration fee is $309, and thereafter it is $329. The registration includes all workshops, sessions and signature meals from Friday morning through Sunday noon. Daily rates are available for attendees who prefer to attend one or two days. The conference schedule, plus descriptions of faculty and seminars, is posted at www.floridawriters.net.

Travel Classics West 2010

at Royal Palms Resort and Spa -- Scottsdale, Arizona
October 28-31, 2010

*** Save with Early Bird Registration ***
thru August 15th!

Travel Classics Writers Conferences:

There's no better way to stay in the loop of major magazine markets, as you enhance your career with great writing assignments. Travel Classics is unlike any other conference on Earth.

Conference and accommodations fees include:

Presentations and workshops with up to 16 top editors

No more than 40 writers

One-on-one consultations with guest editors

3 nights accommodations at the Royal Palms -- Meals for all three days
Customized pre- and post-conference tours
Guest Editors:

...and more to come

Registration for Qualified Writers:

There are two fees: a conference fee, and a hotel fee. The conference fee is $725 ($625 for the Early Bird rate, good thru August 15.) A $325 deposit is required at the time of registration (complete payment must be received by August 15 for the Early Bird rate). Accommodations rate at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa is $125 per night (3 consecutive nights: Oct, 28, 29, 30), plus taxes and a resort fee of $25 per night. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in the conference and hotel fees.
For a look at past conferences click here.

Royal Palms Resort and Spa:

Located at the foot of Camelback Mountain, the Royal Palms combines the graciousness and sophistication of a Mediterranean villa with the intimacy and privacy of a secluded retreat. Guests enter the resort through a driveway lined with regal palm trees and are greeted by a 250-year-old fountain in the circular porte cochere. Originally built in 1929 as a summer retreat for Cunard Steamship executive and financier Delos Cooke, the resort underwent a multimillion dollar restoration, re-opening in the summer of 1997. More about Royal Palms.

Register Now for Travel Classics West 2010 in Arizona

Contact Maren Rudolph at maren@travelclassics.com for more information.

2010 GCWA Authors Conference November 5 - 7, 2010

Southern Expressions
Located at: Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center of Arts & Education

SCRIBBLERS’ RETREAT WRITERS’ CONFERENCE

November 11-13, 2010

New York Times bestselling author, Diana Gabaldon, has captured the hearts millions with her critically acclaimed novels. The adventure began in 1991 with The Outlander and has continued through five more New York Times-bestselling novels--Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, and A Breath of Snow and Ashes--and presently has some seventeen million copies sold worldwide. An Echo in the Bone, released September 2009, is the seventh--but NOT the last!--novel in the series. The series, published in 24 countries and 21 languages.  She has also written a graphic novel titled The Exile (set within the Outlander universe and featuring the main characters from Outlander), to be published by Ballantine in fall of 2010.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA – Through the years, the abundant beauty of the Georgia coast has inspired artists of every stripe, including poets, novelists and playwrights. In 1878, poet Sidney Lanier extolled the lush beauty of our coastal landscape, in his ode to "The Marshes of Glynn." Many others have written about coastal Georgia's towns and cities and their inhabitants. One of the best-known local authors was Eugenia Price, who wrote 14 historical novels about the Georgia and Florida coasts in the 1800s. During the 1930s, playwright Eugene O'Neill built a home and worked on Sea Island, where he wrote "Ah, Wilderness," his only comedy. Another writer of the period, Ben Ames Williams, also lived and wrote on Sea Island.

Contemporary writers can find similar inspiration - along with healthy doses of fellowship and professional guidance - during Scribblers' Retreat Writers Workshops.  During two-day conferences, writers attend workshops, lectures and panel discussions led by ten world-class authors, editors, publishers and other literary professionals. Each conference begins with an Opening Ceremonies Banquet Thursday evening and ends with an Evening with the Authors cocktail reception Saturday evening.

Among our featured writers in November in addition to Diana Gabaldon are bestselling author Karen White, Adam Davies and Ciji Ware. Karen White’s books include - The Girl on Legare Street, The House on Tradd Street, The Color of Light, Learning to Breathe, The Memory of Water, Pieces of the Heart, On Folly Beach, The Lost Hours.  Author/Professor Adam Davies, former Random House editor and author of The Frog King (soon to be a major motion picture), Goodbye Lemon, Mine All Mine. Adam's non-fiction has appeared in the New York Times.  Author/Journalist Ciji Ware  is author of  Right Sizing Your Life (voted one of the top books on retirement by the Wall Street Journal).  She has also written the Island of the Swans, A Cottage by the Sea.

Scribblers' Retreat Writers Conferences take place at the historic King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, St. Simons Island's only oceanfront hotel. Workshop participants enjoy contemplative walks along the beach, and are within minutes of St. Simons's Island's beautiful lighthouse and pier village with its many shops and restaurants. Special rates are available for conference participants.

Conference fee, including ten writers' workshops, opening banquet and authors cocktail reception, is $395 per person. Conference fee, including the above and three nights at the King and Prince Hotel, is $795 per person, including taxes. Special group rates are available.

 For information about Scribblers' Retreat Writers Conferences, please call toll-free 800-996-2904

Online: Complete That Manuscript

CTM Online fulfills the primary goal of completing your manuscript. More importantly it is designed to create a writing habit that can be carried throughout your writing career. CTM Online expects 2 chapters in an 8 hour writing period. That is double the time it takes to complete one chapter at a party. The writer sets up their schedule to meet an 8 hour per week writing goal. At this rate, a writer can usually complete their first draft of the manuscript in 12-15 weeks.

THE BLUECAT WORKSHOP Tour

Free Expressions Seminars

 ... offers a unique program of editorial solutions and individual guidance to writers in any genre of fiction and creative nonfiction. We work with writers to:  ► help reach beyond their current artistic capabilities  ► teach critical self-editing skills and ► assist in achieving publishing success

Funds For Writers

Great lists of contests, grants, and markets for free-lance writers