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SESSION 1

Sera Rivers: Why This Book?

Why should your book get plucked out of an agent’s slush pile? What makes your story compelling enough for an agent to want to read it? To represent it? To make an editor want to acquire it? In this workshop, you will learn HOW to make your story stand out from the rest and answer the question industry professionals ask with each submission they receive: Why THIS book?!

Debut Author Panel

Come meet local debut authors, Jena Benton, Susan Pope and Neva Post as they share their journey into publishing in the current market, whether traditional or self published. Bring questions and prepare for your own publishing journey by learning about what they wish they knew before they began.

Lois Simenson: Facts to Fables: Transitioning from Nonfiction to Fiction

In this session, we'll discuss the transition from writing and publishing nonfiction to fiction.  We'll delve into the basics of crafting fiction, such as story structure, research, genre selection, goal setting, and deciding publishing options: indie, traditional, or both. We'll explore integrating real-life events and personal experiences into your fiction, and the importance of discovering your passion so your writing resonates with readers. 

Valerie Ihsan: How to focus, finish, and get sh*t done

You’ve tried sticking to your goals. You’ve set timers and given yourself incentives and rewards, but nothing seems to work. Author and Coach Valerie Ihsan has created a system that finally works. (Hint: It might have to do with core values and lists.) Excellent for any level. 1) Discover the top two reasons why people don’t finish their tasks, 2) Identify the keys to self-awareness and how to correct limiting beliefs, and 3) Create a system that finally works.

10:50 - 11:50am

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SESSION 2

PSB 216

Laurent Linn: Behind-the-scenes: The ins and outs of illustration & publishing in today's world

As with many aspects of life, the events of the past years have effected children’s books and illustration in profound ways, some negative but many quite positive. In this session for illustrators and illustrator/writers, Laurent Linn will discuss the current state of both the craft and business of creating art for children’s literature for all ages and what that may mean for you. Please come prepared with questions.

AKRWA Panel Embracing Tropes: What is a Trope, and How are They Used in Writing?

This panel discussion with Alaska's chapter of Romance Writers of America will focus on how tropes are used to engage readers through universal themes and compelling plot lines. From 'Beauty and the Beast' to 'Fish Out of Water', our writers will discuss utilizing tropes in romance and many other genres. Appropriate for all levels of writing experience

Moderator: Sherri Trask Panelists: Elizabeth Allyn-Dean, Neva Post, C. G. Williams

M. A. Nichols: What I Wish I'd Known When I Began Indie Publishing

So, you want to be an indie author? That’s great. However, there’s a ton of pitfalls that face authors as they step into the indie publishing arena. Before you hit publish, come learn about all the mistakes you need to avoid from an indie author who has gone from struggling to successful.

Dan L. Walker: Fact or fiction? The challenges of writing about family

Participants will spend the hour examining how family members and family stories can be used in fiction and nonfiction writing. Walker will share his experiences creating novels and memoirs based on his family. The workshop will included short writing opportunities and guidance for accessing family-based content. Explore the promise and pitfalls of using family stories and characters in our writing. Participants will leave with notes and ideas for new projects, characters, and story elements.

12:50 - 1:50pm

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SESSION 3

Picture Book Author Panel Discussion

Brooke Hartman and Julianna Miller

Eva Scalzo: Pacing Your Story

Learn tips and tricks to figure out if there is an issue with pacing in your story and how to fix problems that crop up.

Richard Chiappone: The Building Blocks of Story Telling Session sponsored by 49 Writers

Whether you write fantastical fictions or fact-checked memoirs, your primary job as a writer is to keep the reader reading. If they put you down, your writing ceases to exist. That means you have to tell a compelling story. And all stories are composed of three elements: Scene, Summary, and Exposition. Let’s look at how professionals use those building blocks, and, more importantly, how you might best do it.

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SESSION 4

Author/Agent Panel: Eva Scalzo, Sera Rivers, Brooke Hartman, Dante Medema

Answer all your burning agent representation  questions in this agent / author panel. How and where do authors find literary agents to query? What makes a literary agent sign one client and not another? What red flags in your submissions might prevent you from getting representation? How can you help your agent sell your manuscript? And more!

C.S. Lakin: Why You Need a Terrific Premise and How to Create One

Why write a premise? Honing your premise is not just about being able to give a tight, compelling elevator pitch. It’s most important purpose is to help you focus on what story you want to tell and why. It’s your north star, keeping you focused as you write. It simplifies a complex plot and reduces it to the basic elements that matter.

Kaitlyn Katsoupis: A tale of 2 contracts: Red flags in contracts

This course will go over particular clauses within publishing contracts that authors should be aware of and know how to navigate—whether agented or not; authors are encouraged to bring specific questions for Q&A.

M. A. Nichols: Website Design 101

An author’s website is an integral part of a marketing platform, but tackling the programming, graphic design, and content creation can be a daunting task. Most authors tend to throw up a useless site that only leeches money from their bank account, or they pay exorbitant fees to have professionals do it for them, but with a little help, there’s no reason that authors can’t put together a useful website on their own. This class will cover some of the basic nuts and bolts of how to program a website, how to make it visually appealing, and what to include on it to help build an author’s fan base.