It's Coming Up Fast!

by Marsha Ward

ANWA's 20th Annual Writers Conference takes place next weekend, with a Critique Camp with published authors, and a Query and Pitch Class and Workshop with Anita Mumm on Thursday evening; and classes and events on Friday and Saturday.

We have agents and editors, poets and family history specialists, fiction writers and researchers and song writers and . . . well, a whole lot more. Refer to the schedule Cindy Williams posted on this blog yesterday for when your favorite presenters will be doing their thing. I'll put their class topics below. Don't forget the Story Time, Book Signings, Panel, Meet and Greet, and our first-ever BOB Awards. See you there!

Thursday:
8:00 p.m.
Anita Mumm: Literary Assistant, Nelson Literary Agency - two-hour class & workshop
Tell Me More:  Whetting an Agent’s Appetite with your Query or Pitch: This is a hands on workshop where writers may read their query to Anita and the participants.  All are then invited to give suggestions and critique the query.

Friday:
8:30 a.m.
Lisa Mangum: Assistant Editor at Deseret Book/Shadow Mountain
“Kaboom,” Went the Coastal Monkey Factory: Starting Your Story with a Bang: Is it true that editors and agents only read your first sentence before making a decision? If so, this class will teach you how to make your story start strong—and stay strong.

Linda Radke: President of Five Star Publications, Inc.
(Classes are Friday Only)
Traditional Publishing, Partnership Publishing and Self-Publishing: Finding a Home for your Book: Linda will speak about the pros and cons of each level of publishing followed by a Q&A.

Conrad Storad: Award Winning Author of Non-fiction Children’s Books
(Classes are Friday Only)
Read Me A Story! Cultivating the Art of Listening– Reading Aloud to Children Workshop

9:30 a.m.
Jane Dystel: President of Dystel & Goderich Management
Soup to Nuts: Going from idea to book along with the importance of a social media platform, followed by Q & A.

Brent Whiting: Journalist and English Professor
“Great Opening Lines — Grabbing the Reader’s Attention.” Writers sometimes get only one chance to grab a reader’s attention. Ways to write a catchy introduction and clear thesis, so the rest of your writing doesn’t get ignored.

Donna Hatch:
7 Secrets for Writing Romance: Romance is more than a meeting, a kiss, and a marriage proposal. Discover 7 secrets to writing a romance, what cliches to avoid, and what today’s market craves.

10:30 a.m.
Larry Brooks: Author, Blogger, Writing Teacher, Worn Out Jock
Why Your Writing Process Counts: Working Smart vs. Simply Working: A look at the many ways writers complete a successful “search for story” through an understanding of certain fundamentals and principles.  Or not.

Peggy Shumway: Author and former Family History Consultant
“Your Grandfather Did What?” Crafting a Family History that Reads Like Fiction: Who says a family history has to be boring? We’ll learn how to create compelling family chronicles using the same techniques as fiction writers.

Sara Francis-Fujimura: Freelance Writer, Creative Writing Teacher and Author
Contracts, Kill Fees, and Serial Rights, Oh My! (A Crash Course in Magazine Writing): Learn how to read editorial guidelines, write an attention-getting query letter, and protect your intellectual property, all while working on your writing craft and making a little extra money.

2:00 p.m.
Josh Perkey: Senior Editor of the Ensign Magazine
(Two-hour Class) Writing for Magazines: Ever wondered how to get published in the Ensign? Ever wondered what it takes to publish in a national magazine? This two-hour workshop will teach you how to craft articles for human interest magazines, including Church magazines such as the Ensign, New Era, and Friend. We’ll spend about 20 minutes discussing the particulars of Church magazines, then broaden the scope to human interest magazines in general. Then we’ll spend the balance work-shopping your ideas. Come with ideas ready to develop. When we’re finished you’ll have the makings of something worth preparing to submit to publishers.

Linda Radke: President of Five Star Publications, Inc.
(Classes are Friday Only)
It’s All in the Pitch – Marketing and Publicity: The difference between marketing and publicity.  The importance of a media kit, obtaining endorsements, designing and maintaining a website for promoting your book, researching associations and other groups for pitching your book, promotional postcards, fliers, etc., researching conferences where your book might be displayed, researching appropriate opportunities for book awards, author book signings . . .and more.

Joyce DiPastena: Author of Mystery, adventure and “sweet” romance in the Middle Ages
Breathing Life Into Historical Research: Whether you write romance, mystery, or straight fiction, this workshop will teach you how to turn historical facts into a living, breathing world for your readers.

3:00 p.m.
Josh Perkey: Class continues

Deirdra Coppel: Author, Illustrator, and Graphic Designer
Writing Business Sense: Working with designers and illustrators, avoid common legal mistakes, what to do if your publisher gives you a bad cover, and get the best price on your art without sacrificing quality.

Conrad Storad: Award Winning Author of Non-fiction Children’s Books
(Classes are Friday Only)
More Than Just the Facts — Nonfiction is FUN! — Nonfiction Writing Workshop

4:00 p.m.
Janette Rallison: Award winning Author of Young Adult Fiction
Using Internal Thought to Create Characterization: When writing a book, voice is all important-and voice usually comes from a character’s internal thoughts. Come learn how to strengthen your characterization and voice through your character’s internal thoughts.

Matt Peterson: Copy writer
Freelance Copy writing – The Perfect “Day Job” for Writers: How you can use your writing skills to pay the bills (while you continue to work on the next great American novel): Freelance writing is a great way to make a living, whether full time or on the side. Matt will share real-life experiences and teach you how to start your own freelance copy writing business. We’ll discuss things like where to find jobs, how to manage your finances, and how to manage the day-to-day demands of writing for a living.

Linda Prince Mulleneaux: Editor at Walnut Springs Press
The Critical Skill of Self-Editing; Focusing on What Agents and Editors Really Care About: You can get published, you’ll just have to operate on your “baby.” Learn how to perfect your prose and streamline your story.

Saturday:
8:35 a.m.
Janette Rallison: Award winning Author of Young Adult Fiction
Using Internal Thought to Create Characterization: When writing a book, voice is all important-and voice usually comes from a character’s internal thoughts. Come learn how to strengthen your characterization and voice through your character’s internal thoughts.

Brent Whiting: Journalist and English Professor
“Great Opening Lines — Grabbing the Reader’s Attention.” Writers sometimes get only one chance to grab a reader’s attention. Ways to write a catchy introduction and clear thesis, so the rest of your writing doesn’t get ignored.

Matt Peterson: Copy writer
Freelance Copy writing – The Perfect “Day Job” for Writers: How you can use your writing skills to pay the bills (while you continue to work on the next great American novel): Freelance writing is a great way to make a living, whether full time or on the side. Matt will share real-life experiences and teach you how to start your own freelance copy writing business. We’ll discuss things like where to find jobs, how to manage your finances, and how to manage the day-to-day demands of writing for a living.

9:30 a.m.
Jane Dystel: President of Dystel & Goderich Management
Soup to Nuts: Going from idea to book along with the importance of a social media platform, followed by Q & A.

Sandra Hendrickson: Teacher, Songwriter and Author
It Just Takes Time: A class on creative songwriting that will motivate you to dig a little deeper, learn more skills, and challenge you to be a better songwriter.

Peggy Shumway: Author and former Family History Consultant
“Your Grandfather Did What?” Crafting a Family History that Reads Like Fiction: Who says a family history has to be boring? We’ll learn how to create compelling family chronicles using the same techniques as fiction writers.

10:30 a.m. Lisa Mangum: Assistant Editor at Deseret Book/Shadow Mountain
Making the Leap: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Slush Pile: After a decade of sorting through the slush pile, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. Learn how to get your manuscript noticed and you, too, can make the leap out of the slush pile.

Deirdra Coppel: Author, Illustrator, and Graphic Designer
The Amazing Future of Illustrations: EMC’s Enhanced Multimedia Content are going to change your writing career whether you like it or not.

Wendy S. Peterson: English Teacher at Shepherd Junior High in Mesa, Arizona
Poetry: A Spicy Slice of Life: Like spices in food, poetry makes life interesting, more flavorful,  and richer. Learn to integrate writing poetry into your life using easy-to-get-started and simple-to-understand ideas in a nurturing and supportive environment.

2:00 p.m.
Linda Prince Mulleneaux: Editor at Walnut Springs Press
The Critical Skill of Self-Editing; Focusing on What Agents and Editors Really Care About: You can get published, you’ll just have to operate on your “baby.” Learn how to perfect your prose and streamline your story.

Sandra Hendrickson: Teacher, Songwriter and Author
It Just Takes Time: A class on creative songwriting that will motivate you to dig a little deeper, learn more skills, and challenge you to be a better songwriter.

Sara Francis-Fujimura: Freelance Writer, Creative Writing Teacher and Author
Cooking up Some Chicken Soup (How to Write Fun, Inspirational Personal Essays): Learn how to turn family stories and struggles into inspiring and/or entertaining personal essays for magazines and compilation books like Chicken Soup for the Soul.

3:00 p.m.
Larry Brooks:  Author, Blogger, Writing Teacher, Worn Out Jock
Fundamentals Presentation

Dave Eaton: Marketing Consultant in Online & Social Media Marketing
Social Media Marketing – Your Online Path to a Bestseller: How to create a Bestseller before a single page is in print! Using your Blog, Facebook, Twitter and other Online Platforms to zero in on your target audience with a laser focus and create a following that will hang onto your every word.

4:00 p.m.
Keynote: Lisa Mangum
“Reach for Your Dream – It’s Closer Than You Think”
Lisa takes you on her journey as an author and editor and explains how YOUR dream (whatever it is) is truly closer than you think.