2011 Workshops

Friday June, 17th from 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A1.Out of the Slushpile and Into Print: How to Win the Heart of an Acquisitions Editor or Agent – Christie Harkin

Authors who are relatively new to publishing (and even some who have had several books published) can find it hard to get their works considered for publication. Whether you are submitting your masterwork to an agent or to an acquisitions editor, there are some basic steps that all authors can – and must – take in order to ensure that their works are given every opportunity to see the light of day. In this workshop, get the inside scoop from a Canadian acquisitions editor on how to create a proposal or manuscript that will leap to the top of the pile – this includes writing what you want to write as well as what we want to publish. Then learn how to present your work to its best advantage and how to avoid the (oh-so-common) pitfalls that will doom your manuscript to obscurity.

 Will include discussion of issues about age/grade appropriateness, word counts, picture book proposals do’s and don’ts, etc. While the examples used will focus on writing for children and teens, much of what is addressed will apply to adults writing as well.

A2. Romancing Religion: Writing a Christian Romance – Mary Sue Seymour

Mary Sue has a number of authors who write romances for publishers such as Zondervan, Thomas Nelson, Harvest House, Harlequin, and so on. In this workshop, she'll use some of these books as examples as she talks about the "rules" of writing Christian fiction, including the Amish books which are very popular right now. The workshop will also include related exercises.

A3. Keeping It Clean: Effective Proofreading Skills – Krysia Lear

You’re finished writing; the copy’s been edited; layout is finished. Publication is next. But wait! Before you let your e-book or website go live or you okay a print run, there’s one more step. Proofreading.

Proofreading is your final opportunity to catch embarrassing errors and inconsistencies and costly mistakes. Whether you proofread other people’s work or want to do a better job of checking your own, this workshop will help you improve your skills. You’ll learn what to look for when you’re checking copy, headlines, photographs, and graphics. You’ll hear about practical skills for working on screen or on hard copy. And you’ll learn proven techniques for staying on track and finding the most carefully camouflaged problem.

A4. What the Future Holds for Book Publishing – Jeff Gerke, Les Lindquist, Larry Willard. Moderator Wendy Elaine Nelles

A round-table discussion about the current state of book publishing, particularly focusing on the Christian market in Canada and the U.S. The panel will discuss how the publishing and book retailing business is changing, including royalty publishing, self-publishing and various hybrids, e-books and digital media. We'll look at what the future might hold, what this means for published and aspiring authors, and what new opportunities are opening up. Come with your questions.

A5. Using Humour to Bring Your Message Home – Shelia Wray Gregoire, Eric Spath

Laughter is linked to memory in the brain. We remember that which we laugh about. But what do you do if you just don't think you're that funny? In this practical workshop, learn how to present your everyday experiences in both writing and speaking in a way that makes people laugh. And learn how that humour can be an important tool in presenting the message of Jesus. Lots of examples, lots of ideas, and lots of fun!
 

A6. From "Really…?" to "READY!": The easiest piece of the marketing mix – media interviews – Brian Hull

Forget the fact that, next to death, people are terrified of public speaking. But what about doing an interview that will be seen by thousands of people. Ugh. Shoot me now!

Advice – get over it. When you know your topic, it’s easy to nail the interview. You can do it.

This workshop will address the importance of PR in the marketing mix. Get guidelines for doing a successful interview be it on paper, the internet, radio or TV.

See interviews that went south (watch them crash and burn right in front of your eyes) and some that will leave you wanting more or actually make you go to the website and order the product or service.
 

Friday June, 17th from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

B1. Opportunities You Might Not Know About – Carl Friesen, Sheila Wray Gregoire, Ron Hughes, Sandra Reimer. Moderator Denise Rumble.

The sky's the limit when it comes to ways writers can branch out to work in other areas, expand their skills, widen their influence, and augment their income. In this panel discussion, members will share what they've done, and how you might do it too. Among other topics, the panel will talk about writing content for radio and missions, writing for hire, ghost-writing, newsletters, columns, blogs, podcasts, speaking, products, etc.

B2. "I Can’t Visualize It": The Power of Description in Fiction – Jeff Gerke

There’s an old adage in theatre: "If it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage." If the writer doesn’t describe it, the reader doesn’t see it. You may be picturing the location or character just fine, but not enough work has been done to transfer those mental images to the reader. Without description, your story will seem to take place in a nebulous grey fog peopled with faceless people under dark cowls. I am not of the school that says you should just let the reader imagine what she wants, nor am I in favour of parceling out bits of description so that by the end of the scene I finally know what the place or person looks like. I’m a believer in a more cinematic and theatrical approach. Come learn how, when, and why to describe your settings and story people so your readers see the movie clearly in their heads.

B3. Writing Outside Your Comfort Zone – Dorene Meyer

It's often been said that we should “write what we know” and this is good advice, but if we only wrote what we ourselves had experienced, all fiction would cease to exist, along with many other forms of literature! A good novel should include a variety of characters who are young, old, male, female, and from different cultures, faiths and backgrounds. To do this, we must not only “write what we know” but do sufficient research so that we “know what we write.”

Learn the perils and pitfalls, and also the joys and rewards of imagining, and then writing, about how others might think, feel and react. Through exploring our differences, we will grow in our understanding of those who are perhaps not so different from us after all.

B4. Essentials You Should Know Before You Self-Publish a Book – N. J. Lindquist, Les Lindquist

Many books are being published every year through various forms of self-publishing. Some are successful, many are not. In this workshop, we’ll look at both the advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing, help you understand the difference between printing a book and publishing one, and provide you with a checklist to help you decide whether or not self-publishing is right for you. 

B5. How to Build a Speaking Business – Harold Taylor

Speaking professionally can extend your message as well as increase your income. Writing and speaking complement one another. In this session, Harold will share his experiences in building a successful speaking business that has spanned over 35 years. He will cover planning, personal policies and promotion as well as establishing a fee structure, creating a press kit, getting bookings, sponsoring workshops, forming strategic alliances, creating passive income, working with speakers bureaus, keeping records, and improving platform skills.

B6. The Call of the Artist: The Christian and the Story – Sean Gaffney

What does it look like to be a Christian writer? Does our work qualify as "good" as long as it lacks sex, bad language and violence? What should my goal be if I consider myself to be a Christian writer? There is a lot of confusion in the church about what it means to be a Christian artist. This workshop will discuss what makes a story a "Christian" story, how to measure beauty in art, and why we Christians tend to get it all wrong.

Saturday, June 18th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

C1. Writing True Stories That Won't Bore Your Readers – Wendy Elaine Nelles

Many of us want to write about our personal experiences, our life story, or our family history. Whether we're writing them down to create a family legacy, or whether we hope to get our articles or books published so we can share them with the wider world, our stories won't get very far if others don't find them interesting. This workshop will look at how writers can create personal experience stories that will captivate readers.

C2. Christian Speculative Fiction – Jeff Gerke

Some of us are just weird. We don’t like Amish fiction—unless it’s Amish vampires in space. Then, maybe. We would rather write about a sword in a stone than a mail-order bride. Warp drives and nanotech beat out Jane Austen any day, in our book. Come hear the man who has been called the de facto gatekeeper of Christian speculative fiction talk about the joys of writing Christian science fiction and fantasy, the distinctives of our beloved genre, and the prospects for publishing it today.

C3. The Inside Track on Getting Published in Magazines – Carl Friesen

Many writers have been frustrated when sending their manuscripts to magazine editors, only to hear nothing back – or maybe a rejection note. At the same time, many magazine editors are eager for copy that meets their readers’ needs. Why the mismatch? Carl Friesen uses his 25 years of experience as a freelancer, staff writer and editor to describe how writers can work with magazine editors. He’ll describe ways to find appropriate magazines, discover what they look for in articles, and how to present your ideas to editors. He’ll discuss the various kinds of articles, and tell how to build ongoing, productive relationships with editors. These skills can be applied to Christian magazines, secular magazines and to the growing body of online-only publications. He’ll give his perspective on how writers can be an effective witness for Christ, no matter what topic they write on.

C4. The Business Side of Self-Publishing – Donna Fawcett/Dawson, Dorene Meyer, Kim Burgsma, Ray Wiseman. Moderator: Les Lindquist

Get the inside scoop! In this panel discussion, successful self-publishers will share what they’ve learned through the process of self-publishing, the pros and cons, their recommendations for anyone considering this venture, and why understanding the business side is so important if you hope to do well.

C5. Is Your Story Ripe for Film? – Sean Gaffney

Looking to adapt your novel to the screen, or have an idea begging to be filmed? This workshop will look at what makes a story a good movie idea, as well as explore the easy pitfalls to avoid that make studios turn down film pitches.

C6. Planning a Successful Book Launch or Signing – Elaine Ingalls Hogg

It takes more to create a successful book launch or book signing than showing up at the bookstore and sitting behind a table waiting for people to come buy your books. This practical workshop will talk about why a new book deserves its own launch, the importance of choosing the right location, ways to involve the media, ways to generate sales, and how to create and organize a memorable event for your guests. Other aspects of the workshop will address the difference between a book launch and a book signing; how to prepare, promote and publicize each event; and how to take something positive away from the occasion, even if things didn’t go as intended.