2016 San Francisco Writers Conference Schedule 2/10/16 version
13th SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE
& Open-Enrollment Classes Schedule
February 11-15, 2016
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10th Pre-Conference Events
5:30 p.m.
HOST-FREE NETWORKING DINNER
Advisory Board member Harvey Pawl will lead attendees to a host-free dinner at Sam’s Grill. Speakers are invited as his guests. Attendees: please pay $39 in cash or by check. Meet Harvey in the lobby at 5:30 to pay for dinner and arrange host-free transportation.
7:30 p.m.
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY: Opportunities for Writers of Color Free and Open to the Public California, C
Regina Brooks, Carolina De Robertis, Ayize Jama-Everett, Bharti Kirchner, Innosanto Nagara, Brooke Warner.
Moderator: Aya de Leon
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11th
10:30-a.m.-Noon
Free Pre-Conference Class for Attendees California, C
THRIVING IN THE GOLDEN AGE FOR WRITERS: 10 Commandments That Guarantee Your Success
Mike Larsen
11:00-11:45 a.m. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SESSION
A WORKING MARRIAGE: How an Agent Works with a Bestselling Author Six Continents, M
Anne Perry, Ken Sherman
The 2016 San Francisco Writers Conference Officially Begins
1:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. REGISTRATION DESK CHECK-IN Lobby, C
Pick-up your badge, schedule, and bag of event information
MEETING ROOMS: The meeting rooms are on four levels. There is a map in your bag.
Each session has a room name & level: C=California (or Cellar), L=Lobby, M=Mezzanine (1st Floor), 2 = 2nd Floor.
THE CONCIERGE PROGRAM SOLD OUT!!!!
Featured speaker Kevin Smokler offered 30-minute consultations with writers about writing, marketing their work, and building their careers. Limited to 22 attendees. Fee: $75, which Kevin donates for scholarships.
2:00 – 2:45 p.m.
FROM IDEA TO MANUSCRIPT: Writing Your First Novel Barclay, 2
Donna Levin
FROM IDEA TO MANUSCRIPT: Writing Your First Nonfiction Book Willard, 2
Georgia Hughes
PREPPING THE PERFECT PITCH 1: Convincing Agents & Editors to See Your Novel or Memoir Six Continents, M
Katharine Sands (A condensed version of this evening’s class)
PREPPING THE PERFECT PITCH 2: Convincing Agents and Editors to See Your Nonfiction Book California, C
Jody Rein
THE ART & CRAFT OF SELF-PUBLISHING: An Overview of the Process Stanford, M
Jim Azevedo, Cali Gilbert, Ron Martinez. Moderator: Carla King
3:00–3:45 p.m.
ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS: How to Succeed as a Nonfiction Writer Willard, 2
Nina Amir(A condensed version of this evening’s class)
JOINING THE BOOMER BONANZA:Stanford, M
Write and Publish Your Book at Any Age and Sell It to Hollywood
Marilyn Atlas and Barbara Rose Brooker (A condensed version of this evening’s class)
PLOT FOR MIDDLE GRADE AND YOUNG ADULT STORIES Barclay, 2
Plotting Your Story Scene by Scene to Enthrall Your Readers
Martha Alderson(A condensed version of this evening’s class)
MAKING YOUR WORK REJECTION PROOF: Advice from Freelance Editors Six Continents, M
Tanya Egan Gibson, David Landau, Heather Lazare, Mary Rakow, Meghan Stevenson,
Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, Annie Tucker, Ricky Weisbroth. Monica Wesolowska. (Victoria Mixon arrives Friday.)
Moderator: Independent Editor Coordinator Mary E. Knippel
After the panel, you can sign up for a free consultation.Starting Friday, you can sign up in the Garden Room, L.
BRANDING YOUR CAREER: The Keys to Integrating Your Marketing for Maximum Impact California, C
Beth Barany, Fauzia Burke
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4:00-5:30 p.m.
3 PITCHATHONS: Getting Feedback on Your Pitch
If you don’t get a chance to give your pitch, panelists may be willing to give you feedback after the session and after you rewrite it. There will also be a “Last-Chance Pitchathon” on Saturday at 9 p.m. Please practice your pitch with other writers.
1. NOVELS AND MEMOIRS Six Continents, M
Sorche Fairbank, Donna Levin, Katharine Sands, Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, Monica Wesolowska.
Moderator: Tanya Egan Gibson
2. GENERAL NONFICTION California, C
Nina Amir, Georgia Hughes, John Rudolf, Ann Seymour. Moderator: Michael Larsen
3. MIDDLE GRADE AND YA BOOKS Barclay, 2
Mary Moore, Jennifer March Soloway, Carlie Webber. Moderator: Laurie McLean
GOING HYBRID: CHOOSING THE BEST PUBLISHING OPTIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR BOOK Willard, 2
Nina Amir, Beth Barany, Ron Martinez, Jody Rein, Orna Ross. Moderator: Carla King
OPEN ENROLLMENT CLASSES(Separate Fee)
6:30-9:30 p.m.
These optional classes are open to all writers. You do not have to be a conference attendee to sign up for them. The conference includes a condensed version of the classes. The classes are listed at the end of this schedule.
7:00 p.m.
NO-HOST NETWORKING DINNER: Please see the pink page in your bag.
Harvey Pawl will lead attendees to a host-free dinner at Cafe Bastille. Speakers who sign up are invited as his guests. Please pay $39 in cash or by check by 5:30 p.m. at registration to cover the cost of the meal, which includes tax and tip, but not drinks, to receive a card for admission. Please meet in the lobby at 6:30 to arrange host-free transportation by taxi or on foot.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH
7:00-715 a.m.
A GREEN TOUR OF THE MARK Please meet Mike Larsen in the lobby.
The Mark is a green-certified hotel. Chief Engineer Shane Caldwell will take attendees and their guests on an insider’s tour of the systems that enable the Mark to be an environmentally conscious four-star hotel.
7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. REGISTRATION DESK CHECK-IN Room of the Dons, L
8:00 a.m.
LOVE MAKES THE WORD GO ROUND Peacock Court, L
Co-director Mike Larsen; authors of books published because of the conference including Nina Amir,
Stephanie Chandler, Ruth Danner, Laura Hedgecock, John Kingston, Mark Noce, and Cathy Turner;
Laurie McLean; Carla King; Lissa Provost; Advisory Board member Harvey Pawl
8:40 a.m.
FROM DREAMS TO REALITY: Claiming Your Future Peacock Court, L
Kevin Smokler
9:00-9:45a.m. Keynote: Character and Story: Creating Enduring Fiction
Ann Packer introduced and interviewed by Victoria Zackheim
Followed by a Q&A and signing
10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Bookshop West Portal in Café Ferlinghetti Room of the Dons, L
Exhibitors—hours & locations vary Lobby Terrace, Room of the Dons & the California Foyer
10:00–11:45 a.m. and from 2:00 to 5:45 p.m.
3 FREE CONSULTATIONS
Today and tomorrow, you may have a free editorial, publicity, and author coaching consultation. Many of the consultants are speakers so they won’t always be available. Please sign up asap.
AN 8-MINUTE CONSULT WITH A FREELANCE EDITORSign up for one today or tomorrow in the Garden Room, L
A freelance editor will give you feedback on your work or your pitch and answer your questions about writing and publishing.
AN 8-MINUTE CONSULT WITH A PUBLICIST Sign up for one today or tomorrow in the Garden Room, L
Fauzia Burke, Natalie Obando, and Penny Sansevieri will advise you and answer your questions about promoting your books.
NEW! AN 8-MINUTE CONSULT WITH AN AUTHOR COACHSign up for one today or tomorrow in the Garden Room, L
Nina Amir, Beth Barany, Stephanie Chandler (nonfiction-Saturday only), Joan Gelfand, or Jody Rein will answer questions about agents, proposals, publishing options, building your platform, markets for your book, how salable it is, and building your career.
10:00-11:30
MEETING THE FICTION AGENTS: Q&A Peacock Court, L
Malaga Baldi, Regina Brooks, Elise Capron, Amy Cloughley, Marisa Corvisiero,
Sorche Fairbank, Mark Gottlieb, Kristyn Keene, Laurie McLean, Mary C. Moore, Paula Munier, Dana Newman,
Beth Phelan, Adriann Ranta, John Rudolph, Ken Sherman, Jennifer Chen Tran, Gordon Warnock, Carlie Webber,
Anna Worrall. Moderator: Tyler Moss
MEETING THE NONFICTION EDITORS: Q&A California, C
Chuck Adams, Domenica Alioto, Byron Belitsos, Brenda Copeland, Dorothy Hearst, Georgia Hughes,
Lauren Spiegel. Moderator: Michael Larsen
MEETING THE MIDDLE GRADE AND YOUNG ADULT EDITORS: A Q&A Six Continents, M
Annie Berger, Melissa Manlove. Moderator: John Rudolph
PRODUCING AND DISTRIBUTING SELF-PUBLISHED BOOKS Stanford, M
Angela Bole, Stephanie Chandler,Joel Friedlander, Brooke Warner. Moderator: Carla King
MICRO/MACRO: Honing Your Craft From Poem to Book Boardroom, M
Dean Rader
11:45-12:30
CRAFT IN THE SERVICE OF ART: Creating Literary Fiction Six Continents, 2
Chuck Adams, Carolina de Robertis, Monte Schulz. Moderator: Bharti Kirchner
RE: SEARCH: Finding What You Need to Know to Write Your Book Stanford, 2
Selden Edward, Constance Hale. Moderator: Georgia Hughes
REACHING THE WORLD WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR DESK: 7 New Ways to Promote Yourself Online Willard, 2
Linda Lee
50 SHADES OF PAY: Turning Revenue Streams into a Raging River California, C
Nina Amir, Stephanie Chandler, Lee Foster. Moderator: Ethel Rohan
MEETING THE MIDDLE GRADE AND YOUNG ADULT AGENTS: Q&A Barclay, 2
Regina Brooks, Marisa Corvisiero, Mark Gottlieb, Taylor Martindale Kean, Kristyn Keene, Laurie McLean,
Mary C. Moore, Beth Phelan, John Rudolph, Jennifer March Soloway, Gordon Warnock, Carlie Webber.
Moderator: Tyler Moss
READING TO WRITE: Why the Better You Read, the Better You Write Taylor, C
Kevin Smokler
TAKING POETIC LICENSE: Why Now is the Best Time to Be a Poet Boardroom, M
Mary Mackey, Dean Rader, Jeanne Wagner. Moderator: Richard Loranger
12:45-1:45 p.m. Luncheon Peacock Court, L
Announcement of Contest Winners: Laurie McLean
1:00 p.m. Keynote: T. Jefferson Parker
Seeing the Gift You’ve Been Given
Introduced by Advisory Board Member Kathleen Antrim
Followed by a Q&A andbook signing
2-2:45 p.m. Meet in Lobby
Writer and conference photographer Melanie E. Rijkers will lead a walking photography workshop near the hotel at 2 p.m. Learn how to see without judgment and find inspiration by taking a fresh look at the world around you. Being present in the moment with a clear mind will inspire your best writing. Please bring a smartphone or camera. You’re welcome to join us without one and take mind pictures. Inspiration is all around you and you don’t need to photograph it to find it. Open to significant others. Please meet in the lobby at 1:45. You’ll return by 2:45. Rain date: Saturday.
2:00-5:45 p.m.
Editorial, Publicity and Coaching Consults Café Ferlinghetti and Garden Room, L
2-2:45 p.m. Meet in Lobby
WRITER’S WALK: A Walking Photography Workshop
Learn how to see without judgment and find inspiration by taking a fresh look at the world around you. Author and conference photographer Melanie E. Rijkers will lead a walking photography workshop near the hotel at 2 p.m. Being present in the moment with a clear mind will inspire your best writing. Use your smartphone or camera…or simply take mind pictures. Inspiration is all around you so join this walk to find it. Open to significant others. Please meet in the lobby at 1:45. You’ll return by 2:45. Rain date: Saturday.
2:00-3:30 p.m.
MEETING THE FICTION EDITORS: Q&A Peacock Court, L
Chuck Adams, Tracy Bernstein, Brenda Copeland, Esi Sogah, Liz Stein. Moderator: Tyler Moss
MEETING THE NONFICTION AGENTS: Q&A Six Continents, M
Malaga Baldi, Regina Brooks, Elise Capron, Amy Cloughley, Marisa Corvisiero,
Sorche Fairbank, Mark Gottlieb, Mary C. Moore, Paula Munier, Dana Newman, Beth Phelan,
Adriann Ranta, Jody Rein, John Rudolph, Katharine Sands, Ken Sherman, Jennifer Chen Tran,
Gordon Warnock, Ted Weinstein, Anna Worrall. Moderator: Michael Larsen
YOUNG ADULT FIRST PAGE CRITIQUES: Get Feedback on Your Work Barclay, 2
Taylor Martindale Kean, Kristyn Keene, Jennifer March Soloway. Moderator: Laurie McLean
DON’T PASS BUY HERE: A Consumer’s Guide to Self-Publishing Products & Services Willard, 2
Carla King
CROWDSOURCING YOUR EDITING: Using a Focus Group for Your Poetry Boardroom, M
Get group feedback from our pros at this attendee participation workshop.
Please bring 5-10 poems up to 32 lines each, printed one per sheet.
Diane Frank, Joan Gelfand, Andy Jones, Mary Mackey, Susie Meserve, Jane Ormerod,
Dean Rader, Orna Ross, Jeanne Wagner. Moderator: Lissa Provost
3:45-4:30 p.m.
BUILDING YOUR FUTURE BY LIVING IN THE PAST: The Pleasures of Writing Historical Fiction Six Continents, M
Selden Edwards, Bharti Kirchner, Mary Mackey, Ona Russell, Monte Schulz. Moderator: Dorothy Hearst
THE THREE SECRETS FOR MAKING GENRE FICTION IRRESISTIBLE: Stanford, M
Doing What the Best Authors Do to Make Your Novels Sell
Victoria Mixon (A condensed version of Monday’s class)
DO IT WITH DRAWINGS: Writing and Selling Graphic Novels and Comics for Adults and Kids Taylor, C
Mark Gottlieb, Chang Kim. Moderator: Gordon Warnock
SERIOUS NONFICTION: Writing and Publishing Books for Curious Minds Willard, 2
Chuck Adams, Domenica Alioto, Meghan Stevenson. Moderator: Randy Dotinga
HOW TO DO HOW-TOS: The Ins and Outs of Practical Nonfiction California, C
Maryjean Ballner, Stephanie Chandler, Georgia Hughes. Moderator: Sorche Fairbank
BLOGGING TO THE MAX: The Hub and Outpost Method of Social Media Marketing Barclay, 2
Joel Friedlander
FINDING NEW MARKETS FOR POETRY: Boardroom, M
A Conversation with Presenters and a Marketing Pro
Penny Sansevieri with Diane Frank, Joan Gelfand, Andy Jones, Richard Loranger, Jane Ormerod, Dean Rader,
Orna Ross. Moderator: Lissa Provost
4:45-5:30 p.m.
SISTERS ON THE PAGE: Writing Fiction Women Love Six Continents, M
Tracy Bernstein, Barbara Rose Brooker, Carolina de Robertis, Eli Sogah. Moderator: Aya de Leon
CREATING SETTINGS WORTH SEEING: Making Readers Want to Spend Time in Your World California, C
Selden Edwards, Tanya Egan Gibson, Heather Lazare. Moderator: Elise Capron
READING IS BELIEVING: Writing Query Letters That Generate Excitement Barclay, 2
Marisa Covisiero, Beth Phelan, Jennifer Chen Tran, Meghan Stevenson. Moderator: Carlie Webber
WRITING FOR THE YOUNGER CROWD: How to Excite Kids with Stories Taylor, C
Annie Berger, Penny Warner. Moderator: Andrea Brown
TO SELF-PUBLISH OR NOT TO SELF-PUBLISH: How to Decide in 10 Steps Stanford, M
Jody Rein
GETTING SOCIAL: Building Communities in Cyberspace Willard, 2
Fauzia Burke, Frances Caballo, Natalie Obando, Penny Sansevieri. Moderator: Randy Dotinga
FROM THE PAGE TO THE PODIUM: Doing Readings That Sell Books Boardroom, M
Richard Loranger, Jane Ormerod. Moderator: Andy Jones
6:00-8:00 p.m.
GALA PARTY Peacock Court, L
Hors d’oeuvres and first drink free. No-host bar. For attendees, presenters, & volunteers only.
Music by Sam Cady, piano; Alex Sack, drums.
8:00 p.m.
HOST-FREE NETWORKING DINNER: Please see the pink page in your bag.
Harvey Pawl leads attendees to a host-free dinner at Firenze by Night. Presenters who sign up are invited as his guests. Please pay $39 in cash or check at registration to cover the cost of the meal, which includes tax and tip but not drinks, by 2 p.m. to receive a card for admission. Seating limited. Please meet in the lobby at 8:00 to arrange host-free transportation by taxi or on foot.
8:30 p.m.
AN EVENING OF POETRY & JAZZ Free and Open to the Public Café Ferlinghetti, L
Open mic with Our Poetry Pros, Diane Frank, Joan Gelfand, Andy Jones, Richard Loranger,
Mary Mackey, Susie Meserve, Jane Ormerod, Lissa Provost, Dean Rader, Orna Ross, Attendees, and Guests.
Emcee: Andy Jones.
INSPIRING VOICES OF HOPE: The Afghan Women’s Writing Project Free and Open to the Public California, C
Scholarship winner Parwana Fayyaz; Humaira Ghilzai, Afghan Friends Network;
and Lori Noack, Director, The Women’s Afghan Writing Project; fundraising clothing boutique. Moderator: Kate Farrell
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH
7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. REGISTRATION DESK OPEN Lobby
7:30-8:30 a.m.
PLATED BREAKFAST Please arrive on time. Peacock Court, L
8:00-8:30 a.m.
KEYNOTE: Jane Friedman
The Digital Era of Publishing: How Authors Remain Innovators
Followed by a Q&A and signing
9:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Exhibitors California Level Foyer, Room of the Dons, and Lobby
9:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Bookstore Room of the Dons, L
9:00 a.m-11:50 a.m.
Editorial, Publicity and Author Coaching Consults Garden Room and Cafe Ferlinghetti, L
9:00-9:45 a.m.
GOT PLOT? THE 5 KEY TURNING POINTS IN ALL MEMOIRS, NOVELS & SCREENPLAYS: Six Continents, M
Using Them to Create Excitement and a Deep Emotional Bond with Your Readers
Martha Alderson
THE ARC, CONFLICT & EVERYTHING THAT MAKES IT SELL: Writing Creative Nonfiction Powell, C
Victoria Zackheim
TELLING THE STORY WITH PICTURES: What Makes a Good Children’s Picture Book Taylor, C
Tim McCanna, Douglas Rees. Moderator: Andrea Brown
BLOGGING FOR BEGINNERS: Creating a Blog That Sells Books Willard, 2
Linda Lee(A condensed version of Monday’s class)
PLANNING TO SUCCEED: How to Create a Marketing Plan for Your Novel or Nonfiction Book California, C
Stephanie Chandler, Penny Sansevieri. Moderator: Katharine Sands
THE 10 HABITS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL WRITERS: How to Go from Inspiration to Publication in 2016 Barclay, 2
Albert Flynn DeSilver
USING POETRY TO STRENGTHEN YOUR PROSE: How Writing Verse Improves Your Writing Boardroom, M
Andy Jones
10:00-10:45 a.m.
SPECIAL EVENT: Free and Open to the Public California, C
Annie Barrows, author of the bestselling Ivy + Bean series, will discuss her books.
Chronicle Books is providing posters to the first 150 children. Win an Ivy + Bean Lunchbox filled with goodies
The session will begin at 10 a.m. A Q&A and signing will follow.. The session is geared to beginning readers, but we encourage all of Annie’s fans to attend. Our thanks to Youth Event Coordinator Kate Farrell and WNBA for helping to organize this event.
10:00-10:45 a.m.
PENS & BLACKJACKS: Writing Mysteries & Thrillers Six Continents, M
Kathleen Antrim, Cara Black, Anne Perry. Moderator: Ona Russell
KEEPING IT REAL FOR KIDS: Creating Characters of Another Race, Gender, or Sexual Orientation Taylor, C
Aya de Leon, A.R. Kahler, N.H. Senzai. Moderator: Laurie McLean
MAKING YOUR WRITING SPARKLE: Crafting the Prose of Pros Barclay, 2
Constance Hale, Ethel Rohan
EARLY READERS: How a Critique Group Helps You Do Your Best Work Stanford, M
Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, Kate Chynoweth, Monica Wesolowska. Moderator: Tanya Egan Gibson
SOCIAL MEDIA IN 30 MINUTES A DAY: 4 Steps for Saving Time and Meeting Your Goals WIllard, 2