RMFW Workshop Proposal WorksheetDecember 30, 2014

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers /
RMFW Workshop Proposal Worksheet
2015 Colorado Gold Conference /
Last Update
12-30-2014

Introduction

Welcome! We are so pleased that you are submitting a workshop proposal for Colorado Gold. The committee looks forward to reviewing your submission.

Please note the competition for faculty positions is fierce. To help you create the best possible proposal, here are some suggestions to help you make your proposal stand out:

  • Make your topic fresh, unique, and relevant to the industry's current climate.
  • Focus your proposal on concrete knowledge or skills attendees can take away and apply to their own writing.
  • Reflect genuine enthusiasm for the topic.
  • If you proposal is based upon a traditional topic, approach it from a unique angle.
  • Share your credentials and speaking/teaching experience.
  • Be detailed so that the committee can understand what attendees will learn in your workshop.
  • Be very clear about the level (beginner, intermediate, professional) of workshop you are presenting.
  • Prepare an outline of your workshop to submit with your proposal.

Conventions

  • An asterisks beside a field denotes a required field within the form.
  • Character restrictions for answers are provided along with the applicable questions.

Need Assistance?

  • Please contact Susan Brooks, RMFW Conference Chair at is you have any questions about this guide or the 2015 Colorado Gold Conference Workshop Proposal form.
  • Please direct technical issues related to the proposal form on the website to Wendy Howard, RMFW Website Liaison at .

Presenter & Compensation Terms

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PREPARING A WORKSHOP PROPOSAL

You will be asked to agree to presenter and compensation terms at the end of the workshop proposal form. Please read the terms provided below before preparing your workshop proposal(s). If you cannot agree to the presenter and compensation terms outlined below, you are not eligible to present at the 2015 Colorado Gold Conference.

Presenter Terms

If you have a business that is related to your workshop, please do not use your workshop as a marketing opportunity. You may mention your business at the beginning of your workshop to establish your expertise; at the end, you may invite those with further interest to contact you. Otherwise, please do not mention it or solicit workshop participants for their business. Past attendees have let us know they do not appreciate this.

RMFW does not provide WiFi for presenters or attendees. If you need WiFi for your presentation, we recommend you provide yourself a "hotspot."

RMFW Does not provide laptops.

RMFW does not provide Apple cable equipment. If you have an Apple computer, you are responsible for bringing your own MAC VGA adaptor cable.

Please note that regular workshops and panels are recorded. Presenters are required to use the provided microphones to facilitate the recordings. If questions are asked by attendees, please repeat the question for the recording. Note that each one hour of regularly scheduled presentation time of any regular workshop and/or panel equates to 50 minutes of actual instruction.There is a mandatory 10 minute break at the end of each hour to allow the audio company to refresh the recording media. Master Classes are not recorded.

Compensation Terms

Compensation for conference workshop and/or panel presenters will be calculated as follows:

  • Discussion panelists* will each receive a $50 discount on the conference registration fee per panel.
  • Co-presenters of workshops** will each receive half off the normal registration fee per workshop.
  • Solo workshop** presenters may attend the conference at no charge.

The maximum compensation for any presenter is one conference registration fee. RMFW does not provide travel or other expenses.

*A “discussion panel” is defined as a presentation consisting of three (3) or more co-presenters in a question-and-answer forum, or a general informational discussion for conference attendees.

**A “workshop” is defined as a presentation with one (1) or two (2) presenters with the purpose of instructing conference attendees on a specific educational topic. Workshops follow an outlined classroom format.

Presenter Information

Main Presenter

Please include the following information about the main presenter:

*Presenters Name: Please add the main presenter’s name as you want it to display in conference literature.

*Email: Include the best email address to contact the main presenter.

*Phone: Include the best phone number to contact the main presenter.

*Presenters Bio for Brochure: Include a short bio about the main presenter for the conference literature. (250 Max Characters)

*Are you an RMFW member?: Answer yes or no as this question applies to the main presenter.

*Are you a published author?: Check all that apply to your publishing status including: traditionally published and/or independently published or not published.

*Are you a PAL/IPAL member?: Check all that apply to your RMFW membership including: PAL member and/or IPAL member or not applicable.

Additional Presenters

On the next page, enter the name, email address and phone number for each additional presenter. Use the plus sign button beside the first row of fields to add additional presenters.

Workshop Details

Please include the following information about the proposed workshop:

*Workshop Title: Enter the title for the workshop.

*Brief Workshop Description for the Brochure: Enter a brief description for the workshop for the conference literature.(250 Max Characters)

*Detailed Workshop Description: Enter a detailed descriptionfor the workshop.(Max 1250 Characters)

*Workshop Outline: Include a basic one page outlineto help the committee understand your workshop content and presentation. (2000Max Characters)

If you have previously presented this workshop, where?: If you have presented the workshop in the past, Include a brief explanation of where the workshop was presented. (150 Max Characters)

*Workshop Type: Choose the type of workshop including:

  • Master Class: Extensive instruction that is 4 hours in exact length.
  • Regular Workshop: Instructional training that is 1-3 hours in length. This option prompts for the exact length of the workshop.
  • Panel: Instructional discussion among presenters that is 1-2 hours in length. This option prompts for the exact length of the panel.

*Workshop Level: Choose the workshop level based on the following criteria:

  • Beginner: Writers who are just starting out, writing fiction and need more extensive instruction on the writing craft.
  • Intermediate: Writers who have been writing fiction for multiple years, are not yet published, or are newly published traditionally or independently. These writers may be looking for an agent or publisher. These authors may be learning to market their work.
  • Professional: Authors who typically have been traditionally published and/or have multiple traditionally or independently published books. These authors may also be award winners. They are familiar with marketing.

*Explain what makes this workshop the level selected above?: Explain how the workshop fits into one of the workshop levels above.(500 Max Characters)

*Category of Interest: Choose the category of interest that best represents the topic presented at the workshop.

  • Writing Craft
  • Marketing & Social Media
  • Pitching & Querying
  • Publishing Law
  • Traditional Publishing
  • Independent Publishing

If this workshop is genre specific, specify the genre: Enter the genre related to the topic if this question applies.

*Category of Craft: Choose the craft category that best represents the topic presented at the workshop. Choose non-craft related if the workshop is not related to writing.

  • Non-craft Related
  • Character Development
  • Point of View
  • Plot or Structure
  • Voice & Tone
  • Dialog
  • Description
  • Setting & Mood
  • Revision & Editing

Presenter’s Experience

This section asks for a resume of experience regarding the proposed topic. Please be prepared to answer the following questions:

  • *Explain your expertise with this topic.(500 Max Characters)
  • *Describe your previous speaking experience.(500 Max Characters)
  • *Explain to the committee how you plan to engage your audience and your ability to present your material. Tell the committee about yourself as a presenter.(500 Max Characters)
  • *Provide any references we may use to confirm your speaking experience. Include names, email addresses and phone numbers.(250 Max Characters)

Equipment Needs

This section asksabout equipment needs to present the workshop. Please be prepared to answer the following questions:

  • *Will you need a data projector?
  • *Will you need tables for participants?
  • Do you have any other equipment needs? Please identify exact needs if yes.(150 Max Characters)

Scheduling

This section asks about presenting multiple workshops, last minute scheduling availability and scheduling conflicts. Specifically, please be prepared to answer the following questions:

  • *If you proposed more than one workshop or panel are you willing to present more than one?
  • *If your proposal is not initially selected, are you willing to be on an alternate list? Alternates may be called at the last minute due to cancellations.
  • Do you have any scheduling conflicts for the weekend of September 11-13? Please explain if yes.(250 Max Characters)

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