William Bernhardt



WriterCon 2020Detailed ScheduleFriday9:00Opening Oreintation, Announcements, and Welcome! William Bernhardt9:30Centennial Creating Suspenseful Plots-Robin PatchenDiscover how to create sympathetic characters and suspenseful plots that will keep readers turning the pages.Ballroom AWriting for Guideposts-Jim HinchWhat makes a good Guideposts story? What do Guideposts editors look for? Why do so many writers get their first publication credit from Guideposts? Learn from senior editor Jim Hinch how to craft, pitch, and publish stories that will inspire an audience of more than four million readers.Ballroom DParanormal Thrillers-Lara Bernhardt & Betsey KulakowskiWith so many genres and subgenres these days, sometimes it’s hard for a writer to know exactly what it is they are writing … and then, how to?sell it!?In this session, the authors will break down some of the key elements of the vast paranormal spectrum. You’ll get useful tips on writing a hair-raising, page-turning thriller with your own personal dash of the unworldly, and how to make the seemingly implausible completely possible.Ballroom FThe “Must-Knows” About Fiction-Rene GutteridgeThis session kicks off an all-day programming series designed to educate newer writers. Thinking about writing fiction? Started a novel and need some inside pointers on how to finish it?? This class will underscore the important elements of building a story--they're not always what you think!? Rene will draw from her experience as a veteran storyteller to show you how to take the mechanics of writing and turn them into a flourishing page turner that will draw a reader in, no matter the genre.? 10:30Centennial Filter Words and Showing vs Telling–How to Make Your Writing Active and Engaging- Ally RobertsonAre you confused about “showing vs. telling” and “deep POV?” Sometimes, the difference between passive/telling/distant writing and active/showing/intimate writing comes down to word choice. Avoiding filter/distancing words can make your writing more engaging and draw readers in. Editor/Author Ally Robertson (aka Alicia Dean) will share the most common culprits and show you ways to avoid them using before-and-after examples, along with other examples of showing vs telling. Ballroom APitching for Guideposts-Jim HinchJim will devote most of this session to hearing pitches from the audience. Past attendees of this session have gone on to publish cover stories in Guideposts and joined the ranks of the magazine's contributing writers. Hint: Summarize your story idea in a paragraph of no more than five sentences. And don't be shy. Come prepared to share your story and have fun.Ballroom DMastering Mailing List Marketing-David HollandDirect mail advertising, promotion, and fundraising are very much alive and thriving. And the few writers who bother to learn the art and science of this niche never lack for work or opportunities. This session will provide a solid foundation and map out a clear pathway to mastery of this lucrative area.Ballroom FThe “Must-Knows” About Publishing-William BernhardtGot a book (or book-in-progress) but unsure what to do with it? The publishing world has changed dramatically in recent years. In this session, William Bernhardt, author of more than fifty published books, discusses the various paths to publishing in the modern world and provides guidance on which might be best for you.11:30Centennial Digging into Dynamic Dialogue-Robin PatchenLearn to craft strong dialog that deepens characters, enhances emotional impact, adds humor, and provides energy that drives a story forward.Ballroom AHow to find Success?with an Independent Press-Lara BernhardtThe Publisher of Conclave and the Balkan Press, and the author of The Wantland Files, discusses how to succeed in the increasingly prominent regional and small-press world, including best submission practices for authors seeking a traditional publisher. She will also discuss how to identify and select a press and how to write a strong query letter. Ballroom DGlobal Trends in Digital Publishing-Joni Di PalcidoLearn the latest strategies for growing your global self-publishing business, with behind-the-scenes stats from the most globally focused retailer, Kobo. With insights on the latest trends, including audio content and translation, this session is ideal for self-published authors looking to grow their “wide” distribution strategy.Ballroom FThe “Must-Knows” About Nonfiction-Melanie HemryWriting nonfiction is a lot like being a dermatologist. It's not brain surgery, but you've got a lot of skin to cover. This author of more than thirty published books will review the key things you must know to be successful at writing nonfiction.?12:30 CentennialBestselling Pitch Workshop with Ally Robertson, Callie Metler-Smith and Steve Hutson. Grab or bring lunch and practice your pitch before this panel of experts. And you may learn as much or more from watching others pitching. 2:00Centennial Hook Your Readers—or Editors—In Your Opening Pages-Ally RobertsonYou’ve heard the saying, “You only have one chance to make a good first impression.” This could not be more true than when it comes to the opening of your book. In today’s world of hurry, hurry, instant gratification, readers have less patience than they used to for “slow opens”—as do editors. This presentation will show you what elements to include, and which to leave out, to write a compelling opening. Ballroom AThe Clock Is Ticking-Write More With Less Time-T.c. MillerThe author will discuss the correlation between goals and time management, how to establish goals, maintain them, and use them to produce first-rate work on a regular schedule.Ballroom DMake Them Feel Something, Part 1: Setting Is A Make-Believe Place Which Must Matter to Readers-Mary Anna EvansWriters must create fictional spaces where their characters can live their lives. Those spaces must feel real, but too much description can weigh a story down, detracting from the characters' actions and feelings. Carefully chosen details will carry the load, leaving space in the narrative for a gripping story. In this workshop, we will explore ways to give readers a vivid world without sacrificing pacing.Ballroom FThe “Must-Knows” About Indie Distribution: Draft2Digital-Kevin TumlinsonTumlinson will discuss book distribution in the modern publishing world, and how Draft2Digital can help those who choose to take the plunge into self-publishing make a success of it.3:00Centennial Writing for a Publisher-Jeanne DevlinThe Editor-in-Chief at Roadrunner Press discusses how to succeed in the world of traditional publishing.Ballroom ATrigger Story Ideas Workshop-Shaun PerkinsIn this workshop, participants will have fun learning about possible ways to trigger story ideas and create momentum in their writing. The workshop is interactive and includes a variety of ways to think about writing and doing it on demand.Ballroom DMake Them Feel Something, Part 2: The Shape and Structure of Stories-Mary Anna EvansWe tell ourselves stories to make sense of the world. We've all heard enough stories to have an intuitive feel for the shape of them--the conflict, the rising action, the climax, and the resolution at the end--yet this familiar pattern maps out uncountable tales. In this workshop, we will explore ways to give readers a shapely story that both satisfies and surprises them.Ballroom FThe “Must-Knows” About Social Media Marketing-Amy BrewerThis session will cover the most essential social medias to use to create a well-performing platform, and will also consider how to anchor your platform with an author website, how to create a Facebook author page and why it is important, how to create a Twitter page, and why Twitter is still relevant, and why Instagram is the fastest growing social media and how you can use it.4:00CentennialAgent & Editors Roundtable- Goetz, Hutson, Devlin, Bollinger, Sweeney, Tumlinson, Wilson, othersLast chance (before the final pitch session) to ask all the agents and editors and assembled what they’re looking for, what they like and dislike, and how best to proceed with your work or work-in-progress.5:00Ballrooms A, D, and FPrivate Consultations with Skinner, Bernhardt, Goetz, Hutson, Devlin, Bollinger, Sweeney, Tumlinson, Wilson, Robertson, Hansen, Hinch, Metler-Smith, and others.7:00Draft2Digital ReceptionJoin the party at D2D’s reception for WriterCon attendees. Eat, drink, take the office tour, and more. Safety-appropriate fun will be had be one and all!Saturday9:30Centennial Romance Tropes That Work-Amy BrewerWriters are often told to avoid tropes, but they can be a potent tool in your storytelling arsenal. Here’s how to avoid using the trope as the basis for your premise, and instead use it to subvert expectations and deliver an original experience to the reader.Ballroom AA Primer on Christian Publishing-Steve HutsonSo you're a Christian and you feel called to write. Great! But where to begin? Learn how to balance the threefold challenge of craft, business, and ministry. Be true to your mission, and avoid the (very common) unhealthy attitudes.Ballroom DHow Rabuten Kobo Helps Writers Reach Readers-Joni Di PlacidoYou’ve published—now what??Gain insights into Kobo’s strategic partnerships that provide content around the world in the online bookstores of leading retailers, and learn about pricing strategies and the promotional opportunities Kobo has to offer.Ballroom FPublishers Panel Description-Kevin Tumlinson, Jeanne Devlin, Ally Robertson, Lara Bernhardt, Callie Metler-SmithGet the inside track on modern publishing in this Q&A session with a panel of experts on publishing of all kinds: traditional, independent, self-publishing, hybrid, and more. 10:30Centennial The Seven Habits of Highly Successful Authors-William BernhardtBernhardt combines his three decades as a bestselling author with recent studies on writer habits to offer seven suggestions for writers hoping to obtain success with their work. Want to be a bestselling author? This is the place to be.Ballroom ACo-Authoring: Working with a Collaborator-Amy Brewer, Stephanie Henson, John Wooley, Barry FriedmanThe panelists will talk about how they started working together, and how having immediate feedback from someone you trust can be helpful.? They will also discuss what programs to use and why, and how even if you don’t co-author, having a support reader/beta reader can be essential to creating a first-rate manuscript.?Ballroom DThe Real Life Role of a Screenwriter in Filmmaking-Rene GutteridgeInterested in screenwriting?? Get a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a screenwriter—some of which might surprise you—as well as tips on how to break in, what it takes to do it for a living (do you have to live in L.A.?), and how to make sure you've got a great script going from the start.Ballroom FEmpowering Your Inner Author-Gina LynnesInside every good writer resides two very different people—one, a creative flinging words on a page with the passion of a child; the other, an inner editor with a raised eyebrow and a pencil behind his ear. Let them both loose at once, and the result is misery. But train them to work in tandem, pay as much attention to the second as you do to the first, and the result is pure gold.11:30Centennial Advanced Character Creations-Stephanie Hansen and Amy BrewerIn a game-show fashion, the presenters will use visuals and audience participation to create a protagonist and an antagonist that come alive. They will talk about how they can apply this approach to your own writing.Ballroom AMemoir & Biography-John WooleyJohn Wooley, biographer of horror-movie icon Wes Craven and baseball World Series hero Ralph Terry, as well as the author of numerous work-for-hire bios, shares the lessons he’s learned in his forty years of writing about people — including himself. Ballroom DLegal Issues for Writers-William BernhardtThis bestselling author and lawyer will discuss legal issues that concern writers, like copyright, trademark, libel law, and the best ways to protect your intellectual property.Ballroom FDeveloping Quizzes That Explode Your List-Christy JohnsonEveryone loves quizzes. They are one of the easiest and most effective lead magnets to grow your audience and keep them engaged. In this session you’ll learn how to craft questions that captivate your audience, use software to create quizzes, and link the results page to your autoresponder series so you can grow your list even while you sleep.12:30Centennial:First-Page Panel-Amy Brewer, Stephanie Hansen, and Callie Metler-SmithGrab lunch and bring it back for one of the most popular programs WriterCon has ever offered. You (and others) will have the opportunity to submit the first page of your manuscript in advance. During this session, the panel will analyze the opening pages, explaining what they like, what they don’t like, and how long they would keep reading.2:00Centennial Book Brush Your Way to Success-Kathleen SweeneyJoin Kathleen from Book Brush for a live demo on how to use the Book Brush platform to easily create your own professional-looking ads and marketing images for social media. Watch how to create an image from start to finish and learn handy tips and tricks on how to use the Book Brush tools to transform basic images into awesome, eye-catching graphics. ? ?Ballroom ANonfiction Ghostwriting-David HollandEveryone has a story to tell. Yet few have the time or skills to tell it well. Cue the ghostwriter. Indeed, demand for skilled ghostwriters has never been higher. Here, the author of 38 published books—including two New York Times non-fiction bestsellers—reveals the secrets of success in this niche. Ballroom DRejection-Proof Submissions: Why You're Not Getting Published-Steve HutsonHave you sent off your manuscript to dozens of agents and editors, only to be rejected again and again? Learn the things they won't tell you. Discover the most common problems and how to avoid them. Hint: It may have nothing to do with the quality of your writing or your story.Ballroom FBoarding the Book: How to Scene Card Your Nonfiction Book-Melanie HemryWho said that boarding a book only worked for fiction? There’s no such rule. Learn how to weave together plot points, character arcs, and turning points in your nonfiction personal-experience books.3:00CentennialThe Paths to Publication-William Bernhardt, Jeanne Devlin, Abby Richardson, othersBallroom DJoin us for this open-participation session in which the panelists and others will offer their experience and advice for writers regarding the all-important decision about what path to pursue to get their work in front of readers.Ballroom DCreating Emotional Images Through Setting-Laurel ThomasSetting is so much more than description. Learn how to create emotional images through physical setting in a way that propels a reader into your story world. Thomas will use interactive exercises to show you how.Ballroom FBaring Your Soul in Print-Barry FriedmanImagine the shallow end of a pool, say, four-feet deep. There’s a gradual incline in the pool that takes you two feet deeper, then two more, then two more. This is the writing that goes on in the deepest end. There’s no floor to hold you up.?Your arms and legs (and soul) are paddling furiously. Let’s begin.4:00CentennialChristopher Vogler-The Hero’s JourneyThe author of The Hero’s Journey, one of the most instructive and inspirational books on writing ever published, offers his insights on creating character arcs that sustain a story and become meaningful for readers.5:00Ballrooms A, D & FPrivate Consultations with Skinner, Lara Bernhardt, Goetz, Hutson, Devlin, Bollinger, Sweeney, Tumlinson, Wilson, Hansen, Robertson, Metler-Smith, and others7:00Banquet in the Viennese Room (top floor of the hotel)Sunday9:30Centennial Creating Series Characters-William BernhardtBernhardt has been creating series characters for thirty years now with great success. How do you do that? What are the key elements essential to creating a fictional protagonist readers will want to visit again and again? In this session, Bernhardt reveals his secrets.Ballroom ADon’t Stress the Mess-Laurel ThomasCreativity is messy, but our brains are wired for it. Don't get lost in right-brain wanderings! Learn practical ways to tame flyaway thoughts and harness them into a completed masterpiece. We'll use interactive exercises based on principles of brain science to move your work forward.Ballroom DCan You Hear Me Now?-Selah HirschSmash the generic so you can discover the depth of your unique brand message. This session will help you to focus on getting to know your target audience more deeply. You will outline demographic details and explore psychographic insights. A customer-centric focus paves the way to develop your content marketing more effectively on social media and other communication channels.?Ballroom FFrom Silence to Sound-Shaun PerkinsIn this workshop, participants will gain awareness of ways to take written stories or poems and turn them into oral tales for a live audience. The workshop will focus on exploring the differences in oral and written storytelling and how to be successful in a performance setting.10:30Centennial Book Covers—They’re Not What You Thought-Ken RaneyCover designs for books (and especially ebooks vs. the typical print book cover)?require some key considerations. Whether you're hiring a designer or attempting to design your own, make sure yours get noticed for the right reasons! Join illustrator/designer Ken Raney as we look at the design considerations for a compelling book cover that gets noticed, communicates well, and looks as professional as the writing inside.?Ballroom AHow To Write a Nonfiction Book That Changes Lives-Cheri FullerBooks have great power to inspire and transform readers’ lives, but to do it, you’ve got to engage your reader and bring the subject alive. The bestselling author of over 40 books, Fuller explains how to write parenting, inspirational, and faith-based nonfiction that attracts a large audience. She covers how to avoid mistakes first-time nonfiction book writers make, how to identify your WHY, create a mind map, and tackle your first chapter.?Ballroom DMiddle-Grade Fiction-Alexandra OttLearn how to inspire and engage young readers with middle-grade fiction. This session will include a discussion of what makes a middle-grade novel, how to write middle-grade voice, and how to make it accessible for first-time readers.Ballroom FA Day in the Life: The Pantser vs. the Planner-Rene Gutteridge & William BernhardtTwo successful writers with wildly different approaches discuss how they create their world, how they shape their day, and how that results in successful books.11:30Centennial Winning Strategies for an Effective Facebook Author Page-Shel HarringtonWith 1.73 billion active?daily users on Facebook, you need to be there, too! Whether you’re published or on your way to being published, this class will provide you with winning strategies to ensure that your Facebook page is one of the most effective tools in your marketing toolbox.Ballroom AWomen’s Fiction-Marcia PrestonWhat’s the difference between women’s fiction and romance? What classifies a book as “upmarket” fiction, and where do literary novels written by women fit in? Join this session for a discussion of the kinds of books women read—and write.Ballroom DC.S. Lewis on Writing-Jeremiah BriaudrickMost people know C.S. Lewis as an accomplished children’s author, but may not know that The Chronicles of Narnia is just a small sample of his widely read catalogue. This workshop identifies the common threads that Lewis wove into all of his writings, making him one of the 20th-century’s most acclaimed and bestselling authors, and considers what tips he would have for writers today.Ballroom FLive Podcast Recording-William BernhardtIf you haven’t been listening to the Red Sneaker Writers podcast, you should be. Each episode is filled with news from the publishing world, writing tips, and interviews with successful people in the publishing world—and it’s completely free. Join us while the next episode is recorded live from WriterCon!12:30Lunch on Your Own2:00Centennial Understanding Modern Young Adult Fiction-Alexandra OttLearn how to write compelling, authentic young-adult fiction in the fast-changing landscape of modern publishing. This session includes a discussion of how to write YA voice, what modern YA looks like, and what YA editors are currently seeking.Ballroom AHow to Build a Successful Freelance Writing Business-Gena MaselliYes, you can make a living as a freelance writer! In this session, author and freelance writer Gena Maselli shares her 15+ years of experience building a successful freelance business. She’ll share what writing opportunities are available, how to set rates, where to find jobs, and how to work with editors and publishers. If you’ve wondered if you could make a living writing freelance fulltime, you don’t want to miss this class. ?Ballroom DHow to Build a Social Media Marketing Machine in 21 Days-Chris MaselliBest-selling author and certified digital marketing professional Christopher P.N. Maselli will help you learn how to create and automate your social media marketing efforts so you can not only make an impact, but also spend more time writing and less time building your platform! Discover how to get noticed and grow your online presence using proven tools and insider tips. Ballroom FJeopardy for Writers-William BernhardtReady for a break? Join us while author (and Jeopardy! champ) William Bernhardt hosts another session of WriterCon Jeopardy. Play as a team or on your own. Lots of fun and no embarrassment, promise!3:00CentennialIs Your Author Website Pulling its Weight?-Caro Bégin?Author websites can help promote books and collect newsletter subscribers, but they can also increase your income and help fine-tune your marketing. This class will cover various ways in which your website can support your author business and increase your income through better tracking, direct sales, and affiliate earnings. If you’d like to turn your author website into a well-oiled, automated sales machine, then you won’t want to miss this talk.?Ballroom ARoundtable Discussion: Writing from the Heart-Melanie Hemry, Rene Gutteridge, Christy JohnsonJoin this open-participation group to gain insight and advice on writing for the inspirational and faith-based markets. Ballroom FUsing Fundraising Writing to Raise Money for Great Causes-Cheri FullerIn this session, you’ll learn how to write a compelling fundraising letter and how well-crafted stories are key to touching donors’ hearts and inspiring them to give. From her ten years of experience, Cheri will share some Don’ts in fundraising writing, and lots of Do’s. With the knowledge you’ll gain in this workshop, you can turn your words into money for nonprofits and charities.?4:00Closing Ceremony and OWFI ReceptionDon’t skip this session. Important information will be given about the conference and future opportunities to continue your writing and publishing education. And at the reception, although all safety protocols will be observed, we plan to have some fun. Take this opportunity to kick back and network with your peers.Monday MasterClassesCentennialThe Business of Getting Published: Traditional, Indie, and Everything in Between-The WriterCon Brain Trust: Rene Gutteridge, Melanie Hemry, Christy Johnson, and othersIn this comprehensive Masterclass, you’ll learn not just the foundational principles of getting a book published, but also you’ll gain expert insight into the changing landscape of the publishing industry, and how you can navigate your own path toward success.?Learn what it takes to capture the attention of a New York publisher or literary agent, plus when self-publishing or hybrid options might be best suited for your strengths or business goals.This masterclass will cover:How to evaluate the commercial potential of your project and what it takes to appeal to a New York publisher or literary agent—plus how to use databases and online tools to identify the right home for your work.What professional submissions materials look like. Your query letter should be short and sweet and pack a punch. Learn what it means to sell your story, and how to avoid problems that plague (and sabotage) authors.When a literary agent is necessary or desirable. You’ll learn what the standard agenting practices are and how to make sure you don’t get involved with a bad one.How to evaluate publishers outside of New York. The world of independent publishers—including university presses, small presses, and regional presses—is vast and can sometimes be more challenging to understand than New York publishing, as they all operate a bit differently.The author platform dilemma. Not too far into your publishing journey, you’ll hear agents and editors talk about platform. Is it necessary to have one to get published? How big does it have to be? There aren’t easy answers, but you’ll learn what industry expectations are.How publishers market books (or not) and the role that authors play in sales success.Amazon and the role of algorithms in book retailing, sales, and marketing. Amazon is the biggest book retailer in the US and is by far the strongest player on the book publishing scene. You’ll learn what you can and can’t control here, and how to play the best game possible without breaking the rules.Everything you need to know about the self-publishing and hybrid publishing landscape, in plain English. Learn the best practices of professional, self-publishing authors and if it's a realistic option for you.At the end of the class, you’ll have a comprehensive, business understanding of the book publishing industry and an author’s place in the ecosystem of agents, publishers, and retailers. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the commercial publishing business model, how hybrid and self-published authors compete and succeed, and how you can approach the process with the right expectations and mindset.Ballroom ATBABallroom DThe Writer’s Journey: The Fundamentals of Fiction-William BernhardtThis sessions is designed for writers who have an idea for a book or have actually embarked on writing a book. Bestselling author William Bernhardt will take students through all the critical elements of fiction, bringing fresh insight to concepts such as character, plot, and viewpoint, and showing writers how to use these fundamental approaches to bring their story to life. Bernhardt will also address less familiar concepts–story structure, psychic distance, and pacing–that are critical to success in the highly competitive publishing world. Bernhardt focuses on practical tips to make novels professional, engaging, and publishable. This comprehensive class—attended by many writers now successfully published–will blend exercises, film clips, discussion, and advice. Handouts.You will learn how to:Hook readers on the first pageMake your novel impossible to resistMake readers care about your charactersSustain interest over the course of a novelMake dialogue distinctiveUnderstand what makes a high-concept novelUnderstand the importance of structureUnderstand the difference between showing and telling—and why it mattersEdit for successLearning the hallmarks of modern publishable writing styleBallroom FWriting for the Faith-Based Market-Deborah & Ken RaneyThis MasterClass will focus on various aspects of writing for the faith-based market, starting with where to find ideas and inspiration and how to find a publishing home for your novel. The sessions will cover many nuts-and-bolts?writing tools that apply to all genres, including:? Writing Cinematically—Making your book read like a movie (in hopes it may one day be optioned)? Strong characterization—Writing real, flawed-yet-likeable characters with a believable growth arc? Deft use of point-of-view—Making sure you are writing from the best point-of-view for each scene? Complex,?compelling plots—How to keep readers turning pages even if your story lacks car chases and shoot-outsThe session will key on elements unique to faith-based fiction:? Exploring social issues and faith elements in fiction? Writing faith-filled (or faith-seeking) characters who aren’t cookie-cutter perfect? Writing?strong, realistic dialogue? Organically incorporating a life-changing message without being preachy.??We will also explore the business side of a writing career:? Working with publishing professionals—agent, editors, art department, sales and marketing, etc.? Handling marketing, publicity, and platform in the faith-based market? What to expect with income, expenses, budget, taxes, and investing in your career? Surprising?“secrets" of the writing life—being a writer may not be what you thought (and it may be even better!) ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download