Location: Greater Richmond Convention Center
(Directions and Parking Information)
Plenary Session — 9:00 to 9:15 AM
Welcome
Plenary Session — 9:15 to 9:25 AM
Poetry Warm-Up
Plenary Session — 9:30 to 10:45 AM
First Pages, Lasting Impressions
Liz Bicknell
Ayesha Pande
Alec Shane
David L. Robbins, moderator
Learn how to catch an agent’s or editor’s attention and hone your craft as a panel of publishing experts critique submitted first pages.
Conference Marketplace — 10:45 to 11:15 AM
Enjoy a cup of coffee and connect with fellow writers, get your books signed, and browse the Conference Marketplace for writing resources.
Literary Awards Luncheon — 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Tom Robbins
The Library of Virginia’s annual Literary Luncheon features medal presentations for all 2012 Virginia Literary Award finalists and a keynote presentation by internationally renowned author and 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Tom Robbins. Virginia Literary Award finalists, including David Baldacci, will be available for book signings after the luncheon.
Concurrent Sessions — 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM
The Art of War
Dean King
Emily Mitchell
David L. Robbins
Bill Blume, moderator
“It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.” — Sun Tzu, The Art of War
A writer can’t neglect conflict, whether external warfare or the heart in conflict with itself. Panelists will discuss the craft of writing battles of all kinds: external, interpersonal and internal.
Don’t Fight the Feedback: Making the Most of Critiques and Self-Editing
Cherise Fisher
Lana Krumwiede
J.M. Tyree
Constance Costas, moderator
“Anyone can write — and almost everyone you meet these days is writing. However, only the writers know how to rewrite. It is this ability alone that turns the amateur into a pro.” — William C. Knott, The Craft of Fiction
This panel will look at revision, self-editing, and how to know when your work is ready to share or query. Learn techniques for giving and receiving constructive criticism, establishing ground rules within a critique group, hiring a developmental editor and more.
The Savvy Professional
Arielle Eckstut
Colleen Lindsay
Nancy Redd
Julie Schoerke
Rebecca Joines Schinsky, moderator
Playing nicely in the sandbox often garners longer literary careers. Receive tips on presentation, the relationships you need to build and more.
Writing in The Family Way: Capturing Family Dynamics
Eleanor Brown
Kristen-Paige Madonia
Adam Ross
Virginia Pye, moderator
Panelists discuss how they create mother/daughter stories, sibling stories, marriages and more. Learn how relationships create high human worth for your characters, and hear the perils and benefits of drawing from your family.
Concurrent Sessions — 2:30 to 3:30 PM
The YA Explosion
Liz Bicknell
Molly Jaffa
Malinda Lo
Jenesse Evertson, moderator
Bookstores are expanding YA sections, publishers are creating YA lines, and Hollywood is clamoring for the next Hunger Games. Find out what this YA explosion is all about and where it might go in the coming year.
The Penny-Pincher’s Guide to Research
Gigi Amateau
Nancy Redd
J.M. Tyree
Phaedra Hise, moderator
Learn best practices for interviews, file storage, timing your research and more. Have a big idea but not the budget to match? Receive suggestions for setting and maintaining a research budget.
Insight Into Your Site: Website 101
Erin Blakemore
Colleen Lindsay
Anna Sproul
Maya Payne Smart, moderator
Who needs a website and when? What should be included? Do you need book trailers and bells and whistles? Panelists will critique attendees’ websites, if desired, suggesting ways to improve content and navigation.
Every Word Counts
Kelly Cherry
Camisha L. Jones
Allan Wolf
Doug Jones, moderator
The best poets master every word, listen for rhythm and care about concision and comparison. Learn from the masters how to improve your prose and poetry.
Concurrent Sessions — 3:45 to 4:45 PM
World Building Idea Lab
Christina Lewis Halpern
Lana Krumwiede
Malinda Lo
Shawna Christos, moderator
This discussion of big-picture world building includes prompts to spark a story or enrich the world you’re writing. Great for fiction and nonfiction writers alike.
A Little Mystery
Brad Parks
Adam Ross
Alec Shane
Ann McMillan, moderator
Learn techniques to raise tension and improve pacing. Keep readers turning the page with a little mystery and suspense.
Art and Responsibility of Creative Nonfiction
Panel sponsored by Rawls McNelis + Mitchell
Jonathan Coleman
Dean King
Anna Sproul
Lila Quintero Weaver
Ellen F. Brown, moderator
Panelists discuss how to effectively blend creativity and fact in narrative nonfiction.
Expanding into New Media and the Future of the Book
Gigi Amateau
Colleen Lindsay
Ayesha Pande
Jason Tesauro, moderator
Authors and agents talk about building enhanced e-books, book-related apps, sharing e-books in online communities and more.
