Posts Tagged ‘PNWA’

5th February

Upcoming Reader and Writer Events in Seattle

Seattle is a hotbed of writers and readers, which means book signings and craft workshops galore. I’ve got my eye on the Valentine’s Day Victorian Tea–tea and romance novels? How can you go wrong? Also, Patricia Briggs will be signing the latest Mercy Thompson book in March. If I haven’t gone into labor, I’ll be there with bells on.

PNWA Craft Workshop: Story, Structure, Subplot, Scene, Style: Keys to Rewriting Your Novel by Robert J. Ray
Thursday, February 11, 7 pm
The key to rewriting your novel is a workable plan: Story first, then Structure, Subplots,  (Key) Scenes, and Style. The toughest rewriting task is fixing your subplots. Before you can fix a subplot, you must peel it away from the novel, using tools like Character Arc, Character Grid, Scene List, Scene List, Scene Profile, Scene Template, and Core Story. Learn how to use these tools and make your rewrite hum in a hands-on workshop (with writing in the room) led by Robert J. Ray, using techniques from his latest book, The Weekend Novelist Rewrites the Novel.
Participants should bring a prose sample, two pages, double-spaced.
Chinook Middle School. Non-PNWA members are allowed to attend two meetings. Please see the PNWA website for more information.

Saint Valentine’s Day Victorian Tea book signing
Saturday, February 13, 2-4pm
Join local authors who delight in creating romantic stories set in the Victorian era at the Bellevue Library. Music, refreshments and a book signing will follow the program. Sponsored by Bellevue Friends of the Library. Books will be available for sale at this event. Organized by the King County Library System.

Prima Donna book cover
All He Desires book cover
Promise Me book cover
Megan Chance
author of Prima Donna
Anthea Lawson
author of All He Desires
Deborah Schneider
author of Promise Me
St. Valentine’s Day Romance Author Mash-Up
Saturday, February 13th, from 5-7pm
Kirkland Library, program held at Parkplace Books, 348 Parkplace Center, Kirkland, 98033
Join local romance authors and learn from the experts about love, romance and happy ever after endings. Authors include Megan Chance, Rebecca J. Clark, Anthea Lawson, Deborah Schneider and Shelli Stevens. Organized by the King County Library System.

Who Dares Wins: The Green Beret Way to Conquer Fear & Succeed. Writers Boot Camp with Author Bob Mayer
Join us for an intensive five week writing series every Tuesday evening in March at Bellevue Library. Register please. Books will be for sale at these workshops. Organized by the King County Library System.

NY Times bestselling author Bob Mayer has over three million books in print. He travels frequently as a leadership speaker, consultant and writing workshop presenter. He graduated from West Point and served in the military as a Special Forces A-Team leader and a teacher at the JFK Special Warfare Center & School. His latest book is Who Dares Wins: The Green Beret Way to Conquer Fear & Succeed.

  • Tuesday, March 2, 7-9pm
    The Original Idea and Conflict: The Core of Writing and Selling Your Book
    Can you say what your book is about in 25 words or less? This is essential to both writing a tight book and then selling it. Discover ways to find and state your original idea so you stay on course while writing the book. Learn to use the Conflict Box to create conflict between your protagonist and antagonist.
  • Tuesday, March 9, 7-9pm
    Outlining, Plot and Writing Scenes: The Events of Your Story
    Before you begin writing your book, you should spend some time outlining and developing your story. Discuss types of outlines along with techniques for efficiently developing the strongest possible story based on your original idea. From the exciting opening that grabs the reader through the escalating conflict to the climactic scene and ending with the resolution—the entire structure of the novel with be covered with emphasis on hooks, the remote control effect, building suspense and creating satisfying endings.
  • Tuesday, March 16, 7-9pm
    Character and Point of View
    The point of view you write in is your voice as a writer. This goes beyond just first person, third person and omniscient voices. The most critical component of a novel is character. Discover how to go from writing flat two-dimensional characters to vibrant three-dimensional ones.
  • Tuesday, March 23, 7-9pm
    The Publishing Business for Writers: Selling your book, Marketing Yourself and Your Book
    Develop a writer friendly approach to marketing your book efficiently. Understand the flow of a query at a publishing house and how decisions are made to buy a book. Learn to create cover letters that grab the reader, how to do a one page synopsis, and other practical tools to sell your work. Discuss what you can do marketing-wise to be a success in this business and cover a variety of techniques from book-signings, media outlets, publicists and other innovative ways to promote your book. Learn up-to-date information on the publishing business including: Fee-charging agents; sell-through and sales numbers; E-books; print-on-demand; shrinking mid-lists; corporate mergers and self-publishing.
  • Tuesday, March 30, 7-9pm
    Introduction to Warrior Writer
    For fiction and non-fiction authors, this is a workshop that focuses on educating writers about how to be authors. Warrior Writer is a holistic approach encompassing goals, intent, environment, personality, change, courage, communication and leadership that gives the writer a road map to becoming a successful author.  Many writers are focused on either the writing or the business end. Warrior Writer integrates the two. Warrior-Writer fills a critical gap in the publishing industry paradigm. Discuss how to conquer the fears that hold writers back and how to set strategic and tactical goals.

Meet the Author Jane Porter
Saturday, March 13, 2 pm, Kingsgate Library
Local romance and contemporary fiction author, Jane Porter, will read from her newest book, Easy on the Eyes and lead a discussion on the creation of bestselling fiction, the writing life and the publishing industry. Porter has written over 22 novels and was a finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA award in both 2002 and 2003. Her books include Odd Mom Out and Flirting with Forty which was made into a 2008 Lifetime television movie. Books will be available for sale and a book signing will follow the discussion. Organized by the King County Library System.

Meet the Author Patricia Briggs
Tuesday, March 30, 7pm
The fabulously talented Patricia Briggs will be signing copies of Silver Borne, the fifth book of the Mercy Thompson series. This is one of the best Urban Fantasy series out there. University Bookstore Seattle

Meet the Authors Mark Henry, Jeanne Stein, and Jaye Wells
Monday, April 5, 7 pm
Local Urban Fantasy authors will read and sign their latest releases: Battle of the Network Zombies (KENSINGTON), Retribution (ACE), Mage in Black (ORBIT) University Bookstore Seattle.

Meet the Author Jim Butcher
Wednesday, April 7, 8pm
The Urban Fantasy author will read and sign his latest Dresden Files novel, Changes. University Bookstore Seattle.

20th July

Congrats Seattle RWA Ladies!

The Greater Seattle RWA was well represented last night at the 2008 PNWA Literary Awards. Congrats to all!

ROMANCE CATEGORY:
1st – SG Shellabarger
3rd – Marni Donnelly-Folsom
HM – Kelli Estes

Sci-Fi/FAN CATEGORY:
2nd – Susan Wilbanks

Congrats also to Peter Gibb who won 1st place in the Children’s Picture Book Category!

I don’t know the winners in all 12 categories. There were 950 entrants to the contest this year from as far away as Dubai, and 96 finalists. Hopefully the PNWA will put the winner list up soon on their website.

17th July

Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference 2008

July 17 – 20, 2008 – Seattle Airport Hilton

This PNWA Conference marks the one year anniversary of when I decided to try my hand at writing a fiction novel. I attended the PNWA conference last year and was inspired by fabulous speakers, including Alexis Morgan, Richelle Mead, Caitlin Kittredge, Michelle Grajkowski, Pat White, and Ann Roth. This year the conference appears to be half the size of last year. It’s tiny! But I’m still attending, since I’m a literary contest finalist and I plan to make my very first agent and editor pitches.

CIARA’S (Tentative)SCHEDULE:
(for a complete PNWA schedule click here)

THURSDAY, July 17, 2008

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Business Side of Writing
Learn How To Pitch To An Agent and Editor. Can you say what your novel is about in one sentence? Participants will have the opportunity to write their idea down and have it discussed. We’ll find out what you really meant to write and the level of interest it generates. All will profit, not just the person whose idea is discussed, as this workshop will show you how to focus your creative energies and learn how to pitch your novel.
Speaker: Bob Mayer
is a New York Times bestselling author with 38 books published. He has over three million books in print and is in demand as a team-building, life-changing and leadership speaker and consultant for his Who Dares Wins: The Green Beret Way Concepts.
Moderator: C.J. Wyckoff

4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Craft of Writing
Top Ten Novel Writing Mistakes

Speaker: James Thayer

8:00p.m.
Dessert Reception with Agents and Editors,
Featuring Speaker Bob Dugoni

FRIDAY, July 18, 2008

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Editors Forum
Moderator: Bob Dugoni
The editors will give an overview of the kind of projects they are acquiring and the best way to submit your project. A question and answer period will be included.

10:30 a.m. – Noon
Agents Forum
Moderator: Bob Dugoni
The agents will give an overview of the kind of projects they are acquiring and the best way to submit your project. A question and answer period will be included.

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Romance Track
Successful Tips for Writing a Compelling Series. Learn how to develop an engaging series of books that will make readers come back for more. The three things attendees will learn different kinds of series, keeping the writing fresh and developing a compelling story arc.
Speakers: Pat White and Mary Buckham

3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Romance Track
The Joy of Writing Sex: (It’s Not Just for Romance Writers Anymore!)

Sex is more than just dirty words on the bathroom stalls. It’s part of being human. As writers we can’t afford to neglect the gem mine of conflicts, hopes and disappointments waiting for our character is in their bedrooms. This workshop will explore the special world of writing sex scenes without apology. Sex is funny. And dramatic. Transporting and heartbreaking. Find out what it means to your character and you’ll know them well enough to tell their story.
Speaker: Diana Groe AKA Emily Bryan

6:30 p.m.
Dinner Program with Keynote Speaker Gayle Lynds

8:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Autograph Party
Over 60 Award Winning and New York Times Bestselling Authors will attend the Autograph Party that will follow the Keynote Address.

SATURDAY, July 19, 2008

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
The Craft of Writing Track
Manuscript Makeover: Revision Techniques for Novels.
You’ve finished your novel, and you know it needs work, but where do you begin? We’ll cover a diagnostic system to spot common weaknesses in craft and practice a technique for boosting original style. You’ll create a self-editing checklist to take home and confidently finish your revision.
Speaker: Elizabeth Lyon has been an independent book editor for twenty years and has helped nonfiction and fiction writers gain first (and subsequent) book conTracks.

10:30 – Noon
Mystery/Thriller Track
Writing For Adrenaline Junkies – The Art of Addicting Readers to Suspense

Thriller author Rick Mofina discusses how to build drama, tension and suspense; then crank it up so that readers are complelled to sacrifice family and sleep to your story.
Speaker: Rick Mofina, one of the leading thriller writers of the day.

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Science Fiction/Fantasy
URBAN FANTASY Or: The Scooby Gang Saves the World Again

Weres, vampires, and witches, oh my! Creatures from mythology and legend abound in the urban fantasy/paranormal romance genres. But what separates urban fantasy from paranormal romance? While they’re often closely linked, what are the dividing lines that cause a book to fall into one camp or the other? And how does urban fantasy differ from high fantasy? Learn how to ensure your characters save the day without falling into the superhero trap, and that your evil overlords aren’t just Darth Vader or Sauron in disguise. In short, this workshop will offer you some tricks of the trade to make sure your urban fantasy stands out from the pack.
Speaker: Yasmine Galenorn. USA Today Bestselling author

4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Romance
Creating Unique and Individual Characters.

Speakers: Alexis Morgan and Ann Roth .

6:30 – 8:30
Literary Contest Awards Celebration and Dinner
*bites nails*