The 2014 program included:
Thursday hands-on workshops”The Art of the Rewrite” (Susan Cummins Miller) and “Designing Compelling Stories: What Writers Can Learn from the Movies” (Sandi Ault). Following the workshops, we invited our attendees to join us for a Gala Opening Celebration featuring Melinda Snograss, Kirk Ellis and David Morrell about their experience with movies.
Fridays sessions, focused on the craft of writing, included “Writing a Series” (mystery writer Steve Havill), “Tricks from the Screen Trade” (award-winning screenwriter Melinda Snodgrass), and “To Outline or Not to Outline” (panel presentation with NYT best-selling mystery writer Anne Hillerman and others). That evening, we enjoyed the popular interactive session “Writing with the Stars.”
Saturday sessions, focused on the business of writing, included a keynote conversation with internationally-known best-selling authors David Morrell and John Sandford. Other highlights: “Contracts and Copyrights for Writers” (author and law professor Sherri Burr), “The Writer’s Business Plan” (author and columnist Susan Guyette) and announcement of the next winner of the Tony Hillerman Prize for a first mystery.
Optional First Chapter Critiques and a chance for authors to promote their new books at the New Book/New Author breakfast were also on the agenda.