Tony Hillerman Writers Conference: Focus on Mystery Schedule
Hyatt Regency, Albuquerque, NM
November 5-9, 2008
The 2008 schedule includes two pre-conference workshops, general sessions with information and inspriation and breakouts for nuts-and-bolts information on how to write and the business of writing. Book signings and opportunities to visit informally with our faculty of published mystery and suspense authors, agents and experts add to the fun. Attendees can sign up for private appointments with agents interested in acquiring mystery and suspense authors.
Scroll down for complete schedule. The conference program will include:
How to write action scenes
Successful public relations for writers
Writing mysteries in the 21st Century
What agents expect from authors
Creating compelling dialog
How to write great action scenes
Winning querries
Manuscript management
A writer's guide to clichés
Be your own best editor
Researching historical and science-based mysteries
And more!
TENTATIVE 2008 TONY HILLERMAN WRITERS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
(11/01/08 SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
WEDNESDAY - November 5
Pre-Conference Workshop
9AM – 4PM
Sandi Ault – “Re-Vision: Getting from Good to Great"
THURSDAY - November 6
Pre-Conference Workshop
9AM – 4PM
Pari Noskin Taichert – “What Authors Must Know About Marketing and PR”
Conference Registration, Opening Reception and Book Signing
5:30PM – 7:00PM
FRIDAY – November 7
8:00AM – Registration continues and Trading Post Opens
8:00AM – 8:30AM – Continental Breakfast
8:30AM – 9:45AM – Opening Session – Michael McGarrity – “Breaking the Mold: Mysteries in the 21st Century”
Breakouts
10:00AM – 11:50AM
Breakout 1 Sandi Ault – “The First 100 Words”
Breakout 2 Judith Van Gieson – Partners in Crime: Ways to hook agents, editors
and readers
Lunch
12:00PM – 1:15PM
“Those @#$&^@ Clues: The Special Challenges of Writing Mysteries” : A Conversation with authors
Michael McGarrity, Craig Johnson, Sandi Ault, and moderator Pari Noskin Taichert
Breakouts
1:30PM – 2:30PM
Breakout 3 - Pari Noskin Taichert – “Killing your Darlings: Take a Critical Look and Edit Your Own Work.”
Breakout 4 – Agent Betsy Amster —“How To Write a Successful Query”
2:45PM – 3:45PM
Breakout 5 – Michael McGarrity – “Clichés That Kill”
Breakout 6 – Louis Bayard – “How to Construct an Action Scene on the Page”
4:00PM – 5:00PM
Breakout 7 - Panel: Agents, Publishers, and You – Moderator, Peter Joseph, St. Martin’s Press; agents Elizabeth Trupin-Pulli, Betsy Amster, Tony Outhwaite
5:30PM – 6:30PM - Book Signing - Trading Post
7:00PM – Informal Group Gathering: Memories of Tony Hillerman at the Hyatt. Place TBA
SATURDAY – November 8
8:00AM – Registration continues; Trading Post Opens
8:00AM – 9:00AM – Hot Breakfast
9:00AM – 10:00AM – Opening Session – Craig Johnson – “Sympathy for the Devil: Quality Writing Means Empathy”
(Agent pitch sessions begin, by appointment. Advance registration required. Last minute details at the Trading Post)
Breakouts
10:30AM – 11:30AM
Breakout 1 – Panel: "Researching Historical and Science Based Mysteries and Thrillers" – Louis Bayard, Joe Badal, and
Steve Havill with moderator Paula Paul
Breakout 2 – Christine Barber – “Journalism and Mysteries: Tricks of the Reporting Trade”
Lunch
12:00PM – 1:15PM – Tony Hillerman Mystery Short Story Award - Presentation of the $1500 prize by Wolf Schneider.
Co-Sponsored by WORDHARVEST and Cowboys & Indians magazine.
From Manuscript to Book -- A conversation with agent Tony Outhwaite and client/author John Trudel about their collaboration on Privacy Wars, a science-based suspense novel. Moderated by Rob Kresge
Breakouts
1:30PM – 2:30PM
Breakout 3 – Joe Badal - "Mysteries and Thrillers: Sustaining Tension & Excitement” - (Please read any or all of these titles in preparation for this session: Testament, by David Morrell, Cutthroat, by Steve Brewer, Judgment Day, by Sheldon Siegel, Terror Cell, by Joe Badal.)
Breakout 4 – Wolf Schneider, David Boop and Dennis Herrick – “Writing Short Stories for Magazines”
2:45PM – 3:45PM
Breakout 5 – Craig Johnson – “Dialogue: Character Unfiltered”
Breakout 6 – Steve Havill – “Taming the Beast: A Writer’s Guide to Successful Manuscript Organization and Management”
6:00PM – 7:00PM - The Trading Post
Faculty book signing and cash bar
7:00PM – Keynote Dinner and Awards Ceremony
Presentation of the Hillerman Prize for first mystery novel, Peter Joseph, St. Martin’s Press
Keynote address by Louis Bayard, author of "The Black Tower" and book reviewer for Salon.com
"Reading vs. Writing: Reflections of a Reviewer/Novelist"
SUNDAY - November 9
8:00AM –Trading Post Opens
8:00AM – 9:00AM – Hot Breakfast
9:00AM – Mini Awards and Closing Program – Barbara Peters, Poisoned Pen Press – “What Writers Need to Know about Trends in Selling and Publishing Mysteries.”
(To print, use the printer icon at the top of the page)
Creating mysteries and thrillers lies at the heart of the conference, which also includes business aspects of writing and pitch sessions with literary agents. Pre-conference workshops help writers sell their books, edit and improve their writing.
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