Workshop Descriptions-Adult Track

Write2Ignite! 2013 Workshop Descriptions

 

Vijaya Bodach

Ready, Aim, Write! Get Published in Children’s Magazines

Do you have stories, poems, and cool facts to share with kids? Then write for children’s magazines. This large market provides opportunities to hone your writing with an editor, build credibility, and get paid for it, too. Vijaya will share tips on studying magazines, finding what editors want, and how to deliver those goodies.

Tantalizing Truths (Part I): Writing Children’s Nonfiction

The content of most children’s magazines is about 80% nonfiction, with only 20% devoted to fiction or poetry. Many are 100% nonfiction. Vijaya will discuss how to write captivating nonfiction for children. Attendees will brainstorm ideas in short writing exercises and go home with tools to complete their articles.

Tantalizing Truths (Part II): Selling Children’s Nonfiction

Most nonfiction is sold through query letters. Vijaya will share tips on how to tantalize the editor using the beginnings that attendees come up with in Part I. Attendees will learn how to write a narrative and bulleted outline. Vijaya will also share tips on studying the magazine market.

 

Joanna Echols

Make Your Manuscript Stand Out!  

Want to write a manuscript no editor can resist? Find out how to recognize and avoid common mistakes. Learn to make your story capture an editor’s fancy, so he can’t wait to publish it. Taught by a magazine editor who has read thousands of manuscripts and had to reject many, but also discovered gems by previously unpublished writers. Emphasis: magazine writing.

Joyce Hostetter

Let Your History Do the Plotting

If plotting is not your strong suit, there’s help on the horizon.  (Or actually, in the rearview mirror.)  Joyce Hostetter, author of historical novels for middle graders, will share her process for discovering plot.  She’ll focus on how historical events at a personal, national, and international level can create a storyline, reinforce your personal passion, and reach readers who care.

Writing That Sings

The children’s book market has become so tight that manuscripts can’t simply be promising, in order to sell. They have to really sing.  Joyce Hostetter will focus on sentence structure, vivid descriptions, figures of speech, and local color to write stories that reach the child’s heart.

Telling the Truth through Fiction 

Christian authors have the opportunity to address real life struggles and universal truth through the dilemmas of fictional characters.  We do not need to sugarcoat reality. In this workshop we’ll consider our unique but joyful challenge: to tell stories that are truthful, wholesome, and life-giving even though our characters are flawed. Joyce Moyer Hostetter will lead us in exploring what it means to use our faith experiences to write authentic stories for the Christian or general market.

Eddie Jones

Pitching Your Story to Book Editors  

Books for boys are in high demand. But what do editors look for in those books? What makes an editor know your story is appealing enough to coax a boy to put down his basket ball, X-Box and skateboard to read?

Editor Eddie Jones will share the answer to that question, and give you the goods on writing a winning series of books for boys in this workshop.But the principles he shares can be applied to any book idea you are pitching. 

Readers Are Leaders 

Social networking has changed the way tweens and teens communicate. Can we keep books in their loop?

Boys love to bomb, burn and blow things up, for sure. Are you incorporating these action packed events in your story for boys? Throw in a damsel in distress, a treasure to find, or a secret code to crack and you’re on your way to to literary magic for guys.

In this workshop Eddie will debunk the myth that boys do not read fiction and demonstrate how to write short action-packed stories to capture the imagination of young male readers.

Kelly Starling Lyons 

Marketing Your Book on a Budget 

You don’t need to spend lots of money to promote your book. You just need to use some elbow grease and think creatively. Blog tours, trailers, contests, e-blasts, launch parties. I’ve done them all. In this workshop, I’ll share free and low-cost ways to get your book on readers’ radars.

 

Celebrating Diversity 

How can we help make sure the beauty of all God’s children is reflected in the pages of stories for kids? Join author Kelly Starling Lyons as she explores the history of multicultural children’s books, shares how celebrating diversity inspires her work and discusses how we can make a difference.

Vicki Moss

How to Interpret Your Edit/Critique 

You’ve spent several big bucks and a few cents in change and gotten back your edit/critique. EGADS! There are side balloons in the margin with jibberishy jargon. Your hands break out in a cold sweat as you reach for a brown paper bag. Wait a second. Before you hyperventilate, what does it all mean? Okay. Put the bag to your lips and breathe. No worries. You may not have to rewrite the entire novel in first critter after all, but you may have to kill off some of your darlings. Grab a spade and let’s dig deeper to uncover what those edits mean.

How to Find Your Voice

Have you ever heard someone say a person is a natural born storyteller? What that means is that the person is gifted with “voice” — what gives your writing personality, flavor, and style. Some say you’re either born with it or you’re not. Vicki believes some writers have the natural gift of “voice,” but she also believes writers can improve this skill with a little hard work and practice. This class is for those who haven’t yet found their voice, but are willing to search for it in order to tell a compelling story and grab their readers’ attention.

Kim Peterson

POV: It’s Subjective, Third Person Subjective 

Explore how Point of View can shape your YA novel or middle grade reader. Dabble with the impact of Deep Point of View in shaping your characters’ voices.

 

Write for Young Adults 

From Sunday school take-home papers to young adult novels, consider the seven “P”s to effectively connect with the current teen and preteen culture. 

Writing the Young Adult Novel 

Learn how to construct a novel teens want to read. From motivation to characterization to plot to setting, tell a story that readers — and editors — can’t ignore.

 

Bill Reeves

Contracts, Contracts, Contracts 

For most writers, dealing with the contractual portion of the publishing deal is one of the most daunting.  Join Bill as he walks you through the contract portion, giving advice on such topics as:

 

 

• Deal Point Negotiations

• Long form vs. short form agreements

• Key points in a contract

• What royalty should I expect?

• Intellectual property protection

Why Christian Children’s Publishing Matters

In this seminar Bill shows us why, despite many business reasons pressing publishers away from Children’s publishing, it still matters to publish for children, especially in the Christian arena.

Bill will discuss his reasons that include:

• The spiritual growth of children

• Preparing young readers to become mature readers

• The educational value vs other entertainment options

• A financial evaluation of the value of children’s publishing today.