Please note that each breakout session will last 50 minutes to allow 10 minutes passing time between classes.

 

1. Nuke the Slush Pile (Jim Pence)

We all know what the slush pile is-it's your competition. It's that gargantuan heap of unsolicited manuscripts that sit on editors' desks and stand between you and publication. Most unpublished writers are trying to find a way around the slush pile. This workshop will show you three principles that will enable you to nuke that slush pile and get it out of the way entirely-and forever.

2. The Reason We Speak: Making the Message Shine (Kathy Carlton Willis)

Whether you are a beginning or experienced speaker, this class will provide exciting ideas to help you deliver more engaging messages to any size audience. Tap into the courage and know-how necessary to make your message shine.

3. Pesky Point of View Problems (Tim Shoemaker)

Viewpoint inconsistencies raise editors' eyebrows and confuse readers. Tim will help you identify and fix this common problem. Attendees will leave with a highly-coveted "Super-ocular POV Finder".

4. More than Skin Deep: Getting Past a Surface Level Connection with Your Readers (Cynthia Ruchti)

God's timeless truths penetrate to the heart of the matter. He isn't content for us to dabble in the things of significance to Him. Our writing should do more than wrinkle and stain the paper it's written on. What can we do to engage an emotional or spiritual response from our readers? Is it subject matter? Word choices? What we don't say? Dramatic writing? An indefinable "something" that only Pulitzer Prize winners have figured out? This workshop will help you understand what makes "more than skin deep" writing work and how to apply those principles to your own projects.

5. Getting the Most from Your Writers Market Guide (Michelle Rayburn)

You've heard writing experts say you must have Sally Stuart's Christian Writers Market Guide (CWMG) in order to get published, but with more than 600 pages of fine print information, where do you begin? Discover why this is such an important tool and learn how to navigate the pages as you prepare to publish your work. Learn how this book can help you develop a strategy as well as customize your writing for the right publisher. Suggestion: Bring your CWMG to class with you.

 

3:15 p.m.

1. E-Publishing and POD: Field of Dreams or Minefield? (Jim Pence)

With the publishing industry so tight right now, should authors consider self-publishing through e-books and print-on-demand technology? This workshop gives a brief history of e-publishing/POD and covers the pros and cons of this new technology.
2. Be a Grace-filled Guest: Top Tips to Shine During Media Interviews (Kathy Carlton Willis)

Calm your nerves. Change your expectations. Let your light shine as you answer interview questions on the radio or television. Use every interview opportunity to provide valuable information for your listening audience, and before you know it, you'll be a pro. They wouldn't THINK of changing the channel!

3. Show and Tell (Tim Shoemaker) 

Improve your writing with proven techniques to help you do more showing and less telling. Tim won't just tell you how to improve; he'll show you.

4. Cut and Polish (Frank Ball)

As a general rule, around 80 percent of the time required to produce a good manuscript is rewrite and editing. Learn how to speed the process of taking first draft to final copy, ready for submission.

5. Structuring an Article for Impact (Lin Johnson)

If you want editors-and readers-to read your articles, you need to grab them in the first couple of sentences. Learn how to do so in this class, then explore ways to develop your content and bring your article to a satisfying conclusion. Plus overview the most popular types of articles editors are buying.

Bonus: Facebook/Blogging/YouTube/Let's Learn Together (Gail Smith)

1. Commercial Freelancing (Jim Pence)

If you've been writing for any time at all, you've probably already learned that it's nearly impossible to make a living writing articles and books. However, it is possible to make a very nice living as a commercial freelancer. In this workshop, James H. Pence explains what is involved in becoming a FLCW (Freelance Commercial Writer) and shows you the resources that will help you on your way to becoming a full-time freelance writer.
2. Got Opinions? Love Books? Writing and Placing Colorful Book Reviews (Kathy Carlton Willis)

Whether your writing style is entertaining, informative, or insightful, you can learn the building blocks necessary for creating unique reviews, and become a desired book reviewer. Learn where to post your reviews to get more exposure. A well-respected publishing house stated Kathy was one of their "favorite and most trusted" book reviewers. You'll want to learn her secrets!

3. Are You Ready to Propose? Elements of a Successful Novel Proposal (Ginny Smith)

You've pitched. You've queried. You've received an invitation to submit a proposal. Now what? In this session, Virginia Smith will identify the elements of a successful novel proposal using examples from proposals that led to publication. At the conclusion of this workshop, you'll be ready to propose!

4. Great Break-in Markets (Mona Hodgson)

Discover the markets and formats most open to new freelance writers and learn what and how to write for them. Learn what shorts and fillers are, why editors and writers like them, how to write them, and how and where to market them.
5. The Accidental Ghostwriter: Lessons in Writing from the Heart (Marti Pieper) Please note that this class replaces Larry Leech's Ghostwriting class. Due to health issues, Larry will not be at the QCCWC this year.

If you have a work in progress and would like to get some feedback, or if you'd like to see how a critique group is run, you might want to take advantage of this critique group opportunity.

 

Saturday, April 10, 2010

 

1:30 p.m.

1. E-Publishing and POD: Navigating the Muddy Waters (Jim Pence)

A comparison of e-publishers and POD companies, as well as an exploration of "true" self-publishing and suggestions for how to self-publish your own book.
2. Shoot for the Stars: From Book Proposal to Book Contract (Kathy Carlton Willis)

Learn the components of a selling book proposal, to make yours shine above the rest. Don't aim for ordinary; shoot for the stars! Give acquisitions editors a proposal that earns notice and negotiates a contract.

3. Making a Scene (Tim Shoemaker)

Want to get an editor's attention? Learn to really make a scene-in your story that is. Discover techniques to strengthen your story-one scene at a time.

4. Dynamite Devos: Creating Devotionals with Explosive Impact (Cynthia Ruchti)

How can you turn simple objects, simple concepts, and your highly tuned powers of observation into devo dynamite that blasts through hindrances to a deeper faith in God? Are there secrets to creating doubt-smashing devos, small articles with high impact? How can writing devotionals enhance other aspects of your ministry or writing career? You'll emerge from this practical workshop with bullet-points of helpful tips and a lit fuse of enthusiasm for the power of the small but mighty devotional.

5. Into the Blogosphere and Beyond (Michelle Rayburn)

There are blogs all over the Web, so why should yours be part of the mix? How can you create an attractive site with content that people want to read? What is the difference between a blog and a Web site? How much will it cost? In this class, we'll answer these questions as you learn how a blog can enhance your writing and benefit your platform. We'll also talk about the technical side of blogging. Learn how to cross-link your blog on the 'Net to get noticed, find out how social media intersects with blogging, and discover which page elements are a must for your readers.

Bonus: Marketing/Publicity Brainstorming Blitz (Jim Rubart and Twila Belk)

If you need direction with your marketing and publicity, come to this informal time with Jim and Twila to brainstorm ideas.

 

3:45 p.m.

1. Writing the Memoir: A Novelist's Perspective (Jim Pence)

Novelist James H. Pence wrote Terry Caffey's memoir, Terror by Night, using many of the same techniques he would use to write a novel. Learn how to jazz up your narrative nonfiction by learning to incorporate a storyteller's techniques.

2. WWW: Web Writing Winners-Internet Writing Made Simple (Kathy Carlton Willis)

The Internet is chock-full of opportunities for writers. Get past e-mail and start spinning words for the Web. With print magazines becoming a dying breed, now's the time to add Internet writing to your resume.

3. Putting Words in Their Mouths (Tim Shoemaker)

Talk may be cheap, but poor dialogue will cost you.  The words you put into the mouths of your fiction characters are critical. Learn insights to "heave-ho" the "ho-hum" dialogue. 

4. Finding a Home for your Poem (Mona Hodgson)

Come to this workshop to find out what poetic forms and styles editors look for, how to format your poems for submission to an editor, and to receive other valuable tips for getting your poems into print.
5. Writing Bible Study Guides (Lin Johnson)

Tap into the growing small group and personal study market with Bible study guides. Learn key principles for studying the Bible and how to translate them into effective discussion questions.

Bonus: Critique Group (Marti Pieper)

If you have a work in progress and would like to get some feedback, or if you'd like to see how a critique group is run, you might want to take advantage of this critique group opportunity.