Deanna R. Adams-Writers' Conference

Western Reserve Writers' Conference

Saturday, March 27, 2010 8:30 a.m. – 1: 30 p.m.

Conference Coordinator: Deanna R. Adams

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8:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Registration and Coffee

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9:00 a.m. – Welcome To Lakeland: Ann D’ Agostino, Program Coordinator, Community Learning

Overview of Conference – Deanna R. Adams

9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

Writing For Children: Good Elements of Writing for the Comic Industry Writing Through

Words and Illustrations Great Writing & Other Trade Publications Personal Pain

Annette Sheldon Deanna R. Adams Chris Lambert Nora White

10:15 - 10:30 a.m. - Prearranged Editing Sessions with Nancy Piazza ______________________________________________________________________________________

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Self-Publishing: Do's & Don’ts of Sending Confessions of a Series Creating Credible

The Good & the Bad Out Your Manuscript Killer: A Romance Characters

Peter Grondin Deanna R. Adams Holly Jacobs Debbie Alferio

11:30 - 11:45 a.m. - Prearranged Editing Sessions with Nancy Piazza

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11:45 - 12:45 p.m.

Power Point The Narrative Arc The Scoop Seeking the Truth

For Writers! of Storytelling on Agents in Nonfiction

Alynn Mahle Carole Calladine Holly Jacobs John Gorman

12:45 - 1:00 p.m. - Prearranged Editing Sessions with Nancy Piazza

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1:00 – 1:30 p.m. Networking Reception and Refreshments, Book Sale and Author Signing

1:15 – 1:30 p.m. – Forming a Writers’ Group: Diane Taylor, Facilitator

$65 – Conference course #10SPER901.01

$10 – Prearranged Editing Consult (See Below)

Sessions with Editor Nancy Piazza

10SPER633.01 (10:15-10:30 am)

10SPER633.02 (11:30-11:45 am)

10SPER633.03 (12:45-1:00 pm)

10SPER633.04 (1:00-1:15 pm)

Editing session details will be e-mailed from Deanna Adams upon registration.

Lakeland Registration, Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland OH 44094. For more information, CALL: 440-525-7116, 440-525-7812 or 1-800-589-8520. Online information, www.lakelandcc.edu/comeduc/

Conference Presenters

Deanna R. Adams is a freelance writer and award-winning essayist whose work has been published in a variety of newspapers and magazines. Her books include Rock ‘n’ Roll and the Cleveland Connection (Kent State University Press, 2002), Confessions of a Not-So-Good Catholic Girl (Infinity Publishing, 2008) and Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Roots (Arcadia Publishing, 2010). Deanna is also an instructor at Lakeland Community College, and coordinator of of the Western Reserve Writers Conferences, and the Women Writers’ Winter Retreat. Her website is www.deannaadams.com. Course Descriptions – GOOD ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING: There really are certain elements that will help improve your writing, no matter what kind of writing you do. Learn what they are and how to incorporate them to transform good writing into great writing that sells! DO’S AND DON’TS OF SENDING OUT YOUR MANUSCRIPT: If you want to get published, you first must get the editor or agent’s attention - in a good way. This session will give you crucial information on how to meet an editor or agent’s expectations and get your work in print! Will include the writing of that all-important introductory query.

Debbie Alferio is an award-winning author and speaker whose Forever Love series was inspired by an actual dream. Debbie is the Ohio Representative for Authors Across America and a member of the International Writer’s Association and Sauna Friends Writer’s Group. She donates a portion of her profits to the American Cancer Society. Her web site is: www.freewebs.com/debsbooks Course Description—CREATING CREDIBLE CHARACTERS: Debbie believes a story is less about the plot and more about the characters involved. In this session, she’ll discuss how to develop well-rounded, believable characters through the use of physical attributes, personality traits, flaws, and even catch phrases. Learn to create characters that will drive your stories and keep the readers coming back for more.

Carole Calladine is a freelance writer with numerous articles and three books to her credit. For seven years, she wrote the “You and Your Teenagers” column for the Plain Dealer and her latest book, Second Story Woman (Bird Dog Publishing, 2007), has been so well received that she was the 2009 Type 2 Diabetic weekly blogger for Diabetes Sisters. She writes out of an innate fascination of relationships, life stages and choices. Course Description – THE NARRATIVE ARC OF STORYTELLING: In this workshop, Carole will discuss how to build tension and plot whether you are writing a play, novel, or memoir. This presentation will focus on Carole’s experience in changing a first draft into a saleable manuscript by using the narrative arc of basic storytelling.

John Gorman is a media consultant, talent coach, and author. His first book, The Buzzard: Inside the Glory Days of WMMS & Cleveland Rock Radio - A Memoir (Gray & Co., 2007), covered his years as the station’s program director and operations manager and was a regional best seller. Gorman has won numerous broadcasting and charitable awards and was inducted into the Ohio Radio-Television Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Cleveland Association of Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame in 2008. Course Description – SEEKING THE TRUTH IN NONFICTION: Listen and learn as this media veteran discusses how to make sure your research is accurate and how to find credible sources when working on your nonfiction book. How do you know if someone is telling you the truth about his or her career or personal history? Where to find information to back up your information? John Gorman will answer these important questions, as well as yours.

Murder Mystery/Suspense writer Peter PJ Grondin is working on his fourth McKinney Brothers novel, A Lifetime of Terror. The series features two ordinary characters drawn into extraordinary situations requiring courage, quick thinking and plenty of action. Grondin attributes his desire to write novels to living in a household with eleven brothers and sisters, moving around the country from Ohio to Michigan to Florida, and from his experiences as a submariner in the US Navy. His website is www.pjgrondin.com. Course Description – SELF PUBLISHING: THE GOOD AND THE BAD: Pete will describe his personal experiences in and why he chose the self-publishing route. He’ll discuss the process, tools, and skills required to successfully self publish your work—from the importance of thorough copy editing, to cover art, to the completed novel.

Holly Jacobs has sold more than a million and a half books worldwide, writing for multiple series lines for Harlequin. But it hasn’t always been a smooth road for this award-winng author. Currently writing for Harlequin American Romance (Once Upon a Valentine, 2008) and Harlequin SuperRomance (A One-of-a-Kind Family, 2010), Holly will inform you on what’s she’s learned through hard work and experience. Her web site is: www.HollyJacobs.com. Course Descriptions - CONFESSIONS OF SERIES KILLERS: A ROMANCE: How to survive writing bumps in the road. The romance genre isn’t all flowers and candy hearts! Holly Jacobs will discuss writing pitfalls and career detours, but all with a happy ending! THE SCOOP ON AGENTS: Holly has sold most of her books without an agent, but also a few with one, and has tapped her friends for input as well. Join her discussion on the ins and outs of finding and working with an agent. Bring your questions!

Author/columnist Chris Lambert has spent over three decades as a professional writer, much of that time in and around the comic book industry. Mr. Lambert contributed to the best seller, Superman at 50 before writing for radio, TV, and a twelve-year stint at the News-Herald. Chris was commended by the White House in the 1990’s for his work with Project Literacy and is co-author of the recent novel, The 13th Echo. Course Description – WRITING FOR THE COMIC INDUSTRY AND OTHER TRADE PUBLICATIONS: This session will give tips to what the comic companies are looking for in terms of future publication and some peripheral markets available. Plus ideas for trade magazines that may be perceptive to your life experiences.

Former Assistant Editor of Ohio Writer, Alynn Mahle has been a freelance writer and editor for nearly 20 years. Her poems and articles have appeared in Heartlands Today and Tributaries, and two articles are forthcoming in Lake Erie Living. A long-time educator of English and Humanities, she has taught teens as well as teachers. Course Description – POWER POINT FOR WRITERS: Beyond the Boring will show participants how to create a professional looking Power Point presentation to promote a new book or to add pizzazz to their next Writer’s Conference workshop. Learn step-by-step instructions on creating dramatic backgrounds with stunning images and fonts.

Award-winning editor Nancy E. Piazza is a published writer with 21 years of editing experience. Through her business, Writeperson Ltd.—Western Reserve Editing, she edits novels, short stories, nonfiction books, articles, essays, memoirs, blogs, and letters for aspiring as well as published writers. Among many books, Nancy edited The Dead of Winter by Bill Warnock (Penguin Group, 2005) and Machine Shop Poet by Bill Wonders (AuthorHouse, 2009). She is profiled in the National Directory of Editors and Writers, (M. Evans and Company, 2005). Nancy’s email is editor@writeperson.com or visit www.writeperson.com. Editing Sessions:

One-on-one consultations will consist of Nancy discussing edits with you from your two-page sample, covering all aspects: content, grammar, punctuation, and word usage. Nancy’s editing is always well received, as she assists writers in a friendly, helpful manner toward achieving their goals of publication.

Annette Sheldon has been published twice by the APA, under their Magination Press imprint for children. She is currently working on several other projects, including books, school visits, and teaching. Her children’s books are Big Sister Now (Magination Press, 2006) and Big Brother Now (Magination Press, 2008). Course description - WRITING FOR CHILDREN: WORDS AND ILLUSTRATIONS: Annette will tell you what you need to know right from the beginning. What makes a children’s book “good? How to start. How to submit. And how to wait. This session will cover the mechanics of putting your book together, getting it published, and a discussion on whether you need an agent or an illustrator.

Diane Campbell Taylor's work has appeared in The Plain Dealer and Grit magazine. At present, she is working (with the help of her critique groups) on four novels concurrently, and feels she couldn’t have done any of it without her fellow writers. FORMING A WRITERS’ GROUP is the last session of the day. For those interested in being a part of a writers’ group, Diane will discuss how getting together with a group of fellow writers can transform your writing and writing career. She will talk about the pros and cons of different approaches, and explore ways to organize a critique group. Finally, she will help writers get together today and form their first writers group!

Nora White is a Biblical Counsel, Author and Speaker who founded Healing Heart Ministries, designed to help women in problem relationships. Nora also teaches classes at PHBC Church in Parma Heights, Seekers Coffee House in Middleburg Heights and Side by Side Ministries for women. Her book is Armed with God’s Power (Tate Publishing, 2008). Nora will help writers on a journey filled with sorrow, tragedy and of course victory. Course Description – WRITING THROUGH PERSONAL PAIN: Passion comes from personal experience, sometimes pain, sorrow, as well as joyful memories. Writing through “Personal Pain” connects others who have a story to tell. Nora will share how to use your own personal experiences to create a story that will touch the heart of others.

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