Deanna R. Adams-Writers' Conference

Join us for our Silver Anniversary - 25 Years of Helping Writers Write, and Get Published!

The 25th Annual Western Reserve Writers Conference and Workshop

Saturday, September 20, 2008 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

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

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Welcome To Lakeland:

Keynote Address: Deanna R. Adams – “With a Little Help from our Writer Friends”

Overview of Conference – Deanna R. Adams ___________________________________________________________________

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Workshop Workshop Workshop

The Creative Niche Forming a Public Speaking Taking the Mystery

In Nonfiction Writers’ Group a Writer’s Hook out of Mystery Writing

Deanna Adams Diane Taylor Michael Salinger Les Roberts

11::00 – 11:15 a.m. – Editing Sessions with Nancy Piazza, Michael Salinger

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11:15 - 12:15 p.m. Workshop

Career Opportunities Poetry What Editors Traditional Publishing

for Writers Intensive Want in a Writer vs. Self-Publishng

Joe Valencic Ray McNiece Kathleen Murphy Colan Deanna Adams

12:30 – 1:15 p.m. LUNCH – Included in fee if paid by September 12, 2008

Door Prizes, Book Sale & Author Signings

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1: 00 – 1:30 p.m. - Editing Sessions with Nancy Piazza, Michael Salinger

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1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Workshop

Getting your Books Writers Capturing Organizing & Plotting

Into Stores Online Oral History your Novel

Suzanne DeGaetano Steve FitzGerald Eli Beachy Casey Daniels

2:30 – 2:45 p.m. - Editing Sessions with Nancy Piazza, Sarah Willis ____________________________________________________________________________

2:45 - 3:45 p.m.

Workshop Workshop

Contracts & Copyrights ABC’s of Writing Book Promotion Character & Place

What to Know for Children in the Media in Fiction

Steve Grant David Rastoka Jane Lassar Sarah Willis

3:45 – 4:00 p.m. - Editing Sessions with Nancy Piazza, Sarah Willis _________________________________________________________________________________

3:45 – 4:00 p.m. - Networking reception and refreshments, Door Prizes

Book Sale & Author Signings

4:00 – 4:15 p.m. – Q & A Panel, Hosted by Presenters

Back By Popular Demand! Private Editing Consults are included in fee—but you must register early as spaces are limited. Interested participants should contact Deanna Adams at DeeNCR@aol.com for details, or visit her website, www.deannaadams.com.

Fee: $89 CRN: -----

Lakeland Community College, Registration, 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland, OH 44094-5198. For more information, call 440-525-7116 or 1-800-589-8520. Online registration, www.lakelandcc.edu/comeduc/

Our Presenters & Editors . . .

Conference coordinator and director, Deanna Adams is a freelance writer whose articles and essays have been published in Ohio Magazine, Sesame Street Parents, Northern Ohio Live, Lakewood City magazine, Today's Family, Lake County Business Journal and others. She is contributing writer for the Plain Dealer Lake County Extra, SOHO Cleveland, and Lake Erie Living magazine. Her first book, "Rock 'n' Roll and the Cleveland Connection," was published by Kent State University Press in 2002. Her new book, “Confessions of a Not-So-Good Catholic Girl," will be published in the fall of 2008. Deanna is also founder/director of the Women Writers' Winter Retreat. Class Descriptions - THE CREATIVE NICHE IN NONFICTION: Using creative language in your nonfiction will keep your prose lively and interesting to readers. This workshop will cover various techniques and address issues of creative nonfiction, including memoir and personal essays. TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING VS. SELF-PUBLISHING: The world of publishing is changing. Authors have more options than ever before. But does gaining control over your work mean losing credibility? This session will explore the pros and cons to help you decide what's best for you and your book.

Eli Beachy remains “the most published author you've never read.” His works include oral histories from the Amish, murder mysteries, local histories and Civil War non-fiction. He has even consulted with geophysicists on historic gravesites. Class Description – CAPTURING ORAL HISTORY: Oral histories surround every life. These are the facts, the fables, the truths and the tales passed from mouth to ear for generations. In this session, Beachy will discuss how to get history in the books before it’s too late. Learn the techniques that will take that living history and put it into the printed word.

As editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s custom publishing division Kathleen Murphy Colan is a storyteller by vocation with seven years of experience writing news and feature stories for newspapers, magazines and corporate clients. She has authored two books, “Architectural Wonders” (Thunder Bay, 2007) and “Great Ships of the World” to be published by Barnes and Noble in 2008. Her work has also appeared in the New York Post, Real Living, and Cleveland magazine. Course Description - WHAT EDITORS WANT IN A WRITER: Kathleen Murphy Colan will impart her pet peeves and praiseworthy practices when it comes to securing writing assignments with editors. She will reveal common mistakes that novice writers often make as well as examples of ways in which writers can secure the sale.

Casey Daniels is the author of the Pepper Martin Mysteries. Her heroine works at a historic Cleveland cemetery where she sees, hears and solves mysteries for the “residents.” The fourth book in the series, “Night of the Loving Dead” will be published in January. She’s published 38 books, including historical and contemporary romances. Course Description - ORGANIZING & PLOTTING YOUR NOVEL: Stumped on how to turn your fiction idea into a workable, saleable manuscript? Bring your book idea and brainstorming skills. Discussions will include organizing your thoughts, creating character descriptions, building your plot—then time to put it down on paper.

Suzanne DeGaetano is co-owner of Mac's Backs ~ Books on Coventry, a new and used bookstore that has been on Coventry Rd. in Cleveland Heights since 1982. She is on the board of the Poets’ & Writers’ League of Greater Cleveland, and served on the board of the Great Lakes Booksellers Association from 2000-2005. DeGaetano is known for her support of local writers. Class Description – GETTING YOUR BOOKS INTO STORES: Whether you have an agent, publisher, or self-publish, there are things you need to know and should be thinking about long before your book comes out. Contrary to popular belief, book store owners won’t buy your book just because it’s published. Learn how to promote yourself and your book to bookstore owners. Discussion includes how to put together a press kit, schedule a book signing, and other helpful suggestions to boost sales.

Steve FitzGerald is a national award-winning writer and editor. His work has been in publications ranging from Locomotive Engineers Journal to USA Today to The Wall Street Journal. He has blogged for The Plain Dealer, and publishes LakewoodBuzz.com, NonprofitNewswire.com and ReadRoldo.com. FitzGerald is also president of the Society of Professional Journalists, Cleveland Chapter. Class Description – WRITERS ONLINE: Discussions include online publications, blogging (for fun and profit, digital poetry, online research, and what’s coming next for writers online. FitzGerald encourages attendees to email their questions to him before the conference, at steve@lakewoodbuzz.com to make sure they are included and answered.

Steve L. Grant is a longtime favorite with writers concerned over important legal issues. He is Senior Attorney at the Standley Law Group and is an adjunct professor at the Capital University Law School, where he teaches an overview course on intellectual property law. Copyrights and patents are his specialty. Class Descriptions – CONTRACTS & COPYRIGHTS: WHAT TO KNOW: Like it or not, writing is a business. And you have to know the rules. Bring your questions about business law, or anything pertaining to writers, including negotiating contracts, and copyright issues.

Jane Lassar is publicist for local publisher, Gray & Company, where she is responsible for pitching books for review, coordinating author radio and TV interviews, and placing excerpts, reviews, and features on the web. She has worked in the Public Relations field for more than 30 years. Course description - BOOK PROMOTION IN THE MEDIA - Print, Radio, TV, and the Web: Jane Lassar’s goal is to always put Gray & Co. books “front and center” in the media. In this session, learn how she does it, so you can be your own publicist.

Ray McNiece is the author of six poetry books, two music/poetry collaborations, and one collaborative theatre work. He also co-edited the anthology of Contemporary Buddhist Poetry, “America Zen.” He has received numerous awards for his writing and performance, including the 2001 Hart Crane Award from Kent State University. His popular website is www.raymcniece.com. Class Description - POETRY INTENSIVE WITH RAY MCNIECE: Poetry Intensive with Ray McNiece will be an in-depth hands-on writing workshop for imagery and narrative, how to tell a story with word pictures. Through blue-print exercises, he will guide you through what makes a poem, and what takes it to the next level as art.

Award-winning editor Nancy E. Piazza is a published writer with 19 years of editing experience. Through her business, Writeperson Ltd.—Western Reserve Editing, she edits nonfiction books, novels, short stories, articles, essays, memoirs, proposals, and letters for aspiring as well as published writers. Nancy edited “The Goddess of Highland Acres” by author Nancy J. Markham (Infinity Publishing.com, 2007). E-mail Nancy at editor@writeperson.com or visit: www.writeperson.com. EDITING SESSIONS: Prescheduled 15-minute one-on-one consultations will be focused on how to catch grammar, punctuation, and word usage errors in a friendly, helpful environment. To arrange a session with Nancy, contact Deanna Adams at DeeNCR@aol.com.

David Rastoka is currently a Regional Director for ResCare, the nation’s leading provider of services to people with developmental disabilities. He is a graduate of Lake Catholic High School and John Carroll University. David began writing children’s books in 2005 and has three books published. His books teach kids about life lessons and core values. Class Description - THE ABC's OF WRITING FOR CHILDREN: This session will discuss the writing process of a children’s book from beginning to end. We will share stories and ideas and ways to get your book published.

Les Roberts is Cleveland’s most popular mystery writer, whose latest book “is “King of the Holly Hop,” by Gray & Company, brings the Milan Jacovich book series to number 24. He is also an actor, director, network TV producer, teacher, critic, lecturer, radio personality, businessman, singer and jazz pianist. And he’ll still make time to teach you how to write a compelling mystery. Class Description – TAKING THE MYSTERY OUT OF MYTERY WRITING: Don’t worry about it, over-research it, anguish over it, or be afraid of it. Just sit down and DO IT! Les Roberts will tell you how.

Author, promoter, and performer, Michael Salinger has presented his brand of creative writing instruction to teachers and students from Land O' Lakes FL, to Homer, Alaska. Course Description – PUBLIC SPEAKING: A WRITER’S HOOK: If you are to be a writer, you most likely will be asked to be a public speaker. This popular performance poet of 20 years stage experience will offer tricks and tips to remaining calm and collected—even if you’re freaking out inside. Gain practical and tactical tools to use, whether you’re reading an excerpt from your award-winning novel, or negotiating the price on a used car.

Diane Campbell Taylor's personal essays have appeared in The Plain Dealer and Grit magazine. At present, she is working (with the help of her critique groups) on four novels concurrently. Class Description - FORMING A WRITERS' CRITIQUE GROUP: In this session, Diane Taylor tells the importance of a regular writers' group, and how it can transform your writing and writing career. Explore ways to find a critique group or form one of your own. There are a variety of methods used for critiquing, and pros and cons of different approaches. Included will be techniques to keep your group going strong year after year.

Joe Valencic has created award-winning advertising for the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland State University and the Western Reserve Historical Society. He’s promoted clients as varied as Tiger Woods, Bob Dole, Wimbledon and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and produced TV spots, as well as a documentary on the Collinwood neighborhood, screened at international festivals. He writes and lectures on marketing, American popular culture, and immigration history for publications and conferences. Class Description – CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITERS: Learn how to find writing outlets to earn extra income and exposure. From brochures and videos to newsletters and commemorative publications, companies and organizations seek versatile writers to persuade, explain, or entertain through their work.

Sarah Willis’ first novel, “Some Things That Stay,” was listed as a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, won the Stephen Crane Award for First Fiction 2000, and was awarded the Cleveland Arts Prize for Literature 2000. She is now busy writing her fifth novel. Her short stories have been published in Book Magazine, Confrontation, Crescent Review, Rockford Review, Whiskey Island Review, Riverwind, Artful Dodge, and others. She currently teaches writing at John Carroll University and Hiram College. Class Description – CHARACTER & PLACE IN FICTION: This class will explore the importance of the sense of “place” in fiction, and how to show place through your character’s eyes.

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