EARLY BIRD SESSION

Fees for the Early Bird Session are $75 over and above Conference Registrations Fees. This year's session will be held on Friday, September 17, 2010 from 8:00 am- noon.

Enrollment is limited, so sign up early!


2010 Early Bird Session - (optional)

Early Bird Session

Level: A-E Title: Fiction: The Next Level Workshop Hosted By: James Scott Bell Status: Description: Published or unpublished, are you ready to take your fiction higher? Ready to learn the skills and techniques that can send your writing above the slush? Then James Scott Bell’s Early Bird session at the 2010 ACFW conference is for you. This class will be an engaging mix of lecture, hands-on workshop, and film clips. It will zero in on the 6 Critical Success Factors of Fiction – Plot, Structure, Characters Scenes, Dialogue & Description , digging into the essence of each and showing you how to bump every area up to that storied "next level." Not only a best-selling novelist, Jim has written three books many authors keep close at hand when writing: Plot & Structure, Revision & Self-Editing, and The Art of War for Writers. If you’re ready to learn techniques to make your fiction soar, don’t miss this early bird session.

CONTINUING EDUCATION SESSIONS

As part of your conference registration options, you will be given the choice of one Continuing Education Session track to follow throughout the conference agenda. Each Continuing Education Session will consist of four parts.

As you review the options, you will see that each class is marked with a Level. These Levels are a tool to help you determine which classes will be most beneficial FOR YOU. So read the definitions below, and then grab your highlighter to mark the workshops and sessions you most want to attend. Also notice that Level E classes have requirements the presenters have set for attending those classes. All other classes are open to anyone; the tracks are merely to help you determine the type of instruction to expect.

Level Definitions

Level A:

Writers who are starting out, who have attended 1-3 conferences, have completed 0-3 manuscripts, and are getting a handle on the publishing industry would benefit most from these classes. Classes will cover the basics elements of novel and proposal writing as well as how to submit finished manuscripts, and meet agents and editors.

Level B:

Writers who have been studying the craft for a while and have become strong writers, are receiving some requests for full manuscripts, but are getting rejected and haven't acquired an agent will benefit from this track. Classes will delve deeper into strengthening the elements of a good manuscript and proposal as well as help identify the areas a writer needs to improve to help advance his/her career.

Level C:

Writers who have gotten requests for complete manuscripts with revisions from agents and editors, and have possibly made it to committee but are still receiving rejections will benefit from these classes. Your writing is strong, you're ready for publication, editors and agents are watching you, but that elusive contract has not yet been offered. In these classes you will learn the next step to publication as well as continue to strengthen your prose and publishing knowledge.

Level D:

Writers who are published or recently contracted will get the most from these classes. You're still struggling with balancing your life with your new writing career and trying not to be stressed while meeting deadlines. Classes will also cover organization, marketing, public relations and speaking, and the business side of writing.

Level E:

Published authors with several books will benefit most from the community of writers gathered in these classes. While the main goal of these workshops is to learn about craft or marketing in a new or improved way, it will also be a gathering place for published writers to exchange ideas.

Please review the options below and have your selection in mind prior to completing the Conference Registration Form.

2010 Continuing Education Sessions - (you may choose one of the following)

CE Session - 1

Level: A Title: Basic Basics for Fiction Writers Hosted By: Tracie & Jim Peterson Prerequisite: none Description: Beginning writers will pinpoint the important basic requirements for writing an incredible story. What makes a great plot? How do we develop fantastic characters? What do setting, dialogue, and pacing have in common? How do we inspire and encourage without sounding preachy or trite? This hands-on class will also take an idea and create a workable, intriguing plot participants can market, be it in novella size or a full length novel.

CE Session - 2

Level: B Title: Mastering Structure, symbols, 3-D Characters identified with literary fiction writing Hosted By: Dr. Dennis Hensley Prerequisite: none Description: In this session intermediate writers will delve into aspects of fiction writing that give novels lasting power in the marketplace and life-changing impact on readers. How? By studying the nine classic plots and how to use them. By examining symbolism, three dimensional characters, and the proper use of flashback and flash-forward techniques. And by analyzing dialogue, setting and more.

CE Session - 3

Level: C Title: 12 Crucial Questions to ask about your novel Hosted By: Gayle Roper Prerequisite: none Description: Have you been writing awhile and keep hearing, "Almost but not quite," but get no direct suggestions to make your manuscript better? Perhaps the answers to Twelve Crucial Questions will give you ideas to move that almost manuscript to "Whoa! This is great!"

CE Session - 4

Level: D Title: Scene Therapy Hosted By: Susan May Warren & Rachel Hauck Prerequisite: none Description: A great book is made up of a conglomeration of scenes – the kind that make you weep and laugh and that move the character through their journey. But a great scene has many components, a flow and most definitely a purpose for being there. In this advanced class, participants will come armed with a scene they want to improve, and give it scene therapy. They’ll l learn the elements of a great scene, how to put those elements together, how to layer in emotion, how to build powerful metaphors, and finally, adding a literary voice to create scenes a reader won’t forget. With writing time, and feedback, this class will change the way you write a book.

CE Session - 5

Level: A-E Title: Marketing Your Fiction Hosted By: Chip MacGregor/Jim Rubart Prerequisite: none Description: Have at least one book out, but the idea of marketing them leaves you cold? You’re a writer not a publicist after all. Then attend and learn from two industry professionals why you’ve just become your own Marketing Director, The Essential Ingredients to Every Marketing Plan, What your Publisher will do; What You will do and Marketing in the Real World.

CE Session - 6

Level: E Title: Six Stage Plot Structure Hosted By: Michael Hauge Prerequisite: for multipublished authors only Description: Do you have three or more books published, but still want to push yourself to deepen your characters and plots? Then attend this workshop with screenwriting and story specialist Michael Hauge. He will walk you through the key plot points to your characters’ inner and outer journeys.