Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference Sessions

The Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference focuses exclusively on the craft of novel writing. The event is a start-to-finish progression of instruction, walking you through the process of starting a novel, addressing the elements of the craft and finishing up with revision techniques and next steps for getting that novel published.

Each session will be designed with the goal of helping you produce a saleable novel, not just a well-written one. Whether you’re interested in traditional publishing or self-publishing, you’ll learn pertinent and valuable information.

We’re still putting the finishing touches on this year’s program. Check back often, and be sure to sign up for the Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference e-newsletter for updates!

Friday, August 15th, 2014
Printable agenda 
Boot Camps - Additional Fee Required
9:00 am - 12:00 pmBoot Camp: Crafting a Killer Thriller (Additional fee required) [More Info]
Larry Brooks, USA Today Bestselling Author , Darkness Bound, Bait & Switch, and Whisper of the Seventh Thunder		Boot Camp: How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy Novels (Additional Fee Required) [More Info]
Philip Athans, New York Times Bestselling Author , Annihilation, Baldur’s Gate, and Realms of the Elves		Boot Camp: Writing Romantic Fiction (Additional fee required) [More Info]
Barbara O'Neal, Author, The Lost Recipe For Happiness, How to Bake a Perfect Life and seven-time RITA award-winner
12:30 pm - 3:30 pmDavid Morrell’s Historical Fiction Boot Camp (Additional fee required) [More Info]
David Morrell, New York Times Bestselling Author , First Blood, The Brotherhood of the Rose, and Murder as a Fine Art		Boot Camp: How to Write Hair-Raising Horror (Additional Fee Required) [More Info]
Jonathan Maberry, New York Times Bestselling Author , Rot & Ruin, Flesh & Bone, and Code Zero		Boot Camp: Writing Riveting New Adult Fiction (Additional fee required) [More Info]
Deborah Halverson, Author, Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies, Writing New Adult Fiction, Honk If You Hate Me
Main Conference
4:00 pm - 4:50 pmDeveloping Ideas for a Publishable Novel [More Info]
Fred White, Ph.D, Professor Emeritus, Santa Clara University
5:00 pm - 5:50 pmStory Architecture: An Introduction to Structure That Empowers Planners and Pantsers Alike [More Info]
Larry Brooks, USA Today Bestselling Author , Darkness Bound, Bait & Switch, and Whisper of the Seventh Thunder
6:00 pm - 6:50 pmOpening Keynote - Jonathan Maberry [More Info]
Jonathan Maberry, New York Times Bestselling Author , Rot & Ruin, Flesh & Bone, and Code Zero

Saturday, August 16th, 2014
Printable agenda 
9:00 am - 9:50 amYour First 50 Pages [More Info]
Jeff Gerke, Author		Living Dialogue Pt 1 [More Info]
Philip Athans, New York Times Bestselling Author , Annihilation, Baldur’s Gate, and Realms of the Elves
10:00 am - 10:50 amDeep Scenes: Choosing Just the Right Scenes to Plot Your Novel [More Info]
Martha Alderson, Author
Jordan Rosenfeld, Author		Living Dialogue Pt 2 [More Info]
Philip Athans, New York Times Bestselling Author , Annihilation, Baldur’s Gate, and Realms of the Elves
11:00 am - 11:50 amPanel: Ask the Agent [More Info]
Annie Bomke, Literary Agent, Annie Bomke Literary Agency
Ken Sherman, Literary Agent, Ken Sherman & Associates
Jill Marr, Acquiring Agent, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency
Carlie Webber, Literary Agent, CK Webber Associates		Patience Pays Off: How Josh Malerman Set Bird Box Flying [More Info]
Josh Malerman, Novelist, Bird Box
Porter Anderson, Journalist/Critic/Writer/Speaker in Publishing
12:00 pm - 1:00 pmExhibit Break and Lunch on Your Own
1:00 pm - 1:50 pmFocus Your Lens: Mastering Point of View [More Info]
Jordan Rosenfeld, Author		How to Hide the Seams for Smooth, Flowing Fiction [More Info]
Deborah Halverson, Author, Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies, Writing New Adult Fiction, Honk If You Hate Me
1:00 pm - 4:55 pmAgent One-on-Ones - Additional Fee Required [More Info]
Annie Bomke, Literary Agent, Annie Bomke Literary Agency
Ken Sherman, Literary Agent, Ken Sherman & Associates
Jill Marr, Acquiring Agent, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency
Carlie Webber, Literary Agent, CK Webber Associates
2:00 pm - 2:50 pmWriting Active Setting [More Info]
Mary Buckham, Author, Invisible Fears, Invisible Fate		Your Story on Steroids: How to Make Your Story Stronger, Bigger, and Better Than Ever [More Info]
Larry Brooks, USA Today Bestselling Author , Darkness Bound, Bait & Switch, and Whisper of the Seventh Thunder
3:00 pm - 3:50 pmTricks of the Trade - A recovering journalist shows you how to use the skills and shortcuts of daily reporting to get your novel done on deadline [More Info]
Christopher Farnsworth, Author, Nathaniel Cade series		Plot and Character Transformation in Novels: Character Goals versus Character Traits [More Info]
Martha Alderson, Author
4:00 pm - 4:50 pmThe Last Class on Show vs. Tell You’ll Ever Need [More Info]
Jeff Gerke, Author		Cinematic Book Trailers: How to Promote the Power of Your Story with Video [More Info]
Adam Cushman, President, Red 14 Films
5:00 pm - 5:50 pmFinding Your Voice and Your Subject [More Info]
David Morrell, New York Times Bestselling Author , First Blood, The Brotherhood of the Rose, and Murder as a Fine Art
6:00 pm - 7:30 pmCocktail Reception and Exhibits

Sunday, August 17th, 2014
Printable agenda 
9:00 am - 9:50 amTop Ten Signs Your Novel Needs Revision (and How to Fix It) [More Info]
Helga Schier, Ph.D., Editor, withpenandpaper.com
10:00 am - 10:50 amCornerstones of Excellence: How to Revise Your Novel From Good to Great [More Info]
Barbara O'Neal, Author, The Lost Recipe For Happiness, How to Bake a Perfect Life and seven-time RITA award-winner
11:00 am - 11:50 amCrafting the Bulletproof Query Letter [More Info]
Carlie Webber, Literary Agent, CK Webber Associates
12:00 pm - 12:50 pm10 Ways to Get Your Novel Published Faster [More Info]
Susan Shapiro, Journalist/Author/Professor, The New School, New York University
Daniel Smetanka, Executive Editor, Counterpoint Press