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EVENTS:
CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, AND OTHERS

Disclaimer: Although I try to find contests, conferences, workshops, and other events that are legit and beneficial to writers, I can't guarantee anything. I always try to include a URL or other contact information so you can check them out and make your own decisions.

JACKSON HOLE WRITERS CONFERENCE
Jackson, Wyoming

June 25 - 28, 2009

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Special tracks for 2009:
Travel & Outdoor Writing
Young Adult Fiction
Poetry
Creative Nonfiction
Fiction

Every summer, passion for the written word brings writers together in Grand Teton National Park's backyard. Jackson Hole Writers Conference attendees are young and old, veterans and tenderfoots who all share one common denominator: they all love writing.

Conference workshops are led by novelists, creative non-fiction writers, poets, agents, editors and publishers. Whatever your emphasis, you will learn the nuts and bolts of the writing profession, from cultivating ideas to making the sale. The faculty's goal is to help our writers get published.

Attendees enjoy unusual access to agents, editors, and writing faculty through three manuscript critiques included in the registration fee. Over the four days of the conference you'll mingle, chat, and get to pick some of the best brains in publishing.

Cost: $390, early bird $360

http://jacksonholewritersconference.com/

STORY MASTERY

Austin, TX

June 27, 2009

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During this special, all-day seminar, Hollywood script and story consultant Michael Hauge, best-selling author of Writing Screenplays That Sell and Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read, will present his unique approach to creating compelling fiction, and eliciting emotion in your readers through story concept, plot structure, character development and theme.

Michael will then reveal his proven method for getting the people in power to read your screenplay or manuscript. Selected participants who are members of the Austin
Screenwriters Group will also get direct feedback on their story concepts, opening scenes and pitches.

$95 for ASG members
$125 for non-members
Cash, check or money order payable to Austin Screenwriters Group
$36/year dues to get members' rate

http://www.austinscreenwriters.org/hauge.html

ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA 29TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Washington, DC

July 15 - 18, 2009

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Be sure the join us in Washington, D.C., to enhance your writing and knowledge of the ins and outs of publishing at more than 100 workshops; get the inside track at panels and round-tables featuring publishing professionals; schedule a one-on-one pitch meeting with an acquiring editor or literary agent; attend parties and network with the stars of romance fiction; and be a part of RWA's massive, 500-author strong "Readers for Life" charity book signing.

Best-selling author Linda Howard is our Keynote Luncheon (Thursday) speaker this year, and Eloisa James will speak at the Friday Awards Luncheon. Anne Stuart wraps up the conference on a high note by emceeing the 2009 RITA and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony. And librarians, don't miss the 2009 Librarians' Day, with luncheon speaker Stella Cameron.

The conference early registration fee is $425 for members and $500 for non-RWA members. Registration opens on the RWA Web site January 20, 2009

http://www.rwanational.org/cs/conferences_and_events

16TH ANNUAL BOOK PASSAGE MYSTERY WRITERS CONFERENCE

Corte Madera, California

July 16 - 19, 2009

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The four-day Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference covers everything mystery writers need--from developing ideas and writing skills to finding a publisher.

Students work closely with mystery writers, agents, editors, and publishers as well as investigators and crime-fighting professionals.

Editors, agents, and publishers tell students what they need to know to get published. Authors offer classes on setting, dialogue, suspense, point of view, and openings.

In selecting people from the publishing business to teach at the Mystery Writers Conference, we look for those who work with mystery writers and who have decision-making ability within their business. We also look for those individuals who are good teachers and who enjoy spending time with students at the Conference.

Opportunities abound for faculty and students to talk, laugh, and exchange ideas in classes, workshops, panels, and informal lunches.

The Conference is chaired by mystery writers Sheldon Siegel and Jacqueline Winspear.

Conference Registration: $540

http://www.bookpassage.com/content.php?id=44

THEAKSTONS OLD PECULIER CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL

Harrogate

July 23-26, 2009

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Witness some of the finest ‘criminal minds’ knocking heads in a series of debates, seminars and on-stage interviews. And don’t miss the notorious late night crime quiz and prestigious award ceremony for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year.

Speakers include: Mark Billingham, Laura Wilson, Gyles Brandreth, Ariana Franklin, Jason Goodwin, Caro Peacock, C.J. Sansom, Val McDermid, Duncan Campbell, David Levien, Shona MacLean, Dan Waddell, Lee Weeks, Peter James, Laura Lippman, Andrew Taylor, Martin Walker, Christopher Brookmyre, Stuart MacBride, Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Martyn Waites, George Pelecanos, Val McDermid and Lee Child, among many others.

Individual sessions can be booked and paid for online. The cost of each session ranges from 8 to 26 pounds.

Just as important to the atmosphere and growing success of the event are the book lovers, the readers, and the devotees of the dark art of crime fiction. These are the people who truly make Harrogate what it is - one of the friendliest and most fun events in the literary calendar.

http://www.harrogate-festival.org.uk/crime/

KILLER NASHVILLE 2009

Nashville, Tennessee

August 14 - 16, 2009

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Over 40 panels & discussions available on mysteries, thrillers, and general writing and promotion techniques applicable to any genre

Guest agent: Lucienne Diver, The Knight Agency

Guest editor: Maryglenn McCombs, Oceanview Publishing

For the fourth year in a row, Killer Nashville is excited and proud to offer manuscript critiques to its registered attendees for the low additional charge of $40 per critique.

A manuscript critique offers a specialized one-on-one meeting with a professional writer who will read a section of your manuscript and then offer you a face-to-face analysis of what works and what does not in your submission.

Through February 28, 2009: $125
After February 28, 2009: $133
After May 31, 2009: $145
Discounted registration for full-time students, teachers or senior citizens

http://www.killernashville.com/

Scene of the Crime Festival

Wolfe Island, Ontario

August 15, 2009

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A brand new writing workshop taught this year by acclaimed mystery author (and Scene of the Crime board member) Vicki Delany

The Grant Allen Award for pioneering work in the field of mystery and crime writing will be presented to Peter Robinson.

Also at the festival: Rosemary Aubert, Rick Blechta, Barbara Fradkin, and David Rotenberg.

Full day: $65
Creative Writing Workshop: $30
Full day plus Writing Workshop: $95

http://www.sceneofthecrime.ca/festival/

47th ANNUAL CCWC 2009

Centerville, Cape Cod

August 15-21, 2009

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Conference A
Opening Night: August 15 (Starts at 6 PM)
Keynote Speaker: August 16
Master Class: August 17
Classes August 16, 17, and 18 (Ends at 6 PM)

Conference B
Opening Night: August 18 (Starts at 6 PM)
Keynote Speaker: August 19
Master Class: August 20
Classes August 19, 20, and 21 (Depart Friday PM or
Saturday AM)

$35 registration fee if you are not a member of Cape Cod
Writers Center

Courses are priced individually. Prices available in
online downloadable brochure

http://www.capecodwriterscenter.org/conference_writers_authors.html

DRAGON CON

Atlanta, GA

September 4 - 7, 2009

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Dragon*Con is the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the US.

Dragon*Con was launched in 1987 as an outgrowth/evolvement of a local SF and gaming group, the Dragon Alliance of Gamers and Role-Players (DAGR).

Attendance has grown from 1,400 in 1987 to over 30,000 in 2007.

Dragon*Con membership covers all four days, all panels, events, demonstrations, concerts, performances, contests, snacks and munchies in our Consuite (as available) and a host of other activities.

The Following are NOT covered in your membership fee:
* The Guest of Honor Banquet
* Most Tournament Gaming sessions
* Materials costs for a few workshops
* Certain autographs (at the sole discretion of the autographer; mostly screen stars)

Pricing for the Memberships to Dragon*Con 2009 is as follows:
* $70 until 02/13/2009.

http://www.dragoncon.org/index.php

SEASCAPE WRITERS RETREAT

Madison, Connecticut

September 18-20, 2009

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Authors Hallie Ephron, S.W. Hubbard and Roberta Isleib will guide you in assessing and improving three essential components of your writing.

Each participant will submit in advance three short sections (2-10 pages) from a work-in-progress. In the course of the weekend, you will rotate through three focus groups, each of which will examine a different sample of your work-in-progress:

Crafting a Compelling Opening led by S.W. Hubbard
Pumping Up Action & Suspense led by Hallie Ephron
Creating Memorable Characters led by Roberta Isleib

The SeaScape Writers Retreat is limited to 18 participants (14 sleep-over, 4 commuter).
Registration price includes all meals, from Friday picnic dinner through Sunday lunch.
Retreat with private room: $550,
Retreat w/ shared room (2 twin beds): $450,
Commuter: $350
Most rooms share a bath and will be assigned on first-come, first-served basis.

http://www.robertaisleib.com/seascape.html

BALTIMORE BOOK FESTIVAL

Baltimore, MD

September 25-27, 2009

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This year's authors include Diahann Carroll, Buzz Aldrin, KRS-One, Ingrid Hoffman, Dale DeGroff, Lourdes Castro and Adam Ried.

Dynamic, personal interaction between readers and authors is the hallmark of our festival.

Scheduled stages include: Literary Salon, Children's Bookstore Stage, Food for Thought Stage, CityLit Stage, Creative Cafe, Literary Walking Tours, Music Stage, School of Lit, Festival Stage, Radical BookFair Pavilion, and Authors and Friends Literary Tent.

There will also be: Events in the Neighborhood, City Paper Book Swap, Handwriting Analysis, Crafts Corridor, Magazine Stand and Storybook Parade.

http://www.baltimorebookfestival.org/

Moonlight & Magnolias
Georgia Romance Writers Conference

Norcross, GA

October 2-4, 2009

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Keynote Speaker: Sherrilyn Kenton, #1 New York Times best-selling author

Special Guest Speakers: Dianna Love and Tami Cowden

Editors and Agents:
Emmanuelle Alspaugh - Judith Ehrlich Literary Agency
Chelsea Gilmore - Avalon Books
Raelene Gorlinsky - Ellora’s Cave
Melissa Jeglinski - Knight Agency
Monique Patterson - St. Martin’s Press
Barbara Poelle - Irene Goodman Agency
Becca Stumpf - Prospect Agency
Denisa Zaza - Harlequin Intrigue

Workshops, Editor & Agent Appointments, Book Fair, Cold Reads, Pitch Workshop and more.

Lots of workshops, from "Secrets, Lies and Back-story" to "The 12 Hero Archetypes."

Registration:
GRW Member: $199
RWA Member: $209
Non-RWA: $219

http://www.georgiaromancewriters.org/mm-conference/

SINC INTO GREAT WRITING

Indianapolis, IN

October 14, 2009

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Sisters in Crime will be sponsoring a writing workshop on October 14, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis, IN, the day before the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention
begins.

The SinC into Great Writing program features seminars by New York literary agent Donald Maass, author Hallie Ephron, and author Chris Roerden, and dinner with keynote speaker Nancy Pickard. The program will run from 1:30 to 9pm.

Writing the Breakout Novel with Donald Maass
Twisting a Mystery Plot: The Secret's in the Secrets with Hallie Ephron
Don't Sabotage Your Submission with Chris Roerden

Deadline to Register: September 22, 2009. NO REFUNDS.
Registration will be capped at 200.

Cost: $50 for SinC members, $150 for nonmembers. Dinner and coffee break included.

http://www.sistersincrime.org/conference/

BOUCHERCON 2009
Indianapolis, Indiana

October 15 - 18, 2009

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Bouchercon 2009 is still a long way away, but it's never too late to plan.

Early-bird registration fee of $125 is available for the first 200 registrants. Regular registration fee is $150.

Guest of Honor: Michael Connelly

Toastmaster: S.J. Rozan

Fan Guest of Honor: Kathryn Kennison

Since Bouchercon 2009 coincides with the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Baker Street Irregulars, a Sherlockian field trip is being planned to the Lilly Library located at the Indiana University in Bloomington.

If you're an author and would like to be included in the program, keep checking back to the site for more information.

Also, check the Attendees page. There's already a long list of people signed up.

http://www.bouchercon2009.com/

NEW ENGLAND CRIME BAKE 2009

Dedham, Massachusetts

November 13 - 15, 2009

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Guest of Honor: Sue Grafton

Panelists include: Linda Barnes, Jedediah Berry, Jan Brogan, Dana Cameron, Mark Chauppetta, Glenn Cooper, Dr. John Elefteriades, Hallie Ephron, Joe Finder, Kate Flora, Lisa Gardner, Lynne Griffin, Bruce Harris, Jennifer Harris, Rosemary Harris, James Hayman, Lynne Heitman, Toni L.P. Kelner, Ruth McCarty, Mary Kate McGilvray, Kathy Meeker, Paul Munler, Jane Murphy, Sergeant James O'Shea, Michael Palmer, Cynthia Riggs, Stephen D. Rogers, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Paul Tremblay, and Dave Zeltserman.

Attendance will be capped at 225.

Early Bird Discount:
$150 for paid-up members of MWA or SinC, registrations postmarked by 10/1/09
$190 for non-members or lapsed members, registrations postmarked by 10/1/09

Regular Price:
$180 for paid-up members of MWA or SinC, registrations postmarked 10/2/09 or later
$220 for non-members or lapsed members, registrations postmarked 10/2/09 or later

FREE: Friday Night Seminars and Pitch Sessions with Literary Agents

http://www.crimebake.org/index.htm