Saturday, Feb 20, 2021
Keynote Speaker: The Storyteller's Stage with Gretchen McNeil
10:00am-11:00am PST
Story is more than just the words on the page. Gretchen talks about the difference between writing and storytelling, and how to find story in the world around you.
10:00am-11:00am PST
Story is more than just the words on the page. Gretchen talks about the difference between writing and storytelling, and how to find story in the world around you.
Workshop 2: Blasting Through Writer's Block with Greg van Eekhout
11:05am-12:05pm PST
All writers get stuck at some point, but successful writers learn how to get unstuck and finish their stories. In this workshop, we'll discuss what writer's block is (and what it isn't), ways to get past it, and how to cross the finish line.
11:05am-12:05pm PST
All writers get stuck at some point, but successful writers learn how to get unstuck and finish their stories. In this workshop, we'll discuss what writer's block is (and what it isn't), ways to get past it, and how to cross the finish line.
Workshop 3: TEENS AT THE END OF TIME: Writing Post-Apocalyptic and Dystopian YA Fiction with Jonathan Maberry
1:00pm-2:00pm PST
TEENS AT THE END OF TIME: Writing Post-Apocalyptic and Dystopian YA Fiction. When markets continue to catch fire while the rest of the publishing world is struggling, wise writers take notice! In teen fiction, apocalyptic and dystopian stories are super-hot. Find out why kids are devouring them and why editors can’t get enough of them! This interactive session discusses the different categories within the genre; crafting compelling tales; key themes; character-building; balancing light and dark elements; and more.
1:00pm-2:00pm PST
TEENS AT THE END OF TIME: Writing Post-Apocalyptic and Dystopian YA Fiction. When markets continue to catch fire while the rest of the publishing world is struggling, wise writers take notice! In teen fiction, apocalyptic and dystopian stories are super-hot. Find out why kids are devouring them and why editors can’t get enough of them! This interactive session discusses the different categories within the genre; crafting compelling tales; key themes; character-building; balancing light and dark elements; and more.
Workshop 4: Writing for Film and TV - "What I Wish I Knew in High School" with Nick Zayas
2:05pm-3:05pm PST
A crash course on screenwriting and story fundamentals in movies and TV. We'll talk about the craft, business and life of balancing movie and TV projects, with an emphasis on building the foundations of a great story. This is the screenwriting lesson Nick wished he could take in high school.
2:05pm-3:05pm PST
A crash course on screenwriting and story fundamentals in movies and TV. We'll talk about the craft, business and life of balancing movie and TV projects, with an emphasis on building the foundations of a great story. This is the screenwriting lesson Nick wished he could take in high school.
Workshop 5: College Essays in the Time of COVID-19 with Chris Hamilton
3:10-4:10pm PST
How will the Covid-19 crisis affect college admissions? And what should you keep in mind when constructing your college essays? What things should you do--or not do--in these unusual circumstances?
3:10-4:10pm PST
How will the Covid-19 crisis affect college admissions? And what should you keep in mind when constructing your college essays? What things should you do--or not do--in these unusual circumstances?
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Keynote Speaker: We are All Connected: Loving in the Age of the Pandemic with Benjamin Alire Sáenz
10:00-11:00am PST
I want to offer some reflections of what I’ve learned in the past year. It has been a time for separation for all of us. And I, like millions of other people around the globe had gone through a lot of loneliness and a yearning for belonging. We have all had a taste of living in exile. Young people, particularly have been hit hard by the harsh realities of being separated from the lives that they knew. But we must all find ways to discover our connectedness to each other and find new ways to remind ourselves that we all need each other in order to survive. We have to find ways to give each other hope.
10:00-11:00am PST
I want to offer some reflections of what I’ve learned in the past year. It has been a time for separation for all of us. And I, like millions of other people around the globe had gone through a lot of loneliness and a yearning for belonging. We have all had a taste of living in exile. Young people, particularly have been hit hard by the harsh realities of being separated from the lives that they knew. But we must all find ways to discover our connectedness to each other and find new ways to remind ourselves that we all need each other in order to survive. We have to find ways to give each other hope.
Workshop 2: Creating Your Own Identity with Abdi Nazemian
11:05am-12:05pm PST
What happens when essential aspects of your identity don't naturally fit together? What happens when you live in one culture within your home, and an entirely different culture in the outside world? What happens when you see no examples of yourself in the world growing up, and watch as pieces of yourself are erased from the world? In sharing his experience as a queer Iranian coming of age at the height of the AIDS epidemic, author Abdi Nazemian will explore universal aspects of the immigrant experience, and propose ways of unifying aspects of our own identity that don't neatly fit together. In doing so, he will discuss the power of creativity, the meaning of diversity, and the importance of tolerance.
11:05am-12:05pm PST
What happens when essential aspects of your identity don't naturally fit together? What happens when you live in one culture within your home, and an entirely different culture in the outside world? What happens when you see no examples of yourself in the world growing up, and watch as pieces of yourself are erased from the world? In sharing his experience as a queer Iranian coming of age at the height of the AIDS epidemic, author Abdi Nazemian will explore universal aspects of the immigrant experience, and propose ways of unifying aspects of our own identity that don't neatly fit together. In doing so, he will discuss the power of creativity, the meaning of diversity, and the importance of tolerance.
Workshop 3: Deep in a Bowl of Porridge: Planting Clues and Obscuring Red Herrings with Catriona McPhersonThis session will take an in-depth look at one specific, crucial skill in mystery-writing: the hiding of clues and the deployment of red herrings. The shell game itself. We'll consider where, how, and when to plant clues and what makes a good clue, a not-so-good clue, and a stinker. (We’ll also cover how to make it so it doesn’t matter if you get it wrong.)
Workshop 4: Taking the Tragedy out of LGBTQ Young Adult Fiction with Amy Spalding
2:05pm-3:05pm PST
For so long, stories about queer teen characters were mired in tragedy: bullying, ostracism, and death often prevailed. Happy queer young adult stories are finally getting their chance to break out into the mainstream. This workshop will help you get started in generating ideas, and begin writing your own happily-ever-after young adult novel. Participants will walk away with the seeds of a new young adult novel, or a refined outline/updated beginnings of a first draft of a previous idea. Participants will gain a fuller idea of typical tropes in storytelling, and how they can use the power of their own identities to fuel, flip, and subvert these. Participants will get a chance to share ideas with others, to receive encouragement on new ideas. Participants will leave with the inspiration and ideas necessary to get through a first draft. This workshop is designed to imbue novel-writing and storytelling with fun and lightheartedness.
2:05pm-3:05pm PST
For so long, stories about queer teen characters were mired in tragedy: bullying, ostracism, and death often prevailed. Happy queer young adult stories are finally getting their chance to break out into the mainstream. This workshop will help you get started in generating ideas, and begin writing your own happily-ever-after young adult novel. Participants will walk away with the seeds of a new young adult novel, or a refined outline/updated beginnings of a first draft of a previous idea. Participants will gain a fuller idea of typical tropes in storytelling, and how they can use the power of their own identities to fuel, flip, and subvert these. Participants will get a chance to share ideas with others, to receive encouragement on new ideas. Participants will leave with the inspiration and ideas necessary to get through a first draft. This workshop is designed to imbue novel-writing and storytelling with fun and lightheartedness.
Workshop 5: Healing Through Poetry with Gill Sotu
3:10pm-4:10pm PST
In this workshop, Gill Sotu will be giving participants tools to effectively communicate ideas, emotion, and wisdom through Poetry. He will also discuss where to find inspiration, How to find your poetic voice, and how to connect with your audience.
3:10pm-4:10pm PST
In this workshop, Gill Sotu will be giving participants tools to effectively communicate ideas, emotion, and wisdom through Poetry. He will also discuss where to find inspiration, How to find your poetic voice, and how to connect with your audience.
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Keynote Speaker: Write Your Self with Kiersten White
10:00am-11:00am PST
A celebration and examination of the only absolutely inimitable, essential thing you bring to your writing: yourself.
10:00am-11:00am PST
A celebration and examination of the only absolutely inimitable, essential thing you bring to your writing: yourself.
Workshop 2: Building Sci-Fi & Fantasy Worlds with Stephanie Diaz
11:05am-12:05pm PST
Author and editor Stephanie Diaz will walk you through the steps it takes to create a richly imagined science fiction or fantasy world that readers will want to get lost in—and give you tips to write about it without falling into the dreaded trap of info-dumping.
11:05am-12:05pm PST
Author and editor Stephanie Diaz will walk you through the steps it takes to create a richly imagined science fiction or fantasy world that readers will want to get lost in—and give you tips to write about it without falling into the dreaded trap of info-dumping.
Workshop 3: Creating Comic Books and Graphic Novels with Cecil Castellucci and Little Fish Comic Book Studio
1:00-2:00pm PST
Little Fish Comic Book Studio and Cecil Castellucci join forces to present a workshop on everything you ever wanted to know about writing and drawing for comic books and graphic novels!
1:00-2:00pm PST
Little Fish Comic Book Studio and Cecil Castellucci join forces to present a workshop on everything you ever wanted to know about writing and drawing for comic books and graphic novels!
Workshop 4: Setting a Play with Aleta Barthell
2:05pm-3:05pm PST
One of the greatest services that you can do for yourself as a writer is to set the world of your play so clearly that the characters inherently ramble into it and you are simply recording the dialog that comes out of their mouths as they meet. Join us to create your own world.
2:05pm-3:05pm PST
One of the greatest services that you can do for yourself as a writer is to set the world of your play so clearly that the characters inherently ramble into it and you are simply recording the dialog that comes out of their mouths as they meet. Join us to create your own world.
Workshop 5: The 6Cs of Plotting Your Novel with Tammy Greenwood
3:10pm-4:10pm PST
From Concept to Conclusion, we will explore those key plotting elements found in all good story-telling, with a specific focus on the structure of the novel.
3:10pm-4:10pm PST
From Concept to Conclusion, we will explore those key plotting elements found in all good story-telling, with a specific focus on the structure of the novel.
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Keynote Speaker: Bad Writing is Good For You with Maureen Johnson
10:00-11:00am PST
A lot of young writers get down on themselves, thinking they are bad writers. But bad writing is an essential step toward good writing. Maureen will talk about how doing it “wrong” is the right way to go.
10:00-11:00am PST
A lot of young writers get down on themselves, thinking they are bad writers. But bad writing is an essential step toward good writing. Maureen will talk about how doing it “wrong” is the right way to go.
Workshop 2: In the Beginning: How to Write a First Paragraph That Will Make People Want to Read More with Laura Preble
11:05am-12:05pm PST
What makes someone want to keep reading a book or story after the first paragraph? Is there an irresistible something that hooks a reader and won’t let go? This hands-on writing workshop will help you begin to craft a killer first paragraph. Please come with writing materials and/or a laptop and an idea or a character you’d like to develop. (But if you don’t have those, come anyway. You can brainstorm.)
11:05am-12:05pm PST
What makes someone want to keep reading a book or story after the first paragraph? Is there an irresistible something that hooks a reader and won’t let go? This hands-on writing workshop will help you begin to craft a killer first paragraph. Please come with writing materials and/or a laptop and an idea or a character you’d like to develop. (But if you don’t have those, come anyway. You can brainstorm.)
Workshop 3: Let the Characters Tell the Story with Nancy Holder
1:oopm-2:00pm PST
Ready, Writer One! Your characters are your readers' direct connection into your story. The stronger you can make that connection, the more your readers will feel, breathe, and live the narrative. Let's talk about how to charge your characters with life so that your readers hear their voices long after your work is done.
1:oopm-2:00pm PST
Ready, Writer One! Your characters are your readers' direct connection into your story. The stronger you can make that connection, the more your readers will feel, breathe, and live the narrative. Let's talk about how to charge your characters with life so that your readers hear their voices long after your work is done.
Workshop 4: Getting Published 101 with Natalie Lakosil
2:05-3:05pm PST
Everything you need to know about submitting your work to editors, agents and publishers, including how to write a stand-out query letter and how agents work. Will workshop writing your hook-in presentation.
2:05-3:05pm PST
Everything you need to know about submitting your work to editors, agents and publishers, including how to write a stand-out query letter and how agents work. Will workshop writing your hook-in presentation.
Workshop 5: Fast and Furious: Writing Great Action Scenes for the Page or Screen with James Matlack Raney
3:10-4:10pm PST
This workshop will help you turn your story into a real page turner. We'll break down what makes action scenes unique and important, look at how to set your action scene up for success, and break down the components of a well-written, heart pounding action scene. Get ready to push your writing into overdrive, and get your readers’ pulses racing!
3:10-4:10pm PST
This workshop will help you turn your story into a real page turner. We'll break down what makes action scenes unique and important, look at how to set your action scene up for success, and break down the components of a well-written, heart pounding action scene. Get ready to push your writing into overdrive, and get your readers’ pulses racing!