19th annual Maryland Writers’ Association’s Annual Conference

[Cynthia Polansky]

Saturday, April 21, 2007

The 19th annual Maryland Writers’ Association’s annual conference gives writers the opportunity to hone their craft in sessions led by established authors, instructors, and experts. Sessions are for everyone; beginners and published writers alike in a wide range of subjects. Come explore the many worlds of writing with us.

Visit http://www.marylandwriters.org/conferences-2007.html for more information and registration.

Keynote Speaker: Rafael Alvarez “Writing From A to Z”

Rafael Alvarez spent more than 20 years chasing every kind of story that moved in Baltimore as a City Desk reporter for The Sun. From there he went to sea to write short stories until David Simon called to invite him to the staff of HBO's "The Wire." Alvarez worked on the first three seasons of the show and wrote the companion book to the award-winning show, "Truth Be Told: The Wire."

Based in Baltimore and Los Angeles, Alvarez is something of a literary renaissance man. He read encyclopedias as a child, and grew up to be a walking encyclopedia of writing knowledge.

The Sun published two anthologies of his newspaper work: "Hometown Boy" and "Storyteller." Alvarez also wrote two collections of short fiction: "The Fountain of Highlandtown" and "Orlo and Leini." He is also the author of "First and Forever," a long oral history of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, published in 2006. Books by Alvarez are available through the Minas Gallery, 815 West 36th street in Hampden. For more information go to alvarezfiction.com

Choose from 25 different sessions on a variety of topics
Meet one-on-one with top agents and editors
Network with established authors and freelance writers
Location: Conference Center at the Maritime Institute of Technology,
692 Maritime Boulevard, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090

Date: Saturday, April 21, 2007, 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM

Schedule:
Registration & Continental Breakfast 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Conference 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Lunchtime Keynote Address 12:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Networking mixer 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Cost: REGISTRATION OPTIONS
MWA Members: $120.00
Non-Members: $160.00 (to become a member now, complete a membership registration form and submit it along with your conference registration form)

Full Time Students: $85 (must show student ID on arrival at conference)
Member w/agent or editor session: $150
Non-member w/agent or editor session $190
additional editor/agent session $30

Featured Speakers: Rafael Alvarez “Writing From A to Z”

Sessions:
Marketing yourself – Before publication
Daring to Write
Those Critical Ten Minutes
The Publishing Matrix
Creating Writing Workshops
Death By Query
Interjecting Humor in Writing
Promoting your Book
The Power of Great Dialogue
Creative Romance Writing
Writing and Rewriting
Question and Answer Session
Developing your Characters
All about Freelance Writing
So You Want to be a Travel Writer
Marketing and Publishing Non- Fiction
Poetry
Non-Linear Story Telling
Screenwriting
Critique Groups: Finding the Right Mix
How to Write for Young Adults

Featured Panels:
Publishing Options Panel
Agent Panel
Copyright and Contracts Panel

Agent Sessions: Verbally present your project to an agent and get feedback on its potential marketability. Bring your bio and a synopsis, if you choose. Please note, however, that the agents are not required to read your material.

Editor Manuscript Review: Register for an individual critique from a writing expert. Sign up to have an editor go through the first 15 pages of your work, making pertinent comments and notations on its strengths, areas to improve, and marketability.

Registration Form
Online * PDF * Word Doc

Conference Web site: http://www.marylandwriters.org/conferences-2007.html

Please e-mail Cathy Wiley at [e-mail] if you have any questions.