Here’s how to receive a 5% discount on American Airlines flights, and special rates on rental cars from Avis, for DFWcon travel around Feb. 26-27, 2011:

American Airlines Travel

Reservation ID: 1621BK (enter this ID in “Promotion Code” field)

Telephone reservations: 800.433.1790

Online reservations click here: American Airlines Website

Avis Rental Cars

Reservation ID: J906969

Telephone reservations: 888.754.8878

Online reservations click here: Avis Reservation Website

Note: If you make reservations through any other phone number or website system, you may miss out on these discounts.

Weronika Janczuk, agent with D4EO Literary Agency

Weronika Janczuk, agent with D4EO Literary Agency, has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

As a literary agent at D4EO Literary Agency, Weronika represents a broad range of commercial fiction and non-fiction. She accepted the position after a wide array of experience in the industry, including work with acquisitions editor Brian Farrey at Flux and, in different capacities, with other literary agents.

In addition to agent, she is also a writer and student. Most recently a Midwesterner, Weronika now lives in NYC and, when she isn’t reading submissions, she enjoys ’80s music, witty novels, funky art, and time spent with good people.

Weronika will also teach this class:

Class: The Act(ion) Dilemma

Some of the largest problems for fiction writers to fix in their manuscripts are related to structure—plot and pacing—even though thousands of resources exist that draw on lessons from screenwriting and many bestselling and/or genre-defining novels.

Why is it, then, that writers face so many difficult challenges in putting together the puzzle of their novel? It takes a lot of practice to get it right.

This class will briefly break down possible novel “templates,” including the three-act structure, the eight-point story arc, and others, to help writers, first, write to a formula that guarantees conflict and action and, two, break genre boundaries and rules after these basics are learned. In addition, a variety of easy-to-apply techniques can guarantee increased success in plotting and rewriting for both the writer that outlines and the writer that “pantses.”

You can find Weronika’s website here: Weronika Janczuk Website

The organizers of OpenCamp (a conference in DFW geared to bloggers and website designers) and Big(D)esign Conference (devoted to social media, user experience, and code development) have gracefully shared many of their organizational methods with the DFWcon team. For that, we offer our thanks.

In return, we want to encourage you to consider attending OpenCamp, coming up quickly the weekend of August 27-29. Here’s more about it directly from the OpenCamp organizers:

OpenCamp is the Southwest’s first multi-platform web conference. With top speakers covering topics ranging from social media to technical development, content creation, revenue generation and more, webmasters and web developers, bloggers, podcasters and technologists on any platform are welcome.

No matter what your interest, the platforms we’ll be covering at OpenCamp will help you further your publishing efforts, whether you use the written word, video or audio we’ve got you covered. While some sessions at OpenCamp will be a little more technical, most of them will be geared at beginners and intermediate users. We’ll also have great speakers such as Brian Clark from Copyblogger.com to discuss niche aspects of publishing, such as web copywriting and how to better integrate multi-media into your publishing efforts.

We recently announced the initial release of the OpenCamp Schedule. So far we have more than 50 sessions across seven tracks, plus networking events on Friday and Saturday.

This is the one blogging conference that you don’t want to miss!

Reserve your seat today here: OpenCamp Registration

Elana Roth, literary agent at the Caren Johnson Literary Agency, has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

Elana Roth began her career at Nickelodeon Magazine, which made her fall in love with children’s publishing.

Afterward, she spent nearly five years as an editor at Parachute Publishing, a packager specializing in children’s book series. There she was lucky to work on R.L. Stine’s ROTTEN SCHOOL among many other series for kids of all ages.

She joined Johnson Literary in September 2008, and is proud to represent such authors as Darren Farrell (DOUG-DENNIS and the FLYAWAY FIB) and David Patneaude (EPITAPH ROAD).

Elana is a graduate of Barnard College and the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she earned degrees in English literature and Bible.

Louise Fury, agent at L. Perkins Agency

Louise Fury, literary agent at the L. Perkins Agency, has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

Louise believes in the power of marketing and is constantly on the lookout for authors who know how to promote themselves.

She is seeking high-concept Young Adult fiction and fun, imaginative, and engaging Middle Grade fiction–think humor, adventure and mystery. The characters must be authentic and original.

Louise really loves historical (especially Regency and Victorian), paranormal, steampunk romance, mystery and epic horror.

She’s passionate about connecting with South African authors–anything about South Africa, or by a South African author is on her wish list.

In non-fiction she is looking for pop culture, humor, gift books and witty memoirs.

For more information on Louise or to take a peek at her client list, visit her blog, or follow her on Twitter @louisefury.

Dawn Frederick, literary agent and owner at Red Sofa Literary

Dawn Frederick, literary agent and owner at Red Sofa Literary, has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

Red Sofa Literary was established by Dawn Frederick in 2008.  Dawn brings a broad knowledge of the book business to the table—with over 10 years of experience as a bookseller in the independent, chain, and specialty stores; an editor for a YA publisher, a published nonfiction author, and her experience as an Associate Literary Agent at Sebastian Literary Agency from 2002 – 2007. She carries a B.S. in Human Ecology, and a M.S. in Information Sciences from an ALA accredited institution.

“Not only do I know what people like to read and are currently  reading;  I also have the experience of  working one-on-one with authors, book distribution centers, and literary organizations.”

Previous books sold include: I Love Rock & Roll (Except When I Hate It) by Brian Boone (Perigee), The Secrets of Skinny Chicks by Karen Bridson (McGraw-Hill), Finding Betty Crocker by Susan Marks (Simon & Schuster), Train to Nowhere by Colleen Bradford-Krantz (Ice Cube Press), and No Mercy: Roller Derby Life on the Flat-Track by Jules Doyle (Schiffer Publilshing).

Dawn is looking for nonfiction, and will be doing one-on-one consultations, a panel, and teaching a class during the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Kate McKean, agent with Howard Morhaim Literary Agency

Agent Kate McKean, with Howard Morhaim Literary Agency, Inc., has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

A native Southerner, Kate earned her Master’s degree in Fiction Writing from the University of Southern Mississippi before starting her career as a literary agent.

Her interests lie in literary fiction, contemporary women’s fiction, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, mystery, young adult and middle grade fiction, narrative non-fiction, sports related books, food writing, pop culture, and craft.

She is not accepting any epic fantasy, science fiction, or children’s picture books.

Jenny Bent, founding agent of The Bent Agency

Agent Jenny Bent, with her own The Bent Agency, has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

In a career spanning 15 years, I have made a practice of making bestsellers — either by spotting new talent or developing careers for multi-published authors.

My list is varied and includes commercial fiction and nonfiction, literary fiction and memoir. All the books I represent speak to the heart in some way: they are linked by genuine emotion, inspiration and great writing and story-telling.

I was born in New York City but grew up in Harrisonburg Virginia in a house full of books where I spent many lazy afternoons reading in a sunny window seat. I went on to England to get a BA/MA with first class honors from Cambridge University.

After graduation I worked in magazines, bookselling and agenting, most recently at Trident Media Group, before founding THE BENT AGENCY in 2009. I now live in Brooklyn in an apartment full of books and while there are not quite so many lazy reading afternoons, I manage to fit one in now and then.

Faith Black, editor with The Berkley Publishing Group, an imprint of Penguin Group

Editor Faith Black, with The Berkley Publishing Group, has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

Faith Black is an Editor with The Berkley Publishing Group, an imprint of Penguin Group, where she acquires mysteries and westerns. Her mystery acquisitions are published under Berkley’s successful Prime Crime imprint.

Previously, she worked at New Horizon Press, Cambridge University Press, and Avalon Books.

She is a graduate of Williams College where she earned her degree in English. She also received her Masters from Rutgers University in English and previously studied at Oxford University.

Jim McCarthy of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management

Agent Jim McCarthy, with Dystel & Goderich Literary Management, has confirmed he will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

Jim McCarthy interned for DGLM while studying urban design at New York University. Upon graduating, Jim realized he would much rather continue working with books than make the jump (as he had originally intended) to the field of city planning.

As an avid fiction reader, his interests encompass both literary and commercial works. He is particularly interested in literary women’s fiction, underrepresented voices, mysteries, romance, paranormal fiction, and anything unusual or unexpected.  In addition to fiction he is also interested in narrative nonfiction, humor, memoir, paranormal nonfiction, and anything related to architecture, planning, or real estate.

Jim was raised just outside of NYC and currently lives in Brooklyn.