Archive for the ‘Speakers’ Category

Jenny Martin

You’ve heard agents and editors crow about writing voice and you’ve read every book and blog post about the ‘rules’ of writing  a stellar novel.

But what if voice isn’t really about the ‘rules’ at all? What if  it’s not about passive verbs and misplaced modifiers and too many  descriptive clauses? What if voice is so much deeper?

What is voice and how can I develop my own? Ironically, voice is one of the most difficult concepts for writers to grasp, yet it is the number one element editors and agents demand. If you’re interested in finding (and strengthening) your own unique  writing voice, if you’re dedicated to nurturing that magic spark, the  element that hooks a reader and keeps them turning pages, you won’t want to miss this session. I’ll be sharing all my secrets–the practical  tips that can make a novel irresistible.

This class takes place at 8:40 a.m. on Sunday, May 20.

About the speaker

Jenny Martin is represented by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger Agency. As a YA writer, a librarian, and a professional book reviewer, she’s drawn to all areas of storytelling. As a librarian, she’s a member of ALA, TLA, and AASL. As a writer, she’s a member of DFW Writers’ Workshop. Aside from writing, reading and recommending books for young readers, Jenny has presented at conventions, such as TCEA and DFWCON. She’s also had the pleasure of serving as a mentor for DFW Teen Writers’ Workshop and as an writing instructor for the University of Texas at Arlington’s Continuing Education program. Jenny posts her own brand of fierce nonsense at http://jmartinlibrarian.wordpress.com and haunts twitter as @jmartinlibrary.

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Rusty Shelton

Discoverability and the New World of Book PR

Shelf space isn’t what it used to be. A search on “leadership books” on Amazon returns more than 60,000 results. The same search on Google returns more than 130 million results. With retail bookstores increasingly giving way to digital devices, success in publishing is no longer about distribution, it’s about discoverability. This session will detail the many changes that are taking place in the publishing industry and will explore how authors and publishers can set themselves up to succeed in this new environment.

The class takes place at 2:10 p.m. on Saturday, May 19.

About the speaker

Rusty Shelton first spoke at Harvard on the changing world of public relations at the age of 23. Now he is the President and CEO of Shelton Interactive, a full-service digital agency focused on helping clients start conversations that matter.The firm is the lead digital agency for Chicken Soup for the Soul and Harvard Health Publications and has worked with top brands like IBM, Amazon and many small businesses and individual authors. Shelton spoke at SXSW Interactive this year and sits on the University of Texas Texas Exes PR Committee. Learn more at www.sheltoninteractive.com.

The Changing Face of Publishing

Rusty will also moderate our signature panel. The group will discuss recent upheavals in the publishing business, what’s ahead and what it all means for us as writers.  Participants literary agent Laurie McLean, self-published authors Cheryl Ammeter and Mark Fadden, New York Times bestselling traditionally published author James Rollins, book marketer Meredith Barnes and editor Stacey Barney.

The panel takes place at 10:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 19.

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Jennie Goloboy

You know that James Fenimore Cooper didn’t use a typewriter, and the Pilgrims never saw a zipper.  But how do you get the setting of a historical novel to feel authentic?  Focusing on early America, this class will consider the limitations of physical possibility in the past, and how such limitations affected the way people dressed, ate, and worked.  We will discuss how previous generations thought differently than we do about issues such as family, romance, and childhood. Students will learn how to find useful sources such as old novels and historic advice books which will help them with their own work.

About the agent

Jennie Goloboy is an associate literary agent at Red Sofa Literary.  A published author of both history and fiction, she has a PhD in the History of American Civilization from Harvard.  She is an associate member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic, the Organization of American Historians, and the American Historical Association.

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Jill Marsal

This class will look at transformations happening within the publishing industry and at various publishers, the changing roles of editors and agents, what is hot and what’s not in the current market – what are editors looking for, other key changes in the industry that every writer should know about, electronic publishing, and various trends.  It will also discuss marketing and social media and how authors can use this, when authors should be developing their social media platform, and balancing this and writing, book promotion, and other things every author should know.

The class will take place 9:40 a.m. on Sunday, May 20.

About the agent

Jill Marsal is a partner at the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.  She has been in the publishing industry almost 15 years, previously working as a Literary Agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency and at Dorchester Publishing, editing women’s fiction, romance, and suspense/thrillers.

On the fiction front, Jill looks for all types of romance (contemporary, paranormal, romantic suspense, historical, and category), women’s fiction and family stories, cozy mysteries, and thrillers. She is also looking for general commercial fiction and welcomes a dramatic storyline and compelling characters in interesting situations or relationships. On the non-fiction side, Jill’s areas of interest include business, current events, health, self-help/advice, relationships, psychology, parenting, and narrative non-fiction.

She is interested in being pitched any of the above.

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Paul Levine

The nuts and bolts of the business of writing are as essential to a writer’s success as the writer’s work itself. How does a writer get an agent and an attorney? How does the writer’s work get sold and how is the writer compensated? What will the agent and the lawyer do for the writer? How are they compensated? How do writers work together?

This class will cover: the principles of copyright law as the underpinnings of all writing; what agents do and what lawyers do, how their functions sometimes overlap and how they differ; the process of obtaining an agent and a lawyer, when and why an agent is necessary and when and why an agent may not be necessary; a review of a typical publishing agreement–royalties, advances, rights granted and rights withheld, etc.; the editing process: what happens if the publisher rejects the manuscript, the publisher’s ultimate acceptance of the manuscript, actual publication after acceptance, and promotion and publicity.

Bring all your questions concerning the business of being or becoming a successful book author–they will all be answered.

About the agent

Paul S. Levine “wears two hats” – he is a lawyer (www.paulslevine.com) and a literary agent (www.paulslevinelit.com).   Mr. Levine has practiced entertainment law for over 30 years, specializing in the representation of writers, producers, actors, directors, composers, musicians, artists, authors, photographers, galleries, publishers, developers, production companies and theatre companies in the fields of motion pictures, television, interactive multimedia, live stage, recorded music, concerts, the visual arts, publishing, and advertising. In 1998, Mr. Levine opened the Paul S. Levine Literary Agency, specializing in the representation of book authors and the sale of motion picture and television rights in and to books. Since starting his literary agency, Mr. Levine has sold over 100 fiction and non-fiction books to at least 40 different publishers and has had many books developed as movies-for-television and feature films.

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Pete Salicco

Fingerprints have been considered the “gold standard” in positively identifying individuals for law enforcement, natural and man-made disasters, as well as various other areas such as licensing and immigration.  With all of the new technology regarding forensics and evidence, is the idea of using fingerprints as the most reliable way to identify people and the best evidence at crime scenes true?  Can a machine be responsible for making fingerprint identifications (individualizations)?  Is there something else in fingerprints beyond the friction ridge skin?

Some of the answers regarding the truth about fingerprint technology may surprise you and even offer up ideas and spur your imagination regarding the future of this 100 year old practice.  After the presentation there will be a question and answer forum with the presenter, who is a practicing expert in the area of crime scene investigations and latent print examinations.

This class will help writers tell crime and mystery stories accurately and convincingly. It takes place at 3:10 p.m. on Saturday, May 19.

About the speaker

Pete Salicco is a former Police Officer turned civilian Crime Scene Analyst & Latent Print Examiner.  He has worked thousands of crime scenes from burglary to murder in course of his career.  Most of Pete’s police career was spent training to become a forensic specialist (Crime Scene Investigator) and latent print examiner.  Once trained,  Pete was given the opportunity to serve as a police officer and CSI for many years, until he decided in 1999 to give up the badge and become a civilian forensic specialist.  A 15-year Police veteran, Pete sought and gained Certification as a Latent Print Examiner and a Crime Scene Analyst from the International Association for Identification, one of the oldest forensic organizations in the world.

Pete has testified on numerous occasions in several jurisdictions as an expert in latent print and crime scene matters. He has performed thousands of latent exams, and work thousands of crime scene calls over the course of this 28 year career in Law Enforcement.  He is currently employed by the Dallas Police Department AFIS Team as a Certified Latent Print Examiner.  One of his main duties is latent print examinations,  however, he also operates the AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems) and IAFIS (Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems.  He also is used as a consultant for the Crime Scene Response Unit regarding crime scene matters and shoe and tire impression evidence collection and examinations.

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Kristen Lamb

Understanding Brand for the Digital Age Author

The Digital Age has changed everything and information now moves at the speed of light. Many of the old rules of advertising and marketing no longer apply and using these outdated tactics can actually cripple an author platform. How can a writer create a brand before the book is even ready for sale? How can an author brand help book sales? How can brand generate momentum? How can a writer create a brand and yet still have time left over to write more books? All this and more!

Understanding the Antagonist–The Engine of All Great Stories

Heroes are defined by the opposition. The stronger the opposition, the sweeter the victory. No antagonist, no conflict and no conflict, no story. No story, no book sales. The antagonist is tricky and many writers don’t fully understand the power of this role. This class explores the many types of antagonists and how to employ them to create page-turning tension guaranteed to rivet readers to your books.

About the speaker

Kristen Lamb is the author of the bestselling books, We Are Not  Alone–The Writer’s Guide to Social Media and Are You There, Blog?  It’s Me, Writer. She has consulted with all levels of authors, but some of her clients include New York Times Best-Selling Authors Sandra Brown, James Rollins, and Bob Mayer. Her WANA (We Are Not Alone) tactics also helped launch the self-published writing team Mark Williams and Saffina Deforge to the #1 best-seller slot…all of them. Their book Sugar & Spice commanded a top 5 slot in every fiction category on Amazon’s UK list. Williams and Deforge sold 90,000 books in four months, making their book the 11th best-selling e-book in history, and they attribute their success to WANA.

Kristen is currently represented by Russell  Galen of SGG Literary NYC. In her free time, Kristen trains sea monkeys  for the purposes of world domination….when she isn’t trying to saw  through her ankle monitor.

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Coral Gates represents Friesen’s Book Printing and will be teaching How to Work With a Printer for Maximum Impact.

“I assist Authors, Chefs, Children Authors, Publishers, Educators, Museums, and Photographers that would like to produce a book.  A book can be made in so many ways today that an author should consider all the options.  The company I represent is unique as we are a debt-free printer in a time that is under so much downsizing in the industry.  Working with Friesen’s has allowed me to offer a quality product that all of our clientele can be proud of upon completion. I cover four states for Friesen’s and meet with so many creative people. Authors are like artists painting with words. I am looking forward to visiting with you during my session on May 19th!”

How to Work with a Printer

This class will prepare you for printing a book by covering the following topics:

• Will the physical printing of books disappear?
• Correct focus while writing, publishing and printing the book.
• When should you get together with a printer for your book project?
• Types of books to consider printing.
• Editing.
• Graphic designer and illustration.
• Marketing the book.
• File preparation.
• Quantities of books for a first print run.
• Brief description of Friesen’s Book Manufacturing.
• Is Friesen’s the printer for you?

The class takes place at 2:10 p.m. on Saturday, May 19.

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Alec Shane

The Art of the Query: the Dos, Don’ts, and Everything in Between

Sending an effective query to an agency is one of the most important things a writer can do as he/she sets out on the path to becoming a published author. Agents receive so many submissions every day, it is far too easy for good, meaningful writing to get lost in the morass of incoming queries. This workshop will not only discuss how to ensure that your query gets noticed, from how to write an effective query letter to what makes a good writing sample, but will also break down the various pitfalls and red flags that befall many newer authors as they continue on their quest for representation. It’s important to know what to do – but it’s equally as important to know what not to do. Alec Shane will go over both.

This class takes place at 3:10 p.m. on Saturday, May 19.

About the agent:

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Stephanie Barko

Literary publicist Stephanie Barko’s award-winning clients include traditional publishers and their authors, small presses, and independently published writers. She promotes nonfiction & historical fiction, including history, business, memoir, biography, and spirituality. Stephanie especially enjoys guiding debut authors through today’s shifting publishing landscape.

Stephanie has presented on book marketing, publicity and platform creation at national conferences including the Writers’ League of Texas, Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, and Women Writing the West. Her articles and book reviews have been published in Western American Literature, Roundup Magazine, Brian Jud’s Book Marketing Matters, San Francisco Book Review, and the Texas Book Marketing Directory. She was a 2010 National Finalist in More Magazine’s Reinvention Story Competition, nominated by her peers as 2010 Book Publicist of the Year, and voted Preditors & Editors Best Book Promotion Service in 2011.

Building Your Platform in a Dynamic Marketplace

Writing and publishing a book is one thing, but finding a paying audience for it is quite another. In this workshop, book publicist Stephanie Barko leads you through her proprietary exercises designed to coax your book’s platform to the surface.

What we will explore:

• Platform definition
• Marketing elements
• Audience identification
• Reader acquisition

Who should attend:

• Writers presently writing a manuscript
• Writers with completed manuscripts
• Writers seeking agent representation
• Published writers wanting to increase their book sales

The class will take place at 10:40 a.m. on Saturday May 19.

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Jodi Thomas

Jodi Thomas, one of our two special guests this year, is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 34 novels and 11 short story collections. As of 2006, she was the 11th woman to be inducted into RWA Hall of Fame. She currently serves as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. Her latest release is Just Down The Road, the fourth book in her award-winning Harmony series.

Creativity Workshop

Learn how to expand your creativity and make your work more polished from the first draft.  A fun look at how to write dialogue will make you laugh. Also, Jodi will give you ideas of how to kick start your writing day and how to avoid those reasons we all use for not writing. Takes place 10:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 19.

Writing Deeper

Expand your knowledge in how to write deeper, more interesting characters while you pick up secrets from a bestselling author on how to build a world and a plot that will keep readers up all night.  After 34 books and 11 short story collections, Jodi will share the secrets of world building so readers come along with you on the journey into a novel. Takes place 2:10 p.m. on Saturday, May 19.

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Dave Lieber

Dave Lieber, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Watchdog columnist, shows you ways to write and create to change the world. Whether fighting corporations, politicians, the media or whomever, Lieber shows you how to be the ultimate communicator. Do you want to get people to pay attention, fight wrongs and turn things upside down? Now with more ways to reach people than ever, it’s also easier to get attention to your cause, whether it be you, your book or your movement.

This class will take place at 9:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 19.

About the author

Dave Lieber, The Watchdog columnist for the local newspaper, has been ticking off the powers that be for 37 years. He writes two columns a week exposing wrong doing and right doing in the newspaper. His last two books have helped lots of people: Dave Lieber’s Watchdog Nation: Bite Back When Businesses and Scammers Do You Wrong, now out in its new 2012 edition, shows how to save time, money and aggravation for the rest of your life. (WatchdogNation.com) His newest, Bad Dad, is a true-story Texas thriller about how he chased after a Texas police department for a dozen years; then one day they came after him. (BadDadBook.com) Dave is also co-founder of SummerSanta.org children’s charity and one of Texas’ most sought-after public speakers. He’s the 2011 Chapter Member of the Year of the National Speakers Association/North Texas.

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Lori Wilde

One of our three New York Times bestselling authors attending this year’s conference is Lori Wilde, author of 69 published novels. Lori has a couple of great classes for us:

Guerilla Tactics for Writers in a Slump
Level: Intermediate

Have you been writing a long time and while you’ve received some recognition for your work, you’re just not getting the attention you deserve? Were you published once then found yourself without a publisher, and now you can’t get back in? Or, are you currently published but your career seems to be barely bumping along?

This workshop is designed to provide answers to those questions and catapult you onto the publishing fast track. Guerilla Tactics for Writers in a Slump will illustrate exactly what’s holding you back and keeping you from being the writer you’re truly meant to be.

Topics covered include:

• Identifying What’s Holding You Back
• Shifting Your Writing into High Gear
• Toughing the Mind of the Writer Warrior
• Toughing the Body of the Writer Warrior
• Honing Your Battle Plan
• Your Marching Orders

This class will take place at 8:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 19.

Writing Emotion: Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Cry, Make ‘em Scream
Level: Everyone

We, as authors, are in the emotion delivery business. Honing your craft means learning how to evoke emotions. It means learning to use language to create a sleight of hand that causes your readers to respond on a gut level. It means getting in touch with what you feel, hope, or fear for every one of your main characters at every moment of the story. There’s no such thing as art by accident. Truly great writers are in charge of their readers’ emotions from the first page, to the last.

Topics covered include:

• Writer emotions versus Character emotions versus Reader emotions
• Emotional honesty
• Pumping up the emotional pay-off
• Conflict and emotions
• Change and emotions
• Evoking emotional tension through subtext

This class will take place at 1:10 p.m. on Sunday, May 20.

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Lori Wilde has sold sixty-nine novels to four major New York Publishing houses. She holds a bachelors degree in nursing from Texas Christian University and a certificate in forensics. She volunteers for Freedom House, a shelter for battered women. She has served as the RWA National conference workshop chair. In 2009 she was the pacesetting author for the Cystic Fibrosis annual fundraiser. In 2007, Weatherford College honored her as Alumna of the Year. Lori is a past RITA finalist and has five times been nominated for Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She’s won the Colorado Award of Excellence, the Wisconsin Write Touch Award, The Lories, The More Than Maggie, the Golden Quill, The Laurel Wreath, The Beacon Award and The BestBooks of 2006 Book Award. Her books have been translated into 22 languages and excerpted in: Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Complete Woman, All You and Quick and Simple magazines. She lives in North Texas with her husband, Bill.

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Barbara Harrison, aka Leann Harris

Barbara Harrison aka Leann Harris is the author of 14 published novels including Redemption Ranch and Second Chance Ranch, with her next book scheduled for Oct 2012.  She is a founder of both DARA and Ready Writers writing groups.  She is a teacher of the deaf who taught math to deaf high school students and currently teaches writing at Collin College for their continuing education.  An active gardener and master composter, she has a photo gallery of her flowers on her websites, www.leannharris.com and www.barbharrison.com.

She’ll be teaching two classes:

Understanding Your Writing Style

Do you write the same way as your friend?  When you heard another writer describe how they write, does it sense to you or does it leave you puzzled?  In this workshop Ms. Harris will explain the different writing styles and how to make sense of the writing world. This class takes place at 9:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 19.

Writing Real Life Characters

How do you creative believable characters that your readers will cheer for?  How it is done?  Archetypes are a wonderful way to learn how to creative believable people who will capture the readers’ imagination. This class takes place at 8:40 a.m. on Sunday, May 20.

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Harry Hall

Through the Time Machine: Researching Historical Non-Fiction

To successfully write about the past takes a lot of research, accurate scene creation, and dialogue to deliver the proper atmosphere to your readers.  It’s difficult, yet critical to literary success.  In this session, Harry Hall will show you how to leave behind your romantic notions and idealized perceptions of the “good ol’ days,” to paint accurate and exciting portrayals that will send your readers into the era.

Harry Hall has spent years researching and documenting the rise of organized sports in post Civil War America, with a special focus on his upcoming book about the pedestriennes, the professional female endurance walkers of the 1870s.

This class takes place at 8:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 19.

How to Hold a Successful Booksigning

Booksignings are an opportunity for you to highlight your achievement, showcase your talents as a writer, and celebrate with your friends.  However, too many times, what should be a time of sharing and congratulations is actually little more than a handful of friends showing up, making small talk, or small whispers for a few minutes, often battling awkward silence.  A handful buy a book, most just pat you on the back, say “Congratulations,” and leave after a few minutes.  You can do better.

At Harry Hall’s booksigning for “Help!  Everyone is Staring at Me,” which helps people overcome the fear of public speaking, he got media attention, community involvement, and even some local celebrities to come.  He did that through free publicity that helped create a “buzz” about his signing, transforming it into an event.

This class takes place at 9:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 19.

About the author

Harry Hall has more than 13 years’ experience teaching public speaking at the University of Dallas and SMU and has spoken for corporations such as IBM, Ford, Four Seasons, NCH, and the Associates in addition to state associations such as the Texas Dietetic Association, MENSA, and DFW Writer’s Conference.   Harry is also an accomplished writer, and is currently a contributing editor to Texas Triathlete News.  He also freelanced for SportsPulse, Health and Fitness Magazine, and the Dallas Morning News.  A one-time radio talk show host on KTCK 1310 “The Ticket,” he was named the Texas Dietetic Association’s Media Personality of the Year for 1995-1996.  Harry has appeared in several commercials and industrial films, and once worked as Steve Martin’s stand-in for the movie, “Leap of Faith.”   A long-time distance runner who has completed 19 marathons including the Boston Marathon twice, Harry earned a teaching certificate and degree in physical education from UT-Arlington in 1983.

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Brenna Smith

Imagine yourself standing in a doorway, facing a room with hundreds of writers already deep in discussion. Your palms are sweaty, you don’t know anyone and all you really want to do is go hide in your hotel room.

What do you do? Do you hold the wall up for fifteen minutes before calling it a night, or do you confidently walk up to a group of people and make instant connections for life?

Networking is one of the most important activities at a conference, but it is also the most feared. In this class you’ll learn the skills of networking at a writer’s conference, how to work a room, how to start conversations, tips and tricks to be effective and how to make the connections that get you remembered!

This class will help kick off the conference at 8:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 19.

About the speaker

Brenna Smith has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo Voices, Western North Carolina Woman, The Best People We Know Show, Amazing Women Rock, The Career Effect, My Girlfriends, Self-Aid Success Stories and more.

After graduating with a degree in Business and a Certificate in International Business, Brenna continued her education and has received extensive training in networking, sales, negotiations, social media, mentoring and communications.  She is a highly sought after speaker and trainer for various events on the subjects above, and, since the founding of SheNOW, she has expanded her topics to also include Women’s Issues and Female Empowerment.

As an entrepreneur, writer, public speaker and communications coach, Brenna has been a guest host on several radio shows, a guest blogger on a variety of women focused websites, a consultant for start-up companies in differing fields, and she is the author of a forthcoming book. In her free time, Brenna is an avid philanthropist, spending much of her energy on Habitat for Humanity and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (currently heading up their Dallas Speaker’s Bureau). She also enjoys camping, fishing, hiking, girl’s trips, martini nights, playing in the mud and rain, adventures and spontaneity.  She and her boyfriend are even trying their hands at urban chicken farming this year, despite the recent 5:00 AM discovery that one of their hens…well, she…is a he. Cock-a-doodle Doo!

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Cheryl Ammeter

The Wild West of Publishing

Cheryl Ammeter has taken everything she learned working for Radio Disney and writing award-winning scripts for Barney & Friends and turned her imagination loose in the highly competitive world of YA sci-fi novels. Knowing that her credentials gave her a good chance of landing a New York agent and publisher, she opted to establish her own publishing company, Pantala Press. After five years of writing, a year of editing, and countless hours spent finessing and promoting her brand, she successfully released her first novel in March 2012. Ivey and the Airship, is book one of a five book series called Aether’s Edge, geared for readers 12 and older. These sci-fi steampunk fantasies are meant to empower young women, and encourage healthy relationships. Cheryl says we are at the threshold of a new age in publishing which she calls “The Wild West.” Cheryl firmly believes there’s never been a better time to be a writer!

Writing for Television

What does it take to establish yourself in the exclusive world of television writing? Cheryl Ammeter will share her journey from voice actress, to Radio Disney writer, to award winning scriptwriter for seven seasons of the globally acclaimed children’s show Barney & Friends. In her experience, the transition from performing to writing involved a lot of adaptability, research, discipline, the willingness to fail, and a good deal of luck. Although every television production is unique, there are universal elements that a writer must master to succeed. Cheryl will walk you through the process used by the producers at HIT Entertainment to take a Barney show from a one-sentence concept to a 30-minute television show.

About the author

Cheryl Ammeter grew up on a farm in Iowa and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Theatre before moving to Dallas. As an actress she performed in plays, shot commercials, did print modeling, and worked on several Texas films, but it was her talent as a voice actor that led to a career in writing. In 1997 she became one of the original Radio Disney voice actors and writers. Her work included the Magic Kids’ Theatre radio plays and she was the sole writer, co-director, and voice of Barbie’s mom in Generation Girl Theater, a series of radio plays based on the Barbie® Golden Books for Mattel. She went on to write seven seasons of HIT Entertainment’s globally acclaimed, Barney & Friends, where she won awards from Parenting Magazine and Parent’s Choice, and helped re-tool Angelina Ballerina into a 3D animation to keep it on the air. Currently she owns Pantala Press, an indie company specializing in YA sci-fi fantasy novels.  Ivey and the Airship is the first in her five novel series called Aether’s Edge, which strives to empower young women to follow their dreams and build healthy relationships.  Cheryl is currently at work on book two, Master of the Manor.

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Becky Burkheart

Learn some of the most common mistakes writers make when including horses in their stories and learn simple ways to avoid alienating knowledgeable readers.  Feel a horse’s tendon and see how a stone gets wedged in a horse’s hoof. Listen to the difference in the cadence between a walk and trot, and learn to hear with your eyes what a horse has to say. Your books’ accuracy will be the better for it!

This class will be taught by Becky Burkheart, author of The 33 Worst Mistakes Writers Make About Horses. And yes, she’ll be bringing what has to be the conference’s best visual aid: one of her horses.

The class meets at 2:10 p.m. on Saturday, May 19.

Becky will also be taking part in the panel Declaring Independence: The Decision to Self-Publish at 10:40 a.m. on Sunday, May 20.

Becky Burkheart takes frequent flights of fantasy, in real life as well as in  her writing.  It’s said that life is stranger than fiction, but Becky’s  out to prove it’s possible to integrate it both ways.  Whether she’s  racing her Arabian horses through the woods, rapid firing her .45 or  gargoyling from local rooftops, Becky finds it hard to stay grounded in  the real world.  Although she has yet to ride in a space ship (she did  get to simulate crashing a 727) or to meet a real vampire (that she’s  aware of), piratey dress, “arrgh matey’s” and pints of brew are standard fare on the odd weekend. Becky has published fantasy with Allegorysf.com and with independent groups and  non-fiction with various Arabian horse breed publications as well as  being book #1 (Horses) in the series “33 Mistakes Writers Make About…”.  That and her other works are available at http://aconspiracyofauthors.com.

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We’re proud to announce that the following publishing industry professionals have accepted our invitation to attend the 2012 DFW Writers’ Conference. More will be announced as soon as we have confirmation.

Literary Agents

• Elizabeth Evans, Jean V. Naggar Literary
• Eddie Schneider, JABberwocky Literary Agency
• Sara Crowe, Harvey Klinger, Inc.
• Paul Levine, Paul S. Levine Literary Agency
• Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency
• Sarah Lapolla, Curtis Brown Ltd
• Sally Harding, Cooke Agency
• Meredith Barnes, Lowenstein Associates
• Laurie McLean, Larsen Pomada Literary Agents
• Becky Vinter, Fine Print Literary
• Jennie Goloboy, Red Sofa Literary
• Lauren Ruth, BookEnds, LLC
• Alec Shane, Writers’ House
• Marcy Posner, Folio Literary Agency
• Bob Mecoy, Bob Mecoy Literary Agency
• Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
• Ann Collette, Rees Literary Agency
• Marlene Stringer, Stringer Literary Agency

Editors

• Stacey Barney, Putnam Books for Young Readers

More details, including the genres they’re interested in and the classes they will be teaching, will be posted as it becomes available. Stay tuned!

Update: Unfortunately Krista Marino and Devi Pillai will not be able to attend this year. We’ll try them again in a future year.

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Well we’re very lucky this year!

We have managed to wrangle James Rollins as our Keynote Speaker. He is proof that our conference just keeps getting better every year. Mr. Rollins is a NY Times best seller many times over, and brings to the conference a “thrilling” energy that can only come from a thriller writer.

I have been a fan of James Rollins for a very long time now, and when it came my time to be the director, I knew I wanted him. I started out on bended knee, but turns out that wasn’t necessary. Mr. Rollins graciously accepted our invitation and we look forward to having him come. It should be a fun time for everyone.

You can read about him on his website.

~Jason

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