Don't forget about the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Conference

Register NOW and reserve your seat! [Web Version »]( &p1=%40cglW%2FianK0Kqf9VjQ%2BmxWIoiyAOSoa%2BV3mhJt8wRPQA%3D) [Writer's Digest University]( ) [Name]( ) [Live Q&A with Sci-Fi/Fantasy Authors]( ) Writer’s Digest University is pleased to present a one-of-a-kind online event for science fiction and fantasy writers! On July 21 and 22, our 4th Annual Science Fiction & Fantasy Virtual Conference will provide expert insights from SEVEN award-winning and bestselling authors on the finer points of how to write within the science fiction and fantasy genres. Spend the weekend learning techniques for honing your craft from seven different published authors*, then (if you choose) pitch your novel via query letter to a literary agent specifically looking for material in these genres. The agent will provide you with a personalized critique of your query – and maybe ask to see more. Experience the education, camaraderie, and opportunities provided by a live writing conference without ever having to leave your home! All participants will benefit from: - Seven all-new, one-hour webinar presentations provided by award-winning and bestselling science fiction and fantasy authors*, all examining different aspects of writing novels in these genres. Each session will include an opportunity for live Q&A with the authors! - A critique (with written feedback) of your query letter from an agent with experience in the science fiction and fantasy genres. - A bonus 90-minute On Demand webinar covering how to write a query letter so you're prepared when pitching your novel to agents. (A $79.99 value!) - The ability to network with fellow science fiction and fantasy writers via discussion boards that will be open throughout the weekend. Share ideas, and even your work if you choose. - Unlimited OnDemand viewing! All conference sessions will be made available for download in the week following the live presentations. Even if you can't attend every session live, you will be able to view each lecture on your own whenever you choose. *Our craft-focused conference schedule is designed to provide the kind of education that all science fiction and fantasy writers can use to take their work to the next level. July 20 - July 23, 2018 $199.99 [Reserve Your Seat >>]( ) Participating Speakers: SESSION 1: Kick Your Scene Into Action! by Tabitha Lord In this presentation, we’ll explore the basics of scene-building from launch to close, and work on writing mechanics from building tension to crafting dialogue. Whether you’re creating a fight scene or a spaceship battle, these tips will keep readers turning the pages. [Instructor: Instructor's Name]( ) Tabitha Lord Tabitha Lord’s Horizon series has won several independent book awards, including the prestigious Writer’s Digest Grand Prize in 2016.She holds a degree in Classics from College of the Holy Cross and taught Latin for years at a Waldorf school where she now serves on the Board of Trustees. SESSION 2: Naming People & Places: The Hardest 90% of Worldbuilding by Philip Athans In this session, we’ll get into some specific, actionable advice to help your invented words sound real and your ordinary words take on strange new meaning. Learn when to set your own grammar and usage rules and when not to, and when to invent a new word for something that has never, and likely will never exist in real life. [Instructor: Instructor's Name]( ) Philip Athans Philip Athans is the founding partner of Athans & Associates Creative Consulting, and the bestselling author of Annihilation and more than a dozen other fantasy and horror books, including The Guide to Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction and Writing Monsters. SESSION 3: Dystopia Now! Unpacking the Enduring Power of Misery by Jeff Somers Learn why dystopias work so well in science fiction and how to make your dystopia grimly believable without straying into cartoonish overkill. Broken into three parts with time for Q&A, writers will first examine why dystopias work so well in science fiction. [Instructor: Instructor's Name]( ) Jeff Somers He has published nine novels, including the Avery Cates series of noir-science fiction novels from Orbit Books (www.avery-cates.com), the darkly hilarious crime novel Chum from Tyrus Books, and most recently tales of blood magic and short cons in the Ustari Cycle. SESSION 4: World Building Using the Microcosm Technique by Brian Andrews Whether writing science fiction or fantasy, world building is one of the most important elements of writing compelling fiction. In this session, author Brian Andrews reveals an effective way to build a believable world using the microcosm technique. [Instructor: Instructor's Name]( ) Brian Andrews Brian Andrews is a US Navy Veteran who served as an officer aboard a 688 class nuclear submarine in the Pacific. He is a Park Leadership Fellow, graduated from Vanderbilt with a degree in psychology, and holds a Masters degree from Cornell. Brian co-authors two thriller series with Jeffrey Wilson (Tier One and Beijing Red). SESSION 5: Science and Fiction: Crafting Realistic Stories With Expert Input by Dan Koboldt In this session, geneticist and author Dan Koboldt will discuss how to research and write stories with scientific, medical, or technical elements with accuracy, even if you’re not an expert. He’ll use examples from popular books and movies to illustrate common science misconceptions, and how to balance realism with good storytelling. [Instructor: Instructor's Name]( ) Dan Koboldt Dan Koboldt is the author of the Gateways to Alissia trilogy (Harper Voyager) and the editor of Putting the Science in Fiction (Writer’s Digest Books). As a genetics researcher, he has co-authored more than 70 publications in Nature, Science, The New England Journal of Medicine, and other scientific journals. SESSION 6: Building a Character With Agency by Philippa (Pip) Ballantine Decision making and plot are interconnected and make for compelling stories, no matter if there are dragons of space ships involved. Learn how to create characters that are well-rounded and motivated that your readership can connect with. Frame your characters goals and objectives and discover how they can follow those to drive story. [Instructor: Instructor's Name]( ) Philippa (Pip) Ballantine New Zealand born fantasy writer and podcaster Philippa (Pip) Ballantine is the author of the Books of the Order and the Shifted World series. Her awards include an Airship, a Parsec, the Steampunk Chronicle Reader's Choice, the RT Reviewer's Choice Award for steampunk, and a Sir Julius Vogel. SESSION 7: Speak the Speech, I Pray You: Writing Effective Dialogue by Tee Morris So you have your book done, and then as you are reading through it in edits you are suddenly noticing the dialogue. Who talks like this?! To avoid speech shock, pick up a few tips from Tee Morris who approaches his short stories and novels not as short stories and novels but as scripts. With his background in theatre, Tee brings what he knows of the stage to his stories. [Instructor: Instructor's Name]( ) Tee Morris Tee Morris has been writing science fiction, fantasy, horror, and nonfiction for over a decade. His first novel, MOREVI: The Chronicles of Rafe & Askana, became the first novel to be podcast in its entirety, ushering in a new age for authors — podcasting. Participating Literary Agents: [Instructor: Instructor's Name]( ) Lane Heymont As Literary Assistant at the Seymour Agency, Lane Heymont led the marketing efforts for their authors and enjoyed connecting clients with readers. He went on to help found The Tobias Literary Agency. Lane represents a broad range of commercial fiction, including romance and all its sub-genres, fantasy, science fiction, horror, celebrity/memoirs, pop culture, serious nonfiction, and true crime. He is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Horror Writers Association, Mystery Writers of America, and the Association of Authors’ Representatives. [Instructor: Instructor's Name]( ) Moe Ferrara Moe Ferrara is an agent with BookEnds Literary. Becoming a literary agent was fitting for the girl who, as a small child, begged her dad to buy her a book simply because “it has a hard cover.” Growing up, she had a hard time finding YA books outside of Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine, and instead tackled Tom Clancy or her mom’s romance novels. Though her career path zigzagged a bit—she attended college as a music major, earned a JD from Peace Law School, then worked various jobs throughout the publishing industry—Moe was thrilled to join the BookEnds team in May of 2015 as a literary agent and the subsidiary rights director. [Instructor: Instructor's Name]( ) DongWon Song DongWon Song is an agent at Howard Morhaim Literary Agency representing science fiction and fantasy for adults, young adult, and middle grade readers, as well as select nonfiction. He was formerly an editor at Orbit and a product manager for the ebook startup, Zola Books and has taught as an adjunct instructor in the publishing program at Portland State University. [Instructor: Instructor's Name]( ) Laura Zats Laura Zats graduated from Grinnell College with degrees in English and anthropology. She began working in the publishing industry in 2011, joining Red Sofa Literary in 2013. As an agent, she specializes in children’s fiction, science fiction and fantasy, and romance. She is also one-half of the weekly publishing podcast, Print Run. In her free time, Laura serves on the board of the Minnesota Book Publishers’ Roundtable, teaches classes on writing and publishing, and drinks a lot of tea. [Attend The Conference >>]( ) This email was sent by: F+W, 10151 Carver Road, Suite 300 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA [Unsubscribe or Manage Subscriptions]( ) | [Web Version »]( &p1=%40cglW%2FianK0Kqf9VjQ%2BmxWIoiyAOSoa%2BV3mhJt8wRPQA%3D) We respect your right to privacy. 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