Past Meetings
January 28 – Hannah Schwartz – Crafting Selling Query Letters
Write the query letter of your (future) agent’s dreams!
That got your attention, didn’t it? Query letters are necessary evils for any writer. After all, you’ve just spent months (weeks, years) cranking out thousands of words and suddenly, you’re supposed to condense it all back into a single page? Suddenly you’re wondering why you didn’t select a simpler career – like brain surgeon.
Want to decode the mysterious query? Join multi-published author Hannah Schwartz as she breaks down the query letter – starting with the basic bones to the jazzy clothes. We’ll discuss new author pitfalls, query etiquette (the right ways to get noticed) and the best way to not bug an editor.
Schwartz is not only the Queen of the Query, she is also the multi-published author of The Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles series, available from Kensington books, and is in talks with Spyglass Entertainment for film rights for that series. Her short fiction has appeared in Duke University’s The Devil’s Brew, at www.chicklitreview.com and at www.crisisqueens.com. Her creative non-fiction has been featured in Family Circle and eleven bay area newspapers. She can be reached at www.hannahjschwartz.com.
2011
December 17 – SV-RWA Annual Holiday Party with Special Guest Mark Coker of Smashwords
On Saturday, December 17th, SV-RWA will hold a special members-only discounted event (tickets: $15) — SV-RWA’s way of saying thank-you to our wonderful members at the end of the year!
First we’ll enjoy a talk by e-publishing expert Mark Coker of Smashwords, then we’ll enjoy some holiday cheer with our annual White Elephant Gift Exchange!
Bio:
Mark Coker founded Smashwords in 2008 to change the way books are published, marketed and sold.
Mark is co-author along with his wife, Lesleyann, of Boob Tube, a novel that explores the behind-the-scenes world of daytime television soap operas. It was Mark’s experience trying to get Boob Tube published that inspired him to start Smashwords. He believes Smashwords holds the promise to make publishing more enriching for authors, readers and publishers.
In the three years since its launch, Smashwords has grown to become the leading ebook distributor serving indie authors, small presses and literary agents. Over 29,000 authors from around the world have published more than 75,000 books at Smashwords.
In June, 2010, The Wall Street Journal named Mark one of the “Eight Stars of Self-Publishing.”
With Mark’s previous startup, BestCalls.com, which he launched in 1999, he helped level the playing field for small stock market investors, who at the time were denied access to the earnings conference calls of publicly traded companies. His work with BestCalls, as a champion for fair disclosure, was a catalyst for the SEC’s ground breaking Regulation FD. BestCalls was acquired in 2002 by Shareholder.com and is now owned and operated by the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.
In addition to Mark’s work with Smashwords, since 1993 he has owned Dovetail Public Relations, an award-winning Silicon Valley PR firm that specializes in representing technology startups.
Mark is a long time angel investor and advisor to technology and media startups. He currently serves on the advisory board of GetQuik, a provider of restaurant order automation technology and services. Mark previously served on the advisory board for Flat World Knowledge, the leading publisher of open source textbooks.
Mark is a contributing columnist for the Huffington Post, where he writes about ebooks and the future of publishing. You can find his previous columns here.
Mark is a graduate of the Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley, where he received his B.S. in marketing.
November 19 – Sue Grimshaw – Editor-at-Large at Ballantine Bantam Dell – The inside scoop: Sue Grimshaw tells all about bookselling & the crazy Romance Industry
Join us for this wonderful workshop with Ballantine Bantam Dell’s, newly appointed, Category Specialist & Editor At Large, Sue Grimshaw!
Bio:
Sue Grimshaw was the romance book buyer for Borders and Waldenbooks stores for the past 10 years, as of April this year, Sue is BBD’s Category Specialist & Editor At Large. Sue is working primarily with the digital end of the business thus learning how to ride the waves of the changes that are ongoing of late in the romance industry.
Romance@Random is a Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/RomanceAtRandom) page you’ll want to follow as it will soon highlight the new website launch & other publishing opportunities for ‘would be’ & currently published authors.
Sue’s background includes being a recipient of many industry awards including the 2010 Romantic Times Melinda Helfer industry Award. In 2008 Grimshaw received the prestigious Vivian Stephens Industry Award from the Romance Writers of America. Other honors include the Inaugural Orange County Chapter of RWA, 2008 Helping Hand Industry Award, 2007 & 2005 Colorado Romance Writers of America bookseller of the year award, and the 2005 Romance Times Book Club appreciation award.
October 22 – Richard Vetterli of SF Medical Examiner’s Office & Pam Hofsass, SF Homicide Detective – Murder Most Foul Police Procedural Panel Discussion
Have an M.E. or a detective character in your book?
Interested in finding out what tools and procedures they REALLY use — since much of what is shown in movies and on TV is not realistic?
Need to describe the handling of a crime scene accurately?
A veteran medical examiner and a homicide detective will give a detailed “Day in the Life” discussion of their fields, including how their departments interact.
A panel discussion not to be missed! Bring your research questions!
September 24 – Debra Dixon: Book-In-A-Day – all day workshop
Where: Sheraton on Barber Lane in Milpitas
Cost for SVRWA members: $75
Cost for non-members: $85
Registration closed September 10th, 2011. September 10th was also the last day for a refund.
About the workshop: All day workshop (8am-5pm) This intensive workshop covers the three most important elements of popular fiction-goal, motivation and conflict (GMC), and how those elements work with the mythic structure of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey to help writers conceive and create strong plots and compelling characters.
The Book-In-A-Day workshop provides the tools a writers needs to shape a story and create a road map to writing it.
Conference Fee includes:
• 8-Hour Workshop by Debra Dixon
• Beverage Service
• Lunch
• Afternoon coffee and snacks
• PLUS…attendees will be given a special opportunity to enter a raffle to win a first chapter critique by Debra Dixon.
Debra Dixon’s Bio:
Debra Dixon knows her way around publishing. She’s worked with major publishers, written ten books and contributed to twelve anthologies. Her popular GMC:Goal, Motivation, and Conflict workshop has become a how-to bible for writers and is now in its ninth printing.
She’s also President/Publisher of BelleBooks/Bell Bridge Books. In the last ten years they’ve had an author on Oprah, sold books into foreign markets and seen their titles picked up by major New York publishers in subrights deals for mass market paperback, book club and large print. After establishing themselves as a serious print publisher of Southern and women’s fiction, in early 2008 they launched the Bell Bridge Books imprint. They now tackle a broad spectrum of genres and publish e-book editions in all platforms. This summer they began working with NYT Bestseller Jill Barnett to publish her incredible backlist of romance novels in ebook formats for the first time.
August 27 – Lynna Banning – Fiction is Folks: Writing Characters that Grab Readers
Do editors and agents comment “the people don’t grab me” on your rejection letters? Join published author Lynna Banning for a lively demonstration on how to make your characters jump off the page. Lynna will also provide a useful handout on Characterization.
Special Critique Opportunity:
As part of her presentation, Lynna will perform a number of “first page critiques.” If you would like to participate, please:
- Come to the workshop armed with thirty copies of the first 300 words where a main character is introduced.
- It is fine for this excerpt to come from your manuscript’s actual first page — or any subsequent portion of the manuscript — as long as it meets the criteria of introducing a main character.
- Please note the piece’s title and genre in the header; do not put your name on the page.
- Lynna will work with as many of our samples as time allows, and will give her personal input as well as solicit feedback from the group.
This exercise is geared to replicate the “real” first read of a page — what editors and agents are looking for as our work lands in front of them. This is a wonderful opportunity to trouble-shoot how the introduction of a character impacts your reader!
Bio:
Lynna Banning combines a lifelong love of history and literature into a satisfying career as a writer. Born in Oregon, she lives now in Northern California. She enjoyed a 34-year career as an editor and high school English, journalism, and creative writing teacher and she didn’t begin fiction writing until the first day of her retirement! She freely admits she knew nothing at that time about writing fiction; she learned a lot very fast and to date, she has published 16 historical novels.
Lynna is an amateur musician, particularly interested in early music, and she performs on harp, psaltery, and recorder with a medieval music ensemble.
More information about Lynna can be found at: www.lynnabanning.com
July 23 – Two Short Programs: RWA Nationals Re-cap and Young Adult Genre Overview
Two for the price of one! First, join us for our annual re-cap of “Everything RWA Nationals” as those who attended this year’s RWA National Conference in New York City bring back the scoop for everyone who couldn’t. Our intrepid chapter reporters will share news of current trends, what they learned at the Publisher Spotlights, helpful hints/best practices – and hopefully, some success stories from the Editor & Agent Pitch Sessions!
After Session One concludes, join SV-RWA member and Y.A. Writer Barbara Conly for “Back to School: Young Adult Lit 101.” We’ll learn how the current Y.A. Explosion began and explore the unique issues and challenges faced by writers specializing in Y.A. Romance:
- How do adults manage to write for teens without looking down at them through “rose-colored glasses”?
- How can writers work around the special problems of slang, trends, and ever-changing technology to create works that will continue to be fresh and appealing – five years from now?
- What are some of the markets available to Y.A. writers?
Barbara will also provide helpful resources for those considering writing Y.A.
Bio:
Barbara is a professional trainer and curriculum developer with over fifteen years of experience creating engaging and informative classes for Silicon Valley technology companies. After the birth of her first child, her husband suggested that she use her writing talents for The Forces of Good (that is, writing fiction) – and she hasn’t turned back! Barbara presently serves on the board of the Silicon Valley RWA, and is a member of YARWA, the Young Adult Chapter of RWA.
May 21st – Monica McCarty and Tracy Grant – How Not to Write Yourself into a Corner – Approaches to Writing the Historical Series.
Come join bestselling authors Monica McCarty and Tracy Grant as they share the secrets of writing a series!
Bios:
Monica McCarty is the New York Times Bestselling author of the MacLeod trilogy (Highlander Untamed, Highlander Unmasked, and Highlander Unchained), the Campbell trilogy (Highland Warrior, Highland Outlaw, Highland Scoundrel), and the new Highland Guard series (The Chief, The Hawk, The Ranger). Her interest in the Scottish clan system began in the most unlikely of places: a comparative legal history course at Stanford Law School. After a short, but enjoyable, stint practicing law, she realized that mixing a legal career with her husband’s transitory career as a professional baseball player was not exactly a match made in heaven. So she “traded” in her legal briefs for Scottish Historical Romances with sexy alpha heroes. When not trekking across the moors and rocky seascapes of Scotland, Monica can be found in Northern California with her husband and two children. Please visit her website at www.MonicaMcCarty.com
Teresa (Tracy) Grant studied British history at Stanford University and received the Firestone Award for Excellence in Research for her honors thesis on shifting conceptions of honor in late fifteenth century England. Tracy lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she is on the board of the Merola Opera Program, a professional training program for opera singers, coaches, and stage directors. She is currently at work on her next book chronicling the adventures of Malcolm and Suzanne Rannoch. Visit Teresa’s/Tracy’s website at www.tracygrant.wordpress.com.
April 23 – Cynthia Horiguchi – Using Social Media to Define and Reach your Target Audience
Everyone’s talking about social media, but what does it mean? Should you be using it? How can you build your brand and create a market for yourself using the internet?
This workshop will provide an overview of online opportunities for writers to promote themselves, how to define your target audience and how to reach that audience using the internet. It will explain what social media is and how to use it effectively to reach your end goal–getting published and selling your book!
Join us if you’ve ever thought about writing a blog, building a website or getting started on Facebook or Twitter. 
Or, if you’re already online, come find out how to get the most out of these tools to develop your brand as a writer.
Bio:
Cynthia Horiguchi is a public relations professional with a keen interest in all thing online. She has worked on social media campaigns for a wide range of clients, from Cisco to a Maui-based fashion designer. As the daughter of SVRWA member Rita Horiguchi, she understands the unique challenges that writers face and the specific ways social media can be used to attract agents, publishers and readers.
March 26 – E-Publishing Panel Discussion
Come join us for a panel discussion on all things surrounding electronic publishing. This is the perfect opportunity to discover the answers to any e-publishing questions you’ve been wanting to know!
Panel bios:
Mardi Ballou
Esther Erman writing as Mardi Ballou! By day she’s a mild-mannered language teacher. But after hours, Mardi Ballou’s wild writer persona erupts and entraps her in bondage…to her computer. Release comes only once she achieves her word count goal, at which point the maniacal chocolate monster will give her one sublime piece. And then she can spend time with her hero husband Lee, who gives great massages at strategic times. So Mardi writes what she knows- romances-hot and mainstream-for Ellora’s Cave, Samhain, NCP, Whiskey Creek, and Changeling. Also women’s fiction. Her most recent releases are, from Ellora’s Cave, Dark Venues, Sherry Amor, Soap Bloke, and Desert Destiny in e-book format and, in print, Long, Slow Ride in the Better with Age anthology and Triple Booked. The Fangly, My Dear series-Byte Marks, What’s a Ghoul to Do? and Playing with Matches-is in print from Samhain. Check out all of Mardi’s books, and more, at http://MardiBallou.com.
Meg Bellamy
Esther Erman writing as Meg Bellamy! Along with her husband, her family and her books, language is Meg’s passion. In fact, by day she’s a mild-mannered language teacher. Currently she teaches ESL (English as a Second Language) to international students, but in her early teaching days, her main subject was French. Though her French is a bit rusty these days, she figures a trip to France would help fix that. She’s also studied Russian, Spanish and Italian. This love of language spills over into her writing craft and appreciation for books.-and travel!
Being a published member of the community of writers with her contemporary romances and women’s fiction is the fulfillment of one of Meg’s most cherished dreams. Her first Meg release, Homecoming, is coming later this year from The Wild Rose Press. Check out her info at www.MegBellamy.com.
Janet Miller
Janet Miller, sometimes known as Cricket Starr, is the author of over twenty-five titles at Ellora’s Cave, Cerridwen, Red Sage, and New Concepts publishing. These titles include the 2004 PRISM award winning Violet Among The Roses and 2006 EPPIE award winning All Night Inn. Janet specializes in paranormal and futuristic romance under her own name and futuristic, fantasy, and paranormal erotic romance under the pen name Cricket Starr. She’s been a member of RWA and the Silicon Valley RWA chapter since 2001.
Alice Gaines
Alice Brilmayer has been published as Alice Gaines since 1995, when she appeared in the first volume of Secrets, from Red Sage Publishing. In 1999, she jumped on the e-publishing bandwagon with her book from Hard Shell Word Factory, Moon of the Jaguar. Since then, she’s gone on to publish with several other e-publishers, including helping to launch e-RedSage with her novella, Master of the Elements. She currently writes for Red Sage (print and e-), Changeling Press, Carina Press, and Harlequin Spice Briefs. Her next Spice Brief, Make Me Beg will be out this Spring. You can e-mail her at authoralicegaines@yahoo.com or visit her blog at www.alicegaines.blogspot.com.
Marie Tuhart
Marie Tuhart can’t remember a time when she didn’t have a book in her hands. A voracious reader since childhood. Her family doesn’t really understand the stacks of books in her study, or the way Marie will stare off into space when she’s thinking of yet another sexy scene between her hero and heroine, they support her completely in her writing endeavors.
She began writing at 19, and in 1994 decided to join RWA and get serious about publishing. When she isn’t reading or writing, Marie loves to spend time in bookstores. A world traveler, she enjoys searching out corners of the glove she hasn’t experienced yet. While still totally open to finding her own tall, dark and handsome, she is certainly enjoying the journey.
Marie is published with The Wild Rose Press in the Scarlet Rose line. You can find her online at http://marietuhart.com/.
February 26 – Margie Lawson – Body Language workshop – All day workshop
In this workshop, writers will learn how to write fresh:
* Body Language Basics: facial messages, lips, eyes, chin, full facial expression, flicker-face, gestures, posture, hierarchical zones . . .
* Body Language Clusters
* Avoidance and deception cues
* Vibes – beyond spidey senses and hair-raising
* Turning Points driven by subtle body language cues
* Body Language and Dialogue Cues for POV and Non-POV characters
* Body Language and Dialogue Cues with Rhetorical Devices
* Specific Emotion-driven full Kinesics Patterns for anxiety, fear, joy, sadness, lust, shock, surprise . . .
Each teaching point will be illustrated with examples from bestselling authors, their excerpts dissected and analyzed.
# Workshop time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
# Coffee service will start at 8:30. There will be no breakfast.
# Lunch will be at noon-Lunch is either Pasta Primavera (Vegetarian) or Chicken Marsala.
Bio:
Margie Lawson—psychotherapist, writer, and international presenter – analyzed hundreds of hours of body language and nuances of speech delivery in her post-master’s psych specialization. A former university professor, Margie taught psychology, communication, and group dynamics courses at the graduate and doctoral levels. Her resume includes clinical trainer, professor, sex therapist, Director of an Impotence Clinic, and Ericksonian hypnotherapist. Margie uses her kinesics expertise in every clinical session as well as when she’s a Trauma Specialist and facilitates group sessions for Critical Incidents.
For more information regarding Margie’s Master Classes, on-line courses, and Lecture Packets, visit: www.margielawson.com.
January 22 – Deb Werksman, Executive Editor of Sourcebooks
Deb will give an introduction to Sourcebooks, information on what they are looking for, what they are seeing in the marketplace, a discussion of ebooks and the future of the book, and then take questions from the audience. Join us for this fantastic opportunity! 
Bio:
Deb Werksman has been an acquiring editor and editorial manager for Sourcebooks for the past eleven years, before which she had her own publishing company. She is the country’s foremost editor of Jane Austen sequels, and acquires single title romance in all subgenres, as well as historical and women’s fiction. Sourcebooks is the country’s largest woman-owned independent publishing house, and we’re known for our sales and marketing, as well as our focus on building authors’ careers.
2010
December 11 – Holiday party
Join us for the holiday party! Full of camaraderie, writing shop talk, and fun!
November 20 – Susan Litman, Editor for Silhouette Books – The Do’s and Don’ts of Pitching to an Editor
Susan will talk about how a writer can effectively “sell themselves” to an editor within their allotted time. This is about that all-important first step, impressing the editor with your concept and intriguing him/her enough to ask to see the material.
Bio:
Susan Litman, Editor for Silhouette Books, came to Harlequin/Silhouette after spending several years working in film development in New York. Susan began her career at Silhouette working as an Assistant Editor for the Intimate Moments line, and has since become the
Editor for Special Edition, acquiring for multiple series.
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October 23 – Barbara Plum: Primal Pitching
Too often “pitching” novels is like falling face-forward because we’re so terrorized by the strange agent or editor beastie in front of us that we can’t breathe or speak in full sentences or recite our names.
Or . . . spit out that polished, rehearsed, sophisticated summary of the novel we know inside out, upside down, sideways, backwards and in our sleep.
Primal Pitching is different.
Primal—as in all important, fundamental, emotional, of the essence.
Pitching—as in mining the essence of your novel, highlighting its fundamental strengths, and zeroing in on the all-important emotional impact of the book no one knows better than you.
Come and pick up some tips and techniques that will give you the skills to get ready for Susan Litman, Harlequin Editor, here in November.
Bio:
Barbara Plum is a past president of SVRWA, author of two romantic comedies, and writer of several yet-to-be-pubbed novels in various genres. She teaches on-line workshops, coaches new writers, judges local and national contests and loves to pitch.
September 25 – Rachelle Chase: Making the Mundane Sexy…and Giving Your Readers Good Sex
From sweet to erotic, most romance readers – and publishers – today want a sexy read. But a sexy read does not necessarily mean lots of sex. A book can be overflowing with sex and be disappointingly un-sexy. Or it can have little or no sex and be overwhelmingly sexy. So, what makes a scene or a book sexy? How can a writer make an every-day situation sexy? And, when it’s time for that sex scene, how does a writer make it satisfying for the reader?
In Making the Mundane Sexy… and Giving Your Readers Good Sex, romance author Rachelle Chase will help you pump up the sexy factor by revealing:
· The #1 misconception about what makes something sexy
· The four key ingredients that make the mundane sexy
· Sensual Layering – or how to add layers of sensuality into your mundane scenes to make them sexy
· The ten ingredients necessary for a sexy and satisfying sex scene
So come with scenes from your own work in mind – and be prepared to make them sizzle!
Bio: Rachelle Chase is an award-winning romance author, business consultant, speaker, and model. She’s appeared on national television – The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet – as well as national radio shows, including Playboy Radio, the Hip-Hop Connection, and the Jordan Rich Show. Her published works include MEN ON FIRE, SIN CLUB, and SEX LOUNGE by Kensington Aphrodisia and “Out of Control,” a novella in SECRETS VOLUME 13, by Red Sage Publishing.
Early in her writing career, when Dr. Michael Bader, author of AROUSAL: THE SECRET LOGIC OF SEXUAL FANTASIES, read some of her work and said, in a tone full of wonder, “I find it interesting that it’s very erotic… and yet … nothing happened,” something clicked. And when an excerpt from “Out of Control” was used in ON WRITING ROMANCE, published by Writer’s Digest Books, to illustrate how to effectively heighten sexual tension in a romance book, something clicked again. She’d inadvertently stumbled upon the secret to making the mundane erotic.
No meeting was held in July due to the RWA National conference in Orlando. August was a recap of all things National!
June 26 – Agent Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
Please join Kevan Lyon for a fascinating talk about the Agent/Author relationship.
Bio:
With over 20 years in the publishing business, including 5 years as a Literary Agent with the Dijkstra Agency and 17+ years on the wholesale, retail and distribution side of the business, Kevan Lyon brings an informed and unique perspective to her work with clients. Her background on the buying and retail side of publishing affords her helpful insight into what types of books will sell and how to market them. Kevan holds an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA.
Kevan handles women’s fiction, with an emphasis on commercial women’s fiction, young adult fiction and all genres of romance. Her particular interest is historical fiction of all types. She is particularly drawn to stories that draw the reader in and loves a sweeping, complex story with strong female characters. Her authors in women’s fiction span a broad range of genres from more literary, commercial projects to all genres of romance including historical, contemporary, suspense and paranormal. She loves to be surprised by a unique plot or characters and is always looking for a new, fresh voice or approach. A few of Kevan’s recent and soon to be published books include UNTRACEABLE, by Laura Griffin (Pocket Books); WARRIOR by Zoe Archer (Kensington); HAUNTING JORDAN, by PJ Alderman (Bantam); PROMISE BRIDGE by Eileen Clymer Schwab (NAL), THE GENTLEMAN POET by Kathryn Johnson (Morrow); SEVEN NIGHTS TO FOREVER by Evangeline Collins (Berkley); KNIGHT OF DESIRE & KNIGHT OF PLEASURE by Margaret Mallory (Grand Central Publishing) and EARL OF DARKNESS by Alix Rickloff (Pocket Books).
She is also interested in non-fiction, representing authors in the areas of current events, narrative, memoir, environment, parenting and pets/animals. With non-fiction projects she looks for topics that she is passionate about or that speak to issues of particular concern to women and families.
For more information visit the agency web site at www.MarsalLyonLiteraryAgency.com, or visit their Facebook page!
May 22nd –
Jasmine Haynes: The Road to Publication and Beyond
Please join Jasmine Haynes (and her various multiple personalities) for a fun, frank, and informal discussion about the joys of the writing life, getting published, and how to weather the publishing world with an upbeat attitude intact.
Learn Jasmine’s tips and tricks for mastering craft, establishing your own writing process, setting achievable goals, working with your critique group, writing to the market, finding an agent and editor(s), networking, RWA service, the pros and cons of contests, the wonders of writing novellas, and the importance of having your website, blog, and etc’s in place before you get “the call”. With her 24th release out in May 2010 (Hers for the Evening), Jasmine will also be mining her vast knowledge of things not going exactly according to plan, which will include but are not limited to weathering the years before someone recognizes your genius, the pitfalls and bonuses of promotion, how to survive when your publisher falls out of love with you, breaking down the walls of writer’s block. And (most importantly even if it’s last in the blurb) finding your core group of supporters to build you up, not put you down.
Bio:
Award-winning Jasmine Haynes, www.jasminehaynes.com, is the author of sensual and classy erotic romance and a 2007 Rita Finalist, two-time Holt Medallion winner, and winner of the NRCA. April 2010 brings Jasmine’s debut release with www.loose-id.com, Take Your Pleasure. Her upcoming May 2010 release from Berkley Heat, Hers for the Evening, is the second in her sensual series, the Courtesans Tales. The third tale, Mine Until Morning, arriving in Dec 2010. She also masquerades as Jennifer Skully, writing over-the-top, hilarious romantic mysteries and winner of the prestigious Daphne du Maurier award for her first book, Sex and the Serial Killer. As JB Skully, she’s created the award-winning Max Starr psychic mystery series available in e-book format from www.liquidsilverbooks.com. Visit her blog at www.jasminehaynes.blogspot.com and join her newsletter at skullybuzz-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
April 24th – Virna De Paul & Tawny Weber – Interweaving Conflict And Character Growth
Please join us for this wonderful workshop titled Conflict, Conflict, Conflict And Character Growth — Interweaving External, Internal, & Romantic Conflict To Show (Not Tell) Character Growth
Characters cannot achieve their external goals without growing 1) as individuals; and 2) in their relationships. At the same time, they cannot grow without learning from external conflict. Seeing characters grow from conflict and then achieve their goals is what satisfies readers.
In romance, three types of conflict interweave: external, internal, and romantic. These conflicts track one another through all stages of the THREE ACT STRUCTURE.
EXTERNAL CONFLICT occurs when someone or something gets in the way of the character achieving his or her external goal. He is taken from his ordinary world, and time and again encounters resistance, which makes him rethink and alter his game plan.
INTERNAL CONFLICT is based on the character’s greatest fear, a belief system he or she has taken on about the world that makes him act out of Identity (a mask) rather than Essence (his true self). As the character acts out of fear, outside forces start to promote change in him. Then, as he starts to feel safe, the character will start to slowly reveal who he is, making it easier for him to achieve his ultimate goal.
Finally, in the best ROMANTIC CONFLICT, the hero and heroine have formed incorrect core beliefs that rub against each other. Moreover, the hero and heroine may have opposing goals, which can be the basis for external plot conflict but cause even greater romantic conflict. It is through seeing who they really are that the hero and heroine will start to fall in love and ultimately thrive.
In the end, overcoming the three conflicts results in character growth. Because of this growth, the protagonist wins, and the character’s world is forever transformed.
Bios:
Virna De Paul was an English Lit major who practiced law as a criminal prosecutor for over ten years. She began writing in September of 2006 and by January had a top-notch agent, a completed first manuscript, and editorial interest from a New York publishing house. Despite that grand beginning, it took her a little over three years to make her first sale. When she did, she sold the first two books in a paranormal romantic suspense series to Berkley Publishing (Penguin Group). She’ll be presenting her workshop on “Five Ingredients For A Big Book, High Concept, Same But Different Story” at National in Nashville this year. Virna has served as the Secretary and President for the Black Diamond RWA, and is an active member of Sacramento Valley Rose, San Francisco Area Romance Writers of America, and Silicon Valley RWA.
Tawny Weber is usually found dreaming up stories in her California home, surrounded by dogs, cats and kids. When she’s not writing hot, spicy stories for Harlequin Blaze, she’s shopping for the perfect pair of boots or drooling over Johnny Depp pictures (when her husband isn’t looking, of course). A lifelong romance reader, it took a push from her husband for her to try her hand at writing. She started in 2002, joining Romance Writers of America and going on to final multiple times in RWA’s Golden Heart contest, as well as serving on a variety of chapter boards and offices. After winning the Harlequin Blaze Challenge, she sold her first book, DOUBLE DARE in 2006. In September 2010, her tenth Blaze, RIDING THE WAVES, hits the bookshelves.
March 27th – Eva Gordon: Paranormal 101 – Basic Paranormal Primer
Everything you wanted to know about the paranormal for fun and for writing!
My workshop will cover all the basic topics connected to the world of the paranormal. It is largely based on local paranormal teacher, Loyd Auerbach’s pamphlet in a class I took at the Grey School of Wizardry, where I am one of the professors.
I have always had a great interest in the paranormal and am especially keen on cryptozoology but love all topics that I feel science is on the verge of explaining. My background is in the Biological Sciences so I approach the paranormal with the skepticism and an open mind of a scientist. I currently write both paranormal romance and fantasy novels. My paranormal novels are werewolf stories as I am both a fan of werewolves and wolves. I do research and workshops on both wolf and werewolf lore. My passion for all things lupine influenced my creation of my paranormal series, The Wolf Maiden Chronicles.
The topics I will cover will be the definitions of psi, expressive psychokinetic PK, spiritualist phenomenon, the science of parapsychology, the tools and techniques of an investigation, and finally the resolution of a situation such as a haunting. Questions are welcome during my talk and a detailed handout will be given to follow or keep if we skip over topics. Resources will also be listed for further study. Time permitting, I will give you time to write a story idea or character involved in the world of the paranormal. Books on the paranormal both romance based or not are quite popular and a topic a writer should explore.
Bio:
Eva writes fantasy and paranormal novels with a strong romantic element.
Werewolf Sanctuary is Book 1 in her epic Wolf Maiden Chronicles, a paranormal romance series involving male alpha lycans and their human mates known as wolf maidens. Werewolf Sanctuary is a contemporary that leads to all the other historical paranormal tales in the Wolf Maiden Chronicles. Book 2 in the series, Beast Warrior: Viking Werewolf, takes place during the Viking era. She loves to create stories that combine her passion for mythology,romance and werewolflore. White Wolf of Avalon is due out in March 2010. She is planning to sell a few fantasy novels and more in the Wolf Maiden series in the near future.
Eva has a BS in Zoology and graduate studies in Biology. She has taught high school Biology, Environmental Science and Anatomy/Physiology. Her background in science and her passion for wildlife biology adds credibility to her writings. She also moonlights as a faculty member of the Grey School of Wizardry, an online school for kids and adults interested in magic and lore. A member of Romance Writers of America, Eva has also taught workshops on wolf lore and falconry for writer groups. She has volunteered at a wolf sanctuary and is involved in environmental and animal welfare projects.
Eva is a world traveler and loves visiting the places where her novels take place. She lives in
Northern California with her husband, son and near her young adult daughter. She also shares her home with an almost human standard poodle.
February 27 – Janet Periat: Power up Your Presentation!
SV-RWA chapter member Janet Periat will lead this fun, interactive workshop designed to help Magic Bulldozer presenters, speakers and writers add punch to their presentations and readings. Using her theatre background, Janet will teach basic performance essentials to help writers overcome their anxiety and give dynamic presentations. Bring a first page to read and Janet will show you how to knock ‘em dead with your next reading.
Bio:
After achieving a BA in theatre from UC Santa Cruz, Janet Periat became a writer. She has five erotic romance novels published under the penname Michelle Carlyle. Under her own name, she writes a monthly humor column for CoastViews magazine and sells reprints to Funny Times, a national humor magazine. When she’s not writing, Janet sculpts strange creatures and hikes. She’s been married since the dawn of civilization to Frank and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more about her work, go to www.janetperiat.com.
January 23rd – Donald Maass (All Day Workshop)
The Silicon Valley, Sacramento Valley Rose, Black Diamond and Monterey Chapters of RWA® present:
THE FIRE IN FICTION – passion, purpose and techniques to make your novel great.
Where: Sunnyvale Sheraton Hotel, 1100 North Mathilda Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 (if you’d like to stay at the hotel, see group rate and instructions below, or click on hotel)
Cost for members*: $100
Cost for non-members: $150 (registration begins November 1st for non-members)
* must be a member of Silicon Valley, Sacramento Valley Rose, Black Diamond, or Monterey chapters of the Romance Writers of America®
About the workshop: In this intensive 8 hour-workshop, New York literary agent Don Maass reveals the techniques of master novelists.
• How do powerful storytellers consistently make their protagonists, plots and passion irresistible?
• How do the worlds of their stories become places you hate to leave?
• How do they compel you to read EVERY word?
This hands-on workshop teaches you how to apply master techniques to your fiction. Through lively discussion and structured writing exercises on your work-in-progress, you’ll learn to identify and harness your passions, tap into your emotions and personal experiences, all while best serving your story and your reader.
– Based on Mr. Maass’s latest book THE FIRE IN FICTION from Writers Digest Books (May 2009).
Attendees should bring a WIP, writing instruments and a lot of energy.
Conference Fee includes:
• 8-Hour Workshop by Donald Maass
• Continental Breakfast w/coffee
• Buffet Lunch
• Afternoon coffee and snacks
• PLUS…attendees will be given a special opportunity to submit the first 50 pages of their manuscript to the Maass Agency.
2009
December 12 – Holiday Party
November 21 – Shelley Bates w/a Shelley Adina – Split Personality: Writing for More Than One Market
Thinking about using a pseudonym? Writing for more than one publisher? Or writing in two different markets? Shelley Bates, who writes YA fiction as Shelley Adina, discusses the pros and cons of the dual identity, how it affects your marketing budget, and how to manage your time in order to satisfy the demands of two readerships.
Bio:
RITA Award winning author Shelley Bates has published 17 novels with Harlequin and Warner/Hachette since 2003. Her most recent release as Shelley Adina was Tidings of Great Boys, a YA novel, in September 2009. In her day job, she is a freelance editor and when she’s not writing, she enjoys music, making period costumes, and catering to her flock of rescue chickens.
October 24 – Sophie Littlefield and Tim Maleeny: Action for Every Scene: Keep Them Turning the Pages
The workshop will be interactive and participants will be completing exercises based on the manuscript they are currently working on. No stress though! The ideas work for those who are just beginning a novel as well as those who are revising a completed work. All that’s required is a pen or pencil – Sophie and Tim will bring the rest!
SOPHIE LITTLEFIELD’s first novel, A Bad Day for Sorry (St. Martins Minotaur, August 2009) features a rural Missouri housewife-turned-vigilante. Banished, a paranormal young adult novel, will be published by Delacorte in 2010. Sophie’s award-winning short stories have appeared in a variety of ‘zines and anthologies. She lives in Northern California with her family. Find out more at www.sophielittlefield.com.
“TIM MALEENY gives readers a fresh and fast take that enthralls,” says Crimespree Magazine. He is the award-winning author of a series of books known for their twisted plots and mysterious titles, including Stealing The Dragon, Beating The Babushka, and Greasing The Piñata. Publishers Weekly declares, “Maleeny smoothly mixes wry humor and a serious plot without sacrificing either.” A standalone novel called Jump came out in June 2009. Tim lives in San Francisco and can be found online at www.timmaleeny.com.
September 26 – Beth Barany, Creative Consultant to Writers: Social Networking for Authors: A Marketing Tool or a Waste of Time
August 22 – Recapping Nationals
Join us to talk about the national conference!
June 27 – Ellen Higuchi, Michelle Walker and more!
The Care and Feeding of Booksellers – Join these romance-loving Borders booksellers to hear what they and faithful readers love, hate, etc.
May 1-3: Writers Weekend Conference
The Conference was a success! Thank you to all of our speakers, agents and keynotes! And to the wonderful volunteers who made the conference possible!
March 28th: Goals, Groups and Going Forward
There is power in numbers. Silicon Valley Chapter is growing, which means we have lots more creative talent concentrated in one great place. But as we’re growing, maybe we haven’t had the chance to connect with all the new faces around us. For our first spring meeting, let’s get together, get to know each other and get a head start on making and meeting our writing goals. Looking to find brainstorming buddies or critique partners or both? Here’s the perfect chance to organize. Whether you’re one of our oldies but goodies or a complete newbie, come and share your unique voice and talents to make us all greater.
Contests and prizes will also be held. Come join us!
Febuary 28th: Robin Perini and Laura Baker – Discovering Story Magic Plotting Workshop
Registration ended Monday, February 23rd. No registrations at the door, sorry!
Fee includes:
AM Beverage Break
* Regular and Decafe Coffee
* Hot Tea
* Orange juice
AM Break
* Sliced Fresh Fruit
* Coffee and Tea refreshed
Lunch
* Bread and butter
* Green Salad with choice of dressing
* Two options:
o Grilled Vegetable Pasta – seasonal grilled vegetables tossed with penne pasta in a roasted garlic tomato basil sauce and romano cheese.
o Rosemary Garlic Chicken- grilled breast of chicken served with herb reduction, oven- roasted red potatoes and fresh vegetables.
* Coffee, Hot tea and Iced Tea
PM Break
* (Dessert from Lunch) Dessert – Carrot Cake or chocolate fudge cake
* Whole Fresh Fruit
* Coffee and Hot Tea refreshed.
Schedule of Events: Robin asks that you please watch the movie Jerry McGuire before you come!
8:00 Check-in, coffee/juice (no breakfast), brief business meeting
8:30 Session 1
10:00 Break, snack
10:30 Session 2
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Book raffle
1:00 Session 3
2::45 Break and dessert
3:00-5:00 Overview and Q/A
January 24th: Jami Alden and Bella Andre – The Care and Feeding of Critique Partners
Jami Alden and Bella Andre have worked together as critique partners for five years. During that time, they’ve sold 20 books. In this workshop, they talk about how their CP relationship began, what it was like in the beginning years/books, and how it’s changed over the years. They also discuss how to figure out whether it’s right for you. They will cover:
• The definition of a CP relationship
• How to find compatible CPs
• What it was like for Jami, Bella (& their third CP Monica McCarty) in the beginning
• How their CP relationship has changed over the year/ The benefits of having CPs?
• The downsides of having CPs?
As a bonus, Jami and Bella will also talk about the current state of the romance market – and will share what their agents, editors and multi-published friends have told them about selling books and getting noticed.
BIO’S
Jami Alden is the Holt Medallion nominated author of Delicious, Private Party, and A Taste of Honey, as well as several novellas under Kensington’s Aphrodisia imprint. Private Party was chosen by Cosmopolitan Magazine as a Red Hot Read for their November 2007 issue. Jami is currently working on a sexy romantic suspense series for Kensington Brava. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her socially well adjusted alpha male husband, her sons, and two dogs that patiently listen to dialog and help her work out plot points. www.JamiAlden.com
Since getting “the call” in 2004, Bella Andre has sold twelve books. The first book in her Bad Boys of Football series from Pocket, GAME FOR ANYTHING, was the August 2008 Red Hot Read for Cosmopolitan Magazine. The first two books in her MEN OF FIRE romantic suspense series from Bantam Dell about elite firefighters who are the Navy SEALS of firefighters will be out in May 2009 (WILD HEAT) and December 2009 (HOT AS SIN). Before writing romance, Bella got an Econ degree from Stanford and was a Feng Shui consultant. www.BellaAndre.com
2008
December 20th: Holiday Party
The annual SVRWA Holiday Party!!!
November 15th: SVRWA Author hosted “Plotting Brainstorm” session.
Come prepared to brainstorm your current WIP and or plot an entirely new story! Plotting session will be lead by published authors in the chapter, and anyone who has completed a whole book. Tell us how you do it!
SEX ON THE PAGE – Understanding and Crafting Sexual Tension
How do you write great sexual tension whether you write Regencies or Erotica or somewhere in between? Why is it some authors can make you cheer and commiserate and ache as their characters take their perilous journeys toward intimacy and others leave you feeling ho hum? Mary Buckham combines examples from outstanding Romance authors with an in depth analysis of the 12 stages of intimacy, findings in behavioral science and the power of biology to better understand and incorporate sexual tension in your own writing.
PACING – How to create page-turning manuscripts
What keeps a book intriguing enough to have fans turn the pages and not set it down? How can one author’s books have you riveted and another’s leave you feeling ho-hum? Ever wondered if there are key craft tips and techniques to balance fast-paced conflict, tension, suspense or mystery, action and emotion? In this course you will learn:
* The ingredients of a page-turner
* What hooks are and how to maximise them
* The power of effective scenes
* Common pacing pitfalls to avoid
* The ten elements of strong pacing
* How to use subplots and secondary characters
* How to avoid a sagging middle
* Great beginnings and endings that have your readers wanting more!
Bio:
Mary Buckham’s latest release, INVISIBLE RECRUIT, was a May 2006 Silhouette Bombshell, that earned reviews such as “sizzling”, “page-turning tension” and “Can’t put it down”. Currently Mary is working on a Thriller series set in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. She has hundreds of free-lance articles to her credit, a non-fiction book and is a former Magazine Editor. Mary offers a one-on-one synopsis service to help writers, both published and unpublished creating selling synopses and query letters. She is also a national writer workshop presenter both on-line and at workshops around the country. In her spare time Mary is one of the co-founders and driving force behind www.WriterUniv.com, an online workshop venue offering aspiring writers courses taught by authors and industry professionals. Mary encourages you to visit her website at www.MaryBuckham.com for more information about her, her appearances and workshops and her current writing projects.
September 27th: Lynna Banning – First Paragraph Reads
Bring your first three pages for a chapter-wide critique led by Lynna Banning!
Also – bring in an EXTRA copy of just page 1, plus a highlighter of some sort…Lynna has a special exercise planned!
August 23rd: Kathrynn Dennis – A Writer’s Collaging Workshop
In August, we’ll have our usual member report on events and happenings from nationals, and then move into our regular program. Chapter president Kathrynn Dennis has volunteered to lead a Writer’s Collaging Workshop.
What’s a collaging workshop? Collaging is a way for writers to inspire our muse, to use visual cues to hone in on the theme of our latest WIP’s. In the tradition of Barbara Hannay, Jenny Crusie, Susan Wiggs and Jo Beverly, we will explore the art of collage as an effective pre-writing tool.
Bring a pile of old magazines to share, a glue stick, scissors and poster board or paper backing. We’ll build our collages, gab and get to know each other. Anne Lum is working on getting us a room with more table space. If you have an example of a writer’s collage, please bring it to the meeting and show it off!
June 28: Kay Kostopoulos – getting into character – learning how to do it!
Have you ever had trouble getting “into your character” so that you could write a more realistic hero/heroine? I sure have. It’s easy to picture your character from a distance like watching actors on a movie screen, but that doesn’t take us into deep POV and can often lead to the problem of making all your characters sound the same—like you. I’ve often wondered how actors “get into character”. For example, how does Johnny Depp become Captain Jack Sparrow ?
On June 28th, Kay Kostopoulos Amarotico, a drama instructor at Stanford University will give take us into the world of acting.
In this workshop, writers will examine and participate in the actors’ process in creation of a role for the theatre, and learn how acting techniques may be applied for the writer.
We will work on character exploration, with a focus on objective, obstacle and action; becoming familiar with such acting terms as: Given Circumstances, Personalization, Empathy, Secondary Activity, and Specificity. In-class activities will include acting games and exercises, some of which are designed to prepare the voice, the body, and the mind to take unfamiliar forms.
Bio:
Please see Kay’s bio here!
May 17: Laurie Schnebly Campbell – Q is for Query AND Mix and Match Motivation
Q Is For Query, A Is For Aaaack!
No writer can get far without the most fundamental tool of selling their work: an effective query letter. Yet it’s frequently a source of dread for writers who create lyrical fiction, yet panic at the idea of creating a sales pitch. Laurie Schnebly Campbell brings 25 years of advertising experience to identifying what makes people want a product — any product — and how to convince them YOURS is the one they want.
Mix & Match Motivation
The heart of GMC is motivation, and all too often it’s underrated. The deeper you go for a character’s motivation, the more interesting the character becomes. So what’ll make your characters do plausible, interesting things that keep the story moving? That’s what this class is about — developing a hero & heroine who’ll create a plot from WHATEVER happens, because their motivation is built in right from the start.
Bio:
Laurie Schnebly Campbell loves speaking to writers about issues that draw on her background as a counseling therapist, advertising copywriter, and romance novelist who beat out Nora Roberts for “Best Special Edition of the Year.” 
Along with how-to books for authors, Laurie writes scripts for commercials (some featuring her voice) at a Phoenix ad agency. She also enjoys teaching a catechism class, playing with her husband and son, and counseling at a mental health center. “People ask how I find time to do all that,” Laurie says, “and I tell them it’s easy. I never clean my house!”
April 26: Jenn Stark – Branding
Ever wonder how best to describe you and your writing in a short, snappy way that will quickly catch the attention of agents, editors, and readers? Jenn makes finding your brand easy and fun. Scroll down to see all of the workshop details below!
Workshop Fee: $65 for members and $75 for guests. Sign up to be an SVRWA member on the day of the workshop and the $10 difference for the guest rate will be applied toward the membership dues.
In order to give a headcount to the Sheraton Hotel for the room size and the lunches, payment, accompanied by your lunch choice and email address, must be POSTMARKED by Friday, April 18th and mailed to the address below. Sorry, we cannot accept walk-in registrations at the door. If you would like confirmation of your check and attendance send an e-mail to mottahary@yahoo.com and Christine will let you know when she receives payment. If you do not e-mail Christine, you will not receive active confirmation.
Send your check to:
SVRWA
Attn: Christine Grissom
3667 Mona Way
San Jose, CA 95130
No reservations at the door.
Fee includes a special packet for each attendee and the following:
AM — coffee/decaf/tea and juice service only —- please eat breakfast before coming to the workshop!
AM Snack — granola bars, protein bars, and cut fruit
Lunch (RSVP must include an option otherwise the default will be the chicken caesar salad)
Option 1: Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad — crisp lettuce topped with a grilled boneless breast of chicken, parmesan cheese, and home-style croutons in a creamy homemade caesar dressing.
Option 2: Penne Pasta with Tomato Sauce (Vegetarian Option)
Above meal will be served with rolls and butter. Paradise Iced Tea will be the lunch beverage.
PM Snack — brownies, lemon bars, and whole fruit
Schedule of Events:
8:00 Check-in, coffee/juice (no breakfast), brief business meeting
8:30 Session 1: Branding Overview, Core Brand, Shadow Brand
10:00 Break, snack (granola bars)
10:30 Session 2: Industry Brand and Using your Industry Brand as a writer
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Book raffle
1:00 Session 3 Writing Brand, Slogan
2::45 Break and dessert
3:00-5:00 Writing Brand/Slogan, continued, Brand Strategy overview and Q/A
PRE-SESSION EXERCISE: Research writer/author websites and note what you like and dislike about those sites.
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Personal Branding Power Pack: Understanding, Creating, and Capitalizing on YOUR Personal Brands
Ever wonder how best to describe you and your writing in a short, snappy way that will quickly catch the attention of agents, editors, and readers?
Join Personal Branding Expert Jenn Stark as she presents a full-day seminar that’s all about YOU. With step by step guidance to help you identify your Core Brand, Shadow Brand and the all important Writing and Industry Brands, you’ll take away an action plan to help you make the most of your marketing efforts as a professional author.
What is a Personal Brand and why should I care about mine?
• How can I maximize the impact of my Personal Brand?
• When do I need a Personal Brand?
• How can my Personal Brand assist me in working with the media?
• What should I keep in mind when I consider changing my Personal Brand?
• How can I present my Personal Brand effectively with my marketing materials?
• Is my Personal Brand about me… my books… or both?
• What are the elements of a Personal Brand?
• How can I use my Personal Brand when I pitch or query my book?
• Why is a Personal Brand disconnect potentially deadly to my career?
The Personal Branding Power Pack supercharges your Branding work with these interactive sessions:
Session 1: Branding Overview, Your Core Brand and Your Shadow Brand
Session 2: Your Industry Brand and Using your Industry Brand as a writer
Session 3: Developing your Writing Brand and Slogan
Session 4: Developing your Writing Brand/Slogan, cont. + Creating a Customized Brand Strategy for You
A.M. Branding Overview, Development of Core Brand, Shadow Brand and Brand Goals. This is a more personalized process, where folks will be working individually to hone their Brand Decisioning skills.
P.M. Brand Development: Writing and Industry Brands, Slogans and Brand Strategy. This will be done in both full group and small breakout-group formats, with Jenn walking around and working with each of the sub groups after an explanation is given for each section.
Bio:
Jenn Stark brings a practical, accessible approach to Personal Branding to help authors at every level present themselves for maximum impact. A vice president of marketing and communications with fourteen years’ experience and a published freelance business writer, Jenn now serves as president of the Ohio Valley Romance Writers of America, and has also served as the chapter’s publicity director, promoting chapter and author events. She is an invited speaker and instructor on Personal Branding and public relations topics, and has worked with several authors one-on-one to help develop their Personal Brands and publicity materials. Her articles on Personal Branding have been featured in the newsletters and online loops of 29 writing chapters in the U.S. and Canada. She can be reached at jenn@knowyourbrand.com
March 29: Rae Monet – Characterization of your true live FBI hero/heroine
Do you wonder what your FBI law enforcement hero/heroine should act like? What type of equipment they wear? What type of gun they carry? What type of regulations, laws and procedures bind them?
Bio:
Rae Monet is a multi-published, national award winning, sensual romance author, former Air Force Office of Special Investigations, former FBI Agent, who worked Violent Crimes Major Offenders and the Cyber Squad. Rae has done her homework. She has a BA, MA in business. Rae is also a member of www.RomVets.com, (former military authors who now write romance). To top it all off, Rae is a licensed PI in the state of California. Rae speaks frequently at national conferences and workshops about the characterization of the FBI law-enforcement hero/heroine.
February 23: Teresa Bodwell – Legal Issues for Writers
Legal Issues for Writers: An author’s guide to protecting your rights and avoiding liability
Disclaimer: This workshop is not intended as legal advice, nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship between Teresa and any participant.
Topics:
Copyright Basics:
• The Bouquet of Rights. What are you really selling when you sell your book?
• Great idea! Are you infringing if you use it? When is a work protected?
• Infringement – what’s the difference between plagiarism and infringement? When is copying permitted?
• The Internet. Infringement at the speed of light. What is fair to use on your website? What is the copyright status of your posts on message boards?
Trademark:
What about using product names in fiction? Get ready to strap on those inline skates and don’t forget to bring your portable music device for some tunes while you roll down the street. Runny nose? Use some facial tissues. And when you’re thirsty, have a nice cold soda.
Defamation, privacy and the right of publicity:
How a fiction writer can get in trouble by making her story ring true.
The warranty clause: Or, I’m promising what?
The work is:
• Original
• Does not infringe
• The Publisher may rely upon the representations in dealings with any third party
January 26: Linda Wisdom – How to survive in this business over the years.
Laurie McLean, Linda Wisdom’s agent from San Francisco’s Larsen Pomada Literary Agency will also attend and take pitches!
Bios:
Linda Wisdom is a native Californian. She majored in Journalism in college then switched her major to Fashion Merchandising when she was told there was no future for her in fiction writing. She held a variety of positions ranging from retail sales to executive secretary in advertising and working as a corporate recruiter.
Her career began when she sold her first two novels to Silhouette Romance on her wedding anniversary in 1979. Since then she has sold more than seventy novels and two novellas to six different publishers. Her books have appeared on various romance and mass market bestsell
