LOSCON36 - Programming

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An Education for Writers

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Whether you are an aspiring writer or professional author, you will find this three-day mini-course invaluable. Learn from more than a dozen panels of veteran authors, industry professionals and others experts many of the essentials to writing and publishing a successful novel.

Your cost? Only the price of membership in the Loscon convention. (GLAWS makes no profit from this event) That's right, it is offered at no additional cost to you with your Losocn36 membership.

Presented in association with the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society, the following schedule of panels is subject to last minute changes in guests, times, and the whim of the universe. Panels start Friday November 27th at 12:30 and space is limited, so plan to get there early to get a good seat.

NOTE: Schedule is subject to change based on the whim of the cosmos and until each panel is seated.

Friday - Nov 27		Semi-Final as of 11/22
12:30 - 2:00pm	Stimulating Your Muse - How and Where do you get those Great Ideas?
	Where do great ideas come from and how can you nurse those creative genes without a hangover?
(M)	Chris Weber
	George Krstic	Leslie Ann Moore
	Karen Willson	Aaron Mason

2:00-3:30	The Business of Writing
	There's an ugly but necessary side to the craft of writing: the business side. If you take your work seriously and even think you want to make a living from it, don't miss this discussion that can save you money and time in the long-run.
(M)	Ace Hall
	Todd McCaffrey	Stephen Fisch
	Deborah Pratt	Buzz Dixon

3:30-5:00	Books on the craft of writing that every writer should read
	Every writer should have two kinds of books in their library: books by authors they love to read and inspire them to write; and books on the craft that can help improve your skills. Learn which books should be in yours.
(M)	Tony N. Todaro
	Sheila Finch	Kelly Green
	Deborah Pratt	David Gerrold

5:00-6pm	I have a Great Idea...Now What?
	Now that you've got that idea, what do you do with it? It's not easy getting started on that best-selling novel, but there's a few paths to take and choices to make that will get the ball rolling.
(M)	Dan Lambert
	Chris Weber	Mel Gilden
	Karen Willson	John de Chancie

Saturday - Nov 28
10:00 - 11:30 am	Writing Hard Science Fiction If You’re Not A Scientist (Researching Your Novel)
	They say "write what you know." But how do you write about technical and scientific matters when you don't know the difference between a plasma field and a plasma TV? Whether it's Harry Potter or the Da Vinci Code, having the facts straight will not only save you embarrassment later if you make an obvious blunder, but may inspire new ideas as well.
(M)	Tony N. Todaro
	Sarah Beach	Harry Turtledove
	Tim Powers	Leonard Carpenter

11:30 - 1:00 pm	Things I Wish a Pro had Told Me When I First Started
	Many aspiring writers waste time and brain cells when they first enter the world of writing professionally. Learn from industry pros things you can avoid to save years of frustration and brain cells.
(M)	Karen Willson
	James C. Glass	Tony N. Todaro
	John de Chancie	Leslie Ann Moore

1:00 - 2:30 pm	Which is more Important: Characters or Plot?
	This is a question you must resolve before starting to write any story. Or is there a balance to keep the reader interested as well as satisfy your creative urges?
(M)	Leslie Ann Moore
	Todd McCaffrey	Tim Powers
	Kelly Green	Russ Woody

2:30 - 4:00 pm	World-Building for Fantasy vs. Science Fiction
	It sounds simple enough, but there are different mindsets for each. And the choices you make will effect the believability of your novel.
(M)	Ace Hall
	Deborah Pratt	Sarah Beach
	Leslie Ann Moore	David Gerrold

4:00-5:30	Make It or Break It (Your First Three Pages — Your First 50)
	You hear from editors and agents that if the first paragraph you write isn't strong enough, they won't read the first page, let alone the first fifty. Separate fact from fiction and remain true to your story.
(M)	Kelly Green
	Denise Dumars	Sherwood Smith
	David Gerrold	Deborah Pratt

Sunday - Nov 29
10:00 - 11:30 am	A Jury of Your Peers - When to join a Critique Group
	Congrats! You've finished your story. Ready to have someone else read it? How about joining a Critique Group? Learn the benefits and pitfalls from those who have been through it all.
(M)	Ace Hall
	Kelly Green	Sheila Finch
	Diana Glyer	Shannon Muir

11:30 - 1:00 pm	My Laptop Has Fallen Over and It Can’t Get Up! (Dealing with Writer’s Block)
	Is there really such a thing as writers block -- or is it just an excuse? There's more than one answer to this one. Pick right, and you may never be bothered again.
(M)	Rick Foss
	Diana Glyer	Tony N. Todaro
	Tim Powers	Russ Woody

1:00 - 2:30 pm	Beyond the First Draft (Editing, or What to Expect of the Second Draft)
	Okay, so you finished that big first draft. Is it done, or are you just getting started on the real work? Pros discuss the top tips on what to look for and how to turn that rough draft into a polished gem.
(M)	Chris Weber
	Dawn Atkins	Sheila Finch
	John de Chancie	Sherwood Smith

2:30 - 4:00 pm	Why Manuscripts Arrive D.O.A. at Agents & Publishers
	The mystery is over. The top ten (or more) things to avoid if you want your manuscript to have a chance of escaping the slush pile, let alone the envelope you mailed it in.
(M)	Tony N. Todaro
	Denise Dumars	Todd McCaffrey
	Kelly Green	John de Chancie

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