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THE COLUMBUS WRITERS CONFERENCE 2006

PRESENTERS and
TOPICS 2006

IN THE FOLLOWING SECTION, CLICK
ON A TOPIC OR A PRESENTER FOR
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                          TOPICS

  FRIDAY, August 25, 2006

   8:00 a.m.

THE SECRET LIFE OF AGENTS (Ben Salmon)

11:30 - 1:30 p.m.

   LUNCH followed by PANEL OF EDITORS
                                                                                      (see Features/Schedule page)

   1:45 - 2:45

  THE FIRST FEW PAGES: HOW TO MAKE YOURS CATCH AN
  AGENT'S EYE                                                                                      (Lisa Grubka)

  TOP 10 WAYS NOT TO GET A LITERARY AGENT              (Scott Hoffman)

  THE ABCs OF PITCHING YOUR CHILDREN'S BOOKS TO AGENTS
  AND EDITORS                                                                   (Stefanie Von Borstel)

  THE AUTHOR-EDITOR RELATIONSHIP                               (Beena Kamlani)

  POETRY                                                                                                (Ted Kooser)

POLICE, WHAT THEY DO AND WHY (Lee Lofland)

  2:45 - 3:00           REFRESHMENTS


  3:00 - 4:00

  WRITING THE NOVEL                                                             (Robert Olmstead)
  WHAT'S BEST FOR YOUR BOOK: WALKING THE LINE BETWEEN
  ART AND COMMERCE AND DECIDING WHAT KIND OF CAREER
  YOU WANT                                                                                     (Jenna Johnson)

  MORE THAN PICTURE BOOKS                                                      (Jan Mader)

UNDERSTANDING HOW PUBLICITY SELLS BOOKS           (Milton Kahn)

  FLASH FICTION FOCUS                                                           (Michael Wilson)

  SECRETS OF FREELANCE WRITING, PART 1              (Kelly Boyer Sagert)


   4:10 - 4:55      INFORMAL ACTIVITIES

  EXERCISES TO KEEP WRITERS INSPIRED                     (Kathleen E. Jones)

   FUN WITH WORDS                                                                     (Nancy Christie)

   4:55     TWILIGHT FRIDAY Begins and Includes

                  ~  AGENT/EDITOR INFORMAL CHAT SESSIONS
                ~  DINNER
                  ~ DINNER PROGRAM
                ~  EVENING PROGRAM
                (Twilight Friday is open to Full-Conference registrants
                       and also to Friday-Only and Saturday-Only registrants
                       who have pre-registered for Twilight Friday.)

                                (see Features/Schedule page for Twilight Friday schedule)


   SATURDAY, August 26, 2006

FINDING AND WORKING WITH A LITERARY AGENT/
NONFICTION FOCUS (Ben Salmon)

  RESEARCH, WRITE, AND REVIEW: WRITING BIOGRAPHIES
                                                                                                       (Kelly Boyer Sagert)

  WRITERS BEWARE! (SELF-DEFENSE FOR WRITERS)
                                                                                                             (Michael Wilson)

  4:35 - 5:15

  REFRESHMENTS AND INFORMAL NETWORKING

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AngelaPL28@aol.com

The 20 Questions Authors Should Always Ask Their Editors (Chuck Adams) The author-editor relationship is critical to the success of both the book and the author's career. This session will address the 20 questions authors should always ask, with 20 truthful answers they frequently don't hear.

Demystifying Publishing: The Truth About the Publishing Process and How It Really Works (Chuck Adams) Why does one book succeed while another fails? Why does one author get megabucks while another gets very little of anything? What goes right and why do most things go wrong in the publishing process? Why are there so many editors who can't edit and too few authors who can really write? These are some of the truths about publishing that this session will address.

CHUCK ADAMS, executive editor, Algonquin Books, has spent more than 30 years in publishing, working initially in production, then shifting to editorial. He focuses on commercial publishing, editing a balance of mainstream fiction (includes very little genre fiction, e.g., romance, mystery, western science fiction, fantasy) and nonfiction with an emphasis on celebrity autobiography and titles pertaining to the arts. He strives to balance the desire of the author (and agent) to control the publication of the book with the need of the publisher to make a profit. Web site: algonquin.com

Don't Write That Query Letter until you've Taken This Workshop: How to Write the Best Query Letter (Fiction and Nonfiction Focus) (Lisa Cron) Writers often sabotage their novels and proposals by writing and sending query letters that they think will get an agent's attention but that miss the mark. In this workshop, both good and bad query letters will be discussed. Participants are invited to bring their query letters for on-the-spot critiques.

Finding and Working with a Literary Agent (Fiction Focus) (Lisa Cron) Editors rely on agents to submit material that is publishable. Agents are really the first readers for editors. They look for the same qualities as editors. This workshop will discuss the qualities that make a novel compelling.

LISA CRON spent a decade in publishing, first at W.W. Norton in New York, then at John Muir Publications in Santa Fe. NM, before turning to TV, where among other things she's been supervising producer on shows for Court TV, Bravo, and Showtime. She's been a story consultant for Warner Brothers and the William Morris Agency in NYC. She has worked for years one-on-one with writers, agents and producers developing book and screenplay projects, and is currently a literary agent with The Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency. She created a course called Your Perfect Pitch Package: A Course in Preparing Your Work For Literary Representation, which she teaches at UCLA Extension's Writers' Program.

Writing for the Corporate Side (Nancy M. Christie) This session covers the nuts and bolts of writing for corporate clients, including advertising and marketing agencies, nonprofits, corporations, and other clients. The seminar will cover identifying your specialties, marketing to your prospects, and subcontracting do's and don'ts.

Fun With Words (Nancy M. Christie) (Informal Activity Session) Test your creative skill by answering questions about (and, in the process, creating new definitions for) some not-so-common words.

Writing and Marketing the Essay (Nancy M. Christie) This session teaches writers how to use personal experiences as a springboard for creating a memorable essay. The session will include in-class writing.

NANCY M. CHRISTIE is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and author of the inspirational book The Gifts of Change (Beyond Words Publishing, 2004). Nancy contributes regularly to consumer and trade magazines and is currently working on her next book. She also presents personal growth seminars, including her "Rut-Busting"™ Workshop, nationwide.Web sites: nancychristie.com and communityofchange.com

Crash Course on Contracts (Lilly Ghahremani) Clauses, reversions, legalese–oh my! This course will focus on helping writers of all stripes understand the legal documents they may be asked to sign throughout their writing careers. We'll discuss agenting agreements and publishing contracts and examine what you need to know to confidently sign either.

Crash Course on Copyright (Lilly Ghahremani) Good authors know the basics of copyright law. This course will give you an overview of what you should consider as you write your book–fiction or nonfiction.

LILLY GHAHREMANI, JD, is a founding member of Full Circle Literary. She hails from Chicago, and after receiving a BA in English Literature from the University of Michigan and a JD from the UCLA School of Law, she decided to combine her two interests. Previously she has held positions of associate counsel and literary agent, serving textbook authors nationwide. As a literary agent, Lilly's list focuses on hip and engaging nonfiction books (crafting, women's issues, relationships, pop culture, etc.). She is seeking literary fiction and nonfiction that offers a multicultural or somehow fresh perspective. Lilly speaks on legal topics at writers' gatherings across the country, advising them on what they need to know to write smart! Web site: fullcircleliterary.com

ER for Writers: Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes Writers Make (Jerry Gross and Patrick LoBrutto) This session will include suggestions on how to avoid the most common mistakes writers make. Participants are encouraged to ask questions on all aspects of their writing, editing, and publishing.

JERRY GROSS has been a fiction and nonfiction trade book and paperback editor for more than forty years–the past 19 as a freelance editor/book doctor working with agented and unagented authors. He is the editor of the standard work on trade book editing, Editors on Editing: What Writers Need to Know About What Editors Do. This book is used in creative writing courses, publishing programs, and at writers' conferences. Other career highlights include positions as vice president and editorial director of Warner Books, vice president and associate editor-in-chief at New American Library, and editor-in-chief of Dodd, Mead. Jerry lectures on writing, editing, and publishing at writers' conferences and universities. Web site: bookdocs.com/jerry_gross.htm

PATRICK LOBRUTTO has been an editor at Doubleday, Ace, Bantam, Random House, and Kensington. He has worked on thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, historical novels, romance, horror, and nonfiction. Authors he has worked with include Isaac Asimov, Stephen King, and Walter Tevis. In 1986, Patrick received the World Fantasy Award for editing. He currently works as a book doctor and a consultant to publishers and agents. Web site: patricklobrutto.com

The First Few Pages: How to Make Yours Catch an Agent's Eye (Lisa Grubka) The first few pages of a book, especially fiction, can be the "make it or break it" chance with agents and editors. This session includes tips and pointers to make yours as compelling as possible and will cover what an agent looks for when reading these opening pages. There will be lots of time for examples and Q&A.

Pitching Your Novel: How to Stand Out (Lisa Grubka) When your hard work is done and you've completed your novel, taking the next step and sharing it with agents and editors can feel daunting. This session will focus on the do's and don'ts of pitching your book to agents and/or editors, both in person and in writing. There will be lots of time for Q&A.

LISA GRUBKA is a literary agent at the William Morris Agency. She represents literary fiction and nonfiction and is actively looking for both fiction (literary, international, and women's) and nonfiction (narrative, popular science, sports, journalism, and humor). She began her career at Farrar, Straus and Giroux and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. She is a member of the Association of Authors' Representatives. Web site: wma.com

Writing and Selling the Nonfiction Book: Make Your Good Ideas Better (Jack Heffron) Writing and selling a nonfiction book requires a lot of thought at the start. Getting the idea is only step one. From there, you have to develop that idea with an eye toward the marketplace and, ultimately, your reader. In this informative session, you will learn strategies for giving your idea the foundation necessary for success.

JACK HEFFRON, a freelance editor and publishing consultant, works with a number of publishers including Globe-Pequot, McGraw Hill Trade, St, Anthony Messenger Press, and Cardinal. He is the author of The Writer's Idea Book and The Writer's Idea Workshop. Jack is a former editorial director of Emmis Books, Writer's Digest Books, Betterway Books, Story Press, and Walking Stick Press. He also was a founding editor of the new Story magazine, which won two National Magazine Awards for fiction during its time. His short stories, articles, essays, and reviews have appeared in many magazines and journals.

Top 10 Ways NOT to Get a Literary Agent (Scott P. Hoffman) This session will focus on the most common mistakes first-time authors make when they start their agent search. It will provide inside tips on how to gain a competitive edge over the competition and how to give yourself the greatest chance of landing a top-tier agent to represent your novels or nonfiction.

Publishing a First Book After Age 50 (Scott Hoffman) Publishing later in life comes with its own unique set of challenges. This session will explore the challenges specific to publishing a first book later in life and how authors can use their age and life experience as assets in finding an agent and getting published.

SCOTT HOFFMAN, a refugee from the world of politics, is one of the founding partners of Folio Literary Management, LLC. Prior to starting Folio, Scott was at PMA Literary and Film Management, Inc. He has served as vice-chairman of the board of directors of SEARAC (the only nationwide advocacy agency for Southeast Asian-Americans), a Board member of Fill Their Shelves, Inc. (a charitable foundation that provides books to children in sub-Saharan Africa), and a member of the Metropolitan Opera's Young Associates Steering Committee. Before entering the world of publishing, he was one of the founding members of Janus-Merritt Strategies, a Washington, DC, strategic consulting firm. He holds an MBA from New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business and a BA from the College of William and Mary. Web site: foliolit.com

A Personal Journey From Bookselling to Publishing...with Stops In Between from A-N (R. Schuyler Hooke) Knowing the audience and the market is the key to publishing books for young people. Information in this session–presented by an editor with experience in retail, book clubs, editing, and publishing–will range from boardbooks and picture books to young adult novels.

A Personal Journey From Bookselling to Publishing...with Stops In Between from O-Z (R. Schuyler Hooke) A continuation of the same title from A to N, this session will focus more closely on the actual how-tos of publishing. How to submit. How to research. How to self-edit. Included will be both good and bad examples.

R. SCHUYLER HOOKE, senior editor, Random House Books for Young Readers, graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He worked in kids' retail books for 14 years, including two years in a Beverly Hills bookstore/gallery; edited the Children's Book-of-the-Month Club selection newsletter for eighteen months; and managed Scholastic's Arrow Book Club for grades 4-6 for one year. In his role at Random House, he is an editor and author involved with the publication of books for ages 1-14.

What's Best for Your Book: Walking the Line Between Art and Commerce and Deciding What Kind of Career You Want (Fiction and Nonfiction Focus) (Jenna Johnson) This presentation will focus on the decisions authors face in the course of publication that might influence the commercial or artistic nature of their work. This session will cover how to really know what kind of book and what kind of career each writer wants–and how to be prepared for the choices and moments that will change the course of a writer's path.

From Writer to Author: The Little Things that Make Successful Published-Writer Careers (Fiction and Nonfiction Focus) (Jenna Johnson) This presentation will discuss the easily overlooked details that form the foundation of a published author's career. What makes an author successful? In a crowded marketplace that is only a small part of the available entertainment and information industries, how can authors distinguish themselves? What can they do that might benefit their books, sales and reception?

JENNA JOHNSON is an editor at Harcourt Trade Publishers. Prior to becoming an editor, she worked in advertising and public relations and at a literary agency. She has a BA in History from Columbia College, New York.

Keeping Writer's Block at Bay (Kathleen E. Jones) At some point, most writers experience writer's block. It may just be a slowing down of ideas or a day when you just can't seem to get it right. This session will show you how writer's block can be banished forever by finding the "write" writer's group.

Exercises to Keep Writers Inspired (Kathleen E. Jones) (Informal Activity Session) Writing can be an exercise in isolation. Join with other writers to flex your writing muscles and be inspired! Exercising regularly with writers re-ignites your creativity and sparks new enthusiasm.

KATHLEEN E. JONES, after a twenty-year career as an RN, retired to pursue her second dream, writing. Her work has appeared in newspapers, nursing publications, and children's educational material. Her serial story Sara's Heart targeted to teens and pre-teens, appeared monthly in an equine magazine. She is working with a publisher to present the serial as a complete novel. Kathleen also is working on a collection of nonfiction stories and a novel for adults. Kathleen leads a Columbus-based writing group for authors of all genres.

How to Prepare to Promote Your Book (Milton Kahn) This session will help writers better understand the workings of publicity.

Understanding How Publicity Sells Books (Milton Kahn) This session will focus on how writers can make themselves promotable and interesting to the media.

MILTON KAHN is president of Milton Kahn Associates, Inc., a Santa Barbara, California-based public relations company. He has orchestrated national public relations campaigns for publishing, entertainment, sports, and corporate clients. His clients have been profiled in publications such as People, Forbes, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Time, and The Wall Street Journal and on television shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show and Late Show with David Letterman. Web site: miltonkahnpr.com

The Author-Editor Relationship (Beena Kamlani) The author-editor relationship involves many skills, from negotiation and compromise to an understanding of people's thresholds and boundaries to providing the right kind of support–nurturing, sustaining, inspiring, if possible–to help the writer bring out the best in his or her work. When both the writer and the editor are working towards the same goal–the best possible book–the relationship can be almost magical.

Revising Your Manuscript (Beena Kamlani) The most important thing in revising your manuscript is to have a very clear focus on what it needs before you begin the process. Without a focus, a writer is likely to go off on many frustrating journeys before the right one presents itself. How do you refine your manuscript so that it is the best book that it can be? In this session, you will learn some techniques and skills as you begin the revision process.

BEENA KAMLANI, senior development editor, Viking Penguin, has worked in book publishing for over two decades. In her 18 years at Viking Penguin, she has edited and developed a wide range of fiction and nonfiction books, both literary and commercial. She was Saul Bellow's editor until his death in 2005 and also has worked closely with Robert Fagles (on Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey and Virgil's The Aeneid) and many other writers. She received a teaching excellence award from New York University for her editing classes.

Keynote Address (Ted Kooser, Poet Laureate 2004-2006) A Reading with Reflections on the Poet Laureateship.

Poetry (Ted Kooser, Poet Laureate 2004-2006) This session is not only a conversation about writing poetry but also an opportunity for participants to discuss their poetry.

TED KOOSER, United States poet laureate, 2004-2006, is a professor of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is the author of 11 full-length collections of poetry, including the 2005 Pulitzer Prize winner Delights and Shadows (Copper Canyon Press, 2004) and Weather Central (University of Pittsburgh Press, 1994). His newest book, The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets, was published by University of Nebraska Press in January 2005. Over the years his works have appeared in many periodicals including The Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker, Poetry, The Hudson Review, The Nation, The American Poetry Review, The Kenyon Review, Prairie Schooner, and Antioch Review. He has received two NEA fellowships in poetry, the Pushcart Prize, the Stanley Kunitz Prize, The James Boatwright Prize, and a Merit Award from the Nebraska Arts Council. Ted's writing is known for its clarity, precision and accessibility, and his poems are included in textbooks and anthologies used in both secondary schools and college classrooms across the country. In addition to poetry, Ted has written in a variety of forms including plays, fiction, personal essays, and literary criticism. His first book of prose, Local Wonders: Seasons in the Bohemian Alps (University of Nebraska Press, 2002), won the Nebraska Book Award for Nonfiction in 2003 and Third Place in the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award in Nonfiction for 2002. The book was chosen as the Best Book Written by a Midwestern Writer for 2002 by The Friends of American Writers. It also won the Gold Award for Autobiography in ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Awards. Web site: blueflowerarts.com/tkooser.html

Murder Really Bugs Me (Lee Lofland) Take a one-hour stroll through crime scenes with a former detective. Walk with the investigator as he literally leaves no stone unturned while he gathers flesh-eating insects and other strange but necessary evidence in order to solve the crime of murder.

Police, What They Do and Why (Lee Lofland) This session offers an in-depth look into the procedures, equipment, and techniques used by police to solve the crime of murder.

LEE LOFLAND is a retired police detective and a nationally acclaimed expert on crime scene investigations and police procedures. He has solved cases in areas including homicide, murder for hire, rape, robbery, ritualistic and occult crimes, and narcotics. He is the recipient of both the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Award for Valor and the General Nathaniel Greene Medal for courageous conduct against an armed robber. His book The Book of Police Procedure and Investigation is scheduled for release by Writer's Digest Books in 2007. Web site: leelofland.com

The Nuts and Bolts of Writing for Teens and Tweens (D. Anne Love) In this workshop, participants will learn the three most essential aspects of writing for teens and tweens, the critical differences that set this market apart from others, and current trends in young adult literature. This information-rich session will include a brief writing exercise, group sharing, and a brief period for Q&A.

How to Get Out of the Slush Pie and Onto the Shelf (D. Anne Love) What can beginning authors do to make their manuscripts stand out in the crowd? In this workshop, participants will learn the most common manuscript and submission mistakes and how to avoid them. The focus is on submitting to the young adult and tween markets, but aspiring authors of any genre of fiction will benefit from attending. This session also will include brief exercises in crafting winning queries and cover letters and a brief period for Q&A.

D. ANNE LOVE, PhD, is the award-winning author of 10 novels for teens and tweens, published by Simon & Schuster. A former professor of young adult literature, she conducts writers' seminars and workshops nationwide. Her books have received honors from the American Library Association and the National Council of Teachers of English, among others, and have been translated for editions in Asia and Europe. She is also the author of an illustrated biography for young readers, published by Holiday House, and appeared as a featured author on Writer to Writer, a Florida PBS television series. Web site: dannelove.com

More Than Picture Books (Jan Mader) Writing for children's magazines and educational publishers is a great way to launch a successful writing career. Learn the ins and outs of each of these markets and pick up the publishing credits you need to open any door.

Beyond Easy Readers (Jan Mader) Easy readers are for children who are just learning to read. There is a huge demand for emergent readers and early chapter books. This session is designed to direct you to an area you might not have considered.

JAN MADER began her writing career through pure serendipity. While working with a target group of remedial students, she discovered that there were very few books that the children enjoyed, so she began writing her own books for classroom use. She realized her books had a place in schools and libraries and began to research how to become a published writer. Jan's writing career took off, and she is now a full-time professional freelance writer. Jan has written numerous children's books, magazine and newspaper articles, and personal essays. Jan's natural curiosity and joy of life characterize her writing. She is delighted to have sold a series of books based on her own horse, Tango. The first book, Tango and Tilly and the Mayor's Missing Cat, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2006. Ten more books will complete the series. Jan believes that everyone has a book in his or her heart that is waiting to be published...or at least written! Web site: janmader.com

Writing the Novel (Robert Olmstead) Stories and novels circumscribe time and space, limit the number of actors and actions, situate all causes in the consciousness of the actors, and elevate the personal over the institutional. So how do you do this? This session will give you some very specific advice.

Writing and Marketing the Short Story (Robert Olmstead) There is not much "market" out there for short stories, although a lot of them are published every year, and some have a huge impact. This session will cover who is reading them, who is publishing them, what are they looking for, and what are the possibilities?

ROBERT OLMSTEAD is author of the novels America by Land, A Trail of Heart's Blood Wherever We Go, and Soft Water. He is also the author of a memoir, Stay Here With Me; a collection of short stories, River Dogs; and
a textbook, Elements of the Writing Craft. His new novel, Coal Black Horse, will be published by Algonquin Books in the spring of 2007. His work has appeared in Mid-American Review, McSweeney's, Willow Springs, Epoch, Idaho Review, Cutbank, Black Warrior Review, Greensboro Review, The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Short Story, Story, Ploughshares, The Graywolf Annual 4, Granta, AKC Gazette, Faultline, Fiction Writer, Writer's Digest, The New York Times Book Review, Spin, and Sports Afield. He has been a regular book reviewer and food critic. His awards include: Idaho Press Club Award, Honorable Mention O. Henry, Honorable Mention Best American Short Stories, Black Warrior Review Fiction Award, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Literature Fellowship, APEX award in journalism, National Endowment for the Arts Fiction Fellowship, John Simon Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship, Pennsylvania Council on the Senior Arts Literature Fellowship, and Ohio Council for the Arts Literature Fellowship. Currently, he is Director of Creative Writing at Ohio Wesleyan University.

The Armchair Experience: What Makes a Memoir Stand Out to an Editor (Jennifer Pooley) Is your personal story ready for the marketplace? What are editors who acquire in this category looking for? This session will focus on the "armchair experience," covering these questions and more. You will learn how how to position your personal story in 250 words or less to make it stand out from the rest to an agent or an editor. The discussion also will cover submissions that were taken from proposal to finished book and will allow time to answer questions.

The Book Deal Is Just the Beginning: Working Successfully With Your Editor Toward the Final Draft of Your Novel (Jennifer Pooley) This session will illuminate the editorial process and include discussion on what you might expect from your editor and what your editor might expect from you following acquisition of your novel. Also, your questions will be answered and insights offered on how to build a successful business and artistic partnership with your editor.

JENNIFER POOLEY is an editor at William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, where she began her career in 1998. She loves discovering strong new voices in literary and commercial fiction and has acquired such debut novels as K. L. Cook's The Girl From Charnelle, Catherine Hanrahan's Lost Girls and Love Hotels, and Willy Vlautin's The Motel Life. Her nonfiction acquisition interests are eclectic and include serious narrative nonfiction, humor, history, science, and memoir that deliver an unforgettable armchair experience, such as Marjorie Hart's Summer At Tiffany and Alison and Melissa Houtte's Alligators, Old Mink and New Money, and the occasional whimsical gift title with a pop culture slant, such as Amy Allen's This Little Piggy Went to Prada: Nursery Rhymes for the Blahnik Brigade and David C. Barnette's The Offical Guide to Christmas in the South: Or, If You Can't Fry It, Spraypaint It Gold. She publishes the work of such authors as Christoper Bram, Maud Casey, Lolita Files, Lisa Jewell, and Leslie Pietrzyk, among others. Web site: harpercollins.com

Secrets of Freelance Writing, Part I (Kelly Boyer Sagert) If your dream is to begin selling your work as a freelance writer or if you're looking for ways to improve your chances of success, this session–focusing on newspapers, magazines, encylopedias, and more–will provide practical and useful information to help you achieve your goals.

Secrets of Freelance Writing, Part II (Kelly Boyer Sagert) If your dream is to begin selling your work as a freelance writer or if you're looking for ways to improve your chances of success, this session–focusing on newspapers, magazines, encylopedias, and more–will provide practical and useful information to help you achieve your goals. (Please note that this workshop will offer different tips from those discussed in Secrets of Freelance Writing, Part I.)

Research, Write, and Review: Writing Biographies (Kelly Boyer Sagert) People are endlessly fascinating, and this workshop will help you delve into the mystery of how to research someone else's life story and write a biography intended for publication. This session also will include information about a little-known market for biographies.

KELLY BOYER SAGERT, a freelance writer, has sold more than 1,000 pieces of her writing to magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, web sites, and literary journals. She has published four books and is under contract for two more. She is the author of Joe Jackson: A Biography from the series Baseball's All-Time Greatest Hitters. She also writes biographical and historical profiles for encyclopedias. For the past six years, Kelly has facilitated numerous online writing courses for Writer's Digest. Web site: kbsagert.com

The Secret Life of Agents (Ben Salmon) This session offers a candid look at the daily activities of agents, a "behind the curtain" look at what an agent does all day, how some agents think, and what those typical agent phrases generally mean.

Finding and Working with an Agent (Nonfiction Focus) (Ben Salmon) This session covers how to construct a proposal, query the right agents, pitch a nonfiction book, and work with a newly-found agent.

BEN SALMON, a literary agent with Rights Unlimited, is an eclectic generalist, willing to look at any project of the highest quality. He not only strives to act as an advocate, coach, and cheerleader for his clients' projects but also is a devotee to their aspirations, careers, and long-term goals. He is actively looking for and adores quirky and edgy fiction–literary, commercial or somewhere in between–and enjoys the occasional fun mystery, women's fiction, and page-turner thriller. The key ingredients he looks for in any project are an original voice, strong writing, wit, interesting or odd perspective, and an ability to not take oneself too seriously. In nonfiction, topics that interest him include lifestyle, self-help, pop culture, health, current affairs, narrative, memoir and biography, social sciences, gender issues and humor. He has a devout interest in trends, reading the marketplace for what's going to be the next topic to jump off the shelves. Previously a literary agent at DSM Agency, Ben began his career as an intern at the Peter Rubie Literary Agency. He is a graduate of NYU Summer Publishing Institute and Drew University, where he studied sociology with a triple minor in writing, religious studies and psychology. Ben is a member of the Association of Authors' Representatives and is on the board of directors of the Women's National Book Association.Web site: rightsunlimited.com

The ABCs of Pitching Your Children's Book to Agents and Editors (Stephanie Von Borstel) If only the work ended when you typed that last word of your children's manuscript. Not so! The busier agencies and publishing companies have become, the more important it is to distinguish your work. Discover some tips of the trade for making the best impression with query letters and manuscript materials for both picture-book, middle-grade, and young-adult projects.

Nonfiction Book Proposals Made Easy (Stephanie Von Borstel) Developing a nonfiction book is half writing and half marketing. Learn how to write an easy book proposal that answers the questions editors and agents are looking for: What is the commercial need for this book? Who is the book-buying audience for this book? Why am I the best author to write this book? This interactive workshop takes writers step-by-step through a nonfiction book proposal, using examples from both adult nonfiction and children's nonfiction projects.

STEFANIE VON BORSTEL is a liter