WRITING FOR SCREEN AND STAGE
PROFT ON SCREENWRITING
11:00 – 12:00 Rehearsal Hall
Pat Proft
Writer and actor Pat Proft will talk about the work behind the scenes of screenwriting. Dreaded rewrites–curse or cure? When do you know your material is solid? How do you interpret the notes and responses you get from a producer? And how do you incorporate them into your script? Sometimes you have to fight for your material–how do you know when to bend? This class will give some insights into how to negotiate the world of filmmaking from the point of view of the screenwriter.
I COULD’VE (SHOULD’VE) WRITTEN THAT SCREENPLAY
1:00 – 2:00pm Rehearsal Hall
Joyce Rosenblad
If you’ve always wanted to write a screenplay, but weren’t sure how to get started, what to expect or where to look for ideas, inspiration and answers—this workshop is for you. Joyce will take you through the aspects of screenwriting, from concept to fleshing out your idea, to character development to proper format to making those all-important connections. Joyce will tell about her writing career, and help you find those ideas with real promise. She will offer tips on adapting books and other materials into screenplays—what works, what doesn’t and why. No experience necessary, just a genuine passion for film.
IS A PLAY YOUR THING?
4:00 – 5:00pm McLeod Conference Room
Cynthia Holm
You go to the theater, and maybe you’ve even read a few plays, and you are wondering: Is my writing talent suited to the stage? Discover the unique structures that distinguish playwriting from writing for the screen or television, and be introduced to the “poetic faith” that well-crafted drama can create. We will talk about local resources for playwrights in the Twin Cities area, and discuss other resources and education available to further your dreams.
WRITING AND THE VISUAL ARTS
CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATION AS PERFORMANCE
11:00am – 12:30pm Painting Studio
Chuck Hues, The ArtGuy
With the aid of music, Chuck, the ArtGuy, will “perform” the illustration of a children’s book. The storyboarding sketches he creates will later be scanned into digital format, paired with the author’s words and brought to life in the form of a book. This is a highly specialized 90-minute demonstration, and is not to be interpreted as a typical illustration process.
ILLUSTRATING BOOKS Panel
1:00- 2:00pm Drawing Studio
Moderator: Connie Anderson
What books typically have illustrations? What is their purpose? What medium (oil, watercolor, pencil) is used? Where do I find an illustrator? Can I illustrate my own work? Does the author have anything to say about the illustrations created for his/her book? Marilyn Brown, Ute Buehler and Betsy LePlatt will discuss the intersection of art and words, answering these questions and many more.
POETRY AND PROSE
A WAY WITH WORDS–A CREATIVE PROCESS
11:00am – 12:00pm McLeod Conference Room
Marge Barrett
Plan for fun. We will play with words to see where they lead as we tap into the word tank that is stored in all of us. Creative jump-starts and interactive writing, as well as observation, imagination, and storytelling, will help our words find their way to the page. By the end of the workshop, we will have a notebook filled with the words of poems.
WRITING PROSE POEMS
1:00 – 2:00pm McLeod Conference Room
Marge Barrett
In The Prose Poem: An International Journal, editor Peter Johnson explained, “Just as black humor straddles the fine line between comedy and tragedy, so the prose poem plants one foot in prose, the other in poetry, both heels resting precariously on banana peels.” We will discuss how the prose poem maintains a poetic quality, utilizing techniques such as fragmentation, compression, repetition, and rhyme. After reading master poets’ work and exploring their limitless styles and subjects, you will write your own prose poem.
THE ART OF WRITING THE PERSONAL ESSAY: DEEPENING DISCOVERIES
2:30 – 3:30pm McLeod Conference Room
Denny Stockdale
In this interactive session, you will learn how to create a personal essay. We’ll discuss different types, elements, and structures of essays. You’ll be given the tools to create your own essay, and will walk away with an increased awareness of your ability to use personal reflection to create powerful essays. You’ll also learn Denny’s 5-S formula to help you move forward with your writing projects (as well as other areas of life).
THE BONES BEHIND THE FLESH: RESEARCHING A NOVEL IN THE DIGITAL AGE
2:30 – 3:30pm Rehearsal Hall
Mark Munger
Have you wondered where fiction writers get their information? For example, how do they ensure that loggers in a story set in early 20th century Stillwater had access to manufactured cigarettes or that madams in 19th century London were able to outfit their hookers with birth control? Join author, university professor, and District Court Judge Mark Munger, as he explores (online, in real time) the tools writers have at their fingertips for including slices of reality in their work.
FEELING THE PAST–BEING PRESENT
4:00 – 5:00pm Rehearsal Hall
Sheryl Hill
A compelling memoir emotionally engages the reader with descriptive writing. In this workshop, you will write a short flash memoir with imagery and rhythm, engaging your emotions to connect with the reader. The workshop includes a powerful short memoir case study in which elements of a successful memoir are outlined, including the concepts of balance and purpose. Based on these elements, you will review your flash memoir and rewrite it for possible e-publication.
PROMOTION
BUILDING A PLATFORM OF READERS WHO WILL BUY YOUR BOOKS
11:00 – 12:00pm City Council Chamber
Linda C. Anderson
In today’s world, it’s vital to build readership before seeking a publisher or self-publishing. Creating a platform proves that there is a market for your subject and book. It also assures self-published authors that they will recover their investments of time and money. Learn how to build a substantial platform through online blogs, newsletters, video clips, and published articles; establish yourself as an expert by being quoted in the media and scheduled for speaking engagements; and gather e-mail addresses to notify readers that your book has arrived.
MEDIASPEAK™ FOR AUTHORS – INDIVIDUAL COACHING
11: 00am – 12:00pm, 1:00- 2:00pm Photo Studio
Roshini Rajkumar
Are you a published author? Do you want to know how to use the media to sell more books and showcase your expertise? If so, your time is well spent during this first-ever offering at the Bloomington Writers’ Festival. Former television and radio broadcaster, Roshini Rajkumar, will give eight individual 15-minute consultations. Get valuable guidance about how to do more powerful interviews, learn tips for pitching yourself to the media, and become a savvier marketer of your story. Roshini’s book, Communicate That!, is included with your session, and is your continuing playbook for media interviews and other business presentation moments. Bring your own book and your questions with you.
WEBSITE 101: YOUR FIRST WEBSITE FOR UNDER $20
1:00 – 2:00pm City Council Chamber
Austin Massee
In this energetic session, technology expert Austin Massee will present the steps necessary to create your first website using WordPress. You will gain a general understanding of websites and terms, what elements a great author’s site needs, and how to do it yourself for less than $20!
HOW DO I PROMOTE MY BOOK TO THE MEDIA?
City Council Chamber 2:30 – 3:30pm
Sara Lien
Book publicist Sara Lien will discuss how to raise media awareness of your self-published book. Learn how to make connections and build relationships with the media, booksellers, and other organizations. Gain knowledge about the top 10 ways authors can promote their self-published book through bookstores, corporations and libraries. In addition, she will discuss how to approach print, radio, television and web journalists in the current media environment.
FINDING AN AGENT 101
2:30 – 3:30pm Black Box Theater
Dawn Frederick
So you have a great book idea. The next step may be to find a literary agent. How does one accomplish this? Dawn Frederick of Red Sofa Literary will discuss the steps you need to correctly find and approach agents who handle your genre, how to be prepared to meet the agent’s requirements, and what to expect during the Agent Query process.
AUTHORS & CONTENT MARKETING: A PERFECT MATCH
4:00 – 5:00pmCity Council Chamber
Pamela Muldoon
The world of marketing is ever changing and evolving. Yet one element will always hold true: Connecting with your customer is key. Content Marketing is all about putting the consumer, or in this case, the reader, first. As an author, you already have content. Now you just need to formulate a plan to connect with your readers through the power of Content Marketing. Blogging, speaking, and social media are just some of the pieces to this puzzle. Which pieces are right for you? Learn the 5 Phases to Content Marketing, some of the content strategies available and steps to take right away
SPEAK FOR YOURSELF
4:00am – 5:00pm Black Box Theater
Tammy Laurent
This session will help you speak about your book to groups large or small. Learn basic speaking skills including body language, gestures, introductions, handling Q & A, room management, and do’s and don’ts. Whether you are new at public speaking, or have been speaking for years, you will come away with tips to make you and your message more effective and memorable.
PUBLICATION
FROM MANUSCRIPT TO BOOKSTORE: WHAT EVERY AUTHOR NEEDS TO KNOW
11:00am – 12:00pm Black Box Theater
Tom Keyes
Whether you are being published by a royalty publisher, publishing the book yourself or are working with an independent or small press publisher, every author needs to understand the process to create the best book possible in the most cost-effective way. Producing a successful book requires more than just writing a good manuscript. This presentation will walk you through the entire publishing process, from writing your manuscript to marketing your book. You’ll learn over 60 specific steps necessary to take your project from manuscript to a successfully published book, and help you avoid unnecessary expense, inconvenience and frustration.
THE EVOLUTION OF E-BOOKS
1:00 – 2:00pm Black Box Theater
Dorie McClelland
E-book technology continues to rapidly evolve. Even as the many formats become standardized, the continual release of new reading devices presents more challenges and longer learning curves for everyone. But it is clear that the design of an e-book is becoming increasingly important, and can make a huge difference for the reader. In this workshop we will talk about the basics of e-book design, look at examples of good and not-so-good designs and discuss the “why” of each. We will also explore the latest technologies and take a peek over the horizon to see what might be coming next.
PUBLISHING CHILDREN’S BOOKS Panel
2:30 – 3:30pm Drawing Studio
Moderator: Lynn Garthwaite
You have written a children’s book. Now, how do you get it published? The panel of children’s writers will share their own journey to publication. You will be inspired to continue your voyage well prepared for some of the pitfalls and frustrations you might encounter. The panel consists of Patrick Mader, Annette Gagliardi, and Mary Bleckwehl.
THE FUTURE OF PUBLISHING Panel
4:00 – 5:00pm Drawing Studio
Moderator: Dawn Fredrick
Where is publishing going? Will the print book still exist in the future? Here’s an opportunity to hear what the professionals think. This year’s publishing panel will include Chris Fischbach (Coffee House Press), Susan Doerr (Univ. of MN Press), Laurie Harper (Author Biz Consulting), Katie Ankofski (Hillcrest Media), Jordan Wiklund (Quayside), Amy Quale (Beaver’s Pond Press) and Rachel Zugschwert (Consortium Books.
