Superstars Writing Seminars Schedule of Topics*

The workshop will be held at the Pasadena Convention Center (300 E. Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101) and sessions will begin at 8:30 AM and end at approximately 5 PM.

March 19 (Friday)

David Farland with one of his many workshop classes.

8:30 Welcome & Opening Remarks (Kevin & Dave)

9:00 Econ 201 for Writers: Economics of Commercial Publishing (Eric)
Understand the foundation of how commercial publishing works, from advances, royalty rates, printing, bookselling, distribution and returns. What do all those things on a royalty statement mean?

10:00 Inside Editors: How editors look at manuscripts, novels & short fiction (Dave, Kevin, Eric)
Learn how to make a great first impression when your story or novel lands on an editor’s desk, how editors look at submissions, and how you can get an edge on the slushpile competition.

11:00 “Dirty Secrets”—What you need to know about being a Professional Author (Kevin & Rebecca)
What are the key things that separate the amateurs from the pros? How to look, act, and *be* a professional and how to be taken seriously in the publishing world.

12:00–1:30 LUNCH

1:30 From Slushpile to #1 New York Times Bestseller in 4 Years (Brandon)
Discover the steps to success by following the true story of how an unknown author went from “wannabe” to unseating Dan Brown in the top slot of the New York Times bestseller list.

2:30 Intellectual Property: How to Exploit Yours (Dave)
Your creation can be more than just words in print. Learn how to explore other options to expand your intellectual property, from graphic novels to games to merchandizing.

3:30 Balancing Acts: Writing World & Real World (All)
While working to become a successful professional author, how do you juggle the conflicting demands of jobs, family life, and and other commitments? We’ll show you how to be productive and focused even with the distractions of the real world.

4:30 Brainstorming Improv: Real-Time Creation of a Story (Kevin, Eric)
An interactive audience experience where the Superstar authors guide you through plotting and brainstorming to come up with story after story. Business focus on how to write to order if someone invites you.

March 20 (Saturday)

8:30 Opening Remarks

9:00 Agents: The “A” Word (Rebecca, Brandon, Eric)
What can an agent do for you? Does a new writer really need one? How do you get an agent? Straight talk from our experts on good and bad agents.

10:00 Networking for Writers (Dave, Rebecca) Learn how to make connections, be in the right place at the right time, and make sure your name pops into an editor’s mind when a new project is being considered.

11:00 Self-Promotion for Authors (All)
How do you call attention to your book, once it’s published? We’ll share our experiences in getting interviews and media coverage, online exposure, mailing lists, fan clubs, book signings, and effective promotional products.

12:00–1:30 LUNCH

1:30 Self-Publishing: Realities & Pitfalls (Eric, Rebecca)
Alternatives abound for authors to publish and market their own books, bypassing traditional publishers. What are the realities of do-it-yourself publishing? Can you really land a contract from a major publisher on the basis of a self-published book?

2:30 Pitching the Big Proposal (Brandon, Kevin, Dave)
You have your idea, your outline, your sample chapters. Understand what makes a good sales pitch, how to get editors, marketers, and publishers excited about your work even before you deliver the manuscript.

3:30 Two Heads Are Better than One: Collaborative Writing (Kevin, Rebecca, Eric, Brandon)
Discover the advantages, and challenges, of working with another author, how to draw upon areas of expertise, and how to work smoothly together in highly charged creative environment.

4:30 Open Session: Q&A

5:15 Autographing Session

7:00 Exclusive Saturday Dinner with the Speakers (SOLD OUT)
Il Fornaio
24 West Union Street (Located in the One Colorado Shopping Center)
Pasadena, CA 91103
Phone: (626) 683.9797

March 21 (Sunday)

8:30 Opening Remarks (Joni Labaqui, Writers of the Future)

9:00 New Media: Using It to Get an Edge (Brandon & Rebecca)
Understand the potential of new technologies to open up unexpected avenues for promoting your book and advancing your career—blogs, websites, social networks, podcasts, e-mail blasts.

10:00 E-Publishing (Eric)
Online publishing is a direct way to bypass paper, printing, and distribution costs, but in many ways it is still uncharted territory. Learn the basics of e-publishing, e-books, and the economic advantages and pitfalls.

11:00 Movies, TV—and Authors (Dave, Kevin, Brandon)
Learn how your book can attract the attention of filmmakers for TV or movies—and how you can write novels based on popular media properties. Understand options, treatments, pitch sessions, spec scripts, and tie-in novels.

12:00–1:30 LUNCH

1:30 Anatomy of a Major Book Release (Kevin & Brandon)
A publishing house prepares for the release of a book sometimes a year or more in advance. Learn the crucial milestones in the leadup to your book’s appearance on the shelves and how you can take advantage of these key points.

2:30 Eleven Tips to Increase Your Writing Productivity (Kevin)
How can you be more productive amid the obligations of chaotic life? These eleven proven techniques used by bestselling authors will give you an inside track on how to produce, and publish, more of your work.

3:30 Open Session: Q&A
Everything you wanted to know but didn’t get answered over the weekend.

*exact schedule subject to change.

Look at These Power-Packed References from Other Writers Who Have Benefitted from Our Superstar Authors

"Dave Wolverton's workshop is a hands on Master's Course in developing all aspects of your novel. Whether you're interested in making the transition to professional author or are already published and wish to facilitate your move to the next level, Dave will give you the skill set necessary to make it happen. It is rare to find such an in-depth analysis of both craft, as well as a thorough examination of the publishing business, offered with such frank generosity. This class will motivate you to reach higher and dig deeper. I highly recommend it."

Day Leclaire - author of more than 50 novels, ten-time nominee for Romance Writers of America RITA Award

"Six years ago I walked into Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta's seminar, a young turk fired up to write The Book that would have the world recognize my literary genius. A few hours later I left determined to be a 'professional writer'. The paradigm shift in my thinking was massive and made all the difference to me having a career doing the job I love. I learned more about the business of being a professional writer in that time than I had managed to in years of listening to other writers. Subsequently I have sat in on their seminars half a dozen times and each time I learn something new. Ideally I'd get to take the seminar every six months or so and eventually I might come close to absorbing everything these guys have to say about the business of writing."

Steven Savile - #1 international bestselling author of SILVER and PRIMEVAL: SHADOW OF THE JAGUAR

"Aside from being a talented writer, David Farland is an excellent writing teacher. Hearing him teach live and reading his written advice has helped me focus many of my own thoughts about the writing process.

Those who would like to learn more about the craft of writing would be wise to pay attention."

Brandon Mull - Author of the New York Times bestselling Fablehaven series

"Kevin J Anderson and Rebecca Moesta taught me everything I needed to know about becoming a successful professional writer. And not just becoming one, but surviving and thriving as one as well. If you're serious about pursuing a career in fiction, their advice will be like rocket fuel. Listen close, and brace for lift-off!"

Sean Williams - Australia’s best-selling science fiction writer, author of THE FORCE UNLEASHED (#1 New York Times bestseller)

"Kevin and Rebecca's course gave me the information and tactics I needed to break out as a writer in fields such as comics, television, and books. The ideas they presented helped take me from an 'aspiring writer' to 'professional.'"

Jake Black - (Authorized Ender Companion [Tor, 2009], Ben 10: Alien Force [Cartoon Network, 2009], Smallville [Warner Home Video, 2006-present].)

"After publishing a number of stand-alone novels, I decided to create my first mystery series. Fortunately, before getting too bogged down in the details, I heard about David Farland's intensive week-long writing workshop. Hey, why not learn directly from the world-building genius himself? Dave turned out to be a delightful mix of analytical teacher and creative explorer. The information he imparted was challenging enough for the published authors in the class, but presented in a way that newbies could learn from it as well. I'll definitely be refreshing my writing with more classes from David Farland."

Carolyn Greene - A multi-published, award-winning author of romance and mystery novels. When she's not writing, she teaches plotting workshops and is known as The Plot Doctor.

"Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta know the secrets of the writing business -- and they're willing to share that knowledge. Their practical advice for advancing my writing career has been invaluable."

Eric James Stone - Author with over a dozen professional sales

"I first met Dave when I was in college. I was lost, wandering around in the literary bushes, and saw he was giving a writing workshop with Shayne Bell.

I'd read Dave's ON MY WAY TO PARADISE and loved it, so I signed up. I learned more about story telling in that three-session workshop than I had in years of creative writing classes. Dave's instruction led directly to me writing a story that made the quarter finalist cut in the Writers of the Future contest--and then another that won a quarterly first prize (which also meant $2,000 in prize money plus a paid trip to Cocoa Beach, Florida where I got to see the space shuttle launch and participate in a week-long workshop with various writing professionals. Two years later I took Dave's novel-writing workshop which led to more critical insights.

Dave's instruction has been invaluable. It not only started me on the path to writing stories I cared about and believed in (and which editors were eager to buy), but it also helped me along the way to write the novel that landed me an agent and then a three-book contract with Tor."

John Brown - Prize-winning author of Servant of a Dark God

Kevin and Rebecca cut through the typical workshop b.s. with a focused blast of knowledge aimed entirely, and honestly, on what it takes to become a pro author. Their seminar was filled with genuine passion for the career and candid advice that forever changed the way I look at writing fiction. I sold my first book less than two months later, and know, 100%, I never even would have submitted it if I hadn’t first met Kevin and Rebecca.”

Geoffrey Girard - Author of 70 short stories in five years, including three books (Tales of the Jersey Devil; Tales of the Atlantic Pirates; Tales of the Eastern Indians).

"Kevin and Rebecca use their awesome powers of bestsellerdom to pull back the curtain and wipe away the romanticism from the cogs and wheels of the writing business machine. They are both accessible and down-to-earth, conveying realistic guidelines so steeped in common sense you leave wondering why you didn't realize how it all fit together in the first place."

Alethea Kontis - New York Times bestselling author

"You'd be hard put to find anyone you understands what it takes to be a writer better than Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta."

Robert J. Defendi - game writer, novelist, Writers of the Future winner

"If you want to succeed, you watch what successful people are doing, and when you get a chance, you listen and learn. The wisdom and experience of Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta, and David Farland is not only good for a weekend, but an entire career."

Scott Nicholson - author of The Red Church, They Hunger, and other novels