Outtakes 44

An Invitation

I believe in writers’ conferences. A conference is one of the best ways to meet fellow writers, catch up on publishing trends, and network. I would like to extend an invitation to all of you to attend Panhandle Professional Writers annual Frontiers in Writing conference to be held June 28-30, 2012 in the College Union Building on the Amarillo College Washington Street Campus in Amarillo Texas.

The Let’s Write Weekend kicks off on Thursday evening, June 28, with a first-timers orientation from 7:30-8:30 PM at Barnes & Noble Booksellers I-40 West and Soncy Road.  Barnes and Noble will also host a book signing from 7:30-9:30 PM on Thursday.

Registration begins at 8:30 AM on Friday, June 29. The Friday “Get Down to Business” seminars focus on the business of writing.  Topics include Story; Self-editing; Publishing 101; Copyright and Publishing Law; Research for non-fiction writers; How to get noticed; Plotting; and Rejection.

Sessions on Saturday, June 30 center on the Craft of writing. Topics include fast draft;  Perfect crimes and Real police procedure; Person, tense and depth; Poetry; Social media; Characterization; Plotting from A to Z.

Arizona author, freelance editor, instructor, and poet , Harvey Stanbrough will keynote the Friday luncheon as well as conduct sessions on Friday and Saturday. Harvey will conduct a bonus session from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Sunday, July 1 at the Ambassador Hotel I-40 West and Paramount. Cost for the workshop is $45.00.

Jodi Thomas, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of 35 books keynotes the Friday night banquet. A popular speaker, Jodi is the winner of 4 RITA’s from the Romance Writers of America. She currently serves as the Writer in Residence at West Texas A& M University in Canyon Texas.

Keynote speaker for the Saturday luncheon is entertainment journalist, Candace Havens. Her columns appear in more than 600 newspapers. She is the author of six novels for Berkley, and currently writes for the Blaze line for Harlequin. She will present workshops on both Friday and Saturday.

John Erickson, Texas Panhandle rancher and author of HANK THE COWDOG series, will close Frontiers in Writing with a session at 3:30 in the Ordway Auditorium on the Amarillo College campus. The session will be open to the public. Conference registrants and children will be admitted free of charge. Cost for adults is $10.00. Erickson wrote short stories, novels, articles, plays, and essays before starting his own publishing company in his garage in Perryton TX. HANK THE COWDOG has sold well over 8 Million copies and is still going strong.

Other speakers for the Let’s Write Weekend include:

Former acquiring editor turned ghost writer, Hilary Sares

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Phyliss Miranda

Intellectual properties attorney, Christ Stewart

Former criminal investigator, now author, Jeff Campbell

Barnes and Noble Public Relations manager, Jim Gleason

Web designer and social media guru, Billy Goforth

Song writer and award-winning author Joe Douglas Trent

Teacher, nurse, and author Mary Lou Cheatham

Inspirational writer Craig Keel and horror author Nancy Keel

Additional information, schedules and registration forms may be found on the Panhandle Professional Writers website panhandleprowriters.org. Registration fee for the two days includes 2 lunches and the Friday banquet. Special pricing is available for single day attendees.

Our conference chair, Natalie Bright, and her committee have planned a great event. We hope you will make your plans to attend the Let’s Write weekend. We’d love to meet you.

Cait Collins