Catholic Writers' Conference LIVE

Learn, Connect, Pray, Grow in Your Vocation as a Writer and Have a Great Experience You'll Never Forget!

Register Right Now! Don't Miss This!

Catholic Writers' Conference LIVE, Aug. 4-6
King of Prussia, PA

The train from NYC to Philly is dirt cheap, and shuttles are available to the conference site. Registration also gives you FREE access to the CMN Trade Show! Two phenomenal events, side-by-side, for one price. One-day admissions, student pricing and comps for priests and religious available. For more information, click here.

Check out this schedule of events! Bring your manuscripts, bring your questions, bring your Christmas list [the shopping at the trade show is not to be missed]. Come and meet Catholic celebrities and authors, see the latest Catholic media, books, art and products. Hear live music, listen to great talks, meet the people whose books you love. Come and be a part of the family!

Schedule of Events

Key:
(M)= Moderator
* = Speaker tentative

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

7:30-8:00AM Rosary with CMN, Radisson Independence Ballroom

8:00-9:00AM Mass with CMN, Radisson Independence Ballroom

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Welcome and Opening - CWG Who are We and What Do We Do? Lewis/Fabian/Davidson, GS1

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
• Marketing Tips for Authors—Lisa Wheeler, GS1
• How to Create Evil Characters if You're a Good Catholic—Regina Doman, GS8
• Your Manuscript is Complete, Now What? —Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, GS9

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
• Making the Most of Your Blog, Lisa Hendy, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, Mark Shea, Karina Fabian (M), Jimmy Akin*, GS1
• Writing a Winning Proposal—Michelle Buckman, GS8
• Panel - Dealing with the Media (Press releases, interviews and other things that make authors nervous) – Lisa Wheeler, Jeff Gardner(M), Lynn Goodwin, Nick Thomm—GS9

12:30 PM 1:30 PM
lunch break

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
• Authors and New Media—Lisa Hendey, GS1
• Time Management for a Busy Writer—Karina Fabian, GS8
• Panel - Catholic fiction—Michelle Buckman, Elena Maria Vidal, Regina Doman, Ellen Hrkach (M), John Desjarlais, GS9

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
• Why Can't We Just Hit'em Over the Head? Fostering the Christian Imagination with Children's Books—Heidi Bratton, GS1
• Tips for Would-Be Authors—Claudia Volkman, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, GS8
• Panel - Marketing Brainstorm (more ideas to promote your work) —Karina Fabian, Lisa Wheeler, Lisa Hendey, Joe Wetterling (M) GS9

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• How the faith tradition, culture, folklore and history influences story writing—Arthur Cola, GS1
• Journaling: Why It's Good for an Author—Lynn Goodwin, GS8
• Catholic Historical Fiction: Why We Need It—Elena Maria Vidal, GS9

5:15 PM 6:15 PM
• How to Pitch Your Book—Ann Margaret Lewis, Karina Fabian, GS1
• Working with an Editor—Regina Doman, GS8
• Panel - Writing Books that Teach Our Faith—Margot Davidson, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, Lisa Hendey, Lisa Mladinich, Joe Wetterling (M), GS9

6:30 PM 8:00 PM
• CMN Author’s Reception, Radisson Ballroom

8:15 PM 10:30 PM
• CWG Wii Bowling Hang Out Meet & Greet – Chumley’s Sports Bar in the Radisson (cash bar)

Thursday, August 5th, 2010
7:00-7:30AM Rosary with CMN, Radisson Independence Ballroom

7:30-8:30AM Mass with CMN, Radisson Independence Ballroom

8:45-10:00AM CMN Breakfast, Radisson Grand Ballroom

10:15 AM 11:15 AM
• Three Philosophies of Writing: Rowling, Meyer, and Pullman—Joe Wetterling, GS1
• The Right Details—Michelle Buckman, GS8
• Pitch sessions—Regina Doman, Andrew Schmiedicke, Claudia Volkman, Tom Wehner, Breakout Rooms C-F
• Panel - Writing for Magazines—Jeff Gardner, Margot Davidson (M), Lisa Hendey, Melanie Rigney, Arthur Cola, GS9

11:30AM – 12:45 PM
Lunch Break

1:00 PM- 1:15PM – Opening Remarks, Alan Napleton, and Ann Lewis

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM – Michelle Buckman: The wonder of Catholicism and expressing that Catholicism in fiction – keynote, GS1

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Awards ceremony – Seal of Approval Winners and the Catholic Arts and Letters Award for Excellence in Achievement. Recipient: Rick Hinshaw, Long Island Catholic GS1

3:15 PM 4:15 PM
• Journalists as Evangelists—Rick Hinshaw, Tom Wehner, Jeff Gardner (M), GS1
• What a Character: Creating Fictional People – John Desjarlais, GS8
• Dealing with Negative Feedback— Susie Lloyd, GS9

4:30 AM - 6:00 PM
• Free Time at Trade Show

6:30 PM 9:00 PM
• CMN Entertainment Reception, Radisson Grand Ballroom


Friday, August 6th, 2010
7:30-8:00AM Rosary with CMN, Radisson Grand Ballroom

8:00-9:00AM Mass with CMN, Radisson Grand Ballroom

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
• Publishers Panel: Hear What’s Happening in the Industry—Regina Doman, John Barger*, Volkman (M), Todd Aglialoro, GS1
• What makes for good Catholic Poetry? —John Desjarlais, GS8
• Critique Workshop—Arthur Powers, Breakout Room D
• Editing Your Manuscript—Melanie Rigney, GS9

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
• Finding an Agent—John Desjarlais, GS1
• Choosing between Self-Publishing and Going with a Publisher—Claudia Volkman, GS8
• Critique Workshop cont.—Arthur Powers, Breakout Room D

11:30 AM - 1:15 PM
Lunch Break

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
• Idea Generation Workshop—Karina Fabian, GS1

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
• Creativity Corner: Remember why you want to be a writer—Melanie Rigney, GS8
• Panel: Show Don't Tell (Fiction mechanics) —Michelle Buckman, Ann Margaret Lewis, Arthur Powers, GS9

2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
• Closing Remarks—Ann Margaret Lewis, Karina Fabian & Margot Davidson GS1