Party
Sunday, August 14, 2011
We wined, dined and socialized with fellow writers alfresco at a private home in a beautiful tucked-away section of Historic West Adams!
Many of us took advantage of a tour of this historic home as well as escorted tours of the surrounding neighborhood.
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Panel
Monday, July 25, 2011
As a writer, you may have the urge to say your own words out loud. If you are brave, or just want to have fun, it can be illuminating to hear your own words reflected off an audience.
The panel will discuss one-person shows, stand-up comedy, and storytelling. (Book readings will be covered at a later program.)
The panel will discuss…
Moderator: GARY YOUNG
MARK W. TRAVIS
TERRIE SILVERMAN
MARK MILLER
LAURI FRASER
MICHAEL KEARNS
HEATHER WOODBURY
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Panel
Monday, June 27, 2011
What do editors, agents, magazines, websites, and readers look for in writing on media? What is the difference between paid/professional film, TV, and arts criticism vis-a-vis amateur bloggers? What is the future of criticism and celebrity coverage in the Twitter/Facebook age? How has the diversity explosion in racial/cultural issues within the cinema changed the game? Are cultural critics today more diverse than they were in the past? How has the tabloid-ization of media affected coverage of film and television — as in the meltdowns of Charlie Sheen, Donald Trump, Arnold and Maria, reality TV personalities, “outing” gay celebrities, etc?
IWOSC’s June panel on Arts & Entertainment writing, film/TV criticism, and covering the celebrity beat will examine these questions. We’ll also discuss interview techniques, demographics and “branding” issues, and the changing role of the editor in arts and entertainment writing.
Moderator: TELLY DAVIDSON
RAY RICHMOND
BRENT SIMON
DEBRA LEVINE
LIBBY SLATE
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Seminar
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Bestselling author Alex Carroll is one of the world’s leading experts on radio publicity. Over the past 10 years he has been a guest on 1000+ radio shows, captured well over $4,500,000 in free radio airtime, and generated more than $1,500,000 in orders directly from listeners … all without spending a DIME on advertising and rarely leaving the comfort of his own home.
Numerous major radio hosts have lauded him as the most popular guest in their history. (He has been on with Rick Dees 19 times!) In this seminar, Alex will show you exactly how to extract a mother lode from the radio publicity gold mine. Whether you’re selling seminars, books, products, services, newsletters, a website, a cause, or a campaign … YOU TOO CAN GENERATE A FORTUNE in radio public
Alex will share secrets like…
Presented by: Alex Carroll
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IWOSC Reads Its Own
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Fourteen of IWOSC’s talented member writers will read short excerpts from their work. Their selections may be published, unpublished, or works in progress. We’ll be regaled with their wit, have our emotions stirred, or be plunged into deep thought at the beautiful independent bookstore, Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena.
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Panel
Monday, May 23, 2011
It’s obvious: No marketing, no sales. Unfortunately, your work will not sell itself. But if you’re savvy, creative, and energetic, your work will have an edge regardless of your competition. Still, you need to know HOW, you need to know WHERE, and you need to know what’s NEW and CREATIVE. You also should know how to promote your work inexpensively and efficiently.
IWOSC’s panel discussion, “MARKETING YOUR WRITING: Increasing Your Success,” will address marketing writers of all descriptions, including, but not limited to, authors and journalists.
We have assembled a panel of experienced mentors. Learn from them. Resolve to put the time and energy into exposing your work to a larger market. And you do that by building professional skills covered by the panel, which include, as time allows…
Moderators: GARY YOUNG and JOHN SEELEY
MARK MILLER
STEVEN SANCHEZ
JULIA DRAKE
ALEX CARROLL
GREG GERTMENIAN
MICHELLE LANGE
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Seminar
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Let’s face it; it’s tough to make a living as a writer. But opportunities exist, perhaps outside your niche, that just might keep the gray matter fresh and the bank account flush.
How many times have you read copy from a business or a website and shaken your head? These folks could benefit from the expertise of a professional scribe. Someone has to write the in-house newsletters, mission statements, and all other forms of communication. Wouldn’t it be appropriate if they hired someone who knows the craft of communication? That’s YOU!
How many times have you read copy from a business or a website and shaken your head? …
Presented by:
MARK MILLER
KAREN E. KLEIN
ANDREW HINDES
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Panel
Monday, May 2, 2011
In a changing marketplace, it’s more important than ever to have an advocate to fight for you when going the route of traditional publishing.
Our May program presents a panel of stellar Los Angeles agents and a prominent literary attorney who will provide a look at their world today. We’ll cover what you need to know to find the right representative, how to get their attention, and the steps you should take to create the strongest relationship. In addition, we’ll look at hot genres like YA, self-publishing’s influence on the book market, the ebook factor, and what you need to know to be a savvy player in the publishing game in 2011.
We also have a manager of screenwriters to cover representation when writing for film and TV. Come join us for insider insights into an ever-evolving world!
Moderator: Robin Quinn
Ashley Grayson and Carolyn Grayson — Grayson Literary Agency
Taylor Martindale — Sandra Dijkstra Agency
Jennifer Rofé — Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc.
Greg Gertmenian — Abbot Management
Ivan Hoffman — Literary Attorney
Paul S. Levine — Paul S. Levine Literary Agency
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Seminar
Saturday, April 16, 2011
So you’ve got a story to tell. You’ve done your research, you know this is not a movie or a magazine article. You’re committed to write a book. How do you get published? If your story is fiction, get your backside in a chair and write it. If it’s nonfiction, the first and most critical step is creating a proposal. When you have a proposal, when your novel is in final manuscript, you will need an irresistible query letter that will convince an agent to represent you. Only literary agents have the contacts to get your work seen and read by editors in publishing houses. But how to begin?
Powerhouse writer MARVIN J. WOLF offers practical advice and savvy tips on how to turn your work into an attractive product ripe for picking by the book-publishing establishment. …
Presented by: Marvin J. Wolf
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Panel
Monday, March 28, 2011
As writers, we have a unique vision and a variety of platforms in which to express our thoughts. A perennial and growing medium is the documentary. If you look at the list of documentaries in the past several years, you will find almost every subject, from the political, to health, to the obscure, and more. A unique collaboration is enjoyed with this form.
We will explore recent documentaries from the writer’s point of view. What makes the documentary successful, and how do you define this success? How do you promote, and what are the ways in which it can “get out there”? What happens to the writer’s words and organizational ideas once the process begins? Does it start with the writer or with the producer or director? What are some ownership and budgetary concerns? Who raises the money and who gives it? What are the future prospects for a writer who has become involved?
Moderator: TELLY DAVIDSON
NAT SEGALOFF
LESLIE NEALE
JESSICA KIVNIK
ADAM SCHOMER
ADAM SCHOMER
JEFFREY BERMAN
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Seminar
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Your book title, cover imagery and interior design are the most important parts of your book. Yes, the book content is the focus, but without the other components working for you, your book will not attract the attention it needs.
Your book COVER has 3-7 seconds to fulfill three immediate needs: 1. catch attention 2. create an emotional response 3. inspire an action. It’s science, it’s metaphysical and mathematical, and it’s fun.
Presented by: Karrie Ross
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Panel
Monday, February 28, 2011
Our electronic world is unfolding daily, with the Web at the forefront of its evolutionary fluctuations. We have leaped in capabilities from Pong to Wii, much like the elevator lifted us off the staircase. Consequently, our current technology presents a vast array of marketing tools, communication tools, and fun stuff, much of which is inexpensive, just plain free, and yet daunting. Simple code has given way to complex social applications, blog applications, media inventions, as well as sweeping changes in writing and its re-defined place in the world. How do you fit in?
Our panel will discuss the newest applications, how they are used, abused, and how to simplify their execution. Once you have more or less mastered WEB 101 (which we will present in seminar on Saturday, February 19), you would be well advised to stay current by upgrading and expanding your applications and hardware. Our experts will guide you through this process.
Moderator: Gary Young
Cliff Allen
Steven Sanchez
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Seminar
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Does your website need help? Do you need to build a home page but aren’t sure where to start or how to do it? Are you confused about what a writer really needs to know about “TGIF” (Twitter, Google, the iPhone, and Facebook)? Do you have a website but aren’t making any money?
If you answered YES to any of the above, you should attend this seminar. We’ll teach you the seven-step P-R-O-C-E-S-S you absolutely MUST follow for starting the right kind of websites (or improving the ones you have), growing your platform, and making money. Whether you’re just starting out or wanting to fine-tune your existing Internet strategy, you’ll learn what writers must know about blogs, keywords, landing pages, list building, your “platform,” search engines, getting website traffic, social networking (e.g., Facebook and Twitter) and drawing an income online. There’s never been a better time in history to be a writer, if you know what to do.
Presented by: Steven Sanchez
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Panel
Monday, January 31, 2011
According to Andre Schiffrin, former head of Pantheon Books, “The publishing world has been through more changes in the past 10 to 15 years than it had in the 100 years before that.” And the facts seem to bear him out. Twenty years ago, there was no Internet (to speak of), self-publishing was strictly in the “vanity publishing house” ghetto, and partner- and small-press publishing barely existed. Ten years ago, there was no Wikipedia, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. Even five years ago, “online publishing” and “E-books” were still considered fringe.
Today, all that has changed — and with these massive changes, the ability of authors to adapt is the key to their ability to survive (and maybe even thrive) in their careers. How will writers navigate the brave new world of “Publishing 9.0”? What new opportunities — and pitfalls — do the switch to E-books, Kindle, and iPad apps have for authors? How has the change from emphasizing career-pro authors (e.g., Stephen King, Joan Didion) to “overnight superstar” authors (e.g., Justin Bieber, Monica Lewinsky, Christine O’Donnell) changed what — and who — editors and agents are looking for? How have new electronic platforms affected self- and small-press publishing, and is being an author, even with an agent and access to big houses, an economically viable career in itself anymore? What does the future look like for books in general?
These are just a few of the questions IWOSC’s January 31 panel, “The Future of Publishing,” will deal with. A stellar panel from all aspects of the publishing industry, from agents and online publishing experts to veteran publicists and bookstore staff, will discuss deal these issues.
Moderator: TELLY DAVIDSON
KIM-FROM-LA (Dower)
BRAD INMAN
TYSON CORNELL
ASHLEY GRAYSON
CAROLYN GRAYSON
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Seminar
Saturday, January 15, 2011
We are at our most vulnerable when we are creating. Yet we are at our most original and powerful when we can let go of playing it safe. This workshop will give you the tools to strengthen your unique voice using spontaneous writing, storytelling, drawing and guided imagery to spark the imagination, tap into the subconscious and write from a wild, playful place. Walk a new path with your words. All writing genres welcome.
Presented by: Terrie Silverman, MFA
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