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Set Yourself Up for Writing Success: D*E*B METHOD® Goal Setting

 in Seminar / Uncategorized / upcoming / Upcoming-Seminar

Seminar
Saturday, February 1, 2020

Is 2020 the year you are going to finish your novel or screenplay, get an agent, or step up your marketing?

Join goal coach and project catalyst Debra Eckerling, author of Your Goal Guide, for our first IWOSC Writers Workshop of 2020.

Whether you are a author trying to figure out what to do with your draft, a blogger trying to showcase your expertise, or a veteran writer pondering what’s next, the The DEB® is the roadmap you need to figure out what you want and how to get it.

DEB stands for Determine Your Mission, Explore Your Options, Brainstorm Your Path.

Presented by: Debra Eckerling

[To read more, click the title!]

Deb Eckerling's the D*E*B Method logo

Self Publishing Intensive: Everything You Need to Self-Publish So You Can Publish Your Book Now

 in Uncategorized

IWOSC/PALA Self Publishing Intensive Everything You Need to Self-Publish So You Can Publish Your Book Now Saturday, October 19, 2019 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Do you have everything you need to successfully self-publish your book? Whether you’re writing a helpful nonfiction work, a stunning genre novel, a community cookbook, or the next bestseller, the publishing process involves the same elements: preparation of your manuscript and production of your book. And don’t forget about marketing. IWOSC/PALA’s 2019 Self-Publishing Intensive has the answers you need to start now and successfully publish your book. Our experts, Carla King of Self-Publishing Boot Camp […]

tonight only

 in Uncategorized

Note: DO NOT use this form unless IWOSC info has told you to. It is for Tuesday, April 24, 2018 ONLY.

email test

 in Uncategorized

This is a test for the people getting sent to spam. Please complete this form using the regular email that gets rejected here, then try to send. Ignore the next page. If it fails, please email the office. If it sends Vickey and I will know. [contact-form-7 id=”5827″ title=”Panel RSVP_SPAMTEST”]

Science Fiction and Fantasy: Writing the Future and Alternate Realities

 in Panel / PastEvent17 / Uncategorized  tagged Fantasy / Science Fiction

Panel
Monday, February 27, 2017

Award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors discuss science fiction and fantasy writing.

Topics covered on this panel for writers include:
worldbuilding and constructing alternate realities
genre bias in publishing
the explosion of Young Adult fiction
women and diversity in speculative fiction
writing dystopian books in the age of Trumpism
how to translate books into film and TV

The panel will also cover practical tips for writing speculative fiction and an insider’s perspective on the state of the publishing industry, especially as it pertains to Science Fiction and Fantasy (SFF) writing.

Moderator: Jennifer Brody
Tobie Easton
Elizabeth Briggs
Romina Russell
Nicole Maggi

[To read more, click the title!]

A rewrite page

Rewriting your writing

 in PastEvent17 / Seminar / Uncategorized  tagged editing / edits / revisions / rewrite / rewriting / work / writing

Seminar
Saturday, February 25, 2017

Finishing a draft of a book or script is an awesome accomplishment – but we all know that at least one more set of revisions will certainly follow, because you probably won’t get it totally right on the first or second draft.

Assessment of a draft and deciding what to emphasize or cut in the next draft is a very delicate stage of the process.

Now you’re not just invested in the project, you’re immersed in it.

This seminar will cover methods and principles that you can apply to books, scripts, memoir, personal essays, speeches, storytelling, etc.

Presented by: Greg Miller and Ina Hillebrandt

[To read more, click the title!]

Method Writing: An Organic Approach to Writing

 in PastEvent17 / Seminar / Uncategorized

Seminar
Saturday, January 21, 2017

Presented by: Jack and Josh Grapes

“Method Writing” is an organic approach to writing, much as method acting is an organic approach to acting, stressing inner process and deep voice. “Method Writing” consists of various concepts that take the writer through techniques designed to make the writing more compelling and more effective, publishable and productive.

Back by popular demand, Jack Grapes will present this overview of the writer’s creative process, focusing on his book “Method Writing,” a technique he’s developed and used in his writing workshops over the last 35 years.

Jack will discuss the nature of the creative process, and how that applies to “Method Writing.” So bring something to write on: paper and pen, parchment and quill, stone and chisel — whatever works.

[To read more, click the title!]

Jennifer Brody

Writers and Websites in 2017

 in Panel / PastEvent17 / Uncategorized  tagged social media / website

Panel
Monday, January 30, 2017

Does your website attract new readers?
Keep your fans happy?
Sell your books?
(Do you even have a website?)

With all this social media, does a writer really need their own website? And if you have one, what should you be doing with it nearly 20 years into the new millennium? So much has changed so fast; what should you be doing today?

 

Do you have any of these questions…

Moderator: Greg Miller
Deborah Shadovitz
Jennifer Brody
Steven Sanchez

[To read more, click the title!]

Ageism in Writing: How young do you really HAVE to be

 in Panel / PastEvent16 / Uncategorized / Upcoming-panel

Panel
Monday, November 21, 2016

Many professions have the burden of the issue of age, defined differently in every profession.

If you are of a “certain age,” you may be passed over because of the perception that your output is less dynamic, not speaking the language of the time, unable to put the time in due to family concerns.
Younger people often have the “Catch 22” needing to be young, but also needing to have experience in order to get noticed and validated.

We are going to deal with both sides of that coin, starting with this month’s panel.

Moderator: Telly Davidson
Jordan Oslin
Scott Kaiser, MD
David Gittins
Ray Richmond
Chuck N. Baker

[To read more, click the title!]

WordPress For Writers 2016

 in PastEvent16 / Seminar / Uncategorized  tagged website

Seminar
Saturday, November 19, 2016

Again and again, writing experts agree: WordPress is THE way to publish your website to the Internet.

You might be using something else. You might have tried WordPress and found it challenging. That’s ok. Like anything new, there are a few things to learn to get up and running successfully. But given WordPress’ popularity and nearly unanimous recommendation for writers, shouldn’t you take another look?

Would you like to know:

  • How to get started with WordPress or how to convert your existing site to WordPress without spending a fortune?
  • How to make your website mobile-friendly?
  • How WordPress has changed in the last year?
  • How writers use WordPress to do things like link to your book on Amazon (and elsewhere), include a YouTube video or Facebook post, or add new capabilities to your website?
  • How to get your website ranked by Google and improve your Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
  • What are the best plugins other writers are using?
  • How to secure your website from hackers?
  • Even how to improve your writing!
  • And much, much more!

Presented by: Steven Sanchez

[To read more, click the title!]

Pay for new membership panel

 in Uncategorized

Thank you for submitting your membership application and contacting us to let us know you have a Panel coupon to apply. You are approved to use this button to submit your payment online. You don’t have to sign up for PayPal to use this. You can use your credit card as normal or pay from your PayPal balance if you have one. Note: If you found this page via Search and we have not issued a coupon to you, your payment will not be valid for membership. Your name email or phone – we need one We look forward to seeing […]

Building a Career as a Young Writer

 in Panel / PastEvent16 / Uncategorized

Panel
Monday, October 24, 2016

It was never easy to begin a career in writing, journalism, or entertainment — but despite the advances made by women and people of color, it often seems like the barriers, obstacle courses, and glass ceilings getting past the “gatekeepers” has gotten harder for everyone over the past 15 or 20 years, not to mention since the 2008 meltdown.

This month we deal with the challenges faced by young, Millennial and Generation X writers, and first-time writers (of all ages) at the beginnings and the early mid-points of their careers.

Scheduled topics will include…

Moderator:
Josh Grapes
Mike Vainisi
Carole Kirschner
Jeff Porter

[To read more, click the title!]

Smeraldis

Annual Holiday Party

 in Party / PastEvent07 / Uncategorized

Party
Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Jingle bells are ringing at the Biltmore. Follow the tradition of presidents, celebrities, dignitaries – and IWOSC writers – by kicking off the holiday season and celebrating history, architectural splendor, and creativity at the beautiful Biltmore Hotel!

Once again, we’ll enjoy a lavish custom pasta bar, with chefs cooking up pasta dishes with all the trimmings. Dinner includes salad, dessert and beverages. No-host bar. After dinner, we’ll toast this year’s IWOSC dignitaries with special service awards. You can join the fun with raffles and door prizes.

[To read more, click the title!]

Annual IWOSC Summer Party

 in Party / PastEvent08 / Uncategorized

Party
Saturday, August 16, 2008

Don’t miss the opportunity to rub elbows with some of Southern California’s most interesting writers while enjoying a light repast and quenching drinks in a unique historic setting — the Heritage Square Museum in Highland Park. We will also toast IWOSC’s 25th Anniversary with champagne and a special celebration cake.

Heritage Square is a unique collection of eight historic structures, all constructed during the Victorian Era, and all saved from demolition and moved to this site to create a living history museum reflecting the settlement and development of Southern California. Today, the Heritage Square Museum offers visitors a look into the everyday lives of Southern Californians at the close of the 19th Century.

[To read more, click the title!]

Mastering Radio/TV interviews and Book Readings

 in PastEvent09 / Seminar / Uncategorized

Seminar
Saturday, October 10, 2009

PART 1:
When you are interviewed on radio and TV, you need to be at the top of your game, appear to be unrehearsed, concise, upbeat, easily understood through clear sound bites and short explanations, and you must do your homework and know your book. We’re at the top of our game by presenting the EMMY AWARD WINNING Barry Kibrick, who will show you the ropes.

In this part of our seminar, we will discuss, as time allows…

PART 2:
Writers conjure words and make magic in the form of poems and stories. But what happens when you speak them?

Presented by:

[To read more, click the title!]

IWOSC writers’ group summer party in San Pedro

 in Party / PastEvent16 / Uncategorized  tagged party / San Pedro

Party
Sunday, August 27, 2016

We enjoyed an afternoon/evening in the fresh ocean air as we mingled in the garden of MaGriffe, across from the Korean Friendship Bell.

Why? Becuase you never know what great ideas will come from a social conversation with a fellow creative, what tips you’ll glean, what inspiration you’ll find — but that good stuff always comes from such downtime and relaxing conversations.

Socializing and conversation was the call of the day.

[To read more, click the title!]

IWOSC Reads Its Own – January 2017

 in PastEvent17 / Reads / Uncategorized

Twice a year, a dozen or so members get together at a local book store and regal fellow writers and the public with some of their writing.

Readers this time were:
Christy Wilhelm
Stefanie Stolinsky
Herbie J Pilato
Chuck N. Baker
Bert Wouters
Janiss Garza
Jim Caccavo
G. L. Helm
Wanda Maureen Miller
Pamela Tartaglio
Sue Zeidler
Vibiana Aparicio-Chamberlin
Lisa Verlo
Ginger Pennington
Ruth Frechman

The Rewrite Desk with Greg Miller

 in PastEvent16 / Seminar / Uncategorized

Seminar
Saturday, September 17, 2016

Finishing a draft of a book or script is an awesome accomplishment – but we all know that at least one more set of revisions will certainly follow, because you probably won’t get it totally right on the first or second draft.

This seminar will cover methods and principles that you can apply to books, scripts, memoir, personal essays, speeches, storytelling, etc.

Presented by: Greg Miller

[To read more, click the title!]

Miller's Compendium of Timeless Tools for the Modern Writer

Documentaries: The Writer’s Vision Illuminated

 in Panel / PastEvent16 / Uncategorized  tagged documentary / filmmaker / writing

Panel
Monday, July 25, 2016

Rounding off our media triumvirate, our July panel will present some fascinating documentary filmmakers.

The journey from concept to production, distribution and sales presents quite the challenge. Documentarians possess the devotion to their subject and a certain single-mindedness that, if the fates allow, lead them to a worthy finished product.

Our panelists:
Tom Jennings
Stephanie Hubbard
Karla DiBenedetto
Susan Karlin, Moderator

[To read more, click the title!]

IWOSC Reads Its Own – July 2016

 in PastEvent16 / Reads / Uncategorized

IWOSC Reads its Own
Sunday, July 24, 2016

A spellbinding afternoon of eclectic, eccentric, and exemplary works – from poems to true stories to hilarious monologues and beyond, read aloud by distinguished IWOSC scribes.

An assortment of IWOSC’s talented member writers will read short excerpts from their work.

Location: Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena.

[To read more, click the title!]

IWOSC Goes to the Movies: Feature Film Screenwriting 101

 in Panel / PastEvent16 / Uncategorized  tagged movie writing / screenwriting / writing movies

Panel
Monday, June 27, 2016

In Hollywood, nothing says success more than a sequel -– and following on the heels of our successful TV Writing Program last month, IWOSC is proud to present a trip from small-screen to big, with our Screenwriting Panel.

Just in time for this year’s summer blockbusters, we’re assembling a panel of proven screenwriters, critics/coaches, and literary agents to discuss how to break down the barriers to the box office, and bring our stories to life for the movies.

We’ll be discussing things like:…

Our panelists:
Robert Ramsey
Alton Glass
Marilyn Anderson

[To read more, click the title!]

Alton Glass