Event Category: Panel

Once a month, IWOSC hosts a panel to discuss writing and publishing topics.

Writing Nostalgia: When the Past Sings, Make it Zing

Panel
Monday, November 16, 2015

Who doesn’t like nostalgia?

But nostalgia for one person might be ancient history for another. But good nostalgia can strike a chord with many people.

Nostalgia can liven fiction and stand on its own. If given the proper treatment, it can become an “evergreen.”

We will look at the writings and the process of several notable writers, veterans in the field of nostalgia. They have preserved a world and within those words are inspiration, fascination, humor, and pathos, and since it is all based on real events, often from known names, we can relate to the universals.

The many horror stories, success stores, emotional upheavals and poignant aftermath of events past, take on a personal meaning in the world of nostalgia.

[To read more, click the title!]

Writing Nostalgia: When the Past Sings, Make it Zing

Panel
Monday, November 16, 2015

Who doesn’t like nostalgia?

But nostalgia for one person might be ancient history for another. But good nostalgia can strike a chord with many people.

Nostalgia can liven fiction and stand on its own. If given the proper treatment, it can become an “evergreen.”

We will look at the writings and the process of several notable writers, veterans in the field of nostalgia. They have preserved a world and within those words are inspiration, fascination, humor, and pathos, and since it is all based on real events, often from known names, we can relate to the universals.

The many horror stories, success stores, emotional upheavals and poignant aftermath of events past, take on a personal meaning in the world of nostalgia.

[To read more, click the title!]

Everybody’s a Critic! How To Get Your Projects Noticed By Top Critics — And How To Become One Yourself!

Panel
Monday, October 26, 2015

How does a book writer, artist, performer/musician, or filmmaker get noticed by professional critics and bloggers, in today’s cacophony of 500 channels, Netflix, and YouTube — especially if they’re small-press, self-published, or an “indie” filmmaker or performer? And just as important, what qualities do critics want to see (and avoid!) in what they’re reviewing? What sets paid/professional film, TV, book, and arts criticism apart in today’s world of Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Blogspot “film critics” and “political commentators?” What is the ROLE of the professional critic in today’s society — and can you become one yourself?

[To read more, click the title!]

Everybody’s a Critic! How To Get Your Projects Noticed By Top Critics — And How To Become One Yourself!

Panel
Monday, October 26, 2015

How does a book writer, artist, performer/musician, or filmmaker get noticed by professional critics and bloggers, in today’s cacophony of 500 channels, Netflix, and YouTube — especially if they’re small-press, self-published, or an “indie” filmmaker or performer? And just as important, what qualities do critics want to see (and avoid!) in what they’re reviewing? What sets paid/professional film, TV, book, and arts criticism apart in today’s world of Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Blogspot “film critics” and “political commentators?” What is the ROLE of the professional critic in today’s society — and can you become one yourself?

[To read more, click the title!]

Writing Captivating Memoirs —Tips and Tools

Panel
Monday, September 28, 2015

Thinking about writing the stories of your life? Wondering where to start? Or have you started but feel unclear about how to organize your writing? Looking for ideas to make your tales a better read? Are you a published author looking for help writing in memoir form?

We will discuss techniques that help enliven and enrich books of memoir, and tools to sharpen your writing and organization skills. We’ll help you move to the next level of your work.

We will discuss…

[To read more, click the title!]

Writing Captivating Memoirs —Tips and Tools

Panel
Monday, September 28, 2015

Thinking about writing the stories of your life? Wondering where to start? Or have you started but feel unclear about how to organize your writing? Looking for ideas to make your tales a better read? Are you a published author looking for help writing in memoir form?

We will discuss techniques that help enliven and enrich books of memoir, and tools to sharpen your writing and organization skills. We’ll help you move to the next level of your work.

We will discuss…

[To read more, click the title!]

The Lucrative Speaking Business: The Power of Your Personal Story

Discussion
Monday, July 27, 2015

WOSC is pleased to present an exciting program with international speaker, coach, author and comedian JUDY CARTER.

Do you shy away from public speaking even though it can help you promote your writing career and earn you extra money?

All writers need to know how to do something that’s scary: speak in front of others.

[To read more, click the title!]

The Lucrative Speaking Business: The Power of Your Personal Story

Discussion
Monday, July 27, 2015

WOSC is pleased to present an exciting program with international speaker, coach, author and comedian JUDY CARTER.

Do you shy away from public speaking even though it can help you promote your writing career and earn you extra money?

All writers need to know how to do something that’s scary: speak in front of others.

[To read more, click the title!]

An Evening with Ted Lange: Actor – Director – Screenwriter – Playwright – Producer

Ted Lange personifies the Renaissance Man Award he received from the NAACP. A graduate of London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Lange gained worldwide recognition as a gifted actor of stage and screen, revered director, and prolific writer.

Join us as he is our guest for an interview and Q&A about his career as an actor, screenwriter, director and playwright…

[To read more, click the title!]

An Evening with Ted Lange: Actor – Director – Screenwriter – Playwright – Producer

Discussion
Monday, May 18, 2015

Ted Lange personifies the Renaissance Man Award he received from the NAACP. A graduate of London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Lange gained worldwide recognition as a gifted actor of stage and screen, revered director, and prolific writer.

Join us as he is our guest for an interview and Q&A about his career as an actor, screenwriter, director and playwright…

[To read more, click the title!]

Collaboration: Taking the Mystery Out of Mysteries

Panel
Monday, March 30, 2015

Looking for clues on how to get started writing mysteries? Have a who-dun-it in the trunk eager to escape? IWOSC’s March panel assembles a cadre (i.e., a core group of trained personnel able to assume control and to train others) of mystery writers, and a mystery reader-moderator who couldn’t solve a crime if his life depended on it, even though he read “The Hardy Boys Detective Handbook” and mixed his own fingerprint powder with chemicals from his Gilbert Chemistry Set.

Topics for discussion:

[To read more, click the title!]

Collaboration: Taking the Mystery Out of Mysteries

Panel
Monday, March 30, 2015

Looking for clues on how to get started writing mysteries? Have a who-dun-it in the trunk eager to escape? IWOSC’s March panel assembles a cadre (i.e., a core group of trained personnel able to assume control and to train others) of mystery writers, and a mystery reader-moderator who couldn’t solve a crime if his life depended on it, even though he read “The Hardy Boys Detective Handbook” and mixed his own fingerprint powder with chemicals from his Gilbert Chemistry Set.

Topics for discussion:

[To read more, click the title!]

COLLABORATION: Writing it Right, Together

What are the elements that make two (or more) pens better than one?

There are many horror stories and success stores about collaboration. We will take a look at the elements that can make two (or more) pens better than one, and how to spot the poison pens ahead of time. Even Rodgers and Hammerstein had their issues.

Several writers and an attorney will chat about their insights and stories related to collaborative writing.

We will explore…

COLLABORATION: Writing it Right, Together

Panel
COLLABORATION: Writing it Right, Together

Monday, February 23, 2015

What are the elements that make two (or more) pens better than one?

There are many horror stories and success stores about collaboration. We will take a look at the elements that can make two (or more) pens better than one, and how to spot the poison pens ahead of time. Even Rodgers and Hammerstein had their issues.

Several writers and an attorney will chat about their insights and stories related to collaborative writing.

We will explore…

[To read more, click the title!]

Don’t Get Scammed: A “Self Defense” Legal Clinic For Writers

Panel
Monday, January 26, 2015

Contracts! Intellectual Property! Collaborations! (Oh my!) As that past California attorney Richard Nixon might have said, “What do writers need to know — and when do they need to know it?” How can we avoid the pitfalls of intellectual property theft, frivolous libel and plagiarism lawsuits, scam literary agents, too-good-to-be-true offers, contract loopholes, and avoid being cheated out of OUR money when we write a book, screenplay/play, or TV format? What are some of the biggest stumbling blocks that writers fall over — in both traditional and agented mainstream publishing, and in self-publishing and small-press publishing? And what new traps are out there in cyberspace and online writing that we need to be aware of?

These questions — and MANY more — will be answered by a small group of top LA and Orange County area experts, who bring decades of experience in their fields to our stage…

[To read more, click the title!]

Don’t Get Scammed: A “Self Defense” Legal Clinic For Writers

Panel
Monday, January 26, 2015

Contracts! Intellectual Property! Collaborations! (Oh my!) As that past California attorney Richard Nixon might have said, “What do writers need to know — and when do they need to know it?” How can we avoid the pitfalls of intellectual property theft, frivolous libel and plagiarism lawsuits, scam literary agents, too-good-to-be-true offers, contract loopholes, and avoid being cheated out of OUR money when we write a book, screenplay/play, or TV format? What are some of the biggest stumbling blocks that writers fall over — in both traditional and agented mainstream publishing, and in self-publishing and small-press publishing? And what new traps are out there in cyberspace and online writing that we need to be aware of?

These questions — and MANY more — will be answered by a small group of top LA and Orange County area experts, who bring decades of experience in their fields to our stage…

[To read more, click the title!]

Annual Literary Agents Panel: What Writers Must Know About Working With Representation Today — and Tomorrow

Panel
Monday, April 28, 2014

In a fast-changing marketplace, it’s more important than ever to have an advocate to fight for you when going the route of traditional publishing.

This annual program again presents writers with a panel of stellar Southern California agents 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, “do’s and don’ts,” what kind of feedback you can expect to receive, and the steps you should take to create the strongest and longest-lasting relationships with writers and editors — as well as touch on what the future of the author/agent relationship will be in our new era of publishing, film/cable, and technology.

We will also have a top Hollywood motion picture and TV agent who specializes in working with newer writers, for those who are pursuing screenwriting rather than (or in addition to) book writing. And we’ll be examining the E-book factor, transitioning from self-publishing to traditional publishing, book-to-film deals, and more. Come join us!

[To read more, click the title!]