Event Category: Panel

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

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!]

Behind the Screen: Writing for TV Today – and Tomorrow

Panel
Monday, February 24, 2014

In the past decade, primetime TV has transformed itself from what critics once derided as a “vast wasteland” to the long-form equivalent of Oscar-winning movies and indie films.

There’s the edgy stylishness of “CSI,” “ER,” and “Game of Thrones”; the nuance and subtext of “Mad Men,” “Downton Abbey,” and “The Good Wife”; and the machine-gun dialogue of “24,” “Homeland,” and “House of Cards.”

There were decade-definers like “Lost” and “The Sopranos,” and anti-heroes like “House,” “Dexter,” and “The Mentalist.”

But what does it all mean for the people who actually write and create these shows?

How does a writer get a chance to write for today’s TV shows, anyway?

[To read more, click the title!]

Play Writing: It’s Not Just for Kids Anymore

Panel
Monday, June 24, 2013

A varied but distinct discipline, play writing is a good exercise for any writer. The restrictions and opportunities are a good exercise, and if you want to develop natural dialog, this is a good way to perfect it. Aside from the exercises inherent in the form, it is particularly rewarding to see your works performed in readings or staged productions.

The revelations from viewing your work are manifold.

But how do you get this work conceptualized, written, polished, produced, and published?

[To read more, click the title!]

IWOSC ALL-STARS 1: A Hot Half-Dozen Authors Tell How They Write, Publish, and Promote

From Memoir to Mystery, Peanut Butter to Charley Parkhurst, Filmmaking to Therapy, You’ll Learn and be Entertained by These Authors.

The first “IWOSC ALL-STARS” panel discussion! Six authors, all members of the 30-year-old writers’ organization, will share stories of how they wrote, published, and promoted their new books. Fiction, nonfiction, biography, how-to, mystery: it’s a mixed bag, and these stars will shine.

We’ll learn…

Moderator: Flo Selfman
Sylvia Cary
Karen Kondazian
Jon Krampner
Ester Benjamin Shifren
Joe Wallenstein
Marvin J. Wolf

[To read more, click the title!]

GOING SOLO: Performing Your Own Words

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

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD (AND BROADWAY)! Arts & Celebrity Writing and Film/TV Criticism

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

[To read more, click the title!]

MARKETING YOUR WRITING: Increasing Your Success

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

AGENTS UPDATE 2011: What You Need to Know to Be a Savvy Player in Today’s Publishing Game

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

DOCUMENTARIES: The Writer’s Vision Illuminated

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

Everything Web: An Evolving Medium

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

The Future of Publishing

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

Making Your Own Opportunities in Writing

The writing business requires a creative mind, especially when one expects it to create an income. Fortunately, the demand for content is expanding. Writers can make this business grow by embracing new and evolving applications in journalism, books, plays, and more.

Our eclectic panelists have done just that. They’ll describe their success steps, and explain where they found opportunities, how they met their challenges, and what new outlets they see on the horizon.

Moderator: MARILYN ANDERSON
TRACY TRIVAS
PAUL RYAN
LARRY NEMECEK
TERRI CHENEY

MYSTERY: How to write and enjoy reading mysteries of all shapes and styles

Everybody loves a mystery — but not everybody knows how to write one. That’s not a surprise, since there are almost as many kinds of mystery novels as there are novels themselves. From the classic English “cozy” or “drawing-room” mystery, to the quintessentially American, hardboiled Film Noir thriller, to the scary and gory forensic thrillers and psychological shockers of the past 25 years, tonight IWOSC and a panel of experts will set out into the night to unravel the mystery of what makes a great mystery.

Moderator: Telly Davidson
Dianne Emley
Erica Miner
April Smith

Getting The Buzz On: Marketing Your Book

It’s obvious: ineffective marketing equals few sales. Even if you are savvy, creative, energetic, and your work has an edge, it will rarely sell itself. There is tremendous competition out there, and you need to know how to shine through it, effectively, efficiently, and inexpensively. We’ve assembled a panel of experts experienced in writing, marketing, and publicity. Come and learn from them. Discover what mistakes to avoid and where the hot media outlets are today. Anyone intent on disseminating ideas to wide audiences can benefit from attending this discussion.

Janie Hewson
JOHN SEELEY
CLIFF CARLE
MARILYN ANDERSON
BILL SALEEBEY, Ph.D
MAGGIE ANTON
Shannon Hammer