If you need a push to tie the knot on a heart-stirring romance novel, beef up the intrigue in the script for a silver screen thriller, or dive into crafting a personal memoir for the grandkids, the 2018 Lake Chapala Writers Conference (LCWC) offers the opportunity to connect with experts who can guide you towards the goal line and get published.
Primed for its seventh consecutive year, the LCWC is scheduled for March 7,8 and 9 in the auditorium inside El Jardin Restaurant at the Ajijic Plaza. Sign up by Tuesday, February 27, to qualify for the 2,000-peso early bird registration fee, which rises to 2,500 pesos after that date. The cost includes entry to the Wednesday evening meet-and-greet reception (with cash bar), in addition to the nine work sessions slated for Thursday and Friday, including coffee breaks, lunch and a wrap-up party.
The program is designed for beginning and experienced wordsmiths, offering opportunities to sharpen skills and gain inspiration through exchange with knowledgeable guest speakers versed in following successful pathways from the blank page to publication.
Award-winning author Jennifer Wilson will delve into true-story writing techniques, honed in penning Running Away to Home, the memoir of a family journey to her ancestral home in Croatia. She is also credited with by-lines in National Geographic, Traveler, Gourmet and many other magazines. As a university writing instructor and editor, she has the chops to educate and entertain her audience.
Samantha Waltz is another internationally known writer, editor and teacher whose long career took off from the first piece she got published at age 11. She went on to author numerous essays, articles and books focused on parenting and family matters, as well as earn editorial stints for Mademoiselle.
Roberta Rich is best known for her well-researched and fast-paced sixteenth-century-set novels of the Jewish midwife Hannah. She will share her passion for historical fiction and tips on the ingredients editors and readers look for in a novel. She will also be available for one-on-one book critiques for a modest extra fee.
Toronto literary agent Beverly Slopen will explain the ins and outs of working with agents and why writers need them to succeed in the publishing industry. She is open to entertain individual pitches for novels and other writing projects, offered free in 10-minute slots scheduled in advance.
Pat Chase will tap on her expertise in marketing memoirs in a discussion on building a writer’s platform and the high value of on-line presence to reach today’s worldwide audience.
Registration forms for the LCWC are available at Diane Pearl´s in Ajijic, or by request to Victoria Schmidt, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Herbert Piekow, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..