The 2019 Lake Chapala Writers’ Conference, to be held March 6 to 8, promises to be one of the best and most comprehensive ever.
This year’s theme of storytelling covers writing articles, short stories, novels and plays.
“What can you do in ten minutes?” is both the title and challenge of Mark Boyer, who received his M.F.A. in theater directing at Yale University`s School of Drama. “Regardless of your writing genre, writing a ten-minute play will sharpen your overall writing skills,” he says.
From the time of her first interview, as a young woman with Hugh Heffner, Rose Grayson has mastered the art of asking questions. She will share her interview techniques, some of which have led to her exposure on the pages of international publications.
Canadian bestselling author Roberta Rich always delights her readers with her stories. During her workshop titled “Unleashing the Muse (or How many uses are there for a brick?),” Rich will help attendees understand and use both sides of the brain, because when we write we need all of our brain.
International award winner Rachel (R.J.) McMillen will talk about incorporating personal beliefs into your story, as she does in her four popular Dan Connor mystery series. “I am honored when people read my books and tell me they have learned from them and been influenced by them,” she says. McMillen may be local, but her writing techniques are universal.
Eric Witchey is known for teaching clear, useful writing skills. He has sold more than 200 short stories and five novels. Some of his awards include The International Book Awards, Short Story America, The Irish Aeon Awards and others. Witchey will present a series he calls Fiction Fluency and demonstrate the nature of the written story, sharing powerful tools for managing scenes, which are the emotional building blocks of all stories.
Kali VanBaale is the author of award winning novels, short stories and motivational pieces. She is the recipient of an American Book Award, an Eric Hoffer Book Award and a Silver Medal for fiction. VanBaale teaches in the MFA Creative Writing Program at Lindenwood University and will share her writing techniques in three sessions.
Sandi Gelles-Cole will be available to critique your manuscript and to offer suggestions to make it print ready. For years Gelles-Cole was the senior acquisitions editor for Dell/Doubleday, where she worked with several bestselling writers.
Since 1994, the Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency has been opening publishing doors for writers in different genres. Early registrants will have an opportunity to have a one-on-one session to pitch their writing projects. Rinaldi is always looking for the next client. Check out her website to get an idea of the type of writing her agency represents.
Writers Conference registration forms are available at Diane Pearl in Ajijic, or email Herbert W. Piekow at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or registrar Victoria Schmidt at 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..