Conference
Faculty
2013 Conference Faculty
(2014 faculty to be announced)
| My Haley Author/Keynote Speaker www.myhaleyauthor.com  Growing up under her grandmother’s watchful, wise tutelage, My Lewis Haley spent her early childhood in South Charleston, West Virginia before her parents moved the family to Columbus, Ohio. While working on her doctorate in Communications and African American Studies at The Ohio State University, My was inspired by a speech author Alex Haley delivered on campus. After achieving her goal of a PhD, she set out on her next goal: to work with the renowned author. Impressed by My’s drive and talent, Alex Haley gave her a major assignment—to assist him in writing the remaining two-thirds of a book that was long overdue to his publisher. Within a matter of months together they completed the work and that book, Roots, catapulted Alex Haley to international fame. My and Alex married in 1977, and over the years she collaborated on many of his projects, including the miniseries Roots: The Next Generation. After Alex’s death, My Haley immersed herself in writing pieces based upon her growing up with her grandmother and writing screenplays for feature film and TV. Now, My has returned to her own roots as an author. The Treason of Mary Louvestre, coming in 2012, is just the first of numerous books and projects she’s readying for launch. It is an historical novel based on the little known but true story of a black woman spy during the Civil War, whose courageous actions led to a northern victory in the important naval battle at Hampton Roads in 1862. |
| Peter Joseph Senior Editor Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin Press www.peterjoseph.us Peter Joseph is a senior editor at Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press, where he acquires fiction and nonfiction. His nonfiction list covers narrative nonfiction, memoirs, biographies, nature, science, history, politics, and humor. His fiction list includes literary, crime, and historical novels. He has edited notable and bestselling authors such as Patrick J. Buchanan, Senator Robert Byrd, Mayor Buddy Cianci, Dario Fo, Steve Guttenberg, Steve Hamilton, Robert Littell, Lt.Col. Anthony Shaffer, William Shatner, Wilbur Smith and Senator Arlen Specter. With Anne Hillerman, he co-founded the annual Tony Hillerman Prize for debut mystery set in the Southwest. He is also author of Boozy Brunch: The Quintessential Guide to Daytime Drinking. |
| Jeniffer Thompson Author/Internet Marketing Strategist Monkey C Media www.monkeyCmedia.com  Jeniffer Thompson is a dynamic speaker and educator who is passionate about helping others understand and leverage the power of the Internet. With more than 20 years experience in publishing and marketing, she brings a unique perspective to her role as Internet marketing strategist and consultant for Monkey C Media, a full-service design house specializing in websites, book packaging, branding development and more. Mrs. Thompson enjoys teaching people how to develop the best strategy to position themselves and their books in the marketplace, as well as offering simple tips and tricks that most Internet marketing companies don't want you to know. You can learn more about Mrs. Thompson on her website http://JenifferThompson.com where she shares marketing and website advice that every author must know. Learn more about her web and design services at http://monkeyCmedia.com. She serves on the boards of Publishers and Writers of San Diego and Read Local San Diego. |
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Jeff Kleinman Nonfiction: especially narrative nonfiction with a historical bent, but also memoir, health, parenting, aging, nature, pets, how-to, nature, science, politics, military, espionage, equestrian, biography. Fiction: very well-written, character-driven novels; some suspense, thrillers; otherwise mainstream commercial and literary fiction. No: children’s, romance, mysteries, westerns, poetry, or screenplays, novels about serial killers, suicide, or children in peril (kidnapped, killed, raped, etc.).
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| Margaret Bail Agent Andrea Hurst Agency www.andreahurst.com  Margaret Bail is an agent for Andrea Hurst & Associates Literary Management, teaches university level English and writing, holds an MFA in Creative and Professional Writing, and is a writer herself. She is interested in representing all subgenres of romance (except Christian or inspirational), science fiction, thrillers/action adventure, historical fiction, some fantasy (light rather than dark), and some horror (psychological rather than gore). She is NOT interested in: steampunk or Christian; and please no YA, MG, or children's fiction in any genre. |
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Sara Sciuto
Sara Sciuto is a member of Full Circle Literary. A graduate of the University of California, San Diego, Sara also completed literature coursework at NYU. Before joining Full Circle, she gained valuable experience working on film and foreign rights with the Taryn Fagerness Agency. Sara is actively building her list with a focus on middle grade and young adult, in particular, dystopian, science fiction, fantasy, gothic/thriller/horror, historical, and unique paranormal. She also enjoys contemporary stories with a strong, authentic voice (but no chick-lit, please). Sara is also looking for standout picture books, especially those with a quirky or humorous narrative. She’s also considering select nonfiction in the areas of craft, design, how-to, lifestyle, and pop culture. Currently, she is NOT considering any adult fiction (all genres). Her great passions in life are travel and good food—and good books, of course, but that goes without saying! While she’s always cultivating new obsessions, her latest are photography and sailing. Blog: http://sarasciuto.tumblr.com
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Sara D’Emic
Sara is an associate agent with Talcott Notch Literary. She works primarily with adult fiction; loves the dark and fantastic and prefers mystery, horror, science fiction, fantasy, and all those genres in between. She is always on the lookout for unique characters and creative worlds. Sara, although new to the game, already represents some incredibly talented authors. She graduated recently from Emerson College with a B.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing.
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Rhonda Penders
TWRP started in May 2006 as a small press and e-publishing company. Today the company is home to over 1600 romance titles published in both electronic and print format. The company’s premise has been and always will be “a kinder, gentler publishing company”. The company was built on the belief that a publishing contract is a team effort between editor, author and publisher and Penders holds tight to that mission statement. Penders writing background includes everything from small town newspaper reporting to several years writing confessionals for Dorchester magazines. She has several full length novels and short stories published under the name Roni Adams. Penders workshop/presentation is entitled “How to Lose an Editor in 10 Days” and is a tongue in cheek look at how querying a publishing company is a lot like going on a blind date. The path to both true love and to publication can be oddly similar. Penders will be taking appointments from authors who wish to talk to her about writing or to pitch their own romance stories.
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Michelle Johnson
Before founding Inklings Literary Agency, she was with Corvisiero Literary Agency. She has spent many years in the editing field for private clients and multiple independent publishing houses. She has also owned and operated a Writers' Center and Bookstore in Virginia Beach, organizing numerous special events for authors and artists alike. In adult, NA and YA fiction Michelle looks for Contemporary, Suspense, Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Fantasy, and also loves Paranormal and Supernatural elements within those genres. She is also interested in steamy romance of every heat level. She is especially fond of plot twists that surprise her and deep, well-rounded characters that make her laugh and cry. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MichelleJohnsonLiteraryAgent |
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John Vorhaus John Vorhaus is the author of the coming-of-age ‘60s trip, Lucy in the Sky, as well as two “sunshine noir” novels, The California Roll and The Albuquerque Turkey, featuring the exploits of world-class con artist Radar Hoverlander. He has also written two novels set in the world of professional poker, as well as ten “how to” books on that compelling subject, plus the classic comedy writing textbook, The Comic Toolbox: How To Be Funny Even If You’re Not. When not glued to his writing desk, John travels the world teaching television writers and creating TV shows – in 29 countries on five continents so far. He has made Married… with Children in Russia and Bulgaria, recruited and trained the first generation of sitcom writers in New Zealand, and co-created Contracorriente, a social-action episodic drama designed to improve the lives of the working poor in Nicaragua. He tweets for no apparent reason @TrueFactBarFact and abides online at www.johnvorhaus.com, where he welcomes your visit. |
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Randall Platt Platt finds no shortage of fascinating characters and stories that spring from the beautiful Pacific Northwest which explains why nearly all Platt novels take place in Washington or Oregon. A film, Promise The Moon, has been made of one of Platt's humorous westerns (The Four Arrows Fe-As-Ko) Platt's novels have won several national accolades and six have been recently released as audio books. Hellie Jondoe, a historical young adult novel dealing with orphan trains and climaxing with the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918, was awarded the 2010 Willa (Cather) Literary Award and three other nationally recognized nods. Platt's latest novel, Liberty's Christmas, is set in Texas and takes young adult readers back to a time when 'nobody had nothing and everybody borrowed it,' the Great Depression. Several times a week Platt tucks away the words and heads for the nearest handball court or jogging trail. |
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Jo Wilkins |
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Claudia Suzanne
She is the only person to deconstruct (Secrets of a Ghostwriter) and teach (Ghostwriter Certification Training) how ghosts do what they do, a program moving to California State University, Long Beach as of Winter, 2013. Through her books, teaching, and mentoring, Claudia has launched or expanded dozens of ghostwriting and book-industry careers. Claudia has perfected the art of "slinky flow" information, tight editing, and author satisfaction. College professors, agents, publishers, and readers have dubbed her a master of “the quick and easy read.” Her presentations and classes, delivered with the distinct ghostwriter’s perspective, offer a unique view of the writing world, the book business, and the new Professional Ghostwriter career path. |
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Rachel Ekstrom Rachel Ekstrom’s decade of experience working in the publicity departments at St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Penguin’s Dutton and Gotham imprints has given her an insider’s view of the publishing industry. With a knack for book promotion, she’s honed her skills building the careers of debut authors and #1 New York Times bestsellers. Rachel is passionate about a variety of genres, including young adult (contemporary and paranormal), women’s fiction, mysteries, thrillers, romance, and the occasional quirky work of nonfiction. She's looking for books that will make her heart beat faster than it does when she's biking through Manhattan traffic. |
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Paul Sinor Paul Sinor is a published novelist and produced screen writer. He has eight feature films produced from scripts he wrote, two of which were co-written by his daughter Victoria. For five years he was the Army Liaison to the TV and Film Industry in Los Angeles and worked on films such as all three Transformer s, I Am Legend, GI Joe, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Messenger, Invasion, and numerous other features. He was also the Technical Advisor for television series such as Army Wives, 24, Lost and others. He holds an MFA Degree in Creative Writing and currently teaches screen writing at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. He is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. |
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David Zuckerman Hollywood Producer www.scriptcoach.com www.virtualpitchfest.com  David Kohner Zuckerman is a Hollywood producer whose latest feature, “The Fourth Noble Truth,” will be released later this year. His last film, “Strictly Sexual” has become the #1 most watched movie of all-time on Hulu, while his recent “All I Want for Christmas,” was very successful for the Hallmark Channel. David also served as a producer on the films “Chump Change” and “Caught in the Act” before heading Development for Silver Lion Films, where he worked on “Man on Fire” and “Crocodile Dundee in L.A.” He’s a member of the Producers Guild of America, an optioned screenwriter, a licensed psychotherapist, and a frequent contributor to magazines such as “Writer” and “Soma.” Additionally, David heads both VirtualPitchFest.com and ScriptCoach.com. |
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Oksanna Marafioti Oksana Marafioti is the author of American Gypsy: A Memoir (FSG July, 2012). Her work has appeared in various publications including Slate and thenervousbreakdown.com, and she has written stories for The Perpetual Engine of Hope: Las Vegas Stories Inspired by Iconic Photographs and The Fairy Tale Review. Oksana is the recipient of the Black Mountain Institute–Kluge Scholars fellowship in conjunction with the Library of Congress. |
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Paula Stahel Paula Stahel has been an independent writer based in Tampa, Florida since 1983, after a career with city magazines and the Tampa Tribune. She began specializing as a personal historian in the late 1990s, and is a past president of the Association of Personal Historians Inc., an international organization dedicated to supporting the preservation and sharing of life stories around the world. Through her company, Breath & Shadows Productions, she writes and publishes high-quality legacy books, produces audio histories, teaches memoir writing, and is an active public speaker. She also collaborates with and edits other author’s works, including the recently released historical novel The Treason of Mary Louvestre by My Haley—Alex Haley’s widow—who was a major contributor to her famed husband’s blockbuster novel Roots. |
Henderson Writer's Group - Host
- Stephen’s Press
- Mystic Publishers
