Springmingle '07

15th Annual Spring Conference
"Opening Doors at Closed Houses!"
Friday, March 2-4, 2007
Atlanta, Georgia

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, MARCH 2

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Registration / Bookstore Open
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Get-Acquainted Supper
7:45 - 8:00 p.m. Entertainment: Chris Rumble

8:00 - 8:45 p.m. Session 1 - Gretchen Hirsch & Michelle Poploff
Panel Discussion: First Pages

8:45 - 9:30 p.m. Book Launch
3 minute talks / new book in hand / published in last 12 months. (Speakers must send entry & qualify.)


SATURDAY, MARCH 3

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Registration / Bookstore Open / Setup Portfolio Displays
9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Welcome & Announcements

9:15 - 10:15 a.m. Session 2 - Keynote Address: Barbara Seuling
Heritage: What Will You Leave Behind in Your Stories?
What do writers leave behind - not in terms of a list of book titles - but in terms of what those writings carry forward? How you see the world will be revealed in your portrayal of family, friends, love, social issues, rejection, loneliness, humor, school, war, etc. What mark or footprint will you leave behind in the books you create?

10:15 - 10:30 a.m. Break & Refreshments / Bookstore Open

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Session 3 - Claudia Gabel
Top 5 Things to do Before Writing MG or YA Fiction
This presentation will help authors "think like packagers" by providing the step-by-step process packagers use to build their projects from the ground up. Learn how to research the target audience and marketplace effectively, develop a high concept hook, create a distinctive world for the story, write character descriptions, and outline a plot driven narrative.

11:30 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch & Bookstore Open
12:45 - 1:00 p.m. Faculty Portfolio Viewing

1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Split Session 4 "A"- Michelle Poploff
Creative Spins for Tried and True Themes
What's a new spin on a topic that stands the test of time, but may have to change with the times? Michelle will cover "continuing" themes in novels and how those themes changes over time, as well as ways to put a new spin on a subject that's interesting to readers such as: divorce stories then and now, blended families, step parents, step siblings, parents dating, interracial characters, drinking, rape, pregnancy, teen sex, abortion, adoption, gay teens, or war stories from an unusual point of view.

1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Split Session 4 "B" - Barbara Seuling
Picture Books: Avoiding Common Mistakes
In this session Barbara will enlighten us with the biggest mistakes she sees made by aspiring picture book writers and illustrators, and how to avoid those pitfalls.

2:00 - 2:15 p.m. Break

2:15 - 3:15 p.m. Split Session 5 "A" - Gretchen Hirsch
Discovering Your Comic Voice
What makes a book funny? This breakout session will examine many different types of humor, whether silly and absurd or dark and disturbing. Geared toward writers of all genres, this workshop will help you find your perfect comic voice--even if you've never thought about writing humor before.

2:15 - 3:15 p.m. Split Session 5 "B" - Claudia Gabel
Ripped From the Headlines
This workshop will cover how to transform a current news story into a jumping off point from which to write a fresh middle grade or YA novel. Learn how to use the Law and Order method of telling a story to generate a compelling plot.

3:15 -3:30 p.m. Break / Bookstore Open

3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Session 6 - Michelle Poploff
The Write Place at the Write Time
Michelle will discuss the back story behind some of her recent acquisitions for the Delacorte Press list. Some of these back stories are based on a writer's family history, being in a certain place at a certain time, a situation the writer's child is experiencing, etc. She'll discuss some query letters that enticed her to request the manuscript and then acquire the manuscript! She'll also give new writers a nuts and bolts overview on preparing manuscripts and query letters for our very competitive marketplace. Plus - she'll discuss two contests for new writers!

4:30 - 4:45 p.m. Break / Bookstore Open

4:45 - 6:30 p.m. Formal Critiques / Portfolio Reviews / Informal Critiques
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Autograph Party
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Banquet

8:00 - 8:45 p.m. Session 7 - Claudia Gabel & Barbara Seuling
Panel Discussion: First Impressions: Cover / Query Letters

SUNDAY, MARCH 4

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Session 8 - Gretchen Hirsch
Targeting Eager Editors
Just what is the difference between an editorial assistant and an assistant editor anyway? And why should you care? There are scores of assistants at publishers and agencies who are dying to sign up their first books, add new authors and illustrators to their burgeoning lists, and discover great new talent. This talk will illuminate the hierarchies of publishing houses and agencies and help you target junior editors and agents who are actively building lists. We'll also look at more general ways to find the right market for your work to up the chances of finding your perfect match publisher.

10:00 - 10:15 a.m. Break & Refreshments / Final Bookstore Sales

10:15 - 11:00 a.m. Session 9 - Full PANEL: Q & A

11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Door Prizes & Farewell

Conference ends at 11:30 a.m. Sunday