Preparing & Presenting the Perfect Pitch

(WEDNESDAY, 2:15-3:15) Finally decided you're ready to pitch your book, but are scared to death? Learn to craft, prepare for, carry out and follow up the perfect pitch.

Six Surefire Ways to Begin Your Book

(WEDNESDAY, 4:45-5:45) This fun, hands-on writing workshop lets participants write their opening lines six different ways to find the one that works best. This has been a popular class at RWA and other conferences, as well as online. 

An Interactive Workshop on Crafting Your Pitch

(THURSDAY, 11:15-12:15) It all begins with those magic words, "So tell me about your story." If you can't pitch it, you can't sell it. This interactive workshop guides participants through Blake's step-by-step process to finding the essence of a story that when shared, emotionally hits the reader in the gut. The perfect workshop to attend before Pitchapalooza or other agent and publisher meetings. Blake is co-author of numerous books, including Edge! A Leadership Story (Finalist 2008 National Best Books Awards) and From the Barrio to the Board Room, a title being taught in the Chicago Public School District and in schools and youth prisons around the country to inspire at-risk youth. He founded Round Table Companies and Writers of the Round Table Press to further his love of building creative brands.

Self-Editing for Writers: Improve Every Word

(THURSDAY, 2:45-3:45) Don't let the revision process intimidate you or stall your submission process! Learn from authors and editors how to approach your manuscript with the magic red pen to create the best possible version of your story. Real examples of "before and after" novel passages will illustrate the ways in which a writer can improve a manuscript before it ever crosses an editor's desk — upping your chances of making a sale!

American "Idol" — The Writer Edition Competition

Learn More About the Competition >>

(THURSDAY, 2:45-3:45) Day One: Meet the panelists as they offer advice for how to make your work stand out through the different stages of the publishing process. Everyone is invited to attend whether or not you submitted your work. Be prepared to ask this team of industry professionals and this talented group of published authors any questions about the business or about the writing process. No question is too little or too large so don't hold back! After Q & A, the finalists will be announced. Then the fun begins! And be sure to take part in the second half of this workshop on Friday from 1:30-3:45)

Author Panelists and Mentors: Amanda Carlson, Marianne Harden, Melissa Landers, Julie Ann Walker, Jaime Rush aka Tina Wainscott, Lorie Langdon, Carey Corp, Lea Nolan

Top Tips for Talking About Your Book 

(FRIDAY 10-11) Agents, producers, publishers and Hollywood insiders are always searching for the next bestseller. But not all writers are prepared to talk concisely, confidently and competently about their books. What is standing between you and the bestselling writing career you've dreamed of? Answering the pivotal question: "What's your book about?" In this session, three conference attendees will have the opportunity to practice and hone their pitches with the help of a trained panel of experts from every part of the publishing process. Writers will get the rare chance to learn the essential skill set needed to feel confident, comfortable and competent when pitching industry professionals. By working live with the pros who pitch books professionally every day, this unique, interactive experience will prime and polish your approach prior to Pichapalooza and any meetings or chance encounters you'll have during the conference. More than that, everyone in the session will benefit from hearing the insight offered so you can craft a successful pitch for any occasion. 

Hands-On Critique Group

(FRIDAY, 11:15-12:15) Have you ever wondered how participating in a critique group might help your writing? Join Evanston Writers Workshop for a hands-on demonstration. You are welcome to bring up to 1,000 words of a story or novel to be read out loud and critiqued or simply participate in the group discussion. Since 2007, EWW has helped writers develop through weekly workshop critique and prompt meetings. See how a workshop-style critique can help you improve

Query Power

(FRIDAY, 1:30-2:30) Define what elements from your story you need to write dynamite back-cover copy, the basis for your query letter and elevator pitch. Come prepared to write and share your work with the other participants. Rosemoor, author and adjunct faculty member at Columbia College Chicago, fiction writing department, will help you refine them.

American "Idol" — The Writer Edition Competition

(FRIDAY, 1:30-3:45) Day Two: We continue the competition that began on Thursday from 2:45 -3:45. Our panel of experts will anonymously read the first two pages of each finalist's submission aloud. Editors and agents will then offer constructive feedback for what works and what doesn't so that everyone in the audience will benefit from their expertise. (There will be no mean-spirited Simon Cowell-type judges. Only constructive feedback). At the conclusion of the readings, each attendant will have the opportunity to anonymously cast one vote. Mingle with the panels and your peers while the results are tallied, then stick around to see who will be crowned the winner.

Learn More About the Competition >>