2008 PSWA Conference

Program

Thursday

3 p.m. on
Registration

6 p.m.
Reception (Cash bar)

Friday

(Registration)

9 a.m.
Welcome

9:30- 10:30 a.m.
New Projects for PSWA
Presenter: Marilyn Olsen

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
From Fact-Based Screenplay to Novel
Presenter: Michael Mehas, Lawyer, Screenwriter, Associate Producer of Alpha Dog, and author of the psychological thriller, Stolen Boy. http://www.michaelmehas.com/home.htm

12:00
Luncheon Keynote Speaker:
Stephen "Pista" Nasser, Holocaust Survivor

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Elevator Pitch - Every author should be able to describe his/her book in one or two sentences.
Presenters: Anyone who has a book and would like to talk about it–limited to five minutes apiece.

2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
Writing for Technical Publications
Moderator: Michelle Perin http://www.thewritinghand.net:80/
Panelists: John Bellah, Tim Dees, Keith Bettinger

4 - 5 p.m.
Use Focus and Branding to Promote Your Books
Presenter: Mary Montague Sikes
Sikes will show authors how to create a marketing plan that starts at least six months prior to publication and will lead them step-by-step through that plan. She will discuss web sites, e-mail newsletters, brochures and many more devices that will make the plan a success. Branding means dressing the part and coordinating all segments of the author’s plan to create a package that will develop name recognition. She will show authors how to create a slogan and a sales pitch for their books.
Mary Montague Sikes is the author of five books including, Published! Now $ell It!

5 p.m.
Booksignings: All the authors will be available with their books for purchase and signing.

Saturday

9 a.m.
Welcome

9:30 - 10: 30 a.m.
Cover Story, What makes a great cover, what to avoid with a cover.
Presenter: Sunny Frazer, author of Fools Rush In, and many short stories. http://www.sunnyfrazier.com/

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
What Publishers are Looking for and Expecting from Their Authors
Presenters:
Rebecca Buckely, publisher, R. J. Buckley Publishing, www.rjbuckleypublishing.com
Billie Johnson, publisher, OakTree Press, http://www.oaktreebooks.com/
Pamela Main, President, Cheesecake and Crime Bookstore

12 p.m.
Luncheon
By Popular Request: Networking among members

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
"How to Write a Mystery" Attendees will actually plan a mystery novel.
Presenters:
Victoria Heckman, author of the K.O.'d in Hawaii mystery series From Pemberley Press & Writer's Exchange and Kapu, A Coconut Man Mystery of Ancient Hawaii', 2008 from Seven Sisters Publishing. Visit Victoria’s website at: www.victoriaheckman.com
Marilyn Meredith, author of the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series and the Rocky Bluff P.D. series. http://fictionforyou.com

2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
Tech Tips - Computer Techniques for Writers
Presenter: Tim Dees
http://timdees.com/about.htm

4-5 p.m.
One-on-Ones with Presenters
(Sign up with those you’d like to speak with.)

Sunday

10- 11 a.m.
WRITING CULLOTTA
Presenter: Denny Griffin, co-author, Cullotta, author of The Battle for Las Vegas, and several mystery novels.
http://www.authorsden.com/dennisngriffin

12 p.m.
Lunch
Writing Contest Awards

3-5 p.m.
Author signing
Cheescake and Crime
10545 S. Eastern Ave. #100
Henderson NV