Spring 2012 Pen in Hand Mini-Conference

"It's a Novel Thing"

Addressing Various Aspects of Fiction/Novel Writing

Saturday, March 24th 2012

About the 2012 Spring Pen in Hand

The spring 2012 Pen In Hand Mini-Conference will feature workshops all about fiction writing, especially novels. Pen In Hand will take place on Saturday, March 24, 2012. Four workshops will be offered between 9:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. as follows:

1. Þ 9:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.:          Session 1

9:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.:          Session 1:

“Talk the Talk” - Creating workable and rewarding dialogue with Ann Boaden

11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.:          Session 2:

“Who Was That Masked Man?” - Creating and sustaining memorable and interesting characters with Rebecca McKanna

1:00 to 1:30 p.m.:                    Lunch

1:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.:            Session 3:

“Stuck Like Glue” - Putting energy, tension and excitement into your fiction to create the can’t-put-it-down story with Dr. Kelly Daniels

3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.:            Session 4:

“Before & After” - Before: Novel planning & outlining; After: Writing a query letter and the submission process with Mike McCarty & Mark McLaughlin.

Register via PayPal below, via credit card by phone or by printing and mailing in the form below with a check right away to receive early bird pricing. Light refreshments will be provided but please feel free to bring in your own. A list of nearby places to grab a quick lunch or get something to go will be provided on conference day but feel free to bring your own lunch and eat or finish eating during session three.

Registration Information

Until March 17^th:

Cost for members is $20 per workshop or buy 3 get 1 free: take all four workshops for $60. For non-members: $25 per workshop or $75 for all four.

After March 17^th:

For members: $25 per workshop or $75 for all four.

For non-members: $30 per workshop or $90 for all four.

Printable registration form (if paying with a check).

On or Before March 17th (Indicate Workshops Taking)

Member 1 Session $20.00 USD Member 2 Sessions $40.00 USD Member 3 or 4 Sessions $60.00 USD Non Member 1 Session $25.00 USD Non Member 2 Sessions $50.00 USD Non Member 3 or 4 Sessions $75.00 USD

Indicate Workshops Taking

Instructor Bios:

Ann Boaden:

Ann Boaden teaches writing and literature at Augustana College.  She received her undergraduate degree from Augustana, and her master’s and doctorate in English from the University of Chicago.  Her fiction and creative nonfiction have appeared in a variety of literary journals, including South Dakota Review, Big Muddy, The Heartlands Today, Buffalo Carp, British History, Lutheran Journal, Wascana (Canada) Review, and in the anthology Christmas on the Great Plains (published by the University of Iowa Press).  She has collaborated on two novels for junior readers, served as librettist for four musicals performed locally, and written three plays produced by the professional regional theatre group New Ground.  Her book Light and Leaven:  Women Who Shaped Augustana’s First Century, was released last May.

Dr. Kelly Daniels:

Kelly Daniels’s fiction and nonfiction has appeared in literary journals such as Puerto del Sol, Cimarron Review, Sonora Review, Third Coast, South Dakota Review, Saint Ann’s Review, Mayday Magazine, Santa Clara Review, GSU Review, Orange Coast Review, Eyeshot and others. In 2004, John Updike awarded him the Agnes Scott College Prize for Personal Essay, and in 2010 he enjoyed a two-month residency at the acclaimed MacDowell Colony artist retreat. Most recently, his story “The Big Speech” won the San Miguel Writers Conference Award for Creative Nonfiction. He holds a B.A. from San Francisco State University, an M.F.A. from Georgia State University, and a Ph.D. from Western Michigan University. He lives with his wife and new son in Rock Island, Illinois, where he teaches creative writing at Augustana College.

Rebecca McKanna:

Rebecca McKanna's fiction has appeared in the New Delta Review literary journal. She has taken graduate-level courses from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. She works as a corporate communications writer and lives in Iowa City

Mark McLaughlin:

I am Mark McLaughlin, author of 20-plus books, with more forthcoming, and more than 1,000 published stories and articles, in addition to my career as a marketing & PR professional. B-movie expert/columnist. Bram Stoker Award-winning poet. Snappy dresser. But, can’t dance. Hey, nobody’s perfect.

My books include MONSTER BEHIND THE WHEEL (with Michael McCarty), PARTNERS IN SLIME (with Michael McCarty), RAISING DEMONS FOR FUN & PROFIT, and MOTIVATIONAL SHRIEKER, among others.

Throughout my career, I have specialized in getting messages out to business, industry and the general public. And, I’m not shy about sharing my opinion or expertise. I’ve been quoted in Psychology Today, AOL.com (twice), the Dr. Shannon Reese blog, Sign Builder Illustrated, Quad-City Times, Dispatch, HAZMAT Magazine, Advance for Health Care Professionals, The Adventurous Writer, and more.

But like everyone, I am more than what I do. I am also a caring friend and a good listener.

I have a great curiosity about anything and everything. I love scary movies, especially old ones with ridiculous monsters. B-movies, cheesy movies, vintage drive-in movies — they’re like oxygen to me. Love ‘em! You can read my thoughts on B movies at www.BMovieMonster.com. 

Michael McCarty:

Michael McCarty's short stories and interviews have appeared in a wide variety of magazines and anthologies. He is the author of three books of interviews; a nonfiction collection; five fiction collections including All Things Dark and Hideous which was co-written with Bram Stoker Award-winner, Mark McLaughlin; a paperback poetry collection; novels and a novella. McCarty was the former staff writer for “Science Fiction Weekly” (the website of the Sci-Fi Channel). For more up to the minute updates and information on his projects, visit Facebook at www.facebook/michaelmccartymedia.

Conference is sponsored by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
 

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