You have a great idea for a workshop and there is a conference coming up. Time to fill out the faculty application. How can you give yourself the best chance of being selected as a presenter? Write a stellar workshop description! Many times writers view the description as a little nonfiction blurb stating the basics of what they will be sharing with the group. Incorrect. You are selling your workshop, and not just to the person selecting faculty, but to … Read More »

The first time I realized that I needed to make a Power Point presentation, I flipped out. “Giving a presentation is something for professional public speakers, teachers, ministers—people who are accustomed to orating to a mass or class of people.” At least that’s what I thought. As a writer, the idea hit home that author visits and book talks came with the territory. I was not sure how to get started. That was back in 2015. Just like with anything … Read More »

One of the best things about the Florida Writers Association is its cornerstone philosophy: Writers helping writers. Beginning writers learn from experienced writers. They become experienced writers themselves, and teach the next generation of beginning writers. Knowledge is passed down, writer generation to writer generation, year to year. I took what other writers taught me, and I’ve taught it to countless writers myself. That’s why I like writing conferences: we’re learning to become experts from other experts, people who have … Read More »

Look around you. Writers organizations of all kinds have either presented or are preparing to present a writers conference. Some of them specialize in certain genres, such as children and juvenile writing (SCBWI), mystery (MWA), thrillers (ITW) or romance (RWA). You might say conferences are as common as fairy rings after a summer rain. Confused by the many offerings, and wondering which one to attend? The trick is to look for the uncommon conference, like our Florida Writers Conference, for … Read More »

I’ve participated as a vendor in three book fairs; two of them were large multi-day fairs–the Miami Book Fair International and MegaCon (Orlando). The Florida Writers Association is getting into the game with a multi-genre book signing in May 2016. If you’re one of the authors, or if you’ve ever wondered whether to take part in a book signing or a book fair, here’s a handy list of what you might need. What the organizers usually provide: Table (be sure … Read More »

After umpteen seasons of watching CSI on TV, I’ve often fantasized that I’m just one more bloody crime scene away from being fitted for my own, CSI windbreaker. I know all about arterial spray…blood spatter…the purple-blue glow of Luminol and lifting fingerprints from anything that has a surface. I like to think I could add a little something to the team. Maybe jump inside the TV and lend the CSI pros a hand. Join in a little brainstorming session with … Read More »