“Self-Publishing 101” will walk authors through the process of self-publishing a book from writing and self-editing to publication. Attendees will learn the basics of: • The Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing vs. Tradition Publishing • Best writing practices to prepare your book for publication • How to find and work with an editor • The layout and cover design process • How to get your book printed • Different types of publication, including ebooks and audiobooks • Book marketing tips • Basic tips for running your own publishing business

We all like a good laugh, right? Did you know that laughing releases a happy hormone that gives the laugh-ee health benefits? Therefore, we should never go through a day without laughing or at least being amused by something. And neither should your characters if you want them to be real and believable. Plus, your reader needs some comic relief from all the tension and suspense you’ve been building! Hey, the car broke down out here in Death Valley, but at least the check engine light finally went off! There are so many types of humor in writing—dozens. We’ll discuss some, and ways to use them.

Audiobooks continue to be a popular and ever growing way to consume books. Authors often want to make their book available to their readers in an audiobook format but have no idea where to start. I will walk attendees through the process of audiobook creation, answering questions such as: • Why should I make an audiobook? • How do I find a narrator? • What if I want to narrate my own book? • How long does it take to produce an audiobook? • Where and how can I make my audiobook available for sale? • What is the cost?

Writing neurodiverse characters, characters with ADHD, and addressing mental health in middle-grade novels, especially that of fantasy, sci-fi, or other fictional settings can be tricky, but when done correctly, is highly effective in making the young readers connect with the characters and conflict. This session will look at how to create fictional characters with a mix of real-life mental health conflicts, ADHD, and other neurodivergent traits with fantastical elements. We will also discuss why topics and characters like this are important in middle grade fiction.

Who knew creative writing could be so easy? Twenty-first-century software has automated almost every aspect of writing, editing, proofreading, and publishing but the human imagination. Learn how apps and programs can help you: • Plot a “page turner” novel and create complex characters using templates and story boards. • Compare your writing to best-selling authors in your genre. • Analyze a document for repeated words and phrases with the push of a button. • Find “body language” phrases to characterize emotions like anger or frustration. • Measure your story’s grade level to match your audience’s reading skills. • Uncover slow-paced paragraphs, difficult-to-read sentences, and lagging story arcs. • Find rhyming words and phrases for poetry and songs Whether you’re still scratching with a Bic on legal pads, using Wite-Out and a Smith Corona, or searching 400-page Word docs for clichés and repetitious phrases, this presentation will help change your writing life forever,

Writing poetry is an exceptional act. Poetry is a condensed use of the language. It is a powerful type of writing that is entirely different from prose. It is also a place where we can stare down ideas, emotions, relationships, beauty—all of these written on a single piece of white paper. Muriel Rukeyser said it best, “Given me, give I you my self. Voice of my days. Blessings; the seed of pain, green of the praise of growth. The sacred body of thirst.” Poetry and your notebook are part of self; every poet is driven by some mysterious need to communicate their vision to others. This presentation will give you: • Tools to communicate your poems to the audience you seek. • How to get published and where to look to get published. • A list of books to guide your creativity and a place to look for support in your ventures.

Join us for a day of inspiration and creativity at the Writers Symposium! Your ticket includes a captivating keynote address from a renowned author, as well as the opportunity to attend up to three of six engaging breakout sessions on various writing topics. A catered lunch and snacks are included too. Come immerse yourself in the world of writing, learn from industry experts, and connect with fellow writers. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your craft and fuel your passion for storytelling.