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LDStorymakers

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About

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Thanks for using the LDStorymakers Conference web-app. This app has been tuned specifically for the iPhone/iPod-Touch, but you may find it works with other smart phones.

This web-app has been provided as a service by Lake Mountain Media. Coding was done by Darvell Hunt. All conference content is property of LDtorymakers Conference and is used with permission.

To install this app on your iPhone, click the + symbol below, or on the box with the arrow going to the right, and then select "Add to Home Screen." You will still need the Internet to run after Installation. You may also run this app from your browser without installing. Note that if you do install the app, the blue links on the comment board may not work correctly, as they require the browser naviation buttons to navigate back to the comment board.

If you have specific feedback, including suggestions for next year's app, please send them to:

info@lakemtn.com

Schedule

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Info

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2012 - 9th Annual LDStorymakers Writers Conference Overview

Provo Marriot Hotel And Conference Center
101 West 100 North
Provo, Utah 84601
Phone: (801) 377-4700

Bootcamp - May 3, 2012
Bootcamp - $30

Conference - May 4-5, 2012
2-Day Conference - $170
Friday-only Conference - $95
Saturday-only Conference - $75

(Registration deadline April 3, 2012. Sorry, no walk-ins.)

NO REFUNDS AFTER APRIL 3rd.

Bootcamp

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Boot Camp Schedule:

12pm: Bootcamp Check In
12:30pm - 6pm (with 30 min break)

What is Bootcamp?

Bootcamp is a hands-on critique workshop, taught by published authors, that takes place the day before the conference. Writers receive immediate feedback on their own manuscript pages. Bootcamp is an optional conference feature, for which you can sign up during the registration process (additional fees will apply). Many attendees have said that, although intensive, Bootcamp has helped them grow faster and become a better a writer than anything else at the conference. Bootcamp will be Thursday, May 3th from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a 30 minute break

You must be registered for at least one day of the 2012 LDStorymakers Conference to attend Boot Camp.

How does Boot Camp work?

You and several other Bootcampers will be assigned to a table with a published writer "Sergeant" as your instructor. In a critique-group-style setting, you'll read portions of your work aloud (or, if your Sergeant chooses, you'll read one another's work aloud) and then give one another feedback.

Your instructor will also give you targeted feedback, designed to make your work stronger. Others in your group will do the same, offering you and fellow Bootcampers at your table constructive comments and feedback.

You will be amazed at how much you will learn, in just a few hours' time, about writing, revisions, critiquing, and how to give and take constructive criticism. It's an intense, hands-on experience, but one you won't want to miss!

Bootcampers will learn to identify manuscript weaknesses and magnify strengths. Bootcampers also become experienced in critiquing each other's work-a valuable skill that each person can take home with them. By attending Bootcamp, you will hone in on where you excel in your writing, and you'll also discover which skills still need developing.

When you register, you will be asked to choose your preferred genre. You would be expected to bring a portion of a manuscript in your selected genre for hands-on evaluation and training. NOTE: This does NOT obligate you to sit at this genre table. This is only to help us gauge interest and plan Bootcamp tables.

Bootcamp tables are currently planned in each of the following genres (one or more per genre), and may be combined or expanded as needs dictate:

Young Adult
Childrens (picture books)
Middle Grade
Inspirational Nonfiction
General Nonfiction
Memoir or Narrative Nonfiction
Contemporary Romance
Historical Romance
Mystery / Suspense / Thriller
Women's Fiction
Historical Fiction
Fantasy / Science Fiction
Western Fiction
General Fiction
Screenplay

Prior to the conference, all Bootcamp attendees will receive an email from the Master Sergeant with specific instructions on how to prepare and what to bring with them.

Seating is limited. First come, first serve.

An afternoon snack will be provided for Bootcamp attendees, but not lunch or dinner.

Contest

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2012 "FIRST CHAPTER" Writing Contest

The contest is closed. The was deadline Thursday, February 17, 2012. No more entries can be accepted.

Categories:

Romance/Women's Fiction
Mystery/Suspense
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Speculative for adults
Youth Fantasy
Youth Fiction (all other genres besides fantasy)
Non-fiction
General Fiction
Historical Fiction

Entry Fees: $20.00 for each entry

Limit FIVE total entries per Attendee.
Price for entry fee includes a critique from each judge who reads your first chapter.

Contest winners will be announced on Saturday during the lunch break.

NOTE: Contest entry fees are non-refundable.

LDStorymakers is not responsible for entries that are disqualified due to rule violations.

Whitneys

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Best Romance

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Nominations for Best Romance

Borrowed Light by Carla Kelly

Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes

Count Down to Love by Julie N. Ford

The List by Melanie Jacobson

Not My Type by Melanie Jacobson

Best Mystery/Suspense

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Nominations for Best Mystery/Suspense

Acceptable Loss by Anne Perry

Bloodborne by Gregg Luke

If I Should Die by Jennie Hansen

Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black

Smokescreen by Traci Hunter Abramson

Best Youth Fiction

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Nominations for Best Youth Fiction

Girls Don't Fly by Kristen Chandler

Miles from Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams

Pride and Popularity by Jenni James

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt

With a Name like Love by Tess Hilmo

Best Speculative Fiction

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Nominations for Speculative Fiction

The Alloy of Law: A Mistborn Novel by Brandon Sanderson

I Don't Want to Kill You by Dan Wells

The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card

A Night of Blacker Darkness by Dan Wells

No Angely by Theresa Sneed

Best Historical

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Nominations for Historical Fiction

Daughter of Helaman by Misty Moncur

Fires of Jerusalem by Marilyn Brown

Isabelle Webb: The Pharaoh's Daughter by N.C. Allen

Letters in the Jade Dragon Box by Gale Sears

Miss Delacourt Has Her Day by Heidi Ashworth

Best General Fiction

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Nominations for Best General Fiction

Before I Say Goodbye by Rachel Ann Nunes

Gifted by Karey White

Evolution of Thomas Hall by Kieth Merrill

The Walk: Miles to Go by Richard Paul Evans

The Wedding Letters by Jason F. Wright

Agents/Editors

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Holly Root

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Holly Root, Literary Agent
Waxman Literary Agency

Holly Root is a literary agent at Waxman Literary Agency. She recently opened a West Coast office for the New York City-based agency, and represents a select list of adult fiction and nonfiction and novels for children and teens; she is not seeking picture book clients or screenwriting clients. She is particularly eager to see: high-concept middle grade fiction (for boys or girls or both); realistic YA with a big, pitchable hook, either laugh-out-loud funny or with tons of heart; works for a general trade audience in which faith is part of a character's landscape but not necessarily the subject of the book; protagonists from a variety of socioeconomic and racial backgrounds; and speculative fiction of all kinds, whether it's fantasy, alt-history, science fiction, or some brand new combo thereof.

Kathleen Ortiz

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Kathleen Ortiz, Literary Agent
Nancy Coffey Literary and Media Representation

Kathleen Ortiz: As a former online editor and interactive designer, I use my experience in online marketing to help authors build their communities and promote themselves and their books. I look past the pages of a story and think of ways to help authors reach more readers so they can interact with the characters and their world. As subrights director at Nancy Coffey Literary and Media Representation, I handle foreign, audio and digital rights for the agency. I have an intimate list of clients, with Jaime Reed's debut YA paranormal romance, LIVING VIOLET, book one of the Cambion Chronicles, coming out by Kensington in January 2012. You can find me on Twitter or visit my blog for more information or updates on the publishing industry.

Michelle W.

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Michelle Wolfson, Literary Agent
Wolfson Literary Agency

Michelle Wolfson is a literary agent and founded Wolfson Literary Agency, LLC in December 2007. She is actively seeking authors of commercial fiction and nonfiction, particularly in the following areas. In fiction: young adult, mainstream, mysteries, thrillers, suspense, romance, women's fiction. She is drawn to projects with a standout voice and strong interesting characters. Michelle holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from New York University. Before founding her own agency, she spent four years working at other literary agencies and several years working outside of publishing, first in nonprofit and then in finance, and she brings the skills she learned in these areas, plus a lifetime love of reading, to the table as an agent.

Weronika J.

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Weronika Janczuk, Literary Agent
Lynn Franklin Associates

Weronika Janczuk is a literary agent with Lynn Franklin Associates. Previously she worked with the D4EO Literary Agency and the Bent Agency, as well as at Flux, among others. Currently she represents a wide range of fiction and non-fiction for YA and adults alike--and is very actively building her list, especially in areas of crime fiction (especially espionage and literary suspense/thrillers), fantasy/sci-fi, horror, women's fiction and romance, both literary and high-concept YA, memoir, and narrative non-fiction.

Molly O'Neill

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Molly O'Neill, Editor
Katherine Tegen Books

Molly O'Neill is an Editor at Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Children's Books. She edits both literary and commercial projects--everything from picture books to middle grade to young adult novels. She seeks vivid stories, original voices, and manuscripts with a strong sense of place--in short, the kind of books that keep readers thinking and imagining, long after the last page. Books that she's acquired and edited include Veronica Roth's young adult DIVERGENT trilogy; Bobbie Pyron's middle grade A DOG'S WAY HOME; Nola Buck and Sarah Jane Wright's picture book A CHRISTMAS GOODNIGHT, and the forthcoming young adult INSIGNIA trilogy by S. J. Kincaid. Molly's been in children's books for nearly eight years: before becoming an editor (her absolute dream job!), she worked on the Marketing/Publicity side of the industry, first at Clarion Books and then at HarperCollins. She blogs about editing, publishing, art, and life at www.10blockwalk.blogspot.com and tweets at @molly_oneill.

Kirk Shaw

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Kirk Shaw, Editor
Covenant Communications

Suspense
Historical
Romance
Adventure
Gift book
Inspirational/doctrinal nonfiction that would suit an LDS audience.

Kirk L. Shaw is an editor for Covenant Communications. He has also worked for Boston publisher David R. Godine and edited for the scientific journal Western North American Naturalist. During his career, he has produced and edited fiction (in many genres), memoirs, historical, art, gardening, gift, technical, and doctrinal books. His freelance clients include corporations, publishers, and individuals, including Delphi (Internet) founder Wes Kussmaul. He enjoys writing short stories and especially relishes reading speculative fiction, historical novels, New England poetry, young adult, post-apocalyptic, and dystopia novels.

Kirk will be doing pitch sessions for $20/10 minute meeting. He will not be pre-reading any submissions prior to the conference or requesting hard copies during pitch sessions, rather he will request electronic submissions following the conference if you both agree he would be a good fit for your story.

Lisa Mangum

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Lisa Mangum, Editor
Deseret Book

Lisa Mangum has worked for Deseret Book Publishing since 1997 and is currently an Assistant Editor.

Deseret Book is looking for:

High quality LDS fiction (children's, YA, and adult)

Non-fiction (inspiration, self-help, and doctrine)

Cookbooks.

The Shadow Mountain imprint is looking for outstanding fiction for children and YA (though we have a lot of fantasy titles already on our plate).

Deseret Book is always open to consider new ideas and products. Lisa will be doing pitch sessions for $20/10 minute meeting. She will not be pre-reading manuscripts prior to meeting with attendees, so be prepared to give her a verbal pitch as well as the first five pages.

Workshops

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Beat Out Your Novel

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Beat Out Your Novel

Instructor: Elana Johnson
Friday, May 4, 9:40am - 10:40am
Held in Birch
Reserved Seating
Cost: Free

For those who jump into writing with blank pages and nimble fingers, this is a quasi-outlining class that will give you direction without making you suffer through the actual pain of outlining. Blake Snyder's "beats" will be used from his bestselling screenwriting guide Save the Cat to give you a clear direction in the novels you haven't written and an idea of where the holes are in the novels you have.

Book Covers

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People DO Judge Books by Their Covers: Understanding how covers work and how to design one for the self-publishing market

Instructors: Crystal Liechty and Sandra Tayler
Friday, May 4, 11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m., 2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Held in Maple
Reserved Seating
Cost: Free

The first hour of this two-hour master class will focus on principals of good covers whether commercially or self-published. We'll:
-Discuss good and bad covers
-Talk about the necessary marketing decisions publishers make when designing covers
-Introduce and explain the necessary components of good graphic design.
In the second hour we'll use the information we've learned to discuss how to create good covers. We'll:
-Walk through the book-cover design process using an actual author looking to self-publish her book. We will take students from our initial meeting with her up until the final cover.
-Look at how to design a cover yourself - and when to know you're in over your head
-Go over how to work with graphic artists and publishers/how to understand why they made the decisions they made

Red Pen

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The Ruthless Red Pen

Instructor: Tristi Pinkston
Saturday, May 5, 9:30 - 11:20 a.m.
Held in Amphitheater
Reserved Seating
Cost: Free

This two-hour master class will focus on the deeper aspects of self-editing. Nuances, tone, clarity, flavor, rhythm, the way the words sound together as well as their meaning-all these issues will be covered and more. This is not your mama's punctuation class-this is for authors who want to dig deeper into their manuscripts and make them bleed for mercy. Bring plenty of note paper and twenty pages of your own manuscript to work on in class.

Self-Publishing

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Self-Publishing in the New Age

Instructor: Dave Wolverton (also writes as David Farland)

Saturday, May 5, 9:30am - 12:20am
Held in Birch
Reserved Seating
Cost: Free

Self-publishing in the New Age: Approaches to publishing electronic books, enhanced novels, print-on- demand books, and getting a foothold as we transition from paper-based books to electronic books.

Voice and Style

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Voice and Style

Instructor: Clint Johnson
Saturday, May 5, 7, 3:00 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
Held in Amphitheater
Reserved Seating
Cost: Free

What are voice and style? How does one get them? Can they even be gotten? This 2-hour workshop by Clint Johnson answers these questions. Clint defines and differentiates voice and style, outlining how to develop and mature these attributes every writer naturally possesses. Come prepared to learn dozens of approaches and exercises to develop voice and sharpen style. Learn to analyze a variety of texts by successful authors with the goal of understanding yourself as a writer.

May 3 (Thu)

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May 4 (Fri)

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May 5 (Sat)

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May 3, 12pm - 6pm

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12pm: Bootcamp Check In

12:30pm - 3:30pm: Bootcamp Worshop

3:30pm - 4pm: Break with munchies

4pm - 6pm: Bootcamp Wrap-up

May 4, 8am

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Check In

8am - 9am

Check in at the main desk to receive your conference materials.

May 4, 9am

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Opening Remarks

9am - 9:30am

Please meet in the main hall for opening remarks.

May 4, 9:40am

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Breakout Session #1

9:40am - 10:30am

**workshop is repeated

Pitch Perfect (marketing/career dev.)

Lisa Mangum - Arches/Bryce

You have 30 seconds to sell your book-go! What do you say? How do you say it? This class will help you navigate the pitfalls of a pitching to an editor or an agent and help you hone your skills so your next pitch is perfect.

**Social Media and Self-Promotion (marketing/career dev.)

Kathleen Ortiz - Zion

In today's publishing world, having a strong online presence is a must. Without a detailed plan to build your online presence, you're left as a single voice in a sea of noise with a list of thousands of online networks you 'should' be targeting. It can easily become overwhelming and more time consuming than you expected. In this basic overview, attendees will learn how to use their already-created networks to reach their audience, which other online communities are important to create, and how to connect to both readers and other authors in their genres. This course is only for those who have familiarity with basic social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Published, agented, and unagented authors welcome.

**How to Practice: An Exercise in Rendering Talent Irrelevant (advanced craft)

Howard Tayler - Canyon

Your passion for a given pursuit is far more important than whatever talent you may or may not have. I'll show why this is the case, and how to use this information to excel as writers (or in any other field, for that matter).

Plot-storming from Character (craft basics)

Paul Genesse - Aspen

In some cases, the plot of a book drives the characters. However, characters who instead drive the plot can make for a much more compelling story. We'll focus on how to grow the plot from your main character, which will make your story unforgettable to the reader.

**Chemistry 101-Turning up the Heat in Romance without Crossing into the Fire Zone (genre)

Michele Holmes - Amphitheater

Boy meets girl. Sparks fly. Readers blush . . . or not! Good romance isn't about body parts, but about emotional connection with characters and a story readers won't soon forget.

**Creating Page-Turners with the Elements of Suspense (advanced craft)

Rachelle Christensen - Maple

This class will teach writers to look at their novel and identify places where they might be at risk of the reader putting their book down. Rachelle will teach you how to implement the elements of suspense in every genre type and in every situation in your novel.

These Is My Words*: How to Acquire Permission to Use Copyrighted Materials (genre)

Danyelle Ferguson - Timpanogos

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May 4, 10:40am

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Breakout Session #2

10:40am - 11:30am

**workshop is repeated

Hands-On "Fix the Easy" Workshop (advanced craft)

Weronika Janczuk - Arches/Bryce

In this "Fix the Easy" hands-on workshop, I'll draw from both my writing and editorial backgrounds as well as published and critically acclaimed novels to critique writers' pieces and demonstrate the step-by-step process of fixing problems on the sentence, paragraph, and scene levels-questions of characterization, detail, world-building, dialogue, sentimentality, voice, and more.

**Writing Young Adult Novels that Kids Want to Read (genre)

Janette Rallison - Zion

YA is a great market to write for, but to get an agent or editor's notice, your book has to stand out. Come listen to experienced YA author Janette Rallison talk about the elements your novel must have to succeed. She'll talk plot must-haves, conflict, characterization, and voice.

Build-a-Blog Workshop - Creating Your Blog Doesn't Have to Be a Bear (marketing/career dev.)

Tristi Pinkston - Canyon

Bring your laptop and follow along as Tristi shows you, step-by-step, how to create your blog from the ground up. You will learn how to set up your blog account and bring it live, how to choose your template and color theme, and which elements to incorporate to make your blog more appealing to readers. If you don't have a laptop, you're welcome to attend and take notes.

Mechanics of POV (craft basics)

Clint Johnson - Aspen

This class details all three components to point of view: person, tense, and perspective/character. Learn the options within each facet as well as their strengths and limitations, when and why to use a narrator-or not to, and point of view trends in the current publishing climate. This comprehensive overview of both function and style will help any writer master the nuance of written point of view.

Preheating the Oven: Warm Up Your Story Before You Bake (craft basics)

Karen Hoover - Amphitheater

Writing a novel isn't just about sitting down and blasting out the word count-at least, not for most people. It requires thought and understanding of your characters and their actions before they do them. This class will teach you how to put together more than just a character bible (sorry Jeff). It will teach you how to expand on your world and characters, understand their goals, motivations, and conflicts, and get your entire book plotted out all in one act (with several steps). It is a fun and visual way to put your story together-one I can pretty much guarantee you will love.

**50 Creative Ways to Sell More Books and Market Your Brand

Trina Boice - Maple

SORRY, THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
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Selling books by the truckload is all about personal branding, JV partners, and creative marketing. Learn how to better promote yourself, get sponsors to give you prizes to pass out and look like a hero at live events, and think outside the box with your marketing strategies.

**Non-fiction Sells Best - Fiction is Fun to Write: Why Not Do Both? (genre)

Jerry Borrowman - Timpanogos

Many authors love to write fiction because of the creative freedom it offers. But readers love true- life stories. Books like Three Against Hitler and A Distant Prayer have inspired hundreds of thousands of readers around the world. Learn why it may increase both your reach and personal sense of satisfaction to write both fiction and non-fiction.

Beat out Your Novel Cont. (master class)

Jerry Borrowman - Timpanogos

Reserved Seatinb

May 4, 11:40am

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Break for Lunch

11:40am - 12:45pm

Meet in the main hall for lunch.

May 4, 12:50pm

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Breakout Session #3

12:50pm - 1:40pm

**Sparking Creativity: Easy Ideas and Practical Solutions for Finding Your Next Story (craft basics)

Melanie Jacobson - Canyon

After holding hands and singing "Kumbayah" (not really), students will knuckle down to the nitty- gritty of finding and developing plots and characters. This includes a range of strategies with special focus on plotstorming. Participants will have the opportunity to join a plotstorming session as the class works hands-on to flesh out one lucky class member's plot idea.

World building: Wrapping Your Head Around a World, so You Can Wrap that World Around Your Story (genre)

Howard Tayler - Aspen

Readers of genre fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror, steampunk, etc.) expect stories to be set in fantastic worlds at once familiar and strange. We'll talk about how to create these worlds, how to take the right elements into consideration for your story, and how to keep all the pieces straight.

Finances for Creative People: Setting Up Your Finances to Support Your Dreams (marketing/career dev.)

Sandra Tayler - Amphitheater

Quitting your day job to write becomes far more possible with some simple financial organization techniques. Even if you don't want to live off a writing income, managing your money will help you be able to afford the things you want and stop paying as much for the things you don't. We'll cover organization, budgeting, and how to transition into a creative business. If time allows, we'll also discuss taxes and incorporation for writers.

**The Hero's Journey: It's not Just for Fantasy Anymore (advanced craft)

Annette Lyon - Maple

First we'll go over the character archetypes and the major steps in the classic Hero's Journey, then we'll cover how to apply them to your work so you come away with the tools to draft faster while producing a more powerful novel-whether you write YA, dystopian, women's fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, or any other genre.

**Culture, Motivation, Flaws, and a Cat: Four Things Every Great Character Needs (craft basics)

Don Carey - Timpanogos

Tired of flat, boring characters who never seem to do what you want? Learn to write likeable, well-rounded, obedient characters by understanding and applying these four basic principles.

Self-publishing in the New Age (master class)

Dave Wolverton/David Farland - Birch

Reserved Seating

Approaches to publishing electronic books, enhanced novels, print-on-demand books, and getting a foothold as we transition from paper-based books to electronic books.

May 4, 1:50pm

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Breakout Session #4

1:50pm - 2:40pm

**workshop is repeated

It Came from the Slush: Crafting a Query That Will Get You Noticed (advanced craft)

Holly Root - Arches/Bryce

Every agent has slush-pile success stories. The first step to becoming one yourself is writing a killer query. In this hands-on workshop, audience-submitted queries will be reworked into their best versions, and you'll get the inside scoop on what really makes a letter stand out.

Ten Ways to Get Your Story Noticed (craft basics)

Kirk Shaw - Zion

What qualities help a manuscript get from the slush pile to a contract? Some stories are doomed because of something as simple as a poorly worded cover letter or as importa