COMING SOON!

Back my popular demand......Floridian Idol
Anonymously submit the first two pages of your manuscript (not contracted)  at registration and our dynamic volunteers will read the pages aloud to the group. The Agents and Editors will offer their valuable feedback on each submission. Be aware this is not for the faint of heart, we occasionally get some Simon Cowell type comments.
Rules of the Floridian Idol:
* The first two manuscript pages, double spaced,12 pt standard font.
* One submission per attendee
* Notate genre and manuscript length in the header.
* All submissions must be turned in at registration, so carry them on board with you.
Readings are selected in the order in which they are received. We always try our best to ensure that every submission get read, but there are no guarantees.  

Editor and Agent appointments
Sign up at registration on Thursday to have some valued one-on one time with our Agents & editors.   


Let's Talk About Sex, Baby! with Charlaine Harris, Demi Alex & Roz Lee 
Bring a glass of ice water and a fan because it is going to get steamy on the high seas. Join a collection of truly inspirational authors as they discuss what happens behind closed doors and sometimes in public!

Mystery Writing 101 with Nancy Cohen
If you haven’t got a clue where to start, this is the workshop for you! Author of the popular Bad Hair Day mystery series, Nancy Cohen, will teach how to plot a mystery. Topics include: Creating the Sleuth, Introducing the Suspects, Weaving a Web of Deceit, Heightening Suspense, Series Continuity, and Staying on Track.

I Wanna be a Writer with Traci Hall and Kathleen Pickering
Interactive and entertaining workshop will help you learn how to take an idea and make it into a novel ready to be published, while building a true career as an author.
**This class requires early registration that will open October 15th, 2012**

Vampires, Werewolves and Zombies, Oh My! with Charlaine Harris and Heather Graham
Join us to discuss our fascination with all things paranormal and how to put a twist on old mythology making it new and interesting.

Building Your Brand with Angela James from Carina Press
How many times has someone told you to build your brand, but not told you what that means? You think it might mean something about a tagline, or your website header, but in reality, building your brand is an important, and sometimes a complex endeavor.

Industry News with Angela James, Micki Nuding, Elaine Spencer and Leslie Wainger 
What's hot and what's not? What are agents selling and what are editors buying?

Polish Your Pitch with Karen Kendall and various FRW Published Authors
Get nervous every time you pitch a new project? Not sure how to pitch for the first time? This is the place to be. Work in small groups with published FRW authors until your pitch is perfect.

Everything You Wanted to Know From an Agent and Were Afraid to Ask  with Elaine Spencer from The Knight Agency
“How do I get you to pick mine out of all your queries?” “What if I don’t have any published works to mention in my bio?” “What do you mean when you write back that my work just ‘wasn’t the right fit?’” “What should I ask you before I accept your offer or representation?” “What did she *really* think about that pitch?” Afraid of the tough questions? Well, Elaine Spencer of The Knight Agency isn’t afraid to answer them! Come by and listen to her truthful responses about today’s publishing industry, the author/agent relationship, and what you should be doing to help your career flourish. Elaine will host a casual and dynamic discussion with workshop participants that will take the fear out of talking with an agent one-on-one. During this hour-long chat, prepare for many of the walls to come down and to learn what’s really going on behind the agent mystique. 

Finding Time for your Dream (Time Management for Writers) with Carolyn Rae Williamson
Don't get caught washing your car or painting your nails and let opportunity pass you by. Find time to experience your dream and be ready for opportunities.

Hooking your Reader with Humor presented by Pearl Wolf
Explore the pleasures and the pitfalls of humor in your work. Do you use a sledgehammer or a are you subtle. How do you know if your reader 'gets' it? This is not a workshop requirement, but you may bring an example from your work, if you care to share!