FRIDAY
  Hopewell Cornwall Kinderhook Paradise
8 am - 4 pm Registration open in the Fireside Nook, main level. Hospitality Suite open in Paradise, meeting level
9:15 - 10:15 am The Art of the Book Pitch, Part I, with Jonathan Maberry
So much depends on how you pitch your book to an editor or agent. Learn the basics of the in-person pitch: what to put in, what to leave out, body language, and more.		 Conference Etiquette Q&A with Pennwriters Board Members
Conferences are a great way to network, but there are certain unwritten rules to follow. If you’re new to our conference or have questions on the basics, stop in here.		 Elements of Suspense with Martha Johnson
Keeping your reader on the edge of his seat is not easy. Find out how to structure your suspense novel so your reader knows just enough to keep him guessing. 		Breakout: Poetry with Tim Esiais
What makes good poetry? Should you submit to the little markets first or go right for the big names? Tim talks about his own poetry writing and publishing experiences and entertains questions. The floor will also be open for short readings if time allows.
10:15 am - 10:30 pm Answer Booth: MFAs with Maria Snyder
10:30 - 11:30 am The Art of the Book Pitch, Part II with Jonathan Maberry
Practice your pitch here before you give it to an agent or editor at the conference. Work out the jitters and get expert feedback on how to polish your pitch to perfection.		 Getting Into the Publishing Game with D.L. Wilson
D. L. Wilson’s been there and done that, and he has some great information to share about how his debut novel, Unholy Grail (Berkley, 2007), made the publishing cut.		 Short Story Structure with Catherine McLean
Set genre aside to focus on strong beginnings, middles, and ends, plus character and setting.		 Breakout: Thrillers with John Bailor
Catching the reader in a chilling thriller is no easy feat. What makes a thriller a thriller? How do you keep the tension alive? Will too much action wear out your reader? John Bailor shares how his first thriller novel was published.
Noon - 2:30 pm Published Author Lunch in Legends, main level
11:30 am - noon Box Lunch pick up in Paradise Lobby, meeting level
1:30 - 2:30 pm A Day in the Publishing Life with Tessa Woodward
Just how high are the slush piles? Do manuscripts really get thrown out if they’re not 12-point Times and double spaced? Separate fact from fiction with an assistant editor who lives the drill.		 Making It Work: The Agent–Author Relationship with Jessica Regel
Relationships with agents run the gamut from happily ever after to never ever again. Get some front-line advice on how to make the best of what you’ve got.		 Elements of Science Fiction with Paul Stevens
Science fiction writing has many subgenres. Learn how to keep your manuscript on track with advice from this editor.		 Breakout: Romantic Suspense with Liana Laverentz
How is romantic suspense defined? What plotting points and how much romance do you need? Liana tells you about her success with Wild Rose Press and answers your questions.
2:30 - 2:45 pm Answer Booth: Grammar with Vicky Burkholder
2:45 - 3:45 pm Query Clinic with Jessica Regel, Ginger Clark and Irene Goodman
You're going to be living with these imaginary "friends" for a long time. Get to know them inside and out—before they take over your story.
 Getting Publishing in Nonfiction with Kyle Weaver and Brian Butko
Get a first-hand account of how nonfiction publishing works from beginning to end during a Q&A session with this author and his editor. 		Face to Face with Your Characters with Valerie Malmont
You're going to be living with these imaginary "friends" for a long time. Get to know them inside and out—before they take over your story.		 Breakout: Inspirational Romance with Martha Johnson
What characteristics are present in inspirational fiction? Is the query process different? Martha (Marta Perry/Steeple Hill) shares her experience in this expanding market.
5:00 6:00 pm Cocktains and hors d'oeuvres, Lancaster Showroom, main level
6:00 - 8:15 pm Dinner and booksigning with Joyce Carol Oates, Lancaster Showroom, main level
8:30 - 10:00 pm Read-and-Critique Sessions, check announcement board in Paradise Room, meeting level, for locations

All listings are subject to change.