2023 Conference Workshops and Presenter Bios

Simply register to attend the conference when registration opens, then select whatever workshops interest you on the day(s) you selected. And if you become a member before registering for the conference, you save $60 on the cost of attending the full conference! 

Jess Everlee 
Jess is the author of The Gentleman’s Book of Vices, first in the Lucky Lovers of London series. She writes her witty, queer, historical romances from the Northeast Ohio home she shares with her small family of furballs and fellow humans.  

Wielding the Red Pen:  Giving (and Receiving!) Critiques Like a Pro
Starting out, most writers don’t have access to professional editorial feedback. We rely on each other to be critique partners, beta readers, and cheerleaders. But feedback from an agent or in-house editor can look a lot different! Using examples from real edit letters, learn how to give more useful notes to your writer friends, find the gems in well-meant critique on your own work, and build a critique group that is supportive, useful, and enjoyable for everyone.

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Misty Simon
Misty always wanted to be a storyteller…preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock… Since that dream didn’t come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time.

3 in 1 – Calendar, Timeline, Synopsis
This can be used at any point in the story creation process—from the beginning for those who plot, to the middle for those who need to get in to the story a bit and know the characters before they know what’s going to happen next, to those who write it all out and then fix it later, to those who write scenes out of order and need a place to know what is happening when so that their order is correct. This class allows any level of writing and any process to be enhanced with tools for your writing toolbox.

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Julie Anne Lindsey
Julie is a bestselling author of mystery and romantic suspense. She’s published more than fifty books since her debut in 2013 and currently produces 6-8 novels a years, writing series as herself, as well as under multiple pen names for various traditional publishers. Julie has won multiple awards for her writing, including the National Readers Choice Award, the Daphne Du Maurier Award for Mystery & Suspense, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. She's represented by Erin Niumata at Folio Literary Management.When Julie's not creating new worlds or fostering the epic love of fictional characters, she can be found in Kent, Ohio, enjoying her blessed Midwestern life. And probably plotting murder with her shamelessly enabling friends. Today she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world. Learn more about Julie at julieannelindsey.com

Outlining: An Author's Power Tool
Learn how to move your story from concept to completion in 28 days.

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Annette Dashofy
Annette is is the USA Today best-selling author of 14 mystery novels. A long-time member of Pennwriters, she currently serves as coordinator of area reps and is president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She and her husband live in Washington County with their very spoiled cat, Kensi.

So You Think You’re Ready to Submit
STOP! You’re not done yet! In this workshop, Annette will share some of the most common (and less common) issues that writers might be blind to in their own pages and will divulge tips and tricks to finely polish your manuscript.

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Diana Dru Botsford & DJ Stevenson
Author and screenwriter Diana Botsford's credits include various tie-in novels for Stargate SG-1 as well as the recently released Double Trouble anthology. She co-wrote Rascals for Star Trek: TNG, created the award-winning SF web series Epilogue, and the cult favorite animated series, Spiral Zone. Founder of the critically-acclaimed Missouri State University's screenwriting program, she provides one-on-one consulting for aspiring screenwriters across the globe.

A longtime Pennwriter and the Executive Vice President of the IAMTW, D. J. Stevenson has published twenty-four novels and over eighty short stories including for Star Trek and Shadowrun. She writes television essays and reviews for the Outside In series and the online Sci-Fi Bulletin. Visit www.BluetrixBooks.com for more information.

Trope Busters:  Who Ya Gonna Call?
Explore unique twists that can make tropes fresh and integral to your story, elevating your writing.  In addition to a guided discussion on tired clichés (and how to reinvent them), attendees can participate in a trope-busting ‘game show,’ transforming those stale and old ideas into creative, new material.

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Bobbi Carducci 
Bobbi is a published Penn, and 2013 Luncheon Keynote Speaker.  Her writing is published in newspapers, anthologies, memoir, and an award-winning book for young readers. She is a frequent presenter at writing workshops and conferences and she loves working with and encouraging writers of all ages.
 
New To Writing?  What You Don't Know Can Hurt -Trips and Tips Marketing 
New to writing? Build your audience as you write. Today Marketing and Platform are critical for all writers. Learn to connect with your audience before submitting your work for publication. What you don’t know can hold you back.

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Marissa DeCuir
Marissa is the president and partner of Books Forward publicity and Books Fluent publishing. She has helped more than 700 authors launch over 1,300 books and elevate their writing careers. As a former journalist, she’s always looking for the best hooks to utilize in author publicity and book marketing and believes in taking a personal and strategic can-do approach to help authors reach their goals.

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Cindy Callaghan, Ashley Belote, Cathy Teets, Dee Romito, Tamara Girardi
Ashley Belote is the illustrator of FRANKENSLIME and VALENSLIME (Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, 2021). She is the author-illustrator of THE ME TREE and A PARTRIDGE IN THE WE TREE (Penguin Workshop, 2021/2022), and LISTEN UP, LOUELLA (Feiwel & Friends, 2022). Ashley is represented by Moe Ferrara of BookEnds Literary Agency. To learn more about her, please visit: AshleyBelote.com.

Delawarian Cindy Callaghan is the award-winning author of eleven MG novels including JUST ADD MAGIC which was developed into an Emmy-nominated Amazon Original series. Her award-winning book SALTWATER SECRETS is set up by a major studio and she’s engaged in several shopping agreements with production companies. Her most recent releases THE GIRL WHO RUINED CHRISTMAS and MY BIG HEART-SHAPED FAIL, (September 2022), are actively being shopped to producers, networks and streamers along with Cindy’s robust portfolio of original IP.

Tamara Girardi writes books for children and teens. Her debut young adult novel, Gridiron Girl, tells the story of Julia Medina who quits the volleyball team to compete against her boyfriend for the starting quarterback position. Three additional sports novels in the Iron Valley Vikings series followed in 2022. Above the Foldis the first book in Tamara’s second series, all about teens exploring their dreams and their true selves through exhibits at a popular, mardi-gras-esque hotspot called Carnivalesque. Above the Fold released in January of 2023, and its sequel, Behind the Mask followed in February, both from Wise Wolf Books. Tamara’s debut board book, Why, Daddy? Why? was named an Editor’s Pick by Amazon. Also an academic, Tamara is a college English professor. She lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and four adorably rambunctious children. 

Dee Romito is an author of fiction and nonfiction books for young readers from picture books to middle grade. (She likes variety!) Her books have received a starred review from Booklist, a Crystal Kite Award, and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. You can visit her website at deeromito.com.

President of Headline Books, Inc.,  has been publishing books since 1985. Her company's first title, Killing Waters: The Great West Virginia Flood of 1985, was named a Best seller by USA Today and sold over 100,000 copies. Headline Books is the 2020 Independent Publisher of the Year and was named 2014 Outstanding Independent Publisher of the year by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Headline Books has over 500 titles in print and won 898 National Awards and that include, Mom’s Choice Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Creative Child Magazine Awards, Eric Hoffer Awards, ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year, and others. Cathy is also the Founder of Zoom Into Books, an international video marketing program that reaches over 380,000 people around the globe per month. Hosting award-winning and New York Times Best Selling Authors, Actors, Musicians (including the lead singers from The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Platters and The Drifters), Scientists and a series of writing and marketing workshops put together in YouTube video playlists and markets them to libraries, book clubs, schools, homeschools, waiting areas, and more. YouTubeChannel )Zoom Into Books allows us to take the authors and their books directly to the customers and the program continues to grow daily. Cathy's new endeavor is Headline Design and Marketing, a professional design company that takes a raw manuscript to a finished book and includes a one year marketing program with a top notch PR firm.

Writing for Children, Selling to Parents Panel 
Marketing children’s books can be a tricky feat. Join this panel of award-winning and bestselling authors, illustrators, and editors to get advice on how to better get your books into the hands of your readers. 

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Sandi Van
Sandi is a writer, academic advisor, and overall organizer of lives. Her young adult verse novels are part of an educational imprint aimed at reluctant readers and earned the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Award. You can find her on social media @sandivanwrites.
Participants will learn how to search for publishing opportunities and write for specific grade levels and reading abilities. We’ll discuss hi-lo novels, online tools to check readability, and marketing strategies. Suitable for all levels and will focus on writing for students in elementary through high school, both fiction and non-fiction.

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Carol Silvis
Carol Silvis is Pennwriters Area 3 rep, was President, VP, Authors’ Advocate, 2007 and 2005 Conference Coordinator, and 2008 Meritorious Service Award recipient. Publications include nine college textbooks/business books (Cengage), an anthology, the Writers Market, and in national magazines. Interviews and TV appearances include ABCNews.com, Cornerstone TV, HMC-TV, WIUP-TV, Yahoo.com, AARP Online, and CBSMoneywatch.com. 

Writing Nonfiction Book Proposals That Stand Out
When it comes to nonfiction books, the sky is the limit. The variety and number of these books is soaring. If you have a good idea for a nonfiction topic, come learn how to write a proposal that will get noticed. This workshop will address writing proposals for various nonfiction niche markets such as textbooks, business books, self-help books, and more. Discussion will include addressing timely issues, choosing appropriate titles, researching the topic, interviewing experts, meeting a publisher’s needs, and submitting a proposal. As a bonus, you will receive tips for writing the accompanying query letter. Handouts are included.

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Dee Romito
Dee is an author of fiction and nonfiction books for young readers from picture books to middle grade. (She likes variety!) Her books have received a starred review from Booklist, a Crystal Kite Award, and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. You can visit her website at deeromito.com.

Starting Strong – Writing a Beginning That Will Hook Your Readers
A strong beginning starts with a great first line and takes the reader on a journey from there. We’ll explore what makes a fantastic first line, what questions you should be asking yourself about the story, and how writing a logline can help keep your beginning focused and strong.

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Cindy Callaghan (Craft)
*See biography above

Creating Characters That Stand Out
Calling all writers. Whether you have an idea for a character, or if you're just starting out, this is a good place to get your feet wet. Author Cindy Callaghan will share what she learned while creating her own characters, including those in her Emmy-nominated series, "Just Add Magic." If you're a new writer who wants to understand the basics or an experienced writer who might need a refresher, you are invited to learn about character development, put your pen to paper, and create a memorable character of your own. At the end of the session, you'll have the opportunity to introduce the class to the character you've created during the session.

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Sheila Redling & Tobi Doyle
Sheila is the author of more than a half dozen novels, including the best-selling thrillers, FLOWERTOWN and THE WIDOW FILE. A former morning radio host and avid traveler, Sheila is also a language geek, wine enthusiast, and a so-so gardener. She currently lives in her home state of West Virginia with a wide array of wildlife. You can find out more about Sheila on her website: sgredling.com.

A hybrid romance author, Tobi has published over a dozen romance books. She writes HEAs with heat and humor, romantic suspense, and cozy mysteries. Tobi created content for Romance Writers of America's Pen to Paper Program: a guide to romance writing and received RWA’s PRO Mentor of the Year. She's also the current President of RWA's romantic suspense chapter, Kiss of Death, a member of Central Ohio Fiction Writers, West Virginia Writers and other local writing groups.

What Am I Writing?
Maybe you’ve got a great story idea, or a story written, and when asked, you’re not sure what kind of book it is. Is it a sci-fi psychological thriller or is the thriller part more of a mystery? Where does it fit on the bookshelf? This workshop will introduce participants to genre fiction, what the different genre promises are, and what the readers’, publishers’, and editors’ expectations are. Participants will have concrete answers on how to find your audience and where your story fits on the bookshelf. 

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Eliot Parker
Eliot is the author of four thriller novels, most recently A FINAL CALL, which was an honorable mention at the 2022 London Book Festival and was named one of Kirkus Magazine's "20 Books to Discover" for 2023. His thriller novel A KNIFE’S EDGE was an Amazon bestseller, and his thriller novel FRAGILE BRILLIANCE won the West Virginia Literary Merit Award and the was a finalist for the Southern Book Prize in Thriller Writing in 2016. He has also won the PenCraft Feathered Quill Book Awards for his work.  He teaches writing at the University of Mississippi. 

Writers often spend a great deal of time developing the protagonist, but how can that same attention be given to creating a complex villain that readers are going to “love to hate?” This workshop examines strategies and techniques that mystery/thriller writers can use to creating a complex, interesting, and passionate villain that will be worthy of challenging the protagonist physically and/or emotionally. Attendees should expect a short writing exercise at the beginning and at the end of the workshop. 

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Ashley Belote

Ashley is the illustrator of FRANKENSLIME and VALENSLIME (Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, 2021). She is the author-illustrator of THE ME TREE and A PARTRIDGE IN THE WE TREE (Penguin Workshop, 2021/2022), and LISTEN UP, LOUELLA (Feiwel & Friends, 2022). Ashley is represented by Moe Ferrara of BookEnds Literary Agency. To learn more about her, please visit: AshleyBelote.com.

Learn the Craft to Write the Draft:  The Fundamentals of Picture Books 
During this presentation, I will discuss the fundamentals of picture books including narrative structures, voice, tension, humor and heart, character development, creating effective page turns, and drafting and revising manuscripts. I will also incorporate elements of illustration, art notes, and how to leave room for the illustrator to incorporate visuals into the narrative.

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Lauren Bieker, Alyssa Jennette, Uwe Stender, Cathy Teets.  (Submit pitches ahead of time)
Lauren is looking for commercial and upmarket women’s fiction and some well-crafted and differentiated YA novels. She is also open to select science fiction, as well as high concept and literary fiction works. She appreciates great storytelling and is a “sucker” for outstanding writing and convincing characters. While primarily interested in fiction, she will consider nonfiction proposals. She is looking for #ownvoices stories, Feminist lit/#MeToo stories, and LGBTQIA+ authors in both fiction and nonfiction. Her goals is to "hold the mic" for authors to tell their stories and be a helpful support system.

Alyssa represents children’s and adult fiction and picture books, graphic novels, and select pop culture nonfiction. She values diversity and inclusion; in fiction she enjoys ensemble casts with distinct voices, stories about poor characters and communities, and formats that are specific to a story and give it its own context. Alyssa is particularly interested in art/art history/art conservation, archaeology, mythology, language/translation, and criminal justice reform. Her client list includes sex educator and GIRL SEX 101 author Allison Moon, illustrator Jessica Roux, internet storyteller Mollyhall Seeley, middle grade authors Chris Negron and Brandon Hoang, and more. 

Triada US President and Literary Agent Dr. Uwe Stender is a Full Member of the AALA (Association of American Literary Agents). He is interested in all kinds of non-fiction and fiction. In non-fiction, he is completely open to any project, from Memoir (writers with huge platform only for memoir), Pop Culture, and Health to How-to, Gardening, History and everything in between, including non-fiction for children. In Children's fiction, he is looking for YA, Graphic Novels, and MG. In adult fiction, his tastes trend towards Women's Fiction, Psychological Suspense, and Mysteries.  As an immigrant to the USA himself, he is always eager to bring projects from underrepresented voices into the world. So surprise him, his tastes are eclectic, and he may just love what you wrote!

Cathy Teets- *See bio in panel workshop above

Pitch Perfect: Does Your Pitch Hit the Mark? 
Now is the time to practice those pitches! Submit your pitches ahead of time. A moderator will read it during the workshop (anonymously), and the panel of agents and editors will give feedback. This is invaluable information for anyone giving a pitch at the conference, or if you plan to pitch at a later date.

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Lesa Cline-Ransome
(*See Lisa's bio on the Conference Keynotes Page)

Finding Your Voice
Toni Morrison, Ann Patchett, David Sedaris, Margaret Atwood--with one sentence you know instantly who you are reading. But what exactly is voice and how do we cultivate our own authentic style of storytelling? Bringing characters to life through story requires the work of seeing, listening, researching and remembering. Find answers while asking questions of your story, your characters and yourself to discover and craft your voice on the page. 

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Joy Givens 
Joy is the lucky mother of four small superheroes and the coordinator of an after-school program for resettled refugee children in Pittsburgh. She has published several award-winning short stories and writes children’s and middle grade fiction to celebrate the fresh, fierce, fantastic side of life. Joy's debut picture book, THE UNSTOPPABLE JAMIE, will be released by Two Lions in Fall 2023.
Sometimes, writers of full-length works can get so caught up in word counts and chapter titles that we begin to lose our characters' journeys, our worlds, and our narrative voices. Taking the time to explore these elements through short fiction is an engaging, rewarding way both to build skills and to deepen our broader stories. This workshop will include a discussion of short fiction elements and styles, provide examples of short fiction that support character development and worldbuilding, and lead writers through a timed writing exercise to get the creative juices flowing!

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Madhu Bazaz Wangu
See Madhu's bio on the Conference Keynotes page. 
Join Luncheon Keynote Speaker Madhu Bazaz Wangu as she discusses the importance of mindfulness and meditation, the Mindful Writers Group, and how putting this into practice can aid you in productivity and creativity, as well as helping you feel more positive and motivated overall.

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Agent Dating Game with Lauren Bieker, Alyssa Jennette, and Uwe Stender

Tamara Girardi (Business)
Tamara writes books for children and teens. Her debut young adult novel, Gridiron Girl, tells the story of Julia Medina who quits the volleyball team to compete against her boyfriend for the starting quarterback position. Three additional sports novels in the Iron Valley Vikings series followed in 2022. Above the Foldis the first book in Tamara’s second series, all about teens exploring their dreams and their true selves through exhibits at a popular, mardi-gras-esque hotspot called Carnivalesque. Above the Fold released in January of 2023, and its sequel, Behind the Mask followed in February, both from Wise Wolf Books. Tamara’s debut board book, Why, Daddy? Why? was named an Editor’s Pick by Amazon. Also an academic, Tamara is a college English professor. She lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and four adorably rambunctious children. 

Eileen and Graham Hodgetts (Business)