Book Fest

Crafting Unforgettable Characters
Presented by Kristin Oakley
PROGRAM ROOM
Examine some remarkable characters in literature and then run through a series of exercises to explore your protagonist’s physical and psychological attributes, strengths, weaknesses (including the fatal flaw), desires, and overriding goal.
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Everything You Need to Get Started 
Presented by Ken Brosky
FIREPLACE ROOM
Learn the most important elements of storytelling and multiple approaches to plot so your first draft flows smoothly.
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Create Your Own Comics 
Presented by CJ Standal
LAB 316
Learn how to create your own comics, including tips on publishing, self-publishing, marketing and distribution. 
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Illuminating the Truth 
Presented by Jacqueline Houtman
WOODRUFF ROOM
Learn techniques you can use to shine a light on the truth of your stories, no matter what the genre or target audience, including narrative structure and organization, theme and focus, revision and editing for clarity and accessibility.
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Bringing Your Manuscript to Port: Navigating the Varied Channels to Book Publication
Presented by Peggy Joque Williams, Christine DeSmet, Kristin Oakley, and Kenneth Humphrey
PROGRAM ROOM
Discuss the variety of channels (traditional, indie press, self-pub, and hybrid publishers) available to authors to get their books into print, as well as the pros and cons of the various publication channels. Hear the panel’s personal publication experiences, with the overarching message that there is no one right path to publication. 

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Plotting the Bones of Your Story
Presented by Sarah J. Mendonca
LAB 316
Learn about crafting a core plot idea, key plot beats, and the importance of meeting genre expectations. From character, setting, and voice, there are many parts that work together to create the body of your story. Unfortunately, that can all fall apart if you don’t have a strong plot to hold it all up. 
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Down the Rabbit Hole: Research for Writers
Presented by Terri Karsten
WOODRUFF ROOM
Sometimes, 'write what you know' is not enough. Sometimes, writers need to find answers for what they don't know but need to learn to complete their story. This session, geared toward writers of both fiction and non-fiction, will provide practical suggestions, including information about different kinds of research (primary, secondary, experiential) and tips on how to find and use each type. Guidelines for how to judge the quality of information, and several good sources will also be shared.
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