MWA 2007 Writers' Conference

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Thanks to all who made our conference a huge success.

The 19th annual Maryland Writers’ Association’s annual conference gives writers the opportunity to hone their craft in sessions led by established authors, instructors, and experts. Sessions are for everyone; beginners and published writers alike in a wide range of subjects. Come explore the many worlds of writing with us.

Keynote Speaker: Rafael Alvarez “Writing From A to Z”

Rafael Alvarez spent more than 20 years chasing every kind of story that moved in Baltimore as a City Desk reporter for The Sun. From there he went to sea to write short stories until David Simon called to invite him to the staff of HBO's "The Wire." Alvarez worked on the first three seasons of the show and wrote the companion book to the award-winning show, "Truth Be Told: The Wire."

Based in Baltimore and Los Angeles, Alvarez is something of a literary renaissance man. He read encyclopedias as a child, and grew up to be a walking encyclopedia of writing knowledge.

The Sun published two anthologies of his newspaper work: "Hometown Boy" and "Storyteller." Alvarez also wrote two collections of short fiction: "The Fountain of Highlandtown" and "Orlo and Leini." He is also the author of "First and Forever," a long oral history of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, published in 2006. Books by Alvarez are available through the Minas Gallery, 815 West 36th street in Hampden. For more information go to alvarezfiction.com

Choose from 25 different sessions on a variety of topics
Meet one-on-one with top agents and editors
Network with established authors and freelance writers

Location:		Conference Center at the Maritime Institute of Technology 692 Maritime Boulevard Linthicum Heights, MD 21090

Date:		Saturday, April 21, 2007, 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM

Schedule:		Registration & Continental Breakfast 7:00 AM åø 8:00 AM Conference 8:00 AM åø 4:30 PM Lunchtime Keynote Address 12:15 PM åø 2:00 PM Networking mixer 4:30 PM åø 6:30 PM

Cost:		REGISTRATION OPTIONS MWA Members: $120.00 Non-Members: $160.00 (to become a member now, complete a membership registration form and submit it along with your conference registration form) Full Time Students: $85 Member w/agent or editor session: $150 Non-member w/agent or editor session $190 additional editor/agent session $30 must show student ID on arrival at conference

Featured Speakers:		Rafael Alvarez “Writing From A to Z”

Sampling of Sessions:		Daring to Write – There’s a million things you could write, if you could only get started. Lauren Eisenberg Davis, a former student of Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes), will talk about her personal struggles with writing and share with you her strategies and techniques to find the courage to write. Interjecting Humor in Writing – Join Steve Lubs as he sits in front of the room (he doesn’t do stand up) and analyzes the different forms of humor and discusses why humor is so incredible effective, regardless of the genre in which you are writing. Agent’s Panel – Find out what agents are looking for and how they feel about current industry trends.

Agent Sessions:		Verbally present your project to an agent and get feedback on its potential marketability. Bring your bio and a synopsis, if you choose. Please note, however, that the agents are not required to read your material.

Editor Manuscript Review:		Register for an individual critique from a writing expert. Sign up to have an editor go through the first 15 pages of your work, making pertinent comments and notations on its strengths, areas to improve, and marketability.

Featured Panels:		Agent panel Editor panel

Registration Form		Online
(your choice)		PDF
		Word Doc

		Program Schedule

Please e-mail Cathy Wiley at cathymw72@yahoo.com if you have any questions.