Submitting manuscripts to literary agents and aquisition editors is a courageous act. It can also be a frustrating and perplexing one. When you've spent months or years of your life writing a book that you take great pride in, sometimes it's hard to understand -- let alone accept -- why they don't see the value in it that you and your colleagues do. What did they see that you didn’t -- and what can you do to minimize rejection and increase your chances for acceptance and publication?

Now you can learn from a panel of industry experts who will share many of the secrets and insights, so you can upgrade the quality of your writing to a new level, take your rejections less personally, as well as target your submissions more successfully.

Creating Strong Openings – Your First Lines, Your First Page, Your First Three Page

You've heard that if the first paragraph of your novel isn't strong enough, agents and publishers won't read the first page, let alone the first fifty. Now you can learn how to separate fact from fiction and remain true to your story. Learn to draft a first line that will grab an acquisition editor and announce your authority as an author. This will cover first pages, first chapters, and first characters. This is a unique opportunity for you to learn how pros consider the merits of the material and the intent of the author, then offer improvements covering everything from glaring grammar errors to story-structure flaws to the overall storytelling and more. 

Bring six (6) copies of your first 2 pages. Selected works will be read aloud, so the audience can follow along and learn how an agent or publisher reviews a manuscript. Time permitting, they may suggest improving the samples.

A panel of literary agents and professional editors

Conference attendees are free; non-attendees only $10.

Creating Strong Openings – Your First Lines, Your First Page, Your First Three Page

You've heard that if the first paragraph of your novel isn't strong enough, agents and publishers won't read the first page, let alone the first fifty. Now you can learn how to separate fact from fiction and remain true to your story. Learn to draft a first line that will grab an acquisition editor and announce your authority as an author. This will cover first pages, first chapters, and first characters. This is a unique opportunity for you to learn how pros consider the merits of the material and the intent of the author, then offer improvements covering everything from glaring grammar errors to story-structure flaws to the overall storytelling and more. 

Bring six (6) copies of your first 2 pages. Selected works will be read aloud, so the audience can follow along and learn how an agent or publisher reviews a manuscript. Time permitting, they may suggest improving the samples.

A panel of literary agents and professional editors

Conference attendees are free; non-attendees only $10.

You hear that if the first paragraph of your script isn't strong enough, the studios and producers won't read the first page, let alone the first fifty. Now you can learn how to separate fact from fiction and remain true to your story. Learn how to grab the attention of an agent and announce your authority as an screenwriter. This workshop will cover first pages, first chapters, and first characters. This is a unique opportunity for you to learn how pros consider the merits of the material and the intent of the writer, then offer improvements covering everything from story-structure flaws to the overall storytelling and more.

Bring 5 copies of your first 2 pages. Selected works will be read aloud by actors or audience members for each part, so the audience can follow along and learn how a producer or agent reviews. Screenwriters are advised to network with fellow attendees to read "sides" of the script live for the panel. Time permitting, they may suggest improvements for the samples.

A panel of screenwriters, studio veterans, and special guests

Conference attendees are free; non-attendees only $10.

Location TBA

Saturday
2:00 - 5:00 ± pm

This is an invitation for you and your guests to join other GLAWS writers for a fun, festive party of food, books, entertainment, and the opportunity to socialize with other writers.

This is a pot luck lunch and Open Mic read event. You are also encourage to wear casual festive tropical attire!    Flier