“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” ~ George Eliot 40 40 40 40 August 7 - 9, 2009 Pre-conference Activities 5 - 9 P.M. Thursday, August 6 Sheraton Airport Hotel Portland, Oregon th nive An rsar 40 y Mid-life Crisis Time ? Our Willamette Writers Conference turns forty this year. Instead of that convertible Corvette or the affair with the gorgeous pool boy or Blazer cheerleader, how about indulging in a revival of that writing career dream? Who cares if the kids (or grandkids) think it’s a question- able obsession? You know and I know that there’s never going to be a better time than now to go for your dreams. We have actual proof that one can break into a professional writing career at any time. We had a young Willamette Writer make a two-book deal at our conference a few years back. Norman McClean sold his first book after retiring from teaching at the age of 72. His book was called A River Runs Through It. My point is, now is the time to go for it. And we are here to help. We can get you that face-time with an agent or editor, get you prepped for success with workshops for every type of writing, buoy you up during the inevitable (and temporary) rejections that are part of the writing life, and help you celebrate your victories. This year our theme is abundance, financial success. Willamette Writers have made millions of dollars writing. It can happen to you. It’s time to get prepared for the big time. Pencils sharpened. Pens uncapped. Publicity photos shot. Champagne in the fridge. It all begins here. Now. Go for it! Cynthia Whitcomb President, Willamette Writers From Your Conference Committee On behalf of the folks working hard to put this year’s Willamette Writers Conference together, welcome! We hope, as always, to make your experi- ence as fun and rewarding as possible. And know that we’re constantly looking to improve our beloved event – with your help. We heard you! We take your feedback seriously. And thanks to the input of attendees in recent years, we’ve made some changes and improvements for 2009: q Consultants: We’re bringing in more agents/editors/producers this year, and have focused on finding the “new blood” out there that will give you the best chance of getting your pitched projects read, produced or published. q Food: Our hosts at the Sheraton have amp’ed up the menu selections this year. More vegetarian and gluten-free options, more opportunities for fresh fruits and vegetables. And this year, all meals will be served buffet style. q Networking: We’re excited this year to add a new event to the Conference schedule: our Friday night “Meet up and Mix” networking social. Gather with fellow attendees after the classes end on Friday in a relaxed “meet and greet” atmosphere. Connect with writers with similar interests, working in similar genres, or simply whomever you find most attractive –hey, it’s your event! Finally, in keeping with our theme this year of the abundance and riches out there for us all as writers, we’re gonna throw a little money around, too: This year’s raffle grand prize? Cold, hard American cash. So you can buy yourself a little something nice to go along with your new book or movie deal. We look forward to seeing you, and getting your feedback at our 40th annual Willamette Writers Conference this summer! Special thanks to all of our volunteers, Staff, Faculty and consultants! The Conference Committee: Ann Buenzli (Program Coordinator), Stefan Feuerherdt (Co-Chair), Elisa Klein (Agents & Editors Coordina- tor), Bill Johnson (Registration & Master of All) Gibran Perrone (Film Coordinator) and Salli Slaughter (Chair). Special Volunteers/Staff: Jackie Blain (Pitch Practice), Herbert Piekow (Consults), Mary Margaret Maitland, Linda Kuhlman, Joan Mac- Beth, Ann Conway, Marla Bowie-LePley (Silent Auction); Leona Grieve, Randal Houle, Lizzy Shannon (Awards Banquet); – and all of our members, volunteers and consultants who work so hard to make the conference a success. Consultants: Brian Batson (Registration and Consult Program), Jerry Isom (Accounting), Stefan Feuerherdt (Travel), Corey Stixrud (Con- sults), and Gigi Rosenburg and her cast of actors (Writers & Actors Lab). The Willamette Writers Board of Directors: Shirley Barker, Val Bruech, Ann Buenzli, Marilyn Ebbs, Valerie Foster, Leona Grieve, Joni Heyman, Randal Houle, Jerry Isom, JoJo Jensen, Sue Lick, Patricia MacAodha, Mary Margaret Maitland, Lori Patch, Lizzy Shannon, Salli Slaughter, Cynthia Whitcomb, and Office Manager, Bill Johnson. Sheraton Staff: Carol Killam, Bruce Janzen, Chef Barry, and brothers Ozzie and Dwayne and all the wonderful staff whose names we don’t know. Thanks to Our Sponsors Please check our website, www.willamettewriters.com, for more donors – and changes. at www.willamettewriters.com Book a Room at the Portland Airport Sheraton Make your reservations directly with the Special Conference Rate – Just $118 a hotel by calling (503) 281-2500 or (800) night for single or double occupancy, 808-9497. When booking, request the $138 for three people, and $158 for four. ‘Willamette Writers Conference attendee Good now through July 17th. rate.’ Alternate accommodations can be found Don’t wait. Rooms go fast! w 6 9 6:00 - 9:00 P.M. ~ Mt. Hood Foyer Lunch Speaker ~ Mt. Hood Ballroom 40 w REGISTR ATION Rima Greer ~ Above the Line Agency Beat the morning rush. Drop by to register, or pick up c FINDING “YES” IN A SEA OF “NO” your registration packet if you are pre-registered. Beyond the ugly reality of the odds we all face CONSULT HELP are strategies for transcending the odds that lead to success! Check in at the Consult Desk for help with your pitch or group meet- ing schedule. Sorry, sales of new or additional pitches and group 4:20 P.M. ~ Mt. Hood Ballroom meetings will not be available until Friday morning. WR AP-UP SESSION 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. ~ St. Helens - Literary pitches Turn in your badge and conference evaluation to be eligible for prizes Mt. Hood - Film pitches given away at this session. Must be present to win. PITCH PR ACTICE WITH THE PROS Try out your pitch on a panel of literary or film experts in front of an audi- Daily ~ St. Helens Foyer ~ Ends 1 P.M. on Sunday. ence of your peers. Give them your pitch and get instant feedback! Not ready to pitch? Come watch, listen, and learn. Pitches are first come, first LONELY SCRIBE SILENT AUCTION served so come early to sign up for the pitching queue. (Free) Bid on hundreds of items especially geared toward writers. New this year is “Dinner with an Author,” in which several local authors have 7 teamed up with cooks to entertain winning bidders. If you are present Lunch Speaker ~ Mt. Hood Ballroom Nancy Christie ~ Author, Writing Coach when winners are announced, please plan to take your items home with you. Check our Web site for more information. STAYING POWER R AFFLES Being a successful writer takes more than just creative ability. It EMMY Award DVDs also requires “staying power”– staying positive, staying focused We are auctioning off Cynthia Whitcomb’s National Academy of and staying active, no matter what challenges come your way. Television Arts and Sciences voter’s DVD collection containing the best that TV had to offer this year – worth hundreds of dollars. Tickets 5:30 - 8:00 P.M. ~ Mt. Hood Ballroom are $1, 7 for $5, 15 for $10. MEET-UP & MIX This is your chance to network with your peers in a relaxed atmosphere. The 50/50 Meet fellow writers, form a new critique group or just share notes on the Abundance + luck = winning the Willamette Writers 50/50 raffle! writing life. No-host drinks and food will be available. Grab a drink, a bite Tickets are $5.00 each (the more tickets we sell, the bigger the pot, up to eat and a new friend and go to the Writers and Actors Lab next door for to a maximum of $10K). The winner takes half. a performance, or head over to the Lonely Scribe Silent Auction to make a All auction and raffle proceeds help fund Willamette Writers and our bid in the St. Helen’s Foyer. (NO-HOST) youth and literacy programs. Tickets available at Silent Auction. 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. ~ Mt. Hood Ballroom WRITERS & ACTORS LAB PERFORMANCE 9:00 A.M. - Noon & 1:30 - 4:00 P.M. Friday/Saturday Moderated by Gigi Rosenberg and presented by a team of 9:00 A.M. - Noon Sunday ~Garden Foyer Portland’s top professional actors who read scenes from screenplays submitted by conference participants. MANUSCRIPT ER Not to be confused with the Advance Manuscript Critique (where ad- Join us for this entertaining evening where you’ll hear your colleagues’ vance registration, payment and submission is required), Manuscript latest scripts and have a chance to offer them moderated feedback in this ER offers immediate on-site help from professional editors. Get verbal collaborative, lively theatrical setting. Learn what works and what doesn’t, feedback on your story opening, synopsis, query letter, book propos- join in the critique, and have a wild time with live theater. This is the fourth als or other aspect of your writing. Or, just talk about your concept year for the Writers & Actors Lab, and it is always great fun. (FREE) with an expert. 8 Lunch Speaker ~ Mt. Hood Ballroom PITCH PR ACTICE Kate Lee ~ International Creative Management (ICM) Led by Writers Coach and Script Consultant Jackie Blain, writing pros volunteer to staff our Pitch Practice area and help you hone your PERSEVERE AND WIN pitching skills.