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MARK CLEMENTS' first horror novel, 6:02, was nominated for a Bram Stoker award. It was followed by Children of the End and Lorelei, both of which received multiple nominations and awards. His The Land of Nod has been optioned twice for film and also earned the first annual Theodore S. Geisel Award. Additionally, Mark is a prolific ghost writer and is at work developing a new television series dealing with the supernatural.

• WORKSHOP: "The Only Rule is There Are No Rules: Style, Vision & Voice" and Rogue Read & Critique

JENNIFER COBURN is the award-winning author of four rousing, highly-acclaimed novels from Kensington, two of which have been optioned for film. The Wife of Reilly, Reinventing Mona, Tales from the Crib and her latest, The Queen Gene. Her nonfiction Take Back Your Power: A Working Woman's Response to Sexual Harassment, juxtaposed her own workplace experience with that of a hundred other women to explore the psychological and practical dimensions of the struggle. Having written hundreds of articles for national and regional newspapers and magazines, Jennifer has also contributed to the anthologies Everything I Needed To Know About Being A Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, Flirting with Pride and Prejudice, This Christmas and This Is Chick Lit, in cluding one USA Today best-seller.

• GUEST SPEAKER

JOSH CONVISER grew up in Aspen, Colorado, went to high school in Santa Barbara, California and graduated from Princeton University in 1996. He has lived in Europe, Asia and Australia. An avid mountaineer, he climbed in ranges around the world, including the Himalayas, before giving up the mountains for the jungles of Hollywood where he pursued a career in screenwriting. He is the Executive Consultant on HBO's series, Rome, and has several films in development. Random House published his first novel, Echelon, in 2006. Empyre, his second, is just out. Website: JoshConviser.com.

• WORKSHOPS: "Cut to the Chase! Writing Great Action," "It's Structure Stupid! Constructing Killer Thrillers" and "Traveling Time: Making the Past and Future Relevant to Your Reader"
• GUEST SPEAKER

EDWIN DECKER is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Reader, Modern Drunkard Magazine, Real Deal, Seattle Stranger, Tucson Weekly, Creative Loafing in Atlanta, Cleveland Scene, Exit Magazine, Smash, No Cover, Out of the Gutter, The National Pist (Canada) and elsewhere. His satiric and sometimes controversial column, "Sordid Tales," runs every other week in San Diego CityBeat, and as a popular performance poet, his Barzilla and other Psalms collection is recently out from Puna Press. His website: www.EdwinDecker.com.

• WORKSHOP: "Interactive Poetry Cram: On The Page and In Your Face"
Note: Each participant is required to bring at least 2 poems that will be read aloud. This is not a workshop for those seeking kudos, or who are sensitive about constructive criticism. Address questions to Edwin Decker here.

JEREMY JAMES is an Internet strategist with a background in e-commerce, web development and information product design, a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Missouri-Rolla and a Masters degree in Information Science & Technology. Having placed first in Current Science Magazine's science fiction short story contest when he was a sophomore in high school, Jeremy has gone on to fuse his ongoing passion for writing thrillers and dark fantasies with his tech expertise in creating The Veingel, a hyper-text novel, e-book and podcast experiment geared to explore the ever-expanding opportunities for writers in a rapidly converging digital media world.

• WORKSHOP: "Web Strategies for Writers: Branding, Blogging & Beyond"

GORDON KIRKLAND is a syndicated humor columnist for newspapers in Canada and the USA, and two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Award of Merit for Humor for both his first book, Justice Is Blind – And Her Dog Just Peed In My Cornflakes (Harbour) and second, Never Stand Behind A Loaded Horse (Thistledown). When My Mind Wanders It Brings Back Souvenirs garnered raves and rewards. I Think I’m Having One Of Those Decades is his latest. Website: www.GordonKirkland.com

• WORKSHOPS: "Creating & Managing Promotional Opportunities," "Finding Sources of Comic Relief," "Business 101 for Creative Prose" and "POD Publishing: Good for You?"
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Humor and columns, up to 20 pages double-spaced

KEN KUHLKEN's stories have appeared in Esquire and dozens of other magazines and anthologies, been honorably mentioned in Best American Short Stories and earned a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. With Alan Russell, in Road Kill and No Cats, No Chocolate, he has chronicled the madness of book promotion tours. His earlier novels include Midheaven, a finalist for the Ernest Hemingway Award for best first fiction work, and the Hickey family mysteries The Loud Adios (St. Martin’s/PWA Press Best First PI Novel, 1989), The Venus Deal, The Angel Gang and The Do-Re-Mi (Shamus Award finalist, 2007). His latest, The Vagabond Virgins, is out from Poisoned Pen Press, February of 2008.

• WORKSHOP: "Fictionalist Tools for Fabulous Nonfiction" and "Read & Critique"
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Novels and Narrative Nonfiction, up to 20 pages double-spaced.

THOMAS LARSON is the author of The Memoir and the Memoirist: Reading and Writing Personal Narrative (Swallow Press, 2007), which explores the dynamics of one of the most popular and expressive genres in today's publishing world. A contributing writer for the weekly San Diego Reader where he specializes in investigative journalism, narrative nonfiction, and personal profiles, Tom's own memoir work has appeared in the Southwest Review, Cimarron Review, Chicago Reader, and the Anchor Essay Annual: The Best of 1997, edited by Doubleday's Phillip Lopate. His art and literary criticism can be found in the Antioch Review, Georgia Review, Southwest Art, High Plains Literary Review, Boulevard, The San Diego Union-Tribune and other publications.

• WORKSHOP: "Writing (and Selling) Memoir" and TBD
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Memoir and narrative nonfiction, up to 20 pages double-spaced. SOLD OUT

WHITNEY LYLES was twenty-six when she landed her first book deal for Always the Bridesmaid ("A charming and rollicking commentary on weddings in the twenty-first century." –Jeanne Ray, author of Eat Cake and Julie and Romeo) and Roommates ("Fascinating to a wide variety of readers." –Romantic Times. Since then she has also published Here Comes The Bride and a novella included in the collection Catch of the Day. A proud and unabashed chick-lit writer, her latest is First Comes Love (Berkley), of which Romantic Times Book Reviews says, "The writing is strong and the characters' emotions and experiences ring true." Her website: WhitneyLyles.com

• WORKSHOP: "Forging Fresh Ideas in Romantic Comedy"
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Chick-lit and YA Romantic Comedy, first 20 pages double-spaced.

MATTHEW J. PALLAMARY's first novel, Land Without Evil, set in ancient Paraguay, has been highly acclaimed by readers and critics alike. A successful writer of both fiction and nonfiction for 25 years, Ray Bradbury declared "Bravo!" for his short story collection, The Small Dark Room of the Soul, which was originally self-published. His memoir, Spirit Matters, chronicling his life long search for truth from the false spirituality of a violent Irish Catholic ghetto in Boston to the discovery of true spirituality in the jungles of the Amazon, is out Valentine's Day, 2008.

• WORKSHOP: "Read & Critique"
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Horror, Fantasy and Transformative Fiction, first 20 pages double-spaced

ANDREA PORTES' debut coming-of-age novel, Hick, is called by the Los Angeles Times, "A bracing drama, a study in tenacity against the gnarled teeth of domestic storms." Publishers Weekly calls it "Chilling." And before it's May 2007 release, advance buzz alone encouraged publisher Unbridled Books to order a second printing. Now a Los Angeles Times bestseller, Hick thus far has been selected a 2007/2008 BookSense Reading Group Pick, May 2007 BookSense Pick and a Midwest Connections Pick among readers. Andrea is currently at work on her next book.

• WORKSHOPS: "It's All for Naughty: Tackling Taboo Subjects," "Kill Your Ego: Taming the Inner Shrew" and "Writing in Bed: Processesing Performance"
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Literary Fiction, first 20 pages double-spaced

LAURA PREBLE graduated from Ohio State with a degree in journalism and moved to San Diego where she worked for its leading daily newspaper, the Union-Tribune, for five years. Changing careers, she turned to teaching high school English and journalism and discovered it to be the perfect percolator for writing young adult fiction, a genre she especially likes because it's dependent on character and can't trade on sex and violence. Her first YA novel, Lica's Angel was self-published in 2003 and shortly thereafter she landed a two-book deal with Berkley. The critically lauded first, The Queen Geek Social Club, will be followed by its equally anticipated sequel, Queen Geeks in Love, in November, 2007.

• WORKSHOP: "Writing Young Adult for the Next Generation"
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Young Adult, first 20 pages double-spaced

FREDERICK RAMSAY's first novel, Artscape, was called by Publishers Weekly, "A thought-provoking examination of serious pastoral issues and a thoroughly entertaining mystery that succeeds on all levels without recourse to bombast or carnage." "Solid plotting and familiar characters make this a pleasant diversion," proclaimed Library Journal of his second Ike Schwartz mystery, Secrets. A former professor at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine where he taught Anatomy, Embryology and Histology, Fred engaged in research and served as an Associate Dean before being ordained an Episcopal priest and turning fulltime to the clergy. Upon his retirement, he begat books. Impulse, which earned a starred review in Publishers Weekly, and which Booklist called, "A touching reflection on the changes that come with growing older in a society prejudiced against the elderly," was released last year. Judas: The Gospel of Betrayal and Buffalo Mountain are his latest.

• WORKSHOPS: "Plotless: Where to Start When You don't Know Where," and Read & Critique
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Mystery, Crime, up to 20 pages double-spaced.

JUDY REEVES is a writer and teacher with more than 25 years experience as a workshop leader. She’s written four books on the craft including A Writer’s Book of Days, named a “hottest book for writers" by Writer’s Digest Magazine, and A Creative Writer's Kit: A Spirited Companion & Lively Muse for the Writing Life. Her most recent, The Writer’s Retreat Kit, was published last spring. In addition to private workshops, she teaches creative writing at UCSD and at writing conferences internationally. After a few years of off-and-on expatriat living in Barcelona, Spain, she’s once again taken up residence in San Diego where she’s working on a novel and speaking English.

• WORKSHOP: "Writing Place: Grounding Story in Setting" and Read & Critique
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Memoirs and Women's Fiction; up to 20 pages double-spaced
SOLD OUT

ALAN RUSSELL is the author of eight novels. The New York Times says, "Mr. Russell has a gift for dialogue," and The Los Angeles Times says that he is "a crime fiction rara avis." Russell has been nominated for most of the major awards in crime fiction and has won The Lefty for best comedic mystery of the year, the Critics' Choice Award, and a San Diego Book Award. Exposure earned him a starred Publishers Weekly review, while his latest, Political Suicide, garnered the usual raves. Multiple Wounds is now out in paperback, with Shame crossing over from hardcover in 2007. A collaboration with Ken Kuhlken, No Cats, No Chocolate, chronicling the further misadventures of two touring auhors, is recently out, and he's currently at work on a screenplay for Disney based on one of his novels. Alan's website: www.AlanRussell.net.

• WORKSHOP: "80-Proof Read & Critique"
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Mystery, Crime, up to 20 pages double-spaced.

MICHELE SCOTT is an overnight success only ten years in the making. A graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in communications with her eyes on being a reporter, she set out instead to write a novel. Enduring rejections of her manuscript for a decade, in March 2004 an agent signed her on and one month later Murder Uncorked sold to Berkley Prime Crime in a three-book deal launching Michele's Wine Lover's Mystery Series, and which now includes Murder by the Glass and Silenced by Syrah.. Nine months later another three-book deal followed for a Equine Mystery Series, which debuted November '06 with Saddled with Trouble and includes the recent Death Reins In.

ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Mystery, Mystery Series Proposal, up to 20 pages double-spaced.
• WORKSHOP: Planning & Plotting the Series Fanchise

JULIE ANN SHAPIRO is a freelance writer, award-winning short story author and novelist. Her recent story collection, Flashes of the Other World (Pulp Bits) has been followed by a new novel just out from SynergEbooks, Jen-Zen and the One Shoe Diaries. Her short stories and essays have appeared in San Diego Union Tribune, North County Times, Los Angeles Journal, Pindeldyboz, Sacred Waters/Fire, Story South, Word Riot, Opium Magazine, Insolent Rudder, Elimae, Cezzane’s Carrots, Mad Hatters Review, Writers Post Journal, Spoiled Ink, Void, Footsteps to Oxford, Salome, Skive, Millennium Shift, Mega Era Magazine, Moon Dance, Science Fiction and Fantasy World, Green Tricycle, Long Story Short, All Things Girl, Ultimate Hallucination, The Glut, Somewhat, Uber, Moon Dance, The Quarterly Staple, Journal of Modern Post, Rumble, Cellar Door Magazine, Edifice Wrecked, Espresso Fiction, Flash Fiction — Coffee Cup Series, ISM Quarterly and elsewhere.

• WORKSHOP: "Flash Fiction: The Ultra-Quick Story Market"

JEFF SHERRATT is a life-long entrepreneur who started and sold numerous companies over his career before turning to writing full time. His debut novel, The Brimstone Murders, is out February from Echelon Press. The first in a planned series, Michele Scott (The Wine Lovers Mystery Series and The Horse Lovers Mystery Series) describes it as, "Filled to the brim with good fun and great action. Jeff Sherratt has come up with a winner in this wonderful vintage mystery featuring criminal defense attorney Jimmy O'Brien." And Odelia Grey mystery series author Sue Ann Jaffarian proclaims, "Reading The Brimstone Murders is like going to an old fashioned Saturday matinee — so sit back and enjoy the action, the fun, and the cast of colorful characters."

• WORKSHOP: "The Author/Publisher Journey" (with Karen Syed)
• GUEST SPEAKER

SUSAN ARNOUT SMITH is the author of The Timer Game, her first title in a two-book deal with St. Martin's Minotaur, being published in the U.S., Italy, Germany, Taiwan, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand. John Lescroart (The Suspect) calls the book, "A highly entertaining, intelligent, original yet classic medical thriller," while Gayle Lynds (The Last Spymaster) declares it, "As riveting as a ticking bomb." A WGA screenwriter, Susan has written longform television for ABC, CBS, Lifetime and other networks, been an essayist for National Public Radio, Weekend Edition-Sunday, a playwright and a documentarian dealing with such subjects as teenage pregnancy, missing children and Alaska serial murders.

• GUEST SPEAKER

ALEXANDRA SOKOLOFF has made a living over the past 16 years as a screenwriter for numerous Hollywood studios like Sony, Fox, Disney, and Miramax. Her adaptation of Sabine Deitmer's psychological thriller Cold Kisses, co-written with Kimball Greenough and Thomas Reuter and directed by Carl Schenkel, was released in 1997. Fed up with her original scripts ultimately not being made, she negotiated to buy the rights back in order to adapt them into novels of her own. The first, The Harrowing, based on real happenings during her high school and college years, with the psychological undercurrents drawn from her experience teaching emotionally disturbed and incarcerated teenagers in the Los Angeles County prison system. Ira Levin (Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives) calls it, "A first novel of unusual promise... raises a fine crop of goosebumps and shivers." The Price, another dark suspense title based on one of her screenplays, is out February 2008. Here's where you can watch the trailer.

• WORKSHOPS: "Creating Unbearable Suspense" and "Screenwriting Techniques for Novelists (and Screenwriters)"
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Horror, supernatural, suspense, first 20 pages double-spaced

MICHAEL THOMPKINS is a semi-retired psychologist who devotes most of his time to writing detective fiction. Gun Play, the first novel in his "Shooting Shrink" series, is out from new SterlingHouse imprint Pemberton Mysteries (read the review or listen to the radio ad). A long-time participant of the Maui Writers Conference, Michael has studied under screenwriting program director and author Chris Vogler, and was a finalist for the prestigious Rupert Hughes Award. He is currently working on his next book in the series, Big Island Play. His workshops on character structure played to packed rooms at SCWC Palm Springs and SCWC Los Angeles.

• JUDGE: "Tales from the Fire" nonfiction writing contest (details)
• WORKSHOPS: "Creating Congruent Characters Part I & Part II" (contact Michael for workshop syllabus) and Read & Critique
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Fiction, first 20 pages double-spaced

AMY WALLEN's first novel, MoonPies and Movie Stars was recently released by Viking/Penguin. Mary Gordon ( Pearl) calls it, "A delightful and exhilerating journey, kind of like being on a tour bus guided by Eudora Welty on speed." And Mark Childress ( One Mississippi) proclaims, "Amy Wallen's first novel mines the hilarity of the modern Southern woman with good humor and enough snappy dialogue to fill a dozen beauty parlors." Amy's second novel in the series will be out in 2008. She is also the host of the monthly open-mic night for San Diego Writers, Ink and periodically teaches creative writing at the University of California, San Diego.

• WORKSHOP: "Read & Critique"

MICHELLE BROWER has been with Wendy Sherman Associates since 2004, and has also previously worked with Joelle Delbourgo Associates. She enjoys working directly with emerging writers and is interested in representing literary and commercial fiction, memoir, pop culture, humor, crafting, graphic novels, popular science and narrative nonfiction. Books that capture elements of the strange and wonderful will always pique her interest, and she also looks for those that offer a unique perspective of the world.

• AGENTS/EDITORS PANEL
• ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Fiction and nonfiction, first 20 pages double-spaced SOLD OUT

DALE FETHERLING has written, edited, or co-authored more than a dozen nonfiction books, varying from biography to self-help to history, including such diverse titles as The Privacy Rights Handbook (with Beth Givens) and Mother Jones: The Miner's Angel, which received the Award of Merit from the Illinois Historical Society. He is the former editor of The Los Angeles Times' San Diego County Edition and has taught writing and editing at numerous colleges and universities, includeing UCSD Extension. Author of Comrades in Ink: How to Work with a Co-Author to Make Your Book a Reality, he is a full-time BooksPartner literary collaborator with a specialty in book proposals.

ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Nonfiction Book Proposals

JEAN JENKINS is a freelance editor (MsRewrite.com) and consultant to writers. Having worked with a number of authors, she has successfully shepherded to print both genre and mainstream novels for publishers such as Random House, Avon, St. Martins, Rutledge Hill Press, Tor and Donald I. Fine, and maintained her popular "Ask J.J." column for San Diego Writers' Monthly for several years. Jean also "moonlights" for KPBS, Public Broadcasting, various production houses and numerous attorneys. Several recent books that she has consulted on are nearing publication with major houses.

• WORKSHOP: "Rewriting the Novel and Narrative Nonfiction Book"
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Mystery and Mainstream Fiction, up to 20 pages double-spaced SOLD OUT

JEREMY LASSEN is the editor-in-chief of Night Shade Books, a mid-sized, independent science fiction, fantasy and horror publisher. Only 10 years old, the house's growing success has resulted in a steady output of quality titles with increasingly popular cross-over appeal, being profiled in Publishers Weekly and distinguishing itself as the home for midlist authors less served by behemoth N.Y. publishers, influding Walter Jon Williams. With 32 books slated for release in 2008, Night Shade will also be launching a general imprint.

• AGENTS/EDITORS PANEL
• ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, first 20 pages double-spaced SOLD OUT

KATE MCKEAN is an agent with the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency, which has for over 25 years successfully represented clients in literary and commercial fiction, as well as nonfiction with a focus on history, biography, social issues, environmental issues, science, architecture, and self-help. Having earned her Master’s degree in fiction writing from the University of Southern Mississippi, Kate's interests lie in literary fiction, contemporary women's fiction, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, mystery, thriller, young adult and middle grade fiction, narrative non-fiction, sports related books, pop culture, craft, and health and wellness.

• AGENTS/EDITORS PANEL
• ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Fiction and Nonfiction, first 20 pages double-spaced SOLD OUT

MARLA MILLER’s first book, All American Girls: The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, published by Simon & Schuster, enjoyed three print runs. She is editor-in-chief of Location 3 Magazine, a lifestyle quarterly magazine that circulates in Newport Coast, California. For 18 years, she penned three columns for the Orange County Register’s lifestyle magazine. She has written for the Los Angeles Times, Oxygen.com and co-hosted a radio talk show on a NPR affiliate. A former nurse practitioner, she writes about health and consults on several health care websites. Her travel pieces appear in regional magazines. Miller teaches marketing-to-writers workshops at several conferences. She also has taught narrative nonfiction workshops at the University of California, Irvine - Extension. Of her freelance editing clients, two have authored best-selling books with Miller as editor. In her monthly column, "Early Years" in Writer Magazine, she talks to notable authors about their early years in this business.
• WORKSHOP: "Pitch it to Me!/Let's Fix Your Book Pitch"
Note: This workshop focuses on fixing the author's book pitch — short, sweet and successful — to agents and editors, in effort to secure a manuscript request. Participants should bring 1 to 3 pages to read so that Marla can openly troubleshoot.
• AGENTS/EDITORS PANEL
• ADVANCE SUBMISSION: Narrative Nonfiction, up to 20 pages double-spaced

JENNIFER REDMOND is Editor-in-Chief of Sunbelt Publications, which specializes in producing a wide variety of books related to California and the Baja California peninsula. She will discuss the importance of succinct, well-crafted queries and proposals. In addition to explaining the difference between the two, she'll give reasons to begin with a query, how to follow up with a targeted proposal, and share both tips and pet peeves from her seven years of receiving queries and submissions.

• WORKSHOPS: "The Secrets to Writing a Synopsis" and "Crafting Queries and Proposals"
• EDITORS PANEL
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Fiction, Nonfiction, Short Stories, first 20 pages double-spaced

MIKE SIROTA is a freelance editor and author of 19 published novels including The 22nd Gear, Bicycling Through Space and Time, Demon Shadows and The Well, from such publishers as Bantam Books, The Berkley Publishing Group, Pocket Books and Zebra Books. Among his most recent client successes: Michele Scott's Tacked to Death, Jeff Sherratt's The Brimstone Murders and Dr. Paul Bernstein's Courage to Heal. He was the long-time editor and award-winning feature writer for a San Diego newsmagazine, and he presently evaluates and edits manuscripts professionally.

ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Mainstream, adult and Y/A novels, up to 20 pages double-spaced

KELLY SKILLEN is PMA Literary and Film's newest manager. Her recent sales include Offspring, a dark, apocalyptic fantasy chronicling the long-ago trysts between angels and humans, American Whore, an edgy bio of adult film star Sunset Thomas, Feed Your Tiger, an East-meets-West diet book (to Rodale), and MVP, the hyper-literary “biography” of fictional basketball phenomenon Gilbert Marcus (to Scribner). Having previously handled development at PMA, Kelly enjoys working hands-on with writers who are serious about getting published, including first-time authors, and will consider any and all genres.

• AGENTS/EDITORS PANEL
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Literary, commercial and cutting-edge fiction; serious and narrative nonfiction, first 20 pages double-spaced SOLD OUT

KELLY SONNACK is an agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, known for establishing and guiding the careers of many fiction and nonfiction authors, including Amy Tan, Janell Cannon, Lisa See, Diane Mott Davidson, Kevin Starr, Mike Davis, and many others. The Los Angeles Times dubbed it "the most powerful literary agency on the West Coast" and, in its 20+ years, the it has developed a reputation for discovering new talent and representing quality work with great commercial potential. Kelly began her career with the publishing giant Elsevier, under the Academic Press Imprint as an Acquisitions Editor. At the Dijkstra Agency, she manages the submission cycle and works actively with foreign rights, contracts, accounting, and PR. She is actively building her list and is especially interested in children's literature, YA, and international women's fiction.

• AGENTS/EDITORS PANEL
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Fiction, nonfiction, children's/YA, first 20 pages double-spaced SOLD OUT

ELAINE SPENCER is an agent with the Knight Agency, which has sold more than 700 books for its one 100+ clients. Though specializing in romance and women's fiction, the agency also represents commercial fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, middle grade and young adult titles, along with a diverse list of African American, religious, financial, self-help, and health nonfiction. Aggressively building her own client list, Elaine is looking to acquire novels in a variety of categories, including women's fiction, romance (light paranormals, contemporary mainstream, comedic, historical), young adult, mystery, and suspense. Elaine is a member of the AAR, Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers.

• AGENTS/EDITORS PANEL
• ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Fiction, first 20 pages double-spaced SOLD OUT

KAREN SYED is the owner of Echelon Press Publishing. Having published more than 100 novels for some of the freshest voices in the industry, Echelon's quest is and always has been to bring dedicated authors, who are determined to succeed, onto their team. Occupying a comfortable place in the mystery/suspense genre, Karen is actively seeking submissions of all lengths, from short stories to full-length novels, with word counts ranging from 2,500 to 90,000 words. She is also especially interested in expanding Echelon's growing e-book line.

• WORKSHOP: "The Author/Publisher Journey" (with Jeff Sherratt)
• AGENTS/EDITORS PANEL
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Mystery, suspense, and cutting-edge fiction; serious and narrative nonfiction, first 20 pages double-spaced

LAURA TAYLOR's acclaimed novel, Honorbound, received endorsements from authors Pat Conroy, W.E.B. Griffin, and Stephen King. The recipient of two Maggie Awards, as well as a Career Achievement Award, a Reviewers Choice Award, a lifetime achievement Award and Best Contemporary Mainstream Award from Romantic Times, she has written 22 books ranging in genre from romance to mainstream fiction, works as a freelance editor and is currently writing a true crime book.

• WORKSHOP: "Read & Critique (All-Genre)"
ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Mainstream and genre fiction, first 20 pages double-spaced

SALLY VAN HAITSMA is an agent for the Castiglia Literary Agency, which represents an international client database and has successfully placed numerous significant nonfiction and fiction titles with major publishers by first-time authors. With several award-winning writers included, these sales have also extended to film, audio, foreign, commercial and electronic rights where appropriate. Actively seeking unrecognized authors, Sally is interested in ethnic, commercial, literary and women's fiction, offbeat mysteries, narrative nonfiction, health, science, parenting, biography, architecture, interior design, current affairs and niche books.

• AGENTS/EDITORS PANEL
• ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Fiction (no sci-fi or fantasy) and Nonfiction. First 20 pages (TOC w/nonfiction) SOLD OUT

NATANYA WHEELER is a new agent with 30-year-old full-service agency Lowenstein-Yost Associates, which represents over 150 authors from New York Times bestsellers to Pulitzer Prize nominees. The agency handles most all genres, excluding cookbooks and children's books. Eager to expand her list, Natanya is specifically looking for both literary and commercial fiction, with a special interest in multicultural viewpoints, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and erotica.

• AGENTS/EDITORS PANEL
• ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Fiction and Narrative Nonfiction, synopsis and first 20 pages double-spaced SOLD OUT

MICHAEL STEVEN GREGORY is an independent filmmaker and WGA screenwriter of material ranging from mainstream drama and bio-pics to animated action-adventure and videogames. He has scripted series for Fox, UPN and HBO, directed television and features in a variety of genres, and been involved as a writer, producer or director in over 150 short films. His recent longform projects include the award-winning We, The Screenwriter and the romantic-comedy A Valentine Carol. His first book, Disc Golf: All You Need to Know about the Game You Want to Play (Trellis), is in its third printing while How to Produce Your Movie: A Complete Guide to Making an Independent Film for Market is due from Square One Publishers. Currently he is adapting for screen the story of Millard and Linda Fuller, founders of Habitat for Humanity and The Fuller Center for Housing.

• Executive Director, SCWC

WES ALBERS has spent over 17 years in law enforcement and is a veteran sergeant with the San Diego Police Department. A decorated officer who has been commended by the SDPD, the San Diego City and District Attorney’s Offices, the California Legislature, the Governor of California, and the Department of Homeland Security, he has consulted internationally on policing issues and recently spoke at a legislative conference with representatives from the U.S. and Mexico. His written work has been used as source material for U.S. Department of Justice publication. Additionally, his work has been used for Department training and operations manuals. Wes’s latest book, Black & White, generated immediate agent interest and is being shopped as a series. His next book is already under way.

• Director, SCWC

CHRISSIE A. BARNETT
• Assistant Director, Registration & Administration

CRICKET ABBOTT
• Associate

EDWIN DECKER
• Associate