LDS Storymakers Writers Conference

It's that time of year again. I look forward to it every single year. The very first year I attended the first annual LDStorymakers Writer's Conference, I met the publisher who eventually published my first three books.

Writers Conferences are the way writers develop their skills, their peer network, get their work before publishers in a face-to-face meeting and spend a weekend surrounded by people who think like you do!

Of the 2007 LDS Storymakers Writers Conference this was said:

I have been to many writer's conferences during my ten years as Acquisitions Editor for Deseret Book Company, and I can say without hesitation that the LDStorymaker's Conference is one of the best I've ever attended. I was impressed by so many things about the Conference: the classes were exceptional, the presenters were stellar, the speakers were inspirational, the attendees were enthusiastic. I left the Conference thinking to myself, "Here are the writers who are devoted to their craft, who are willing to work hard and be persistent, who understand the business of writing and of publishing. Here are the writers who are going to revolutionize the LDS writing world." I was so happy to have met so many great people who are involved in such a thriving, active writer's community. I look forward to reading the work that will come as a direct result of the Conference. It truly was a privilege to attend the 2007 LDStorymakers Writers Conference.

~ Lisa Mangum, Acquisitions Editor, Deseret Book Company

Registration for the 5th Annual LDStorymakers Writers Conference (March 21 & 22, 2008) is now available. We've simplified the registration process so you can pay online. Even Storymakers have to register, and I already did it. I'm so excited about this year's conference! I want to see each of you there, so join us! Click on the Storymaker logo to vote. Click on the link above . . . . just click, register and I'll look forward to seeing each of you at the conference.

This year is shaping up to be our best conference ever. Among the highlights:

• One of our keynote speakers is Timothy Travaglini, Senior Editor at G.P. Putnam's Sons (a division of Penguin Group, USA). For those of you who know Janette Rallison, he is her editor (known by her blog readers as the "bow-tied" one).
• The return of Boot Camp, the hugely popular hands-on critique workshop prior to the regular conference each day. Tristi Pinkston and I are in charge this year.
  
• A Publishers' panel, with representatives from all the major LDS publishing houses.
• Pitch sessions with both Covenant and Deseret Book
• Manuscript reviews with Tim Tavaglini
• Choice of some 20 break-out workshops taught by established authors (including me) on a wide range of topics and covering all skill levels.
• A writing contest
• Entertainment by comedian David Nibley (best known from his role in The Best Two Years and one of the funniest guys around)
• Several keynote speakers you won't want to miss
• and more

Part of that "more" is what immediately follows the conference: The first-ever Whitney Awards Gala. Awards given in celebration of the finest in fiction written by LDS authors.

We will yet have Miltons and Shakespeares of our own. God's ammunition is not exhausted. His brightest spirits are held in reserve for the latter times. In God's name and by His help we will build up a literature whose top shall touch heaven, though it's foundations be low in the earth." ~ Orson F. Whitney

This is the standard by which the Whitney Awards are run. So jump on over to the Whitney Awards website and nominate your favorite book by an LDS author published from January 1st to December 31st of 2007. Counting today, you have six more days to nominate -- so don't assume your favorite book of the year is a shoo-in, if you don't nominate it, it may never make the cut.

Another note: The facilities for the conference demand that we cap the number of attendees, so if you plan to come, sign up soon to reserve your spot. Likewise, the pitch sessions by Deseret Book and Covenant and the manuscript reviews by Mr. Travaglini are filling up fast, even though registration has been open for only a couple of days. If you want to snag one of those, hop to it!

Heather Moore and Annette Lyon and their terrific committee, have been doing behind-the-scenes work for spring of 2008, and it's exciting to see the pieces gradually coming together.It's always informative. It's always fun. It's always useful. It's always a blast! See you in March!

And on a completely unrelated final note: “In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!' ~ Dave Barry, "Christmas Shopping: A Survivor's Guide" (Quote Garden)