February 24-26, 2012
We are accepting registrations for the Seventh Annual Writer’s Conference hosted by the Puerto Vallarta Writers Group to be held February 24-26 at the Biblioteca Los Mangos.
Click here to REGISTER and PAY ONLINE / OFFLINE …
This year’s theme is ‘Writing Well’
2012 FEATURED SPEAKERS & SEMINAR PRESENTERS:
Jacqueline Mitchard
Jacquelyn Mitchard
A longtime journalist and essayist, she is the author of the first selection of the Oprah Winfrey Book Club, ‘The Deep End of the Ocean,’ named by USA Today as one of the 25 most influential books of the 20th century.
She has written 19 other books of fiction for adults and children, served on the 2004 jury for the National Book Award, and is a member of the faculty for the MFA Program in Creative Writing at Fairfield University.
Mitchard lives in Massachusetts with her family, and is at work on her 21st novel. Jacquelyn will deliver the keynote address.
Mitchell Wieland
Mitchell Wieland
Novelist, short story writer, and editor of the Idaho review, considered to be one of the premiere literary reviews in America.
Wieland holds an MFA from The University of Alabama, and once served as fiction editor of Black Warrior Review.
Wieland is currently a full professor at Boise State University, where he has taught for fifteen years.
One of the founders of Boise State’s MFA program, he was its director for four years.
Wieland founded The Idaho Review in 1998.
James Strauss
James Strauss,
Novelist, author of The Boy, a pre-history tale soon to be filmed by Disney Studios.
James has written for television, notably House and Deadwood, and was technical director for Equalizer, starring Russell Crowe.
One of Hollywood’s premiere scriptwriters, James is currently working with the legendary Stan Lee on a new superhero graphic novel.
Eileen Obser
Eileen Obser
A memoirist and personal essayist whose work has been published in numerous publications, both national and local, in the U.S.
She has been teaching writing, both fiction and nonfiction, and mostly to adults, in workshops in the New York area for almost 20 years.
She holds an MFA from Stony Brook University.
Eileen is a long-time member of the Puerto Vallarta Writers Group and lives in Long Island, NY.
Joe Staszak
Joe Staszak
Senior consultant for the Printing Industry of America in both Traditional and Digital production workflow with an international career with 40 years of publishing experience in nine languages.
Retired as Director of the Regional Book Program for Latin America and Cultural Attache at the American Embassy in Mexico City.
Currently working as Director of ExLibris, and consultant to Editorial/Print/Publishing industry.
Workshops will include:
- Using Social Media
- Writing Dialog
- Short Stories/Flash Fiction
- Short Essays/Journals
Marcy Posner
For the first time, we will have an agent in attendance.
Marcy Posner of Folio Literary Management will be holding private sessions for those who have books to pitch.
Marcy has represented award-winning authors such as NY Times best-sellers Jacqueline Kelly, Sheri Reynolds and Jill Barnett, along with authors like Kristi Cook, Christopher Grant, Georgia Bockoven, and Jerry Corgiat.
Additional presenters:
New presenters announced for this year’s conference
William C. Gordon
International mystery writer, lawyer, photographer and world traveler, his works are published in ten languages. Bill is a detective novelist, and his protagonist, would be ace reporter Samuel Hamilton, spends his time tracking down crime in a lushly described San Francisco through three novels, The Chinese Jar, King of the Bottom, The Ugly Dwarf, and the soon to be released Fractured Lives.
Mr. Gordon has deep ties to the Hispanic Community, is bilingual and represented Mexican workers for over forty years in his law practice in California.
He is married to novelist Isabel Allende.
Daniel Grippo
Daniel Grippo, Ph.D. has published at least a dozen books and many journal articles on spiritual wellbeing with a variety of U.S. publishers. He has worked as a writer, editor, marketer, and manager in publishing for over 30 years and is presently co-owner and co-publisher of a Chicago publishing company. Over the years, Dan has helped a number of local authors with story structure, editing, and marketing guidance. Dan chaired the 2nd Annual Puerto Vallarta Writers Conferences and initiated the development of the group’s website.
Joy Eckel
Joy Eckel has worked as an editor in various capacities for more than 15 years, here in Puerto Vallarta and previously in Denver, CO. She now enjoys working from home as a freelance copy editor, available for everything from newsletters to novels. She can be reached at joyeckel@yahoo.com.
Her in-office job experience includes serving as associate editor for books and newsletters at AORN, the Denver-based international perioperative nursing association, and as editor for Vallarta Lifestyles magazine. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Metropolitan State College summa cum laude, followed by graduate work at the University of Colorado.
Cost for attendance is $110 U.S. or 1500 pesos until Feb. 15; $125 U.S. or 1800 pesos after Feb. 15, 2012.
Seating for speakers and workshops is limited so early registration will guarantee your participation.
Registrants will receive further e-mails to indicate workshop choices. Again, attendance will be limited so an early reply will guarantee your preferences.
Payments can be given to Maria Ruiz or, for those who are not here in Puerto Vallarta, by direct deposit or PayPal.
Please note: Using PayPal will cost an additional $5 in fees.
Maria will provide instructions for direct deposit.
Maria’s email is mariaruiz102 AT gmail.com
PayPal payments are made directly to the account of Theodore Druch using the link below
Click here to REGISTER and PAY ONLINE / OFFLINE …
PICTURES FROM CONFERENCES PAST
Puerto Vallarta…A Feast for the Senses!
Puerto Vallarta is a multifaceted destination magnet for visitors from around the world, renowned for miles of walkable sun-drenched beaches, the stunning beauty of the crystalline Bay of Banderas, lush vegetation, genuinely friendly and accommodating locals and a unique Malecon—alive with fanciful sculptures, colorful vendors and engaging entertainment.
A favorite of travelers in-the-know, Vallarta is an epicurean’s delight, hosting an annual gourmet festival and featuring over 300 eateries that offer options for all budgets and tastes, from candlelit dinners on the beach to award-winning international restaurants; from fish-on-a-stick under a palapa to family-owned taco stands on the street. Whatever the hour of the day, the hungry are but a few steps from a delectable treat.
With its wonderful array of galleries, art walks and an international film festival, Vallarta is also a mecca for lovers of the arts, as well as savvy shoppers, who can while away the hours in search of special treasures at local jewelry stores, eclectic clothing boutiques, and furniture/accessory shops filled with contemporary and traditional Mexican designs.
In addition to an ideal climate and abundance of breath-taking natural resources, Vallarta offers a host of exhilarating adventures from dancing in a sizzling night club, attending a live theater production or orchestra performance, visiting the zoo or botanical garden to riding the banana boat, taking a Spanish or cooking class, parasailing, horseback riding, zip-lining through the jungle, or enjoying a cruise to a neighboring island, to name but a few!
The sky is the limit in this world-class resort, where modern amenities combine with quaint cobblestone streets, and the warm, welcoming hospitality and culture of Vallarta’s locals is the best souvenir of all. From the first glimpse of the sun peeking over the mountaintops, to the grand finale at dusk, when the skies erupt into a magical palette of pastels, Puerto Vallarta is a feast for the senses.
Puerto Vallarta Central Square
Los Arcos
A Beach near Puerto Vallarta
Church of Virgin of Guadalupe
BIBLIOTECA LOS MANGOS
- Site of 2012 PV Writers Conference
The 2012 PV Writers Conference will be held at the Biblioteca Los Mangos, Puerto Vallarta’s bustling main library, which is located just a few miles from the main hub. Easily accessible from El Centro as well as the North and South sides of town, the historic Los Mangos is a popular icon of the city, often serving as host to a variety of special events, exhibits and concerts. With its bright spacious salas (rooms), diverse selection of English and Spanish books, modern decor and welcoming outdoor courtyards, it is the ideal venue for the ’10 conference.
Located on the local bus line, (or easily reached via a short taxi ride), Los Mangos also offers the convenience of several nearby eateries (a list of which will be provided at registration).
Biblioteca Los Mangos
Av Francisco Villa 1001
Biblioteca Los Mangos
Puerto Vallarta Information websites:
Beachfront hotels easily accessible to Library by taxi or bus:
- Buenaventura Grand Hotel (Downtown)
1-888-859-9439
hotelbuenaventura.com.mx - Canto del Sol Beach & Tennis Resort (Hotel Zone)
52-322-226-0123
cantodelsol.com - Hotel Rosita (Downtown)
52-322-223-2000
Email: Sales@hotelrosita.com - Sheraton Buganvilias Resort & Convention Center (Hotel Zone)
1-800-942-6155 (from U.S.)
sheratonvallarta.com
Boutique Hotels and Inns:
- Casa Andrea
casa-andrea.com - Posada Roger Hotel
hotelposadaderoger.com - Belmar Hotel
belmarvallarta.com - Hotel Rio
hotelrio.com.mx/hotel_rio_vallarta_centro.html - Hotel Catedral
hotelcatedralvallarta.com/
Click here to REGISTER and PAY ONLINE / OFFLINE …
7th ANNUAL PUERTO VALLARTA WRITER’S CONFERENCE
February 24 – 26, 2012
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Program
Individual assignment sheets will be handed out upon registration.
Friday, February 24
All day. Meetings with agent Marcy Posner (by appointment only).
5:00 PM Registration
6:30 PM Welcome & Introductions
7:00 PM Keynote address
“Writing through the Hard Times — Excise the Excuses” – Jacquelyn Mitchard
8:00 PM Hor d’ouevres and no-host bar
Saturday, February 25
AM Meetings with Agent Marcy Posner. (by appointment only)
8:00 AM Breakfast sweet table, coffee
9:00 AM Seminar: “You’re Never too Old to start Writing”– William Gordon
Workshops:
Writing for Children and young adults – Jacquelyn Mitchard
“Inventing the Truth: The Art and Craft of Memoir”- Eileen Obser
10:15 AM Workshops:
“Creating plot, structure, and suspense” - William Gordon
Character: “The Quietly Vibrating Center of Your Work. – James Strauss
Structuring your Narrative - Jacquelyn Mitchard
“Writing About Your Life” Eileen Obser
11:45 AM LUNCH A variety of Mexican food will be available from local vendors.
1:00 PM Seminar: “Great Beginnings.” – Jacquelyn Mitchard
Workshops:
Dialogue: “The Dynamic Transfer of Visualization Using only Words.”
James Strauss
“The Art of the Personal Essay”- Eileen Obser -
Saturday, February 25 (cont)
2:45 PM Workshops:
Revising and editing for brevity, clarity, and good story structure.
Daniel Grippo & Joy Eckel
Characterization & development “Forgetting the Rules” - William Gordon
Structuring your Narrative – Jacquelyn Mitchard
4:30 PM Seminar/Panel “Publishing and Marketing” Joe Staszak & Marcy Posner
Sunday, February 26:
8:00 AM Breakfast sweet table, coffee
9:00 AM Workshops
E-publishing - Joe Staszac
Marketing – Facebook, twitter, etc. “Putting Your Sales ‘Cart’
before Your ‘Writing Horse.‘” James Strauss
11:00 AM Final Presentation
”The Power of Building and Owning Your Own Myth.”– James Strauss
12:00 PM Book Fair – Library and library grounds. Food & entertainment
There could also be extra workshops for special interests such as creating a web page, using Facebook and other social networking sites, as well as other topics. These could be offered to anyone interested, and would be held during the Book Fair.