SUNDAY SESSION 6: 2.25-3.25pm

A. SESSION FULL - ALL YOU NEED IS A SIX-PACK, Anna Sugden.
SUITABLE FOR: unpublished writers, beginner and intermediate
Baffled by the number of craft books out there? Bewildered by all the different workshops telling you how to write your book? Bothered that you’re doing it wrong? In this interactive workshop, two-time Golden Heart finalist Anna Sugden will show you how to develop a writer’s tool kit that works for you. And, yes, there will be six-packs!

Two-time Golden Heart finalist Anna Sugden got the chance to follow her dream of becoming a romance writer thanks to a work-permit snafu at the beginning of her husband’s six year posting to New Jersey. A winner of numerous awards, Anna writes heart-warming contemporary romance and heart-pounding romantic suspense with an English twist. She is a founder member of the Romance Bandits and a regular contributor to The Healthy Writer Blog. Now back in England, Anna and her husband share their Cambridge home with two adopted black cats.

For more information on this session, click to our blog spotlight.

B. THE PUBLISHING BUSINESS FOR THE BEWILDERED WRITER, Bob Mayer
THIS SESSION IS SUITABLE FOR: all writers
Fee-charging agents, E-books, print-on-demand, self-publishing, sell-through and sales numbers, shrinking mid-lists, corporate mergers: what does all this mean to the writer who often feels on the outside? A writer’s point of view of all the essentials needed to navigate the minefield of publishing. With Q&A.

Bob Mayer has over 40 books published and is in demand as a team-building, life-change, and leadership speaker and writing teacher. Bob attended West Point and earned a BA in psychology before serving with the infantry, Special Forces and commanding a Green Beret A Team. He draws on these experiences to write his novels and nonfiction books, including The Novel Writer’s Toolkit: A Guide To Writing Great Fiction And Getting It Published; and three romantic adventure collaborations with Jennifer Crusie. His novels have hit the NY Times, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and numerous other bestseller lists.

C. BEHIND THE BADGE, Julia Hunter.
SUITABLE FOR: all writers with an interest in law enforcement research
An informal discussion about the subculture of American federal agents from a 20-yr veteran's perspective. Julia will give you the personal insights unavailable through online research. Whether you’re interested in training, undercover, tragic stories, funny stories, complex cases, dating while armed – it’s a unique opportunity that can be utilized for both character and story development.

Julia Hunter has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Criminology and has been a federal agent for over 21 years. Julia is currently working on certification in digital forensics. She is a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association and serves on the board for the 2010 Greater Seattle RWA chapter as the vice president. Julia’s an international presenter and routinely conducts workshops and seminars at police academies, universities and conferences.

For more information on this session, click to our blog spotlight.

D. SESSION FULL - PANEL: CUTTING IT SHORT
THIS SESSION IS SUITABLE FOR: all genres, published and unpublished
A panel of editors and bestselling authors discuss the writing, publishing and marketing of shorter works of fiction. From website extras to novellas for themed anthologies, learn about the challenges, opportunities and rewards of writing complete, satisfying stories in a shorter word count. Panelists: Kelley Armstrong, Angela James, Stephanie Laurens, Erika Tsang, Denise Rossetti.

Kelley Armstrong : #1 NYT bestseller multi-published in all lengths of short fiction. Kelley also offers free on-line stories to her fans.
Avon executive editor Erika Tsang presents the editor's perspective of themed anthologies.
Award-winning erotic author Denise Rossetti has contributed to several anthologies and also writes free website extras.
Angela James will present an editor's view on opportunities for ePublished shorts and novellas.
Stephanie Laurens , RITA winner for Best Novella, will discuss the challenges of crafting this shorter length.

E. SESSION FULL - PANEL: IT ISN'T ALL ABOUT THE HERO
SUITABLE FOR: all levels, all genres
A panel of reader favourites and an editor discuss the care and feeding of the relatable heroine. Strong, smart, sympathetic, she is the heart of your story and should never live in the hero's shadow. Learn how to bring her to vibrant life on the page in this entertaining and informative session. Panelists: Anne Gracie, Marion Lennox, Sarah Mayberry, Kelly Hunter and Lucy Gilmour.

Marion Lennox has been writing since she was knee high to a grasshopper. She's published 86 romances with Harlequin Mills & Boon but continues with the belief that she has the best job in the known universe. Since the award's inception, a staggering 20 of Marion's books have been shortlisted for the Australian Romantic Book of the Year. She has twice taken home both the RBY and the RITA award. Her books are fun, lighthearted celebrations of the human spirit and the power of romance to conquer all.

Accidentally educated in the sciences, Kelly Hunter has always had a weakness for fairy tales, fantasy worlds and losing herself in a good book. Since her first release with Harlequin Modern Heat (Sexy Sensation) in 2006, Kelly's books have not-so-accidentally collected thousands of fans, 2 RITA finalist pins, a RBY final and 4 ARRA Favourite Category Romance nominations.

Anne Gracie started her writing career with Harlequin, has written nine ST historical romances for Berkley (Penguin Group, USA) and wrote the novelization of the first "The Tudors" TV series. An internationally bestselling author, Anne is a former president of RWAustralia, a three time RITA finalist, and has twice won RWAustralia's Romantic Book of the Year and the National Reader's Choice Award in the USA.

Sarah Mayberry wanted to be a writer from the time she stapled together her first "book" in kindergarten. In line with this ambition, she completed a BA majoring in professional writing, then sat down to write a book. When inspiration didn’t strike, she began to wonder if, perhaps, she needed to live some life before writing about it. She found her way into trade journalism, then to storylining for Neighbours. Sarah still writes for TV but mostly she's kept busy by what she describes as the best job in the world, writing romance.

Lucy Gilmour is an Editor for Harlequin Mills & Boon and works in their London office. Lucy joined Harlequin six years ago after finishing her classics degree and spending two years working in the French Alps, perfecting the skills every editor needs; extensive wine-tasting knowledge, learning the language of love...and chatting to (ok, serving drinks to) impossible gorgeous Mediterranean men! She acquires across all of the UK acquired series giving her the chance to work with some of her favourite heroes…although she reluctantly agrees that it's not ALL about the hero.