Fresh off the “positively brain damaging” whirlwind weekend that is the SCWC’s Winter event, we ramp up for our Fall conference in Newport Beach. Though it’s some six months away we’re pleased to report the return of some former conferees who’ve landed publication success, including Marci Nault. Out May from Simon & Schuster (Gallery Books), Mary Alice Monroe, (New York Times best-selling author of Beach House Memories) calls Marci’s debut title, The Lake House, “[A] richly textured novel about love, friendship and second chances that spans generations… as uplifting and sparkling as a fresh water lake in summer.”
Also aboard, hailing all the way from Northern Ireland, Laurence O’Bryan is back with the third thriller on his HarperCollins UK contract, The Manhattan Puzzle (October, 2013). Set in Los Angeles, the novel follows his SD21 Outstanding Fiction Award winning The Istanbul Puzzle and recent follow-up, The Jerusalem Puzzle.
Speaking of awards, our other SD21 Outstanding Fiction Award winner, George Berger, has just seen his debut novel released in hardcover. Elizabeth Cobbs Hoffman (Broken Promises, A Novel of the Civil War) calls South of Burnt Rocks West of the Moon, “[A] heart-stopping read.” While Kirkus hails it, “Smartly written… A wonderfully crafted balance of Roman-era drama and the fierceness of battle.”
A hearty congratulations to all!
Craft Trumps Hype
As always, LA11 will offer a full slate of read & critique and craft-oriented workshops. Returning this year after a brief hiatus, New York Times best-selling author Drusilla Campbell’s NovelCram: Building a Better Book immersion track will run Friday through Sunday afternoon. Following the overflow, sold-out Cram turnout at this past month’s SD27, those writers interested should probably sign up much sooner than later this time around.
Along with the many authors, agents and editors yet to be announced, we’ll also be featuring another round of our popular “Do Yourself Independence” (DYI) sessions. Geared to the entrepreneurial author, whether traditionally or independently published, once again we’ll cut through the noise (and often utter nonsense) to better understand the strategies, tactics, tools and trade-offs inherent to succeeding in today’s ever-changing industry. Just as there’s no single right way to write an exceptional book–only an infinite number of wrong ways–the same can be said of reaching, engaging and winning over book-buying readers.
Early “Bard” Pre-registration is now open. You’ve earned it, so register by May 1 and save $75 off Full Conference/NovelCram. And be sure to check out this excerpt from author Valerie Wicks’ DYI workshop at SD27, then join the discussion on our SCWC Facebook page.
